Guest guest Posted May 31, 2001 Report Share Posted May 31, 2001 ============================================================= This article is emailed to you by Ram Chandran ( rchandran ) ============================================================= Source: The Hindu (http://www.the-hindu.com) Self-awareness results in freedom CHENNAI, MAY 31. The majority of those who take to spiritual life assume that they are on the right path, but it is a rare one who grasps the knowledge of the Self - the experience which can enable him to go beyond limitations. Such a person can be comfortable with all ideas as he is poised in Self-awareness. To gain this insight one must constantly question, ``Am I interested in knowing myself or picking up ideas only?'' The fundamental question ``Who am I?'' has to be addressed. The dimensions of this Self-discovery can be provided only by a teacher who has this experience. As there are buyers for all qualities of a fruit according to how much each person can afford, so also, there will be different kinds of teachers propounding their various philosophical standpoints all having their own following. But, a true spiritual teacher is one who can enable the aspirant to gain the wisdom of Self-experience. Vedanta does not pat the back of the person who undertakes the spiritual quest; it challenges his convictions, ideas and thoughts. A person who is comfortable with them will not like to lose them and hence holds on to them. For instance, one who is accustomed to affluence cannot even bear the thought of poverty. It is the same case with one's ideologies and beliefs which offer a different kind of security. When they are questioned, the person can become totally helpless. In his discourse, Swami Suddhananda said that one who was on the spiritual quest must understand what freedom meant. We are all born dependent and we grow up with many social conditionings. They are necessary for one's growth initially, but at some stage one must start questioning them to realise their limitations to be liberated from one's dependence on them. Though a person is born dependent he must choose to become free. It is the ignorant one who remains dependent on an object, an idea or a teacher. Freedom does not mean dismissing all these; everything in life continues to be even after realising this inner freedom but only one's dependence on them ceases. So a man of realisation does not feel threatened when he loses something. True renunciation is the freedom one gains within. Such a person is not afraid of anyone and everyone feels comfortable with him. No one can snatch away this happiness found in freedom. As one goes through life changes are bound to come like loss of a dear one, loss of emotion as in the case when a beloved takes a sudden dislike. Such situations which would disturb an ignorant person will not affect the one who is poised in the Self. Copyrights: 2001 The Hindu & indiaserver.com, Inc. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the consent of The Hindu & indiaserver.com, Inc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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