ATMA BODHA 38

 

ATMA BODHA 38

“VIVIKTA- DESA-ASEENO VIRAGO- VIJITENDRIYAHA

BHAVAYET-EKAM-ATMANAM-TAM-ANANTAM-ANANYA-DHEEHI.”

“SITTING IN A SOLITARY PLACE, FREEING THE MIND FROM DESIRES AND KEEPING THE SENSES UNDER CONTROL, MEDITATE WITH UNSWERVING ATTENTION ON THE ATMAN WHICH IS ONE WITHOUT –A- SECOND.”

Sankara describes here the exact way in which an aspirant should meditate on the Atman. It is not as if he can go to any place and start meditation. The place and the ambience are considered very important. The mood of the ming is equally significant.  It is only then the path of meditation can bring one face to face to the reality The one who meditates should select a lonely place without disturbances around him. The mind should be free from agitations. It should not wildly roam about. Intellect must be kept under control. All mental emotions should be discarded along with intellectual thoughts. Otherwise the place  of meditation  becomes noisy with thundering desires and roaring expectations.

When the sense organs or indriyas are brought perfectly under your control, they identify the Self as your own nature. This identification of your own nature with the Self is meditation. This should be made real. Meditation should be continued without any other thought in your mind in that quiet sequestered  atmosphere.  Meditation should be on the Infinite Atman which is One without a second. Be bold to assert the holy idea---in that intellectual field which transcends the concept of time—that you are that very same Supreme Being , ALL pervading, Pure and Eternal. This is what is called BHavana.----Self- transformation

“That which is the subtle essence -------the whoie of this world has that for its soul. That is the Reality. That is the Self. Thou art That, O Swetaketu.” ( Chandogyopanishad)

“The Self which is free from sin, free from old age,  free from death, free from grief, free from hunger and thirst,  whose desire is Reality, whose will is Truth-----it is that which one has to seek, it is that which one has to know. He who has found out that Self and understands it----he obtains all worlds and all desires.” Thus spoke Prajapati (Lord of all creatures)  ( Chandogyopanishad  XXI ( Up . viii 7-12)