Look , See, I AM

[Guest guest]

It is natural to wonder what is the meaning and purpose behind extraordinary

suffering. That is how Buddha's spiritual quest started. Gautama Buddha

perhaps did not take the next step, but one can also ask what is the meaning

of "meaning" and what are all the implications of the notion of "purpose."

Some would not consider this a healthy inquiry but it points to the central

role played in perception and how perception is simply another way to

indicate the movements of energy. When we ask someone, "How are you doing

today," what we are really asking is, "How are your energies moving in

relationship to your environment and what are your perceptions?". And we

have to ask people, "How are you doing?" on a daily basis. You can't just

ask once and be done with it. We have to ask everyday because we intuitively

know that all perceptions including our own are in constant movement. Energy

is in constant movement. That is why we are seeing people and ourselves

being born, suffering, getting older, dying etc. Movement of energy is

change in manifestation. So the question of "meaning" and what is that we

are really "seeing or perceiving" is relevant to a serious inquiry.

 

Great Sages such as Sri Ramana Maharshi point out clearly that the fact of

our existence is self-evident. Other than that we cannot be sure of much.

The rest is all inference. So the greatest "spiritual practice" if one

wishes to label it such is to stay with that Root Truth and be aware of it

under all conditions. The Root Truth of I AM. This is not a thought. This is

the "Look" always looking at itself. It is the Awareness Always Self-Aware.

It has been called the greatest mantra because it is accessible to all

without regard to race, religion, gender, nationality, etc. Its potency is

unimaginable. To some it looks too simple of a practice. Yet, for those who

have the maturity to grasp it, it is the most subtle, ideal, and the best

practice. It requires no investment, no particular posture, no particular

learning, no adherence to a school of thought. This practice accomplishes

everything that needs to be accomplished.

 

Sri Nisargadatta whose core teaching is identical to that of the Sage of

Arunachala Ramana Maharshi has also put it simply: The Self is nothing else

but the knowledge that 'you are'. Meditate on that principle by which you

know 'you are' and on account of which you experience the world. Meditate on

this knowledge 'you are', which is the consciousness, and abide therein."

 

Love to all

Harsha