Bow to life,
Bow deeply,
Feel gratitude for the gifts God gives us,
And everything that comes our way
Is a gift from Him
Bow deeply,
And fall in love,
Fall in love with Life,
Allow Her to take you,
Overwhelm you,
And show you Her treasures.
Allow life to make you whole,
Make you clean,
Clean from outside through to within.
Bow deeply,
Bow to life,
Gratitude pouring in,
Taking you over,
One with Him,
Cleasing you,
Purging you of negativity
Ridding you of illusion,
as Love takes over.
Now Love takes over,
It compels you to bow,
And delights you,
Moves you this way and that,
A willing servitude,
All a gift,
Flowing with gratitude,
Flowing with bliss,
So thankful,
Only Her.
Now where are you?
Where are you to be found?
At first you were the lover
-that (subject) which was loving,
But now, where are you?
Question: Am I the Subject, or am I beyond both subject and object? Some teachers will say, ‘you are not the object, nor are you the subject, you are beyond that which is both.’ Could you explain please?
Tom: The essential teaching is that You – the Absolute, the Self, the Divine – You are beyond all objects, that is, you are beyond body-mind-world.
If a teaching says what you are is beyond both subject and object, then subject refers to the body-mind and object refers to the world, and you are That Pure Consciousness which is beyond both.
If a teaching states you are the Pure Subject beyond all phenomenal objects, then You refers to Pure Consciousness beyond all objects, ie. body-mind-world.
Don’t forget the purpose of the teaching is not to have merely an intellectual understanding of the above, but to turn your attention selfwards and abide as the Self, for this is the key/clue that leads to self-realisation – otherwise it is just theoretical talk.
Note specifically what the verses state: sever all contact with sense objects (verse 4), empty the mind of objects (verse 3), wipe objects away from the mind (verses 2 & 3), prevent the mind from functioning (verse 5). Also see here: IN BRIEF: HOW TO ATTAIN LIBERATION (MOKSHA)
2. Mind alone is the cause of bondage or liberation; lost in enjoyment it leads to bondage, emptied of objects it leads to liberation.
3. As the mind emptied of objects leads to liberation, one desirous of liberation must always try to wipe away objects from the plane of his mind.
4. The mind severed from all connection with sensual objects, and prevented from functioning out, awakes into the light of the heart, and finds the highest condition
5. The mind should be prevented from functioning, until it dissolves itself in the heart. This is Jnana, this is Dhyana, the rest is just mere talk.
The word ‘pure’ in ‘pure consciousness’ traditionally denotes consciousness devoid of objects, ie. without the experience of objects. This is opposed to the ‘mixed’ or ‘reflected’ consciousness in which objects such as the mind, body and worldly objects appear.
Therefore to abide in pure consciousness means to turn away from objects, turn towards the Self