VEDANTA

This is the one domain that I sincerely hesitate to delve into, as I feel short of even a novice and am no where near prepared to undertake any role or position of authority regarding this great spiritual path of liberation. Fortunately, the practice of Jnana Yoga or Vedanta can not be taught, only experienced through seeking the answers within One’s own Self. I am merely a perpetual student humbly fumbling along this path. However, I will attempt to illustrate the basic principals of non-duality theosophy based upon my limited ability and understanding.

As opposed to Sankya Philosophy, which bases its tenets/precepts on the primordial eternal spiritual energy known in it’s potential form as Shiva and in it’s kinetic form as Shakti, (It is through this eternal dance of energy that all of life is manifested and destroyed only to be manifest anew); Vedanta, or non-duality, attests that these primordial and eternal energies are yet still a manifestation of the absolute itself; (that which was before any manifestation, that which is unmanifest, beyond perception, yet is what makes all manifestation and perception possible). It is not the observer, the observed, nor the act of observation itself, rather it is that which makes all observation possible. It is that which gave rise to the observer, the observed and the observation, yet itself can never be perceived. Try wrapping your mind around that! Well, the point is you can’t, at least not by thinking. To know the unknowable is beyond the capability of the mind. The mind can not know what is not knowable; it can only be experienced when the mind surrenders its illusion of ego that the Spirit may reveal the reality of Self. The teaching of Vedanta can not be taught, it can only be pointed to. You are your own highest source of insight and inquiry, and you only know best as to what’s right for you. It is through ardent practice of self inquiry into the nature of Oneself and the nature of the transient that One ultimately become a self realized being and liberated from the bondage of the karmic cycle of endless births and deaths.

Jnana Yoga or the Yoga of Inquiry and Intellect (of which Vedanta is one form), utilizes the mind in order to go beyond the mind. But it is not the only way. The Vedas are based on the wisdom that although we are all manifestations of the absolute One; each and every THING is unique in it’s composition, constitution, quality and attributes. Each form of manifestation has its own unique relationship to the divine and this communion of Yoga can be attained through a multitude of paths as long as one stays true to One’s inner source of guidance or Self. There is ultimately no separation of the sacred from the profane. This is the essence of Yoga. Union of the dual; wholeness, peace and healing of the Self by integrating all aspects of self back into the One. Ultimately this is the end goal of all Vedic knowledge, practice and faith. To realize your true nature as eternal life creating consciousness itself. It is through liberation from one’s own  ignorance, (not through punishment, shame or force), but through its acceptance as love, awareness and joy (Sat-Chit-Ananda). This is our ultimate reality, this is who we all truly are.