5 Principles from Vedanta to Supercharge Jnana Yoga/Self Inquiry

[Preetom]

Leo's ''Advanced Tips for Self Inquiry'' is there ------> https://youtu.be/Y23xkd2kqlo

But here I'm summarizing 5 principles from Vedanta that must be followed if you don't want to derail your self inquiry. 

This is Not a guide of possibilities, but of certainty. If you've decided to go for the Truth through playing the game called Jnana Yoga/Self Inquiry, then you better play by the rules!

1) The Principle of The Self/Brahman/Absolute: 

The whole game is founded on this premise. There is an Absolute Reality. It is absolutely independent of all time, space, causality, objects. This statement also means that no particular time, space, cause or object can exclusively possess this Brahman. This Brahman is the ONLY Reality there is. And You are it!

2) The Principle of Causeless Ignorance (Also known as the 'Illusion' of Ignorance):

THEN WHY THE HELL DON'T I FEEL MYSELF TO BE THIS BRAHMAN?

Ans: Because of Ignorance (through oversight/ignoring)

WHEN DID THIS FUCKING IGNORANCE BEGIN?

Ans: Ignorance is always causeless/timeless. Lets say you don't know German. So how old is your ignorance of German Language? It has been there for eternity...Until you finally know German.

 So the Truth that you are Brahman is veiled by a false knowledge which is identification with things that is NOT Brahman. That means, exclusive identification with particular time, space, objects etc.

3) The Principle of The Absolute vs The Relative:

You can never interchange or superimpose the implications and perspectives of one on the other. It's a big NO NO. That means you can't superimpose the limitations of the Relative (body, mind etc) on the Absolute. Similarly, you can't superimpose the qualities of Brahman on a particular relative object exclusively.

4) The Principle of Correct Knowledge Vs Ignorance Driven Actions:

This is worth contemplating until it drills deep down. This principle says that this Absolute cannot ever be realized through any amount or any particular type of action. Either the correct knowledge is there or not. The 1st trap in all of Spirituality is mistaking the mirage to be the Absolute Reality. Once that 'drop' of false assumption happens, an infinite spiral of delusion follows from there.

So if at first, the mirage called body, mind, world are taken to be REAL; then the whole project becomes about 'improving' that mirage. Thus an infinite number of mantra, yantra, tantra, karma, dharma etc follows.

A classic example of Vedanta is used here to further explain this principle. Lets say you go in a semi dark room and you mistake a rope lying on the floor as a snake. The moment you make that false assumption, you might start an infinite chain of actions from that point like jumping in fear, running away to inform others and bring reinforcements, frantically searching for a stick or weapon, losing sense and dropping on the floor etc and etc; but notice that none of that action will actually correct your false knowledge of seeing a snake in a rope.

So any action made after that 'drop' of false assumption, is considered ignorance driven action and none of that will give the Correct Knowledge.

5) The Principle of Letting of the Map:

Knowing this, let's say you engage in Jnana Yoga (Self inquiry, Contemplating on the 3 states, Seer-seen distinction, Eliminating the 5 sheaths, Deconstruction etc whatever method you choose) and finally attain that Correct Knowledge. You are back to Principle 1. Now you know you are Brahman. Ultimately, at this point, even identification with all the scriptures, methods, disciplines etc need to be relinquished.

It's like using your map to go to a place and then throwing away the map. All the concepts of Vedanta you used need to be given up. Your solace is in the Brahman, not in the methods, scriptures and hearsay. 

You know that your method did not 'produce' Brahman. It was the only thing all along. Just like switching up the light and correcting the false knowledge of seeing a snake in a rope, you know that neither the switch nor the light produced the rope; it was there all along and there was never a thing called a snake. You throw away all maps. Only the correct Knowledge prevails. Notice that this is why it is called the illusion of Ignorance; not something that actually is.

Pro Tip for Self Inquiry (A Bonus):

During self inquiry, you are looking for pure Consciousness. Vedanta gives a straight forward definition of this. 

Anything that is seen or known is not it. Anything perceivable or conceivable is not it.

So remember this principle. It'll save you from a lot of circle jerk and mingling with what is known. Your search is not in the realm of 'known' but that which knows.

Another key which Leo mentioned, It's all right here. You don't have to go somewhere else or 'figure it out'.

Hope these principles help you in someway. It's crucial if you're serious about Enlightenment work. Learn to play by the Rules!! 

Note: All of it was summarized from an amazing lecture of Ira Schepetin ----> https://youtu.be/hQ9G8BZ8bfc

Edited November 1, 2018 by Preetom

[Shin]

9 minutes ago, Preetom said:

Anything that is seen or known is not it.

Anything perceivable or conceivable is not it.

 

Good luck guys ???

 

Edited November 1, 2018 by Shin

[molosku]

Great post! Now, to the self-inquiry salt mines... 

[Preetom]

1 minute ago, molosku said:

Great post! Now, to the self-inquiry salt mines... 

Row, row, row your boat

Gently down the stream,

Merrily, merrily, merrily

Life is but a dream

[Preetom]

Sharing 2 quotes of the Buddha. Great insight into how self-inquiry progresses  

"In reference to the seen, there will be only the seen. In reference to the heard, only the heard. In reference to the sensed, only the sensed. In reference to the cognized, only the cognized. That is how your should train yourself. When for you there will be only the seen in reference to the seen, only the heard in reference to the heard, only the sensed in reference to the sensed, only the cognized in reference to the cognized, then there is no you in terms of that. When there is no you in terms of that, there is no you there. When there is no you there, you are neither here nor yonder nor between the two. This, just this, is the end of suffering." - The Buddha

 

''The very idea of existence implies a dwelling place, therefore its clinging. Both 'is' and 'is not' are a dualism that has no room in true mind (subtle consciousness, the mind without beginning) "
- The Buddha

 

[Flammable]

Bumping it, lovely post

[Rilles]

Amazing! Thanks!❤️

[Preetom]

@Rilles

You're welcome

@Flammable Thanks! I love that signature of yours hehe

[Flammable]

@Preetom  Haha thank you! Alan Watts is a source of beautiful quotes - this one specifically serves as a good pointer on my path 

Edited November 2, 2018 by Flammable