Self-Awareness

The truth of life lies in self-awareness or enlightenment. Only he who is inwardly awake is living in the real sense. The life of an unenlightened person is nothing more than a state of deep unconsciousness or coma. There is not much to choose between a comatose person I a hospital and one who is devoid of self-awareness. The only difference between the two is that unlike the comatose one the latter is able to move and walk around. Both spend almost their entire lives on the support system of involuntary or reflex actions of the unconscious mind. There is no meaning or purpose in such a life.

For this very reason, the essence of jivana sadhana (holistic refinement of the body, mind and soul) can be encapsulated in one small word "bodha" or enlightenment, i.e. to become awake and perform all actions with full consciousness. Our activities have almost wholly become mechanical. The body had learnt some movements and memorized some set patterns and paths. When we walk, for example, our body knows when to turn left or right, and it mechanically does so. When we reach our homes, we enter through the door. But these actions do not require any real awareness; they are performed automatically, without any conscious volition. In this sense, our entire life almost ninety percent of it remains in a state of non-consciousness. This non-consciousness is our bondage. It is as if a big stone is submerged in water with only its tip protruding above. In the same way, the major part of our conscious being, the greater mind remains immersed in darkness; only a very small portion of it is visible on the outside. What we know as and call our mind is in fact a very tiny part, and that which we do not even recognize is the much greater part. Modern psychology calls this much hidden entity "unconscious mind".

Rishi (enlightened sages and seers) explain that unless this unconscious mind is made conscious, unless the whole of it gradually becomes filled with light, jivana sadhana will remain incomplete. When the lamp of consciousness is fully lit within us, when every nook and corner of the interior is illumined with its glow, and no part remains in the dark, only then we will become fully enlightened and our jivan sadhana will reach fruition. As this enlightened state of true self-awareness begins to dawn, all the potencies of life, all its mysteries, all kinds of creative talents will automatically start revealing and activating themselves.

What is the process and procedure of this awakening? The first requirement for this is a spirit of enquiry. Only those who enquire or seek deeply and whose seeking is genuine are able to tread the path of jivana bodha (self-awareness). It is this seed of enquiry that sprouts forth, grows, and gradually leads to awakening. What should be the form of seeking? The answer is that, one should continually reflect on the meaning and nature of life. What is its aim, objective and purpose? Reflect on the present course of life on which we are mindlessly meandering, and on the actions which are mechanically performing.