Self-knowledge and Self-realization
by Atman Nityananda
Self-knowledge is a process of inquiry and meditation based on right knowledge, careful observation, reflection, contemplation, and discrimination.
Yet for this process to bear fruit, it must rest upon a prepared mind and heart, purified through dedicated inner work.
This involves having greatly reduced the rajasic and tamasic qualities while greatly increasing sattva.
It also requires that egoic tendencies, desires, attachments, and flaws have been greatly weakened, alongside a greatly developed longing for liberation, dispassion, devotion, and discernment.
Its central objectives and ultimate purpose are:
- Purification of vitla energy, mind and heart.
- Elimination of the egoic tendencies
- Development of sattvic capacities and qualities of mind, heart and intellect, such as, devotion, dispassion, discernment, concentration, clarity, compassion, acceptance, resilience
- Discrimination: To clearly distinguish between our true Self — the silent presence of pure Consciousness — and our apparent self, which includes the body, life-force, thoughts, emotions, and ego.
- Disidentification: To cease identifying with everything other than the silent presence of our true nature. This means ceasing identification with the body, vital energy, mind, intellect, thoughts, emotions, desires, feelings, and ego.
- Awakening: To realize that we are the silent presence of Consciousness.
- Self-realization: To establish ourselves in this silent presence through meditation, culminating in the complete dissolution of the ego and desire in all their aspects, which occurs in deep Nirvilalpa samadhi — the pinnacle of deep meditation.
The ‘secret’ to a plentiful life, a life of harmony, happiness and contentment is to have a sattvic mind free from desires and ego and to live in every moment in conscious contact with our true Self (Consciousness).
🌺 Peace, Love, Harmony
atmannityanada 