Self-realisation is the realisation that your self or awareness or mind is in fact the entire universe and that the universe is indistinguishable from your mind. Existence of any entity in reality is a mental phenomenon and a mental attribute and if at all anything exists, it is only because of the mind. It was known to people even in the Vedic times as – ‘Aham Brahma Asmi’ meaning my ‘self is the universe’ which is the basic principle of Advaita meaning non-dual.
Normally we look upon the external world as different from our mind. This is dualism. But the fact is that the mind and the universe are one and the same and this is advaita. It is a very logically derived conclusion and with reasonable concepts and analysis anyone can definitely come to this conclusion. It is also known as nirvana or enlightenment in Buddhism. However self-realisation is not merely coming to this conclusion, but also experiencing fully this realisation and acceptance of this conclusion without an iota of doubt. As it involves an intense personal experience, which is very unique, it is intrinsically personal and is bound to vary from person to person. Controversy still surrounds this principle, as it is not accepted as true and right by most of the western philosophers and scientists. Down the ages, a number of myths had been built around this concept of self-realisation and I would like to clear the air about the same. A lot of people may consider what I say as heresy and may even get offended. However I am convinced about it and people with an open mind on the issue may still agree with me.
Myth No.1 - It is not possible for an ordinary person to achieve self-realisation.
Answer - It is possible for anyone with average intelligence and an inquisitive mind and aptitude, to attain self-realisation. It is within the means of any person.
Myth No.2 - Self-realisation is possible only after long hours of meditation and practising austerity and penance.
Answer - Self-realisation is a logically arrived at truth. Logical analysis and logical concepts alone are needed for self-realisation. Though meditation can be of some help to attain self-realisation, meditation alone does not automatically lead to self-realisation. However this does not undermine the benefits of meditation in any way.
Myth No.3 - Self-realisation is not possible for those who lead marital life. It is possible only for the Sanyasis who give up the material world.
Answer- As self-realisation is a logically arrived at conclusion, it has nothing to do with being a married person or a sanyasi
Myth No.4 - It is absolutely necessary to have a Guru whom you need to follow in order to achieve self-realisation.
Answer- In the Vedic age it was the Guru who imparted education and knowledge to the students or his disciples. However the Guru – Sishya tradition of imparting knowledge has become irrelevant and defunct over the past nearly 300 years, with the establishment of British style of education in schools and colleges. With the availability of plenty of books and the advent of the Internet, the single Guru concept has become redundant. As such it is not necessary now a days to follow any particular Guru to attain self-realisation. You may get inspiration by studying the life and works of a number of saints. Further self-realisation is a logically arrived at experience and it is to be attained through one’s own efforts and individual thought processes only. I personally felt no need to look upon anyone in particular as my Guru in order to attain self-realisation. Self-realisation is a path where you walk alone. There is neither anyone whom you need to follow nor anyone with whom you need to walk along. You also don’t have to insist on anyone to follow you.
Myth No 5-. Once you attain self-realisation, society will hold you in a high position and people will flock to listen to you.
Answer - Actually society has no way of knowing whether anyone has attained self-realisation or not. Only through false propaganda and cheap publicity, anyone can attain prominence in our society in the present days. As such, the question of people flocking to listen to a self-realised person does not arise.
Myth No.6- Once you attain self-realisation, you will acquire miraculous powers.
Answer- A myth has been in our midst from time immemorial that by performing meditation and austere penance, one can acquire phenomenal powers like you can predict the future accurately and you can materialize things from thin air. The fact is that you don’t get any miraculous powers through any penance or meditation or even self-realisation. The miracles attributed to saints in the past or present are accidental and imaginary.
Myth No.7- There is no rebirth once you attain self-realisation. After death, you become one with God.
Answer- In this birth itself you are one with God and as such you don’t have to worry about rebirth. Further the question itself of what happens after death does not and cannot arise in the absence of the mind.
Myth No.8- Self-realisation is a state of eternal bliss and brings you unbounded joy and happiness.
Answer- Bliss or happiness or joy is an attitude of the individual mind and as such it is left to your attitude as to what you feel after self-realisation. But there is no doubt that self-realisation helps you to attain lasting peace of mind having realised the fundamental truth. When nothing is eternal here, the concept of eternal bliss is a myth.
Myth No.9- Once you attain self-realisation, you need to wear saffron or white robe and need to grow a long beard in order to look different from other people.
Answer- Even after attaining self-realisation you are an ordinary person only and as such there is no need for you to have a look different from that of an ordinary person.
Myth No.10- Once you attain self-realisation, you will shun the material world and lead an ascetic life.
Answer- Self-realisation will help you to reduce your wants to the barest minimum and lead a very simple life. It is not at all necessary that you must lead an ascetic life. There is no getting away from the fact that as long as we live in this world, it is basically a material life only.
Myth No.11- The purpose of human life is to achieve self-realisation and self-realisation is the goal for every one to achieve.
Answer- The purpose or goal in one’s life is basically what the individual desires and decides. It is not something that can be imposed on anyone. However self-realisation is a very good target or goal that reveals the basic truth and it is an unique experience worth striving for.
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