We don’t die
We are not bound by death. The true essence of ourselves, beyond the limitations of this physical body and mind, is described in ancient Indian Vedas as ‘Brahman’ – the eternal, undying reality. The Vedas also refer to this state as the essence of everything, the Brahman. It is the singular, eternal truth amidst a world of illusions and transience.
Intuitively, we recognize the impermanence of everything around us, which is why we often feel dissatisfied and incomplete, despite the abundance of objects to enjoy or the multitude of activities to keep us occupied. Nothing in this world can bring us lasting happiness because everything is subject to destruction, while our true selves, the ‘I’, never age or deteriorate. We may not always be able to articulate this longing, but the yearning for something unending and eternal remains within us. This is why we are naturally drawn to mountains, oceans, and forests – things that appear to our senses as enduring. Poets find inspiration in the moon, philosophers lose themselves in contemplation of the stars, and even those caught up in the daily struggles of material life find solace in witnessing the rising and setting sun. These experiences are a result of our inner selves, which never truly die, finding a connection with another immortal reality in nature. The sun, moon, and stars have witnessed the passing of generations, including our great-grandfathers. They observed the Mahabharata war and the arrival of Shankaracharya. They have witnessed remarkable individuals and catastrophic events throughout millennia. Similarly, we, trapped within these mortal bodies, are eternal, fully conscious, and blissful. Unbeknownst to us, it is the eternity of ‘Brahman’ that we seek during our journey in this world. The tranquility we experience in nature merely beckons our souls to enter the realm of eternity.
If you are tormented by questions such as who you are or the meaning of it all, or if you contemplate what is truly real in this world and your place within the vast cosmos, you are on a spiritual quest. Have you ever pondered the nature of your thoughts? Where does intelligence originate from? Is there something beyond form and labels?
The answer that encompasses all these questions is ‘Brahman’ – the eternal reality transcending all material existence and limitations. Whether in the grand scope of the universe or within our own microcosmic realm, Brahman shapes our resilience and happiness. As we face storms of suffering from both internal and external sources, it is our state of Brahman – the authentic ‘I’, the unchanging and observing self – that guarantees profound fulfillment and joy.
Stability- Clarity- Love – the three principles that catapults us to the eternal space
Let’s now translate this abstract phenomenon called ‘Brahman’ to our daily lives.
Brahman is a state characterized by ‘stability-clarity-love’. In Vedic terminology, they are referred to as ‘sat cit ananda,’ where the word Sat represents eternity, a state of balance and equilibrium. Cit signifies consciousness or awareness, while Ananda represents pure bliss experienced when one feels deeply loved. Thus, the soul is also described in Vedic scriptures as ‘Satcitananda’ – eternal, fully aware, and blissful.
To experience lasting happiness, we simply need to nurture three essential aspects – the triangle of stability, clarity, and love. The more time we spend in our Heart Space, the greater our chances of anchoring ourselves in stability, clarity, and love.
To be continued…
