c.smith
26 November 2011, 06:24 PM
Hari Om!
Have been reading/studying the Shri Guru Gita (An excerpt from Skanda Purana) from the Sant Shri Asaranji Ashram in Ahmedabad, India.
Among the few verses that struck me today was the following:
"By steadiness in the path to liberation, by seeing one's own Self in oneself, by the practice of introspection within and by the Grace of the Guru, the Knowledge of the Self dawns in the Sadhaka." (76)
In some ways after reading this, I feel like I'm back at the starting line with little or no knowledge of who or what I am.
As my mind tries to tear all of this apart to make some sense of it, a few points "pop" from the page. "Self" - "Knowledge" - "Grace of Guru".
If one could see ones "Self" in oneself, the closest I can relate is a time or two while glancing at my body in a full length mirror and "feeling" that I am not this body. It's as if the feeling did the seeing.
Knowledge? (When) Will I ever know?
"Grace of Guru" seems to be necessary to make any of this equation work. Even something as simple as being steadfast on the path seems to require Guru's Grace. I say this for myself only however because try as I might, the bent towards tamas need be overcome before a path can even be contemplated.
I'd love feedback on this passage. Does it hold special insight for anyone? Additionally, does any of my inner rambling make sense? Please help me make it across the finish line!
Om Namah Sivaya
Jai Jai Hanuman!
Have been reading/studying the Shri Guru Gita (An excerpt from Skanda Purana) from the Sant Shri Asaranji Ashram in Ahmedabad, India.
Among the few verses that struck me today was the following:
"By steadiness in the path to liberation, by seeing one's own Self in oneself, by the practice of introspection within and by the Grace of the Guru, the Knowledge of the Self dawns in the Sadhaka." (76)
In some ways after reading this, I feel like I'm back at the starting line with little or no knowledge of who or what I am.
As my mind tries to tear all of this apart to make some sense of it, a few points "pop" from the page. "Self" - "Knowledge" - "Grace of Guru".
If one could see ones "Self" in oneself, the closest I can relate is a time or two while glancing at my body in a full length mirror and "feeling" that I am not this body. It's as if the feeling did the seeing.
Knowledge? (When) Will I ever know?
"Grace of Guru" seems to be necessary to make any of this equation work. Even something as simple as being steadfast on the path seems to require Guru's Grace. I say this for myself only however because try as I might, the bent towards tamas need be overcome before a path can even be contemplated.
I'd love feedback on this passage. Does it hold special insight for anyone? Additionally, does any of my inner rambling make sense? Please help me make it across the finish line!
Om Namah Sivaya
Jai Jai Hanuman!