In a recent article we discussed Vedanta. We learned that the Vedic wisdom from India documents the manifest creation emerging from the Absolute and its unfoldment as our daily lives. We said that the eternal knowledge of the Veda is a journey through all time and provides us with the tools to navigate every step of the way.
We learned that Vedanta is the culmination of this journey and guides the last steps we need to take as we merge back into Oneness, the state of Enlightenment. We discovered that the knowledge contained in Vedanta is so perfect that ordinary, clouded human intelligence has difficulty understanding it. The Veda and particularly Vedanta is complete knowledge and as such, contains within it, not only a description of Samadhi (Enlightenment) but also the means and qualities of life which allow us to unlock its secrets and enter these highest levels of consciousness.
Is it necessary withdraw from everyday life, take vows and give up worldly possessions to become Enlightened? While Vedanta says this can be the path for some, for most people, their path is to live a spiritually orientated life while remaining fully engaged in the world. What Vedanta does emphasize however, is that the key to success on our spiritual path is to find and align ourselves with our Dharma or true purpose in life.
Our Dharma is the path and all its accompanying parts, that’s most suitable for our growth and evolution. However, in today’s world, it’s easy to become distracted. The ego is always testing us. We’re surrounded by peer-pressure and bombarded by social media telling us how to live our lives, creating doubts about our choices, leading to confusion, misguided attachments and expectations, resulting in resistance, a lack of self-worth or simple laziness and doing nothing.
In the great Indian text the Bhagavad Gita, Krishna says, “It is better to do your own Dharma even imperfectly, than someone else’s Dharma perfectly.” This implies that, even though we may sometimes stumble along the way, it’s important to live in our own Truth instead of trying to be someone or something we’re not. Vedanta tells us that when we are in our Dharma, we receive support from within, meaning we develop an inner knowing, our lives become less of an effort and our actions become spontaneously correct both for ourselves and for the world around us.
Vedanta shows us a journey where we discover and create the scenery at the same time. We live in a universe created by our own soul and as we unfold life’s mysteries, we will ultimately re-discover the creator we really are.
Vedanta tells us to be disciplined. Not in rigid, limiting way but to recognize the distractions. Live your Truth in everything you do. A spiritual path ultimately requires impeccability and as the playwright Diane Grant said, “It’s better to walk alone than with a crowd going in the wrong direction”.
Even though Vedanta is part of an ancient tradition, its principles are still very relevant in today’s world and can lead us in the direction of happiness, harmony and ultimately knowledge of who we really are.
Vedanta’s Path to Self-knowledge
Awareness Our thoughts are constantly taking us into the future or the past so, this is where most people spend their lives. To be aware is to be present, to live in this moment, the NOW. To be aware is to always keep coming back to what is happening NOW.
Begin to witness your thoughts, emotions, actions and the world with judging or evaluating. During the day, when your eating, walking, working, pause and ask “Who is listening, who is watching, who is smelling, tasting, etc”. Notice the presence, the witness.
Discernment (correct choices) Everything in life is a choice. Our choices create the lives we live. When we allow the ego to control our choices, we live in lower vibrations. When we choose love, forgiveness, compassion and Truth, we grow. To discern is to choose wisely. First be aware that there are choices and then choose consciously. Become the conscious choice-maker. The subtlest level of discernment is to ask the heart for guidance so our choices come from love and not fear. When we ask, “What would my Higher Self do?”, we will always be true to ourselves. When we choose Light over darkness, the whole universe is there to support us.
Deepak Chopra has suggested four Soul Questions: Who am I; What do I want; What is my purpose; What am I grateful for? Ask yourself these questions silently before your meditation or in a quiet time. Ask and just listen to whatever answer comes, without judging or evaluating. These questions will begin to shape your true soul profile, spontaneously leading you in the most evolutionary direction.
Non-attachment Learning to let go of the many attachments, aversions, fears, and false identities that are clouding the true Self. Attachment is limiting, non-attachment allows us to step into Infinite Possibilities. Non-attachment allows us to pursue our spiritual journey without being distracted by the pains and pleasures of the everyday world. Have desires but be detached from their outcome, trusting that the Universe knows best and will always provide the best solution.
Focused Action The ego is always waiting to distract us and the closer we approach Self Knowledge, the more powerful the distractions become. To be focused on the path of Self Knowledge requires us to be one-pointed without being rigid. It requires us to stay alert, unemotional and mature. To be firm without oppression, to be resolved without judgment, to be strong with humility. It requires us to practice silence and stillness so Grace can reveal itself and, when things don’t seem to be going our way, to realize there’s an even greater opportunity waiting for us.
The Six Treasures – Vedanta gives us these core principles to propel us on our spiritual journey:
- Discipline of the mind – the ability to remain calm under any circumstances. Begin to recognize that you are the ‘role player’ in the midst of all the roles you play everyday. You can enjoy all the drama, passion and intrigue of the roles but knowing that the role isn’t you, enables you to remain centered and focused.
- Discipline of the sense organs – choosing what to take in from the world around us. Be aware of what you are putting into your body, what you eat, watch, listen to etc.
- Letting go of worldly longings and repeatedly desiring the same things over and over. Instead of running after the momentary happiness of the material world, look for the happiness that’s always inside you. Learn to be grateful for everything in your life.
- Endurance, the ability to tolerate what you cannot change and the patience to wait for the gifts that are heading your way.
- Faith in the wisdom of the teachings, faith in your teachers, faith in the Divine and, most importantly, faith in yourself. Maharishi Mahesh Yogi used to say, “When doubts arise, first doubt the doubter”.
- Mental equilibrium – where our attention is always on what we are seeking. Whenever you realize you have been distracted from your path, gently bring your awareness back to your goal.
Meditation Transcending thought is the most powerful tool to take us beyond the grip of the illusory world and to give direct experience of who we are. By integrating our inner and outer experiences, our limited, finite world expands and the infinite, unbounded, eternal Truth becomes the foundation of our everyday life. Spending time in silence every day is a critical part of our spiritual journey. Find a meditation practice that suits you and enjoy it daily.
The Desire for Liberation A deep yearning to be free from the prison of conditioning that we have created for ourselves. We have to want self-knowledge above all else, before it will reveal itself to us. What we put our attention on grows. At first we might get distracted but over time, the things that no longer serve us will gradually fall away.
Realization When we become knowers of our own Self, we realize our Truth. We radiate our Light and Divinity for all to enjoy. There is no need for choice in the regular sense because all our actions are spontaneously in alignment with Natural Law. We can neither harm nor be harmed. We become aware of the limited, localized value of the senses at the same time as the non-local Supreme value, “in the world but not of it”. Happiness becomes bliss, separation becomes wholeness, our feminine and masculine qualities merge. We realize our Oneness.
We can never be free entirely on the earthly plane but we are always, already free on the spiritual. Vedanta cannot show us the Absolute, because we are That already. However it can help us remove the veils so that Enlightenment again reveals Itself. We just need to step out of the way and let it happen.
Remember who you are, forget all that you are not.