"The very first step in understanding what this is all about is giving up the concept of an active, volitional 'I' as a separate entity and accepting the passive role of perceiving and functioning as a process." - Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj

Monday, July 8, 2013

Jiva and Absolute

Sri Ramana Maharshi

Q: How could the innumerable jivas and the wide universe whose existence is correlative to that of the jivas, sprout up from such subtle samskaras sunk in the heart?

M: Just as the big banyan tree sprouts from a tiny seed, so do the jivas and the whole universe with name and form sprout up the subtle samskaras.

Q: How does individuality emanate from the Absolute Self and how is its return made possible?

M: As a spark proceeds from fire, individuality emanates from the Absolute Self. The spark is called the ego. In the case of the ajnani, the ego identifies itself with some object simultaneously with its rise. It cannot remain without such association with objects. This association is due to ajnana, whose destruction is the objective of one's efforts. If this tendency to identify itself with objects is destroyed, the ego becomes pure and then it also merges into its source. The false identification of oneself with the body is dehatma buddhi or 'I am the body' idea. This must go before good results can follow.

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सर्वभूताधिवासं यद्भूतेषु च वसत्यपि।
सर्वानुग्राहकत्वेन तद्स्म्यहं वासुदेवः॥

That in whom reside all beings and who resides in all beings,
who is the giver of grace to all, the Supreme Soul of the universe, the limitless being:
I AM THAT. -- Amritabindu Upanishad