ENLIGHTENMENT: Experience the self, NOW!

Stabilisation in the experience of Self

One of the vital missing links in the journey of the Truth is that the state of self realisation is already available within us. By the grace of the Guru, one could experience momentary flashes of the state of realisation, while on the path. These are 'samples' of the experience which are more pronounced when the understanding shines forth as the mind is momentarily subdued. However, the journey should not stop here. Even after attaining many experiences of the Truth, if the body-mind is still entangled in old tendencies and programming, then the purpose is not served.

'Self stabilisation' is the most important step in the journey wherein one stabilises in the experience of the Self. One begins to constantly abide in the Truth. This involves the process called sadhana- the eradication of past conditioning or programming through understanding. The seeker remains in the presence of the Truth through constant contemplation and meditation. The mind is cleansed by uncovering the mechanical reactive patterns that are helplessly manifested through the body due to ignorance and lowered consciousness.

During the process of stabilisation, it is possible that the mind may get frustrated as it may not see results immediately forthcoming. The mind likes to see results instantly as per its own imaginations. The mind returns again and again with various questions and doubts about the Experience. As a result, we may not be able to feel the experience again. At such junctures, it is only perseverance and devotion that help in relentlessly maintaining the pursuit without digression. The doubts that are brought in by the mind should be cast aside as if they were gossiping neighbours who are engaged in useless chatter.

One may feel the experience at one instant; the very next instant the feeling may be missing. This can be compared to a bouncing ball. When you throw a ball on the ground, it goes down. The touching of the ball on the ground can be compared to the experience of Self being felt. But the ball does not stay there. It bounces and rises upwards. In this way, the ball goes up before it again returns to the floor, only to bounce up again. The mind also works exactly like the ball. Many a time, the mind becomes sad thinking that the experience of Being is not being felt. During this period, when you listen to the Truth in discourses, the experience is again felt. Every time the ball bounces, its momentum reduces. There comes a time when it stops bouncing and remains stable on the ground, at Level Zero. In the same way, depending on the body-mind makeup and the level of faith and reverence of the person, let the mind rise and fall as many times as it has to. Only after that does the mind become still. What you need to remember is that you do not need to lose hope or become agitated every time the mind rises. The experience is not being lost. It is always right there, behind the mind.