Wisdom of the Bhagavad Gita (Part 2)

Those 3 examples of the Gita, mentioned in the previous blog, really denote steps of enlightenment.

Chapter 2 v 45 is really about Cosmic Consciousness. The state of awareness where one becomes acutely conscious of the silent witness, aspect of our selves that is always there resting behind our thinking and actions that quietly observes everything we do. We become so keen to that state that we simply rest there and notice how our thoughts and actions carry on there functions, automatically. That which was silently in the background, is now in the foreground as our primary state of awareness. 

Chapter 6 v 32 is Unity Consciousness or the Unity of God Consciousness as Maharishi terms it. A state of consciousness that allows the individual Self to realize that ultimately its nature is identical to that of God. As such, the worshipper has risen to the level of the worshipped. One’s psychology is found initially to alternate between identifying with one’s supreme state of Self and God. Over time that alternation matures and that state grows into a simultaneous state where these realities live in perfect oneness, thus the term Unity Consciousness. 

Chapter 13 v 12 is about para brahman - Brahman without attributes - the highest Brahman. Much high level commentary on "param brahman is neither existence nor non-existence" have said it’s “neither” because it’s both. I say, not so. If that were the case we'd be right back to UC which was expressed in chapter 6 v 32. 

Chapter 13 v 12 is clearly a step up. Its approach is from a level of negation. Not this. Not that. Its the removal of any form of identification not of small self but of Big Self, universal Self. That's a whole different zip code. This is not a UC level of experience. 

This level of negation speaks to the very heart of identity. It’s beyond Self. Even the word Self denotes ego, identity. Yeah, its Big Self a great state of awareness but it’s still a form of identity. As such, there is still a sense of attachment. Lord Krishna is bringing Arjuna to the ultimate non-attachment - Param Brahman. Brahman without anything else. Not even Self. 

This is total renunciation. An absence of attachment. A field of awareness that contains zero influence's. Lord Krishna has allowed the psychology of Arjuna to be devoid of everything. He now will simply and directly do his duty, his dharma. His skills are free to be expressed at their highest level. Lord Krishna, the charioteer, will deliver Arjuna, the archer, to where they will be most effective and the action will happen, automatically, with perfection. Such, a beautiful metaphor for life in this glorious state of awareness. 

copyright © jim rocca, 2020

Beyond Witnessing Part I

Witnessing happens when we identify with the big Self and watch our five senses, thinking, emotions, small self (ego) function amongst the phenomenal world. We sit back as it were playing the part of the observer. The observer to everything. As the silent witness we stand unattached to our actions. We allow our senses, mind, feelings to interact with the world. Initially, the separation is a big gap. You find your small self interacting in the world yet the infinite-you is uninvolved. The Real-you is resting in its own contentment unaffected by the goings and comings of the actions of the small self.

There is both joy and discomfort in this state of consciousness. The big Self is fulfilled and content but the subtle currents of the small self feels a sense of guilt due to a sense of responsibility. Responsibility for our charges. Without a plan, direction, intent - how will things get done? However, the attraction to the big Self is so satisfying and feels so right that in the end it wins out. The small self gradually sees success in this new mode of operation. Things get done, people we are responsible for get handled, we continue to make a living all without a formal plan, somehow almost by itself. This gives us confidence to let go even more.

After sometime of functioning like this the gap between the big Self and the small self starts to close and we slowly begin to recognize a change. We start to appreciate the phenomenal world and the value of our involvement in that world. And through this subtle bond of acceptance and harmony, love begins to blossom. This love becomes so strong that the heart begins to override the head's sense of separation to deliver us to Unity, rendering us Whole. It’s such a blissful state that everywhere we look we see heaven in all its golden essence. This golden vision echoes back our love to fill our hearts again and again in lovely waves of bliss to the point where our hearts can only open. The love pangs are almost unbearable.

There’s more but this moment is too full to not rest here for a while and allow ourselves to be washed over by it. Just fall back and enjoy. ❤️❤️❤️

Does Small Self need to be Conquered to Gain Enlightenment?

Seems that many have found a way to know the expanse of their own infinity while still expressing 'small-self' traits. Stretching consciousness to unboundedness does not exclude anything of what we were before this awakened state. Enlightenment is not a zero-sum game, it's rather a play of infinite inclusion. So, everything we were before is simply added to the grandness of who or what we are now.

I often see so many individuals place qualifier on themselves before they will allow their enlightenment. Simple question I pose is, "What's holding you back?"  I then address these obstacles until the client realizes they are holding themselves back by giving power to these silly little barriers. 

Our infinite nature has the ability to incorporate All that we are and still know its Self.

Perception

Looking into the object we initially see difference. However as we continue to gaze into the field of objects we start to see a homogenous nature. The world of difference started to play a secondary role. Initially the difference is still there but we have a knowingness that it’s not all that’s there. We sense and can almost see the even presence of consciousness virtually everywhere. Vision is transparent as it were. 

Over time that consciousness becomes lively and even vibrant and seems to generate its own self effulgent light. Over time that light becomes richer and even golden. Over time that light gives way to a strange vision one of nothingness. We actually transcend vision and see the true nature of the object.

What happens psychologically is initially we see our own consciousness in the object and feel like we are seeing our own Self in the object but over time the visual evolution begins to be reflected in our own consciousness. The object’s nothingness causes us to find our own nothingness. This gives rise to the state of No-Self. Its a loss of identity. The “sat” part of sat chit ananda. 

Going from small self to big Self is an internal development. Going from big Self to No-Self is initially an external development through the mechanics of perception that ultimately reflects back on our own consciousness. 

Self and No-Self together simultaneously equals Brahman, Wholeness of life.