Question:

Dear Ektaben
If a desire is a thought that arises from consciousness, does it stand to reason that such a thought is an attempt by consciousness (which has forgotten itself when identified with body and mind) to find its true nature through the mechanism of building up pressure, etc. And when it attains desire, the collapse back/rest into its inherent nature occurs?

 

Answer:

Yes, that could be said at a superficial level, but let’s dive deeper and understand it better.

That which is totally forgotten cannot be unearthed.

Pure Consciousness has forgotten its nature. It cannot try to find its own nature because it has forgotten about its true nature totally. It doesn’t even know that it has forgotten. It is similar to you forgetting about a school friend completely. He/she has been erased from your memory totally. You cannot attempt to find whom you have totally forgotten.

Then why is there a deep inner seeking, which is continuously sensed but not fully comprehended?

Just as you could have forgotten a friend but still be subconsciously looking for his quality of ‘integrity’ in your other friendships, you are similarly looking for ‘peace’ and ‘happiness’ in everything and from everyone in life. You have forgotten that you are what you seek!

What happens when you don’t find it in the world?

Then you turn inwards. There will be a clear inner calling that will pull your focus from the external to the internal. When you are inward-turned, you realize that you have always been more than the previously assumed body-mind-personhood. That is the first realization of oneself as the Sakshi or the Witness. 

When one abides as the Witness, the higher realization materializes that the Witness too rests for a while before reappearing. That window of rest reveals one’s true nature. One who abides in that window in Samadhi and Swapna Nidra Gnyana Sadhana realizes his higher Self. The search ends! 

You realize: You are what you seek! Don’t quit until you reach home. Keep chugging! 

 

#AtmaNirvriti #AtmanandaKrishnaMenon #AdvaitaVedanta #Non-duality