The Three Conditions to Self-Realization

So, this is where we are, it is really, mostly about what we really want. [Silence] And that is why we call this place the Atma Gyana Kendra [Self-knowledge centre] ; we didn’t call it Ananda Bhavan [Centre for bliss] [Laughter in the room] because there is no guarantee of Ananda [Bliss] . So if you all are still sitting (or maybe you’re being polite or something) then let’s presume you’re really interested in the Truth or Self-knowledge or Reality. So, for this we have some simple pointers and some of you I see are new and if the pointers don’t make sense just stop me and tell me ‘give it to me in a simpler way’ and we’ll make it simpler. So before the pointer comes there are some conditions which apply, like he said. [Looks at a sangha member]. What are the conditions that apply? Most of you know this so what is it? (First) - You must not bother with any thought or conclusion that the mind is forming for you. You must allow them to come and go, you must not be concerned. I’m not saying you must have control over your mind, your mind should stop, none of that. But at least when the mind is offering you it’s the same old tricks, you must allow it to come and go. Second - any perception or experience also you can allow it to come and go, you will not get attached to it or hanker for it or chase after any experience. That is the second one. Third one - You must not expect that in the discovery of the Self, in Self Realization, in the realization or recognition of the Self, it must do something for ‘me’, it must help me. So this is the first part that we spoke about. These are the three conditions and you will discover your Self. That is my guarantee. If you’re not bothered with what thoughts are coming and going, if you’re not hankering or getting attached to any experience and you have no expectations from what this must do for you, what the Self must do for the ego, then I promise you will recognize the Self. So the question is, the pointer is - Who is Aware of my Being? (And if the Being is not clear then you can stop me and I can elaborate on that) Just have to inquire into ‘Who is Aware of my Being?’ [Pause] And if there are any reports or questions about this, these three four things that I’ve said, I’m open to hearing, if something is not clear or some other doubt is there about this, let’s not make it domestic at the moment. [Pause] Are you aware or no? Are you aware of your Existence, your Presence?

This I, which is aware, is it perceptible, is it perceivable, is it seen? [Points to his eyes] It is not seen? Is it just a thought? [Silence] That I which is aware, is it a thought? No. Is it a perception? No. Then what is it, because everything else is thought, is a perception. [Pause] You say you are aware of your Being, this you, this I that is aware, you also say it is not perceived, it is not conceptualized [Silence] and at this point remember the three conditions. You might be saying, ‘Am I getting it?’, so that’s an expectation, keep it aside. You might be saying, ‘But I’m not seeing anything, nothing is happening to me’, that’s a hankering for perception, keep it aside. And ‘I’m not getting the eureka thought, Aham Brahman Asmi’, that’s just an expectation of a thought, keep it aside. If you keep these aside this Truth is so simple. [Pause] This Reality, this Self, this Brahman, this Absolute, is ever present beyond even Presence, is always apparent. The only trouble is our egotism is our selfishness and in saying that I’m not being harsh because there is no such actual thing called the ego, so I’m being harsh to nobody. If you believed yourself to be your imaginary friend and I told you there is no such imaginary friend, would that be being harsh? So who is aware of your Being? I don’t want to know really what the mind is saying because it must be saying plenty (that’s fine) just let it come and ago. I don’t even want to know which feelings are being experienced, whether it is joy, bliss, resistance, anger, frustration, all of that can also come and go, it is fine. I don’t want to know anything from the level of perception, whatever the experience might be I just want to hear a report on ‘Who is Aware of their Being’.