Swami teaches... I am the Atma

[Guest guest]

Sai Ram

 

Light and Love

 

Swami teaches.... (19 February 2005)

 

"I am the Atma"

 

"I am the beginning, the middle and the end of all things. In this universe

there is nothing that is not Atma." declares Krishna in the Bhagavad Gita.

Everyone should keep in mind the Atmic Principle what is called Eruka

(Awareness). This Awareness produces in every being the sense of "I-ness." It

is the mind that continually interposes itself against the Atma. As long as

the mind exists, one cannot comprehend the nature of the Atma or realise the

Atma. Only the person who is aware of the Atma in all the different states of

consciousness can be said to have direct vision of the Atma(Saakshaatkaara).

Without the "I", the world will have no existence. If there is no "I,"

there is no creation. The terms, "I", Atma and Brahmam are all synonymous. The

"I" not associated with the mind is Atma. The "I" associated with the mind is

mithyaatma (pseudo-self). What is this "I" ("nenu" inTelugu)? It is the basis

(Uniki). Because the same basic entity exists in all beings, it is calledAtma,

Brahmam. Another name for it is Hridaya (the spiritual heart). It is also

called Aham ("I"). Hridaya is not physical heart and has no physical

limitations. Hridaya in the true sense of theword refers to that which is

all-pervading.

There are two "I's" in everyone - the "I" that is associated with the mind

and the"I" associated with the Atma. Consciousness of the Atma is the real "I."

When this "I" is wrongly associated with the mind, it becomes Ahamkara (the

Ego). When the "I" associated with the Atma experiences Atmic bliss, it

realises that the universal consciousness is One, though it may be called by

different names. When you eliminate the Anaatma-bhaava in you (that is, the

bodyconsciousness), you will have the Atma-bhaava (consciousness of the

Universal), within you.Without this consciousness all sadhanas are of no avail.

The water vapour produced by the sun becomes a cloud and hides the sun

itself. Likewise, the thoughts arising in the mind conceal the Atma. When the

mind is eliminated the Atma aloneremains.

 

It is this Chaitanya (Atmic i.e. Cosmic consciousness) which makes the

cosmos function. For the entire creation, consisting of living and inanimate

objects, this consciousness is the basis. Consciousness, composed of three

aspects, manas (mind), buddhi (intelligence) ahamkara (ego), from where did

they originate, how do they grow and where do they merge themselves? That is

the Brahmam, Atma. The pandits describe the Supreme as Sat-Chit-Ananda

(Being-Awareness-Bliss). This is not correct. He is Sat, He is Chit and He is

Ananda. These are not three different qualities of the Divine. He is the

embodiment of each of them.

The Atmic principle is the One that pervades the entire Cosmos. It is the

Universal (Cosmic)Consciousness. It is impossible for it to be present in some

and not in others.

When you want to understand the nature of consciousness, you have to

understand one part of it, namely, Conscience what is a Witness. It is also

known as Awareness. A witness requires a basis for its functioning. That basis

is that of which you are "conscious" in the waking state. There are these

three levels of understanding. Being "conscious" (of the objective world), the

Conscience and the Consciousness.

 

For the purpose of earning a living, among all embodiments of Atma one may

be labourer, or an official, or a trader, or a farmer. These differences are

based on the occupations pursued by different persons. They have no permanent

significance. Similarly, although the Atma is one and the same in everybody,

distinctions are made amongdifferent persons on the basis of their physical and

other characteristics and their relationships.One's interest in these

distinctions is based on one's attachment. For instance, if there is anaccident

to an aeroplane, one's interest in the fate of individual passengers is

increased if one'skith and kin were travelling by that plane. Otherwise one is

interested in the accident only out ofcuriosity. In the same manner, as long as

the Atma is not considered as your own, your interest in the Atma is concerned

with mere information. Once you know that the Atma is the Self that ispresent

in everyone, the process of transformation takes place.

