Who am I?

[Guest guest]

Yesterday I lived bewildered,

in illusion.

But now I am awake, Flawless

and serene, Beyond the world.

 

Now I have given up

the body and the world,

I have a special gift;

I see the infinite Self.

 

My nature is light,

nothing but light.

When the world arises

I alone am shining.

 

How wonderful,

and how great my powers!

For I am without form

yet till the end of time

I uphold the universe.

 

I am not the knower,

nor the known, nor the knowing.

These three are not real.

They only seem to be

when I am not known;

For I am flawless.

 

Through ignorance

I once imagined I was bound.

But I am pure awareness.

I live beyond all distinctions,

in unbroken meditation.

 

The body is false,

and so are its fears;

heaven and hell and freedom and bondage.

It is all invention,

what can they matter to me?

I am Awareness Itself!

I see only One.

 

But O how wonderful!

I am the unbounded deep

in whom all living things

Naturally arise,

Rush against each other playfully,

and then subside.

 

--Ashtavakra Gita--