Self-realization
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In yoga, self-realization is knowledge of the atman, one's true self.
The term "self-realization" is a translation of Atman Jnana, Sanskrit for knowledge of the true self. Jnana referes to knowledge gained from personal experience, as opposed to book knowledge.
While the goal of self-realization is the same in all teachings, this article focuses in self-realization through yoga. Different yoga paths have different ways of achieving self-realization. (see below).
The following terms are related to self-realization or atma jnana:
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[edit] Self-realization in Gnan Vidhi - Dada Bhagwan
For Self realization, a living enlightened medium in the form of a Avatar (Gnani Purush) is required. According to Gnan Vidhi teachings, such enlightened beings are seldom born. However, when such beings are around, they are able to procure liberation for anyone who seeks it.
In Gnan Vidhi, Self-realization begins by asking the questions Who am I? What is the real truth? What is this whole world about? What or who is God?
In Gnan Vidhi, self realization is realizing the God is within each of us, and God is realized through enlightenment. It is said that when one achieves self-realization, it is like turning on a light switch, with the light instantly displacing the darkness. Similarly, it takes no time for the self enlightened being to dispel ignorance with the light of Knowledge.
[edit] Self-realization in Sahaja Yoga
In Sahaja Yoga, self-realization is said to be achieved when the serpent force or Kundalini rises through the shushumna nadi to the sahasrara chakra.
[edit] Self-realization in Reiki Tummo (Master Yoga)
According to Reiki Tummo, self-realization is a part of the process of kundalini awakening before reaching full enlightenment and Yoga (Union with the Divine). The combination of the term reiki with the term tummo was done recently in Indonesia by the founder of Padmacahaya Foundation. Tummo is one of the yogas practiced in Tibet in the context of Vajrayana Buddhism (among Kagyupas it is one of the Six Yogas of Naropas, but it had been practiced for centuries before Marpa Lotsawa's trip to India and meeting with Naropa). However, in Vajrayana Buddhism yoga is not "union with the divine," for Buddhism does not conceive a separate self to unite, or a Divine reality separate from oneself to unite with; the Tibetan term is "naljor," a combination of nalma, meaning "true unalterated condition" and "jorwa," meaning "to possess:" the idea conveyed by the term is that Yoga, rather than union with the Divine, is the discovery, unconcealment or realization of one's true, unalterated condition, which has alterated by the development of the basic human delusion called avidya (Tib. ma rig pa). Reiki is a system wholly different from all Tibetan yogas and schools; the name is Japanese rather than Tibetan. Therefore it is clear that this is a yoga of recent date rather than a traditional one.
[edit] Self-realization according to Paramhansa Yogananda
“Self-realization is the knowing in all parts of body, mind, and soul that you are now in possession of the kingdom of God; that you do not have to pray that it come to you; that God’s omnipresence is your omnipresence; and that all that you need to do is improve your knowing.”
— from The Essence of Self-Realization by Paramhansa Yogananda[citation needed]
[edit] Self-realization in Surat Shabd Yoga
Surat Shabd Yoga cosmology depicts the whole of creation (the macrocosm) as being emanated and arranged in a spiritually differentiated hierarchy, often referred to as eggs, regions, or planes. Typically, eight spiritual levels are described above the physical plane, although names and subdivisions within these levels will vary to some extent by movement and Master. In this arrangement, Self-Realization is attained in the third heaven level, Daswan Dwar, Spirit-Realization is attained in the fourth heaven level, Bhanwar Gupha, and God-Realization is attained in the fifth heaven level, Sach Kand (Sat Lok). (One version of the creation from a Surat Shabda Yoga perspective is depicted at the Sant Ajaib Singh Ji Memorial Site ). All planes below the purely spiritual regions are subject to cycles of creation and dissolution (pralya) or grand dissolution (maha pralya).
This cosmology presents the constitution of the initiate (the microcosm) as an exact replica of the macrocosm. Consequently, the microcosm consists of a number of bodies, each one suited to interact with its corresponding plane or region in the macrocosm. These bodies developed over the yugas through involution (emanating from higher planes to lower planes) and evolution (returning from lower planes to higher planes), including by karma and reincarnation in various states of consciousness. The Path of Light and Sound involves the initiate traveling the microcosm dharmicly in consciousness (soul) with the guidance and protection of the Outer Living Master in the physical world and the Inner Shabd Master in the higher worlds, eventually experiencing Self-Realization and continuing to unfold until the regions of pure spirituality are reached and God-Realization is attained.
[edit] See also
[edit] Note
- ^ Sant Ajaib Singh Ji Memorial Site, 1995; “The Grand Scheme of All Creation”.
