Consciousness

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Consciousness

By T. P. Ramachandra Iyer

 

My special subject in college was philosophy and so I had some

knowledge of both Eastern and Western systems of thought, and to some

extent I was conscious of this.

My first appearance in the Old Hall set me free from any such

ridiculous feelings. When I entered the Hall there was a discussion

going on about the nature of Self and of consciousness and

unconsciousness.

Book learning being fresh in my mind, I began to express what I had

read about the various grades of consciousness in Western systems,

and particularly mentioned and explained the super-conscious and

subconscious.

Sri Bhagavan listened and reacted sharply and remarked:

 

"What is, is only Consciousness. It is only with reference to

something that is, that you can postulate a super or sub state to it.

Only to that which exists can you postulate higher or lower grades;

you never talk of adding to or subtracting from nonexistence.

Consciousness is Existence and every living being agrees that it

exists; so that which is, is consciousness. Consciousness is Truth;

other postulations of it are the creation of ignorance, clouding the

mind but appealing to the intellect.

Peel off the postulations, ignore the supras and subs and be as you

are. You ARE: that is the truth known even to a child. Truth is

simple and direct. Being always IS, it knows no variation. That which

IS - Consciousness - has neither appearance nor disappearance.

Therefore, what exists is Consciousness, call it by any name, Self,

God, Atman, Brahman ...."

 

I did not only hear the words of Bhagavan but experienced something

else also. I felt and experienced my nature, dived deep into my

consciousness and swam in the ocean of Bliss. I fell prostrate before

Bhagavan and cried aloud within myself: “O Bhagavan! My Master!

Dispeller of my darkness! Obeisance to you! Accept me as your

servant!” How can I speak of the joy and bliss I experienced that

day, which still surges in me by the Grace of the Master, Sri Ramana

Sat-Guru!

-- The Mountain Path, October 1966

 

 

THE MAHARSHI

November/December 2004Vol. 14 - No. 6

44.25pt" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="">

Produced & Edited byDennis HartelDr. Anil K. Sharma

 

 

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