Sri Atmananda (Krishna Menon)

[Guest guest]

Sri Atmananda (Krishna Menon)

 

Atma Darshan explains a little bit about the direction of the inquiry, but not a

lot. Here is a pragmatic take on why it proceeds in the direction it does.

 

The direct path has two possible directions. Both are theoretically possible

ways of dissolving the distinction between the self and the world, or subject

and object.

 

1. One may examine the self to see that it is the world (inside out).

 

This consists of making the separate " I " , (which seems small and separate),

larger and larger until it incorporates everything. In this way, one begins with

the subject and shows that it's really the object. After this point, the

distinction between subject and object drops away.

 

 

2. One may examine the world to see that it is the self (outside in).

 

This is the direction taken actually by the direct path. It is more practical

and gives the inquirer more to work with in the early stages. It starts with

what seems most obvious in our experience -- objects in the world. These objects

seem as though they're made of something other than awareness. So by examining

these objects, the inquiry makes the shocking but natural discovery that they

are awareness always already. The investigation dissolves the distinction by

revealing that the objects are nothing other than the " I " of awareness, clear,

open, free and loving.