Tuesday, December 11, 2007

What are Self-Realization, Awakening, Liberation, and Enlightenment?

What are Self-Realization, Awakening, Liberation, and Enlightenment?

There is nothing mystical or magical about this. It is simple, logical and applicable to everyone. This is not just for special beings who were able to transcend their earthly fetters, and rise above the lowly egoic peasantry through years of self-sacrifice and meditation. That’s all nonsense. This is true for anyone and everyone. These words apply to you and to me:

"We are free here and now, it is only the mind that imagines bondage. Seeing that there is no such thing as a permanent, separate person, all becomes clear. You are the immensity and infinity of consciousness. It is lucid, silent, peaceful, alert, and unafraid—without desire and fear. To realize this is the end of all seeking."
—Nisargadatta Maharaj

These few words say it all.

1. "We are free here and now, it is only the mind that imagines bondage."

Is this true? Consider your own experience. When you are sitting quietly, not thinking about yourself and your problems, can anything trouble you? Can there be any bondage if you are not imagining yourself to be bound? Of course you are free here and now! Nisargadatta puts it another way, too: "Nothing can trouble you but your own imagination." There is no such thing as bondage. It is merely a concept!

2. "Seeing that there is no such thing as a permanent, separate person, all becomes clear."

Is this true? Look for yourself. What is the common denominator in all of your suffering, all of your problems? What is at the center of your life situation? What is this ‘me’ that says, ‘my’ life, ‘my’ problems? If it is seen that there is no separate me, no separate person here at all, can there be any suffering? The ‘me’ who was bound and suffering is just imagination. Reading the words and agreeing or disagreeing is not enough. Seeing this for yourself is the key.

3. "You are the immensity and infinity of consciousness. It is lucid, silent, peaceful, alert, and unafraid—without desire and fear."

If I am not the separate person I thought I was then what am I? Isn’t consciousness your essential nature? If you are not conscious can anything else exist? Can there be a ‘me’ and ‘my’ story if consciousness is not there to witness it? What is the nature of pure consciousness? Isn’t it clear, silent, peaceful, alert, unafraid? So consciousness is what you are: not a separate person.

4. "To realize this is the end of all seeking."

For what are you seeking? Aren’t you seeking for clarity, peace, freedom from desire and fear? Aren’t these the characteristics of consciousness? You are what you are seeking! Realizing that you are consciousness, not the separate person you imagined yourself to be, the seeking comes to an end and you are free! When these words are understood and known as the truth they become your daily living experience. It’s as simple as it looks. There’s nothing magical or mystical about it. There is no need for any mystical experience of universal love and union. The understanding brings on a simple experience of Peace and well-being that is felt as the common ground of all your daily experiences. Happiness and sadness, laughter and tears, anger and joy: all come and go in this awareness of peace and well-being. Nothing to gain. Nothing to lose. Everything is as it is.

http://livinginpeace-thenaturalstate.com/

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