CH 1 Inst on SR 11,12,13,

[Guest guest]

11. He who considers himself free is free indeed, and he who considers

himself bound remains bound. 'As one thinks, so one becomes' is a popular

saying in this world and it is quite true.

 

He etc - this is a very significant utterance and one that contains an

invaluable lesson for those who wish to attain Self-realization. In

reality, the Self is ever free, It never enters into a state of bondage. It

is our ignorance that we think ourselves bound; and this thought makes ouyr

superimposed bondage persist and continue. If, however, we constantly think

of ourselves as the eternally free Self, we shall realize that we are ever

free.

 

 

12. The Self is witness, all-pervading, perfect, One, free,

Consciousness, actionless, unattached, desireless and quiet. Through

illusion It appears as if It is of the world (i.e. subject to the

ever-repeating cycle of birth and death)

 

One - devoid of all differentiation from like or unlike objects and of all

attributes.

 

Of the world - bound by the desires of the world and involved in the cycle

of birth and rebirth - unlike what has been described as the Self in this

verse.

 

 

13. Having given up external and internal self-modifications and the

illusion 'I am the reflected (individual) self' meditate on the Atman as

immutable, Consciousness and non-dual.

 

External etc - identification of the self with physical and mental

conditions, such as 'this is my body' (external) and 'I am happy or

unhappy'.

 

Reflected etc - finite consciousness which is the reflection of the self in

the mind, which circumscribes its infinitude.