Real Is Non-Dual

Sage Vasishtha

The following four types of feelings arise in the heart of man:

1. I am the body born of my parents

2. I am the subtle atomic principle, different from the body

3. I am the eternal principle in all the diverse perishable objects in the world

4. The "I" as also the "World" are pure void like space.

Of these the first is conducive to bondage and the others to freedom. The desires that are related to the first cause bondage; desires that are concomitant to the other three do not cause bondage. Once the realization that "I am the Self of all" has arisen, one does not again fall into error or sorrow. It is this self alone which is variously described as the void, nature, Maya, Brahman, consciousness, Shiva, Purusha etc. That alone is ever real; there is naught else. Resort to the understanding of non-duality, for the truth is non-dual; however, action involves duality and hence functions in apparent duality - thus, let your nature partake of both duality and non-duality. The reality is neither duality (for it is the mind that creates division) nor unity (for the concept of unity arises from its antithesis of duality). When these concepts cease, the infinite consciousness alone is realized to be the sole reality.