The primary cause for the chaos of divisions, conflicts, disorder and

violence in the world today is the absence of the sense of oneness among men.

There is urgent need for cultivating the spirit of love which will serve to

promote the feeling of oneness. It is not easy for laymen to understand the

Vedas. But whether they are understood or not, their truth permeates the

universe. They embody the Sabda Brahmam (Cosmic Sound). They are not confined

to a particular place, time or person.

All that is experienced by the body and the mind has no real connection with

the Atma. Relying on the light coming from the Sun, many people perform

different actions. Some may do good deeds and some others may be indulging in

bad actions. The Atma is unaffected by the consequences of these actions, just

as the Sun is not affected by the activities done with the help of sunlight.

The Sun is a witness. Likewise the Atma also is a witness to what is done by

the body and mind.

But human, because of identifying him/herself with the body and other

organs, attributes all their activities to the power of the Atma. For all this,

the mind is the root cause. It is the mind thatassumes these multifarious forms.

 

 

If the world is to be transformed, we must begin with the individual. To

start with, the individual must reform himself. Without the individual

realising his true nature, all other accomplishments are of no avail. Turning

the mind towards the external world can only breed sorrow. Enduring bliss can

be got only by directing the mind towards Atma (God). Without mental

transformation all other changes are meaningless. Without changing your

qualities, you remain in the same state as before.

In human being there are sixteen black spots: the six enemies (lust, anger,

greed,infatuation, pride and envy), the two Gunas, Rajas and Tamas, and the

eight types of mada(conceit) based on lineage and scholarship, wealth, youth,

beauty, position and penance. It isonly when man gets rid of these sixteen evil

traits that he will be able to realise his oneness withthe his poornatva

(Divine).

Today many preceptors are acquiring possessions. In this situation it is

difficult to say who are gurus and who are disciples. People today tend to be

naive in their actions. Whenever they see some aged persons, they seek some

mantra (spiritual message) from them. What is the mantra they really need? It

is the understanding of their true nature. This mantra is within them. Each

contains within himself the mantra, tantra and yantra (the spiritual message,

the method of practising it and the instrument for implementing it). Your

process of breathing contains the mantra you need: “So-Ham", "I am That,That

is I." What is the yantra (the instrument)? It is your physical body. What is

the tantra? Your heart! When you have in you all the three, why go to anyone

for a message?

Once you direct the mind towards the Atma, you have learnt the supreme

mantra: "AhamBrahmaasmi" (I am the Brahmam). Whatever you do, eating or walking

or seeing or speaking,do it with the Atmic consciousness.

 

Your true guru is God alone. He transcends all gunas. He is beyond all

forms. He is the only one who can dispel the darkness of ignorance and light

the lamp of Prajnaanam (Supreme Wisdom). Do not go in search of gurus.

Strengthen your faith in the Atma. Seek to enjoy the Atmic bliss.Strive to

develop the conviction: "I am the Atma." That is the true message.

For experiencing this Guru, there are no restrictions as to time, place or

circumstances.

He is the One, the God of gods, who is hailed as father, mother, teacher,

knowledge and wealth and all else. He is the Supreme whom you must seek by your

sadhana. God alone can transform your spiritual efforts into a transcendental

experience. You have the vision of the Divine (saakshaatkaara). The vision does

not come from outside. It is within you, because the Divine is omnipresent. God

is everywhere. You are God. There is nothing higher in the world than yourself.

It is enough if you develop the conviction that you and the Divine are one -

"Aham Brahmaasmi." Cultivate steadfast faith in this Divine oneness through love

what will lead you to Self-realisation. Firmly believe that the Divine is in

everyone and constantly act on this belief. Only by continual practice can you

develop this sacred attitude. (Reet's compilation from, Sathya Sai Speaks. Vol

23. "The Guru within," Chapter 25; "Message of the Vedas," Chapter 24; "Know

thyself," Chapter 19).

 

Namaste - Reet