SOME THOUGHTS ON ATMA-98

[Guest guest]

Loving Sai Rams,

(continued from posting no.97)

The state of Thought-transcendence is the experience of the Glory of the Self. The infinite beatitude experienced at the moment of realisation in Nirvikalpa Samadhi is of the Self (Atma)

Itself. To know the Glory of the Self that lies beyond the finite experiences of the ordinary life is knowing God intimately and fully. As already stated, this State of Thought-less-ness (Nirvikalpa) is the State of Perfection. If one can remain in this State of perfection, enjoying, its bliss constantly for long period of time, is the result of one`s inner purity and merit. The scriptures and realized persons tell us from their experiences that nothing can make us stay there for any longer period of time. To remain in the Self as the Self completely merged in the Infinite Peace and Absolute Rest in It is not in the hands of of the individual himself. For an ordinary Sadhak long periods of Nirvikalpa Samadhi is impossible. One who is experiencing this state of beatitude for a long period of time is indeed enjoying the results of endless merits (Punyas

) he had acquired in the past.

 

Even though one knows the path and goal, still realisation of Truth lies beyond the grasp of human effort. No doubt, through right living and right thinking, one can walk up the path to Infinite Truth, but the last lap of the journey can only be a sudden wind-fall of the Divine Grace. The more we reflect upon the declarations of the scriptures and the assertions of the realised sages, the more we are convinced that the final success is not in our hands to order about. The Kathopanishad declares tthat Atma will reveal itself to one whom it choses to reveal. It also says only a sincere, dedicated untiring Sadhak (such as one who fulfills the four qualifications of a true spiritual seeker as enshrined in

Sadhana Chatushtayam of Vedanta)whom the Upanishad designates as Dheerah , can aspire for Atmadarshan. Many have reached this point and have in utter despair returned back. To invoke the Lord Almighty is the only solace of a meditator in despair. God, the dispenser of fruits of actions to everyone, is the mighty benevolent power that will guide us out of our confusions and despair, fears and sorrows, into the Infinite Glory viz., the Atma