SOME THOUGHTS ON ATMA-85

[Guest guest]

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Loving SAI RAMs. By way of a brief recap, we are trying to recollect what we have understood through the earlier postings . How to achieve Self-realization is the question. Negating the unreal and asserting the Real is the first step towards realization of the Atma. The scriptures tell us to reject the world, body, mind and intellect as unreal and to recognize the Atma as transcending description through words. If one meditates deeply on the import of the Mahavakyas, non-duality of Atma will be experienced. The knower of Brahman(Atma) becomes Brahman (Atma)itself. We should keep telling us that we are NOT the perisheable body, mind and intellect and that we are that pure , eternal, imperishable Atma. By meditating on the Self we merge with Brahman(Atma). Even while experiencing the pluralistic world, we should recognise the Atma upon which the pluralistc world appears to exist. " I am verily that Supreme being " is the thought that should that should pervade us. Scriptures assert, " Wise men after separating the Atma from the sense functions rise out of sensuality and attain immortality through Self-Realization.

 

 

Atma is free from birth,old age ,senility, death etc. All changes in the body do not pertain to Atma which is the one unchanging entity behind all changes. It is the changeless substratum upon which the changes of the body, mind and intellect take place. Even though the body perishes, the Atma does not. Atma is unborn, eternal, everlasting , imperishable and ancient. Atma has no desire,grief, fear ,hatred etc.,in as much it has no mind. Atma is something other than the mind and its emotions. Atma is other than all the five kosas and the three bodies. Scriptures point out that Atma is without attributes, without actions,without doubts, unsullied , formless and never impure. Atma exists entirely beyond the gunas. Just as electricity remains motionless though it causes the blades of a fan to rotate, Atma does not act but causes the equipments to act. Atma alone is free and unconditioned. Atma is wholly beyond the boundaries of time and space. It never ceases to exist. Atma was existing in the infinite past, is existing at present and will exist in infinite future.

 

 

Atma is without desires and thoughts. It is also unsullied. Though residing in the body Atma is not contaminated. Atma is beyond the Vasanas. Atma is also formless. Atma can not have a form as it is all-pervading and there exists nothing other than Atma.

 

Atma is ever free. It is both Nitya and Muktah. It is pure. Atma is same in all. Atma is the final goal of evolution. When we realize the Atma we reach the highest perfection. There exists nothing beyond Atma.

 

(to be continued)