Sri Siddharameshwar Maharaj
Self-Knowledge is "Real Knowledge." There are two types of Knowledge. One is True Knowledge (Vidya), which is of the Self, and the other is false knowledge, which is of the nature of Ignorance. We should drop false knowledge and recognize the True Knowledge. When the sense of "me" and "mine" both go completely, the senses, logical thought becomes out of place. This is the mystery for which the mind and intellect are not required in order to understand. It is of the nature of Self-experience. The Self is self-evident. He knows other things, and of course, He knows himself.
What does it mean when we say He knows himself? It means He is already there. Only the one who is already there can know "other." How can one who is not existent, know any other thing? Just as when a man does not exist, how will he who is not there know whether anyone comes or leaves, or be able to tell about it? Who is there who says "I do not know?" This is the fact with the Self. We may well say that one is confused, but is it not true that he is there, and only then he can be confused? So, it is proved that before any confusion, the state of "non-confusion," or clarity was there. Actually, there is no existence to anything else except the Self. Those who are the "Sons of the Guru" (Guruputras) need dwell no further on this point.
There is the term "I Am" (soham). "I Am" is continuously being repeated day and night. Without speaking a word, it is a constant awareness. The word "japa" in Sanskrit has one meaning as "repetition," protect, or nurture. This is all automatic. In al the bodies of all creatures the repetition of the soundless sound "soham," and "hamsa," is continuous with the breathing. By understanding this a man is free of all bondage. In all creatures, the awareness of "I AM" is constant. The music of the term "I AM" is going on day and night. First it was the individual, or jiva, and then it became Shiva. Then both disappeared, and the term "I Am" remained as "Am-ness." No one gets and experience that "I am not." To say that, "I am not" is to say "I Am." A student wrote a note to his teacher, "I am not present today." The teacher smiled when he read it. He thought "This student writes by his own hand thar he is not present." A man said, "I have no mouth, I do not speak. I cannot speak." He was only able to say this by speaking. The experience of Being is beyond the origination of speech ('para' speech) without needing mention. The world of Knowledge is the vision of "understanding." How can one know "I am dead"? The truth is "I will not die. I am not dead." At the time of death the dirt is done, and what remains is pure. Let one thing that the death of the dirt has happened. The body is dirt. The intellect attached to body is dirt. Have no attachment to the dirt. If one is detached, who died? How did he die?