The only thing that is self-evident is the Self.
Everything else becomes evident through the Self.
In this manner, our whole existence can be reduced to two basis entities: ‘I’ and ‘not-I.’ There is this ‘I’ and everything else is ‘not-I.’ ‘I’ refers to ‘I-am,’ the conscious principle, the ‘locus’ of all and everything. When Moses saw the blazing light of God on the Mount Sinai, and, in awe, asked for God’s name, we are told, the Light responded: ‘YHWH’—‘I am That I am.’
‘I am’ is the exclusive, singular epithet to refer to oneself, as if, partaking the Divine Reality.
This is also evident how pronouns work in all languages. The second and third person pronouns, You, They, He, She, IT can be used to refer to any person or thing. But the first person pronoun, ‘I’ can only be used to refer to one and only one person—namely, ‘you.’ There is only one person that is referred to when anyone refers to himself or herself as ‘I am.’ There is only one person in the whole creation that is like you, and that is you.
You are the sole actor/director of your life’s drama. It is a one act play, a monolog. And it is so for every single person!
Little wonder, we have transitioned from a ‘me-culture’ to ‘selfie-culture.’ Ever wonder about the secret of Apple Corporation’s success. Apple Inc. chose their logo very well, all the way: First at the dawn of creation, it was the apple that was offered by Eve to Adam. Perhaps the same apple fell on Newton’s head, knocking out all knowledge so that gravity can get in. And an apple a day, we are told, keeps the doctor away. Apple Inc. names its products ingeniously: imac, ipod, iphone, ipad. Notice the prominence to ‘I.’ And hence their success.
Consider the following quotes that underscore the importance of Self-knowledge:
“Knowing others is intelligence; knowing yourself is wisdom.” ~Lao Tzu
“The essence of knowledge is Self-knowledge.” ~Plato
“To know oneself is to know the everlasting reality that is consciousness, and to know it is to be it.” ~ Afdal al-Din Kashani (c. 12th century C.E.)
“People intoxicate themselves with work so they won’t see how they really are.” ~Aldous Huxley
“For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” ~Mark 8:36
When asked what was the most difficult thing, Thales, a pre-Socratic Greek philosopher, mathematician replied, “To know thyself.” When asked what was easiest, he replied, “To give advice.”
How do we reconcile these two divergent viewpoints— that Self-knowledge is the most difficult thing and that Self-knowledge is the most naturally self-evident fact?
If Self-knowledge is an already accomplished fact, we may ask, why do we need all these teachings such as ‘Know Thyself’ (Socrates)?
The sages point out that although we know ourselves in a general way—we are conscious that we exist—we do not know our true essential nature. For example, we take ourselves to be limited, wanting, and mortal beings. All our pursuits are geared towards overcoming this sense of limitation and inadequacy. And we continue chasing one object after another, never really getting fully satisfied, no matter what we get. This also proves our fundamental search for everlasting fulfillment that seems to be at the core of our being.
If in fact we are limited beings, then no matter what we do, we will always remain limited, for limited actions cannot accomplish unlimited results. This is precisely where Vedānta steps in. It tells us that we are already what we are seeking—limitless, whole, and complete.
Our experience tells us that we are limited, insignificant beings. Vedānta tells us quite the opposite: that we are whole and limitless. Perhaps we are really not what we take ourselves to be. Perhaps our conclusions about ourselves have been wrong all along. How can we find out?
If by its very nature the Self is the most self-evident fact, why do we need any teaching at all to know ourselves?
It can be explained in this manner: “I am” is an obvious fact. “Who am I” is a discovery. How so? Even if we have eyes, we still need a mirror to see our face. Vedānta—the science of truth about our existence—acts as a mirror to reveal “who am I.” It says you are not the limited ‘body-mind-senses’ complex that you take yourself to be. You are whole, limitless Consciousness. Know yourself and be happy. Whenever we feel sorrowful, we are missing something for all sorrow is born of some sense of limitation—physical or psychological. All becoming essentially involves a desire to be free from limitations. Vedānta says: Reclaim your true status—as limitless Consciousness—and be free. You are already what you are seeking. Know your true self and be fulfilled.
To accomplish the accomplished (prāpatasya prāpati), Vedānta recommends a process of Self-Inquiry (ātma-vicāra)—a methodology of inquiring into the essential nature of our self—discerning the real by separating it from the unreal: nitya-anitya-vastu-viveka.
Discerning what is ‘I’ and what is ‘not-I’ (ātmānātma-vicāra). We have come full circle!
This is the first step on the path of Self-knowledge.
Recent Comments