Knowledge through Self
(Vinod Anand)
Self knowledge is neither gained by explanations and descriptions nor by the instructions of others but by direct experience. Whatever is experienced and known here in this world, all that is the self, consciousness devoid of the duality of the experiencing and the experience.
It is the Self alone that exists everywhere at all times, but because of its extreme subtlety, it is not experienced. In all beings, it is the Jiva.
All activities take place in the light of the sun, but if the activities cease, the sun does not suffer loss: even so, it is on account of the Self that the body et al function, but if the body et al perish, the Self does not suffer loss. The Self is not born, nor does it die; it does not acquire, nor does it desire; it is not bound, nor is it liberated — the Self is the Self of all, at all times.
That (Self) is unconditioned by time and space; how does it become bound? Abandon these two false TH concepts — that of bondage and of liberation, and live an enlightened life here. .There is no liberation in the sky, on earth or in the nether world; liberation is but a synonym for pure mind, correct Self knowledge and a truly awakened state.
The complete absence of all desires and hopes is liberation. Until one reaches this true inner awakening or Self knowledge, one considers oneself bound and strives for liberation. Abandon these wrong notions of bondage and liberation.
0 Rama, he who knows that all activities happen because of the mere existence of consciousness — even as a crystal reflects the objects around it without intending to do so — is liberated. They, who, even after taking this human birth, are not interested in such non-volitional activity, go from heaven to hell and from hell to heaven again.
Some are devoted to inaction, having turned away from or suppressed all action; they go from hell to hell, sorrow to sorrow, fear to fear. Others know the Self; blessed indeed are they, they have carefully enquired into the nature of the mind and overcome all cravings; they do go to higher planes of consciousness. He, who has taken birth for the last time now, is endowed with a mixture of light (satva) and a little impurity (rajas).
Right from birth he grows in holiness. Noble qualities like friendliness, compassion, wisdom, goodness and magnanimity seek him and take abode in him. He performs all appropriate actions, but is not swayed if their results appear to be gain or loss, nor does he feel elated or depressed. His heart is clear. He is much sought after by people. One, who is full of all the noble qualities, seeks and follows an enlightened master who directs him along the path of Self-knowledge.
He then realizes the Self which is the one cosmic being. Such a liberated one awakens the inner intelligence, and instantly knows itself to be the infinite consciousness. Such is the normal course of evolution, 0 Rama. However, there are exceptions. For those who have taken birth in this world, two possibilities exist for the attainment of liberation.
The first is: treading the path indicated by the master, the seeker gradually reaches the goal of liberation.
The second is: Self- knowledge literally drops into one’s lap, as it were, and there is instant enlightenment.
VINOD K.ANAND: A BRIEF PROFILE
Born in 1939, and holding Master’s Degree both in Mathematics (1959) and Economics (1961), and Doctorate Degree in Economics (1970), Dr. Vinod K.Anand has about forty five years of teaching, research, and project work experience in Economic Theory (both micro and macro), Quantitative Economics, Public Economics, New Political Economy, and Development Economics with a special focus on economic and social provisions revolving around poverty, inequality, and unemployment issues, and also on informal sector studies. His last assignment was at the National University of Lesotho (Southern Africa) from 2006 to 2008. Prior to that he was placed as Professor and Head of the Department of Economics at the University of North-West in the Republic of South Africa, and University of Allahabad in India, Professor at the National University of Lesotho, Associate Professor at the University of Botswana, Gaborone in Botswana, and at Gezira University in Wad Medani, Sudan, Head, Department of Arts and Social Sciences, Yola in Nigeria, Principal Lecturer in Economics at Maiduguri University in Nigeria, and as Lecturer at the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria in Nigeria. Professor Anand has by now published more than 80 research papers in standard academic journals, authored 11 books, supervised a number of doctoral theses, was examiner for more than twenty Ph.D. theses, and has wide consultancy experience both in India and abroad, essentially in the African continent. This includes holding the position of Primary Researcher, Principal Consultant etc. in a number of Research Projects sponsored and funded by Universities, Governments, and International Bodies like, USAID, IDRC, and AERC. His publications include a variety of themes revolving around Economic Theory, New Political Economy, Quantitative Economics, Development Economics, and Informal Sector Studies. His consultancy assignments in India, Nigeria, Sudan, Botswana, and the Republic of South Africa include Non-Directory Enterprises in Allahabad, India, Small Scale Enterprises in the Northern States of Nigeria, The Absolute Poverty Line in Sudan, The Small Scale Enterprises in Wad Medani, Sudan, Micro and Small Scale Enterprises in Botswana, The Place of Non-Formal Micro-Enterprises in Botswana, Resettlement of a Squatter Community in the Vryburg District of North West Province in the Republic of South Africa, Trade and Investment Development Programme for Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises: Support for NTSIKA in the Republic of South Africa, and Development of the Manufacturing Sector in the Republic of South Africa’s North West Province: An Approach Based on Firm Level Surveys. Professor Anand has also extensively participated in a number of conferences, offered many seminars, participated in a number of workshops, and delivered a variety of Refresher Lectures at different venues both in India and abroad. Dr. Anand was placed at the prestigious Indian Institute of Advanced Study (IIAS), Shimla in the State Himachal Pradesh, India as a Fellow from 2001 to 2003, and had completed a theoretical and qualitative research project/monograph on the Employment Profile of Micro Enterprises in the State of Himachal Pradseh, India.
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