-through our own eyes
A clear vision of the Reality may be obtained only through our own eyes, when they have been opened by spiritual insight—never through the eyes of some other seer. Through our own eyes we learn what the moon looks like: how could we learn this through the eyes of others? ~P[p48]
-earnestly endeavor
The flowing together of many words is like a great forest which causes the mind to wander confused. Therefore, those who know this Truth should earnestly endeavor to know the true nature of the Self. ~G62
self-effort
-A buried treasure is not uncovered by merely uttering the words "come forth". You must follow the right directions, dig, remove the stones and earth from above it, and then make it your own. In the same way, the pure truth of the Atman, which is buried under Maya and the effects of Maya, can be reached by meditation, contemplation and other spiritual disciplines such as a knower of Brahman may prescribe—but never by subtle arguments. ~P[p50]
steps to liberation
-The first step in the means to liberation is declared to be a complete absence of desire for all things impermanent. Then comes tranquility, self-control, forbearance, and the complete relinquishment of all desire-prompted actions.
-Then one must hear the Truth, reflect upon it, and finally, as a wise one does, meditate long upon it constantly, continuously, uninterruptedly. Thus, the learned one attains the supreme state in which there is no subject-object dichotomy and experiences the bliss of liberation in this very life. ~G71-2
don't give up
-Whomsoever gives up what should continuously and always be pursued, namely, freedom from bondage born of beginningless ignorance, and instead passionately seeks to gratify one’s body which is an 'other'-object, destroys oneself. ~G85
ego
-The mental organ identifies itself with the organs of perception and of action, as well as with the physical body. Thus the sense of individuality arises, which causes a man to live and to act. His consciousness is a reflection of the infinite consciousness of the Atman.
-He who believes himself to be acting or experiencing is known as the ego, the individual man. Identifying himself with the gunas, he experiences the three states of consciousness-waking, dreaming and dreamless sleep.
-When the objects of experience are pleasant, he is happy. When they are unpleasant, he is unhappy. Pleasure and pain are characteristics of the individual-not of the Atman, which is forever blissful. ~P[p58]
maya
-Known as the Unmanifest, Maya is the supreme power of the Lord. It is beginningless ignorance, composed of the three gunas, superior to its effects, and inferable by a discerning intellect through its effects; by it, this entire universe is brought forth.
-It is neither existent, nor non-existent, nor both; it is neither different from Brahman, nor non-different, nor both; it is neither composed of parts, nor partless, nor both. It is wondrous and of an indescribable nature.
~U108-9
atman
-There is a self-existent Reality, which is the basis of our consciousness of ego. That Reality is the witness of the three states of our consciousness, and is distinct from the five bodily coverings.
-That Reality is the knower in all states of consciousness-waking, dreaming and dreamless sleep. It is aware of the presence or absence of the mind and its functions. It is the Atman.
-That Reality sees everything by its own light. No one sees it. It gives intelligence to the mind and the intellect, but no one gives it light.
-That Reality pervades the universe, but no one penetrates it. It alone shines. The universe shines with its reflected light. ~P
-In this very body itself, in the secret cave of the intellect, which is by nature pure, in the space known as the unmanifest, the supremely radiant Self shines like the sun high in the sky illuminating this entire universe by its innate effulgence.
-It is not born; it does not die; it does not grow; it does not decline; it does not change. It is eternal. Even if this body is destroyed it does not cease to exist, just as the space in a pot does not become extinct when the pot is broken. ~G
~P(p62) ~G134&6
Translators:
C (Chinmayananda)
G (John Grimes)
P (Parabhavananda / Isherwood)
U (unknown [Indic Consciousness{ai?}])
*Note on numbering: Grimes numbering varies from Chinmayananda. There are no numbers on Parabhavananda's verses so I've used the page numbering used on this version: Copyright, 1947, 1970 by Vedanta Society of Southern California; Second Edition, with added material, 1971.
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