Knowing-Self

 The first step in Spiritual Journey

All of us are born scientists and, when we go out in search of Self, we begin the process exactly the same way as we do in search of other objects in the outer world or for something called "my self."

No wonder why thousands of births are also not sufficient to end this journey. And even after that, if we don't find anything (because chances are high :-)), in dejection, we claim and establish that there is no such thing as Self, and the world outside is the only truth.  No one can be blamed for such a claim because we were systematically taught that what cannot be seen doesn't exist.

If I say that what is not visible is not true, then how the feeling of being Self is so prominent and forever. How?

One who has determined to walk on the path of spirituality should not get wooed by what one sees or hears. One must put all their might and effort to understand things by examining and experimenting like a true scientist. Guru is just a guide; even the Guru's words must be thoroughly examined and pave one's own path.

Where is this Self? Why is it that we cannot see the Self? This knowledge is certainly slightly different from material knowledge. Wouldn't it be? :-)

It is understandable that we cannot find it outside like objects. But when someone directs us to look inside, that is also equally confusing. 

Like any other research, Knowing-Self is complete research in itself. But this is the only research that can be completed in just 5 minutes. This is no ridicule here, only true experience is being shared.

If Knowing-Self can be achieved in just 5 minutes, then why on earth an elaborate process consisting of many years or thousands of births is recommended? :-) This is simply because if any knowledge that can be gained in only 5 minutes, it doesn't hold any significance. We have been conditioned to acquire knowledge only through hard work and shelling out lots of money and time; else, that knowledge has no value.

Let me not intensify anymore the curiosity of true seekers and share the actual process or steps in Knowing-Self.

Like every other knowledge, let's begin by examining what is visible. Let us start with the human body.

If we remove or cease the activities of the body, then it is a mere object. It is a tool using which we do different activities.

When we examine this, it becomes quite evident that there is no consciousness in the body, and it feels like the Self is somewhere inside the body.

If the Self is somewhere inside, is mind the Self?  Let us examine the mind now. 

Mind, aha, it is such a complicated topic but a fascinating subject of study. But for now, let's move forward by considering it as a bundle of thoughts.

Think of any thought, for, e.g., 2 + 2 = 4, when this thought comes or is being thought, and if no word or language is given, it only appears like a picture. Obviously, this image appears different and outside, then how can it be the Self.  Where exactly is the Self? Is it or not?

After coming this far, if anyone gets even the slightest hint that I do not have to search for anything, but I have to stop searching, then it will reveal itself - "The Self."

Self has no experience; it is the knower or experiencer of the experiences.  Self cannot be seen. It views or witnesses the objects viz.,  Body, mind, world.

That's all is Knowing - Self, which is just the first stage in the Spiritual Journey.

Maya constructs this play so brilliantly that it makes us run pillar to post, making us desperate. 

Spirituality starts from Seeking and stops at No Seeking.

The Self is complete in itself. It alone is and nothing else.

That's all for now, and we will proceed with the next steps in Spirituality in the later blogs.

Thank you.