From Self to Self — The Illusion of the Journey | Nisargadatta Maharaj editaiton

From Self to Self — The Illusion of the Journey | Nisargadatta Maharaj editaiton

Author Name:Advaita Awakenings with Gaurav

Youtube Channel Url:https://www.youtube.com/@Advaitaawakenings

Youtube Video URL:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t-jcMu8VvpU



Transcript:
(00:01) From self to self. At the beginning of this journey, there is confusion. A quiet uncertainty about what the self even is. Because for most of our lives, we've been identified with who we think we are. The person, the body, the mind, our stories. So, the idea of true self can feel distant, almost unclear. Then something may have shifted even in
(00:45) your own journey. You start to sense that you may not be who you thought you were. As there are glimpses, moments of stillness, a deeper presence beneath the noise. But even then, it can feel difficult to remain there as the mind returns. An old identity pulls you back. The sense of being a separate person reappears.
(01:25) But what if even this journey is part of the illusion? And in this meditation today, we'll explore this through the direct words and wisdom of Nisargadatta Maharaj. Allowing the words to guide us not towards something new, but from your self to the ultimate self. So, let these words not just be understood, but be seen directly.
(02:05) You are not what you take yourself to be. Find out what you are. [music] Watch the sense I am. Find your real self. So, this meditation is not about returning anywhere. It is about seeing clearly that what you are has always been here. So, sit still. Let your body relax. Gently close your eyes and allow your breath to move naturally.
(02:50) Right here and right now, nothing needs to be achieved. Simply notice the quiet sense of being. The feeling I am. And rest there. >> [music]
(03:40) >> All that you take yourself to be, body, mind, feelings, thoughts, are all transient. They appear and disappear. You are the witness of them all. Right here and now, notice your experience. Thoughts arise.
(04:27) Sensations, they come and go. Emotions shift. Even the sense of identity changes. At times, you feel confused. >> [music] >> At times, lost. And at times, found. But all of this is known. But ask yourself, that which knows,
(05:15) does it come and go? Or has it always been present? >> [music] >> Look carefully. >> [music] >> Has awareness ever left you? Or have only experiences changed within it? Remain with that.
(06:00) >> [music] [music] >> There is no such thing as a person. There are only thoughts, feelings, and perceptions, but no entity
(06:44) to which they belong. Now, notice something more subtle. The one who feels lost, the self who is searching, yourself who wants to return is also something you are aware of. >> [music] >> Even you trying to
(07:37) get to your higher self or the ultimate is itself a thought arising which says I need to find on my true nature. [music] But even that thought is seen. A feeling arises. I'm not there yet. I need to do something about this. But that too is seen.
(08:24) >> [music] >> You are already that. And you cannot become what you are. You only cease to imagine yourself to be what you are not. This is the ultimate realization. Between the two
(09:10) supposed selves there was never a distance. No separation. No real movement away. And no journey back. >> [music] >> This apparent journey is only imagination unfolding in the mind of the finite self
(09:56) appearing as a story. However, from the perspective of the whole self all of this is simply illusion. Jagat mithya maya the play of life. It may have formed as the idea such as I was lost now I'm returning I'm trying to find my way back. But the truth is that what you are
(10:40) has never moved. >> [music] >> You the awareness has always been there >> [music] >> unchanged silent present. >> [music] >> Nothing has been gained. Nothing has been recovered. Only something false has begun to fall
(11:26) away. And it's your time to rest here and now. Rest not as someone who has arrived, >> [music] >> but as that which has never left. Rest now. >> [music] [music]
(13:02) >> And now, slowly bring your attention back to your normal physical self. Back into your body. Listening to different sounds. Feeling different sensations within. >> [music] >> Realizing that the knowing of it is still always there. Gently open your eyes.
(13:48) And welcome back. And if you'd like to take this journey further, we have a free resource for you, which is our free course, the path to direct realization. And it's a five-part video series, which you can watch it however many times you may want. And use it as an anchoring practice to move further in your journey.
(14:16) And you can find the link for that in the [music] description box below. And with that, I want to wish you all the very best. Goodbye and namaste.