The light bulb is capable of shining light on the room around it, but not on the power which illuminates it. In the same way we are capable of comprehending the world around us, but not the consciousness which animates us.
Dada Gunamuktananda
Tag: Consciousness
One of the important functions of prayer I…
One of the important functions of prayer, I believe, is to act as a stimulus to creative ideas. Within the mind are all the resources required for successful living. Ideas are present in the consciousness, which when released and given scope to grow and take shape, can lead to successful events. God, our Creator, has stored within our minds and personalities, great potential strength and ability. Prayer helps us to tap and develop these powers.
-APJ Abdul Kalam
aham brahmāsmi I am Brahman or …
aham brahmāsmi – “I am Brahman”, or “I am Divine”
Brhadaranyaka Upanishad 1.4.10 , Yajur Veda
A Mahâvâkya from the Yajurveda
Brhadâranyaka Upanisad 1.4.10
- brahma vâ idam agra âsît, tad âtmânam evâvet, aham brahmâsmi iti; tasmât tat sarvam abhavat.Olivelle (p. 15): “In the beginning this world was only brahman, and it knew only itself (âtman), thinking: ‘I am brahman.‘ As a result, it became the Whole.”
Hume (p. 83): “Verily, in the beginning this world was Brahma. It knew only itself (âtmânam): ‘I am Brahma!’ Therefore it became the All.”
Radhakrishnan (p. 168): “Brahman, indeed, was this in the beginning. It knew itself only as ‘I am Brahman.‘ Therefore it became all.”
A variant of this mahâvâkya is so ‘ham, “I am that,” which in its inverted form hamsa has connections with the goose used as a symbol of the Srngeri monastery founded by the nondualist master Sankara, and with the Paramahamsa line of ascetics tracing their lineage to him and including nondualist teachers such as Ramakrishna Paramahamsa.
tat tvam asi – That Thou art
tat tvam asi – “Thou art That”
Chandogya Upanishad 6.8.7, Sama Veda
A Mahâvâkya from the Sâmaveda
Chândogya Upanisad 6.8.7, etc.
- sa ya eso ‘nimâ aitadâtmyam idam sarvam, tat satyam, sa âtmâ. tat tvam asi, Svetaketo.
- Olivelle (p. 152): “The finest essence here—that constitutes the self of this whole world; that is the truth; that is the self (âtman). And that’s how you are, Svetaketu.”
Hume (p. 246): “That which is the finest essence—this whole world has that as its soul. That is reality (satya). That is Âtman (Soul). That art thou, Svetaketu.”
Radhakrishnan (p. 458): “That which is the subtle essence (the root of all) this whole world has for its self. That is the true. That is the self. That art thou, Sv
ayam ātmā brahma This Self Atman is…
ayam ātmā brahma – “This Self (Atman) is Brahman”
Mandukya Upanishad 1.2, Atharva Veda