ASHTAVAKRA GITA - SONG OF SELF - REALISATION

by Chinmayananda

16. He, who sees the supreme Brahman, meditates upon ‘I am Brahman’. He who has transcended all thoughts and when he sees ‘no second’, what should he meditate upon? In the verse here, Aṣṭāvakra points out the subtle distinction between the two higher states in meditation. At the earlier stage the student, as a result of his deep study and long reflection, becomes intellectually convinced of the one infinite immutable Reality which is the substratum for the illusory play of names and forms that constitute the universe. Here, the student ‘sees the supreme Brahman’ meaning, he intellectually conceives the Existence and understands the nature of the supreme Reality. At this stage the student should strive to meditate on, ‘I am Brahman’ (aham brahmāsmi). Through this meditation and continuous assertion ‘I am Brahman’ he achieves his total detachment from his equipments and discovers his identity with the infinite Self. This stage is defined as ‘samādhi with thought’ (savikalpa samādhi). As a result of this spiritual practice and long self-discipline, the ego ends, the illusory world of perceptions cease and the seeker awakes to become the sage of direct spiritual experience. He transcends his intellect and its thoughts and experiences the one without a second. Having thus reached this state of Consciousness, wherein he has discovered his perfect identity with the Brahman, Aṣṭāvakra asks very pertinently: ‘Upon what should he meditate?’ Until we sleep, we can try to sleep, but h...