Nisargadatta: Self Knowledge and Self Realization #3

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SELF REALIZATION

 

The consciousness of one's own being, of the world, and of its supporting primal

force are experienced all at once.

 

Awareness of one's own being

does not mean here the physical consciousness of oneself as an individual, but

implies the mystery of existence. Prior to this, in the ignorance of

one's own being, there is no experience of Brahman as being there. But the

moment one is aware of being, he is directly aware of the world and

Brahman, too.

 

At the stage prior to this cosmic awareness, the self and its experiences are

limited to the worldly life. This worldly life starts with birth and ends in

 

death. To become aware of ourself, the world and God all of a sudden is a great

mystery indeed. It is an unexpected gain; it is an absorbing and a

mysterious event, extremely significant and great, but it brings with it the

responsibility of Self-preservation, sustenance and Self development as

well, and no one can avoid it.

 

One who leads his life without ever wondering about who or what he is accepts

the traditional genealogical history as his own and follows the customary

religious and other activities according to tradition. He leads his life with

the firm conviction that the world was there prior to his existence, and that it

is real; because of this conviction he behaves as he does, gathering possessions

and treasures for himself, even knowing that at the time of death he will never

see them again. Knowing that none of this will even be remembered after death,

still his greed and avarice operate unabated until death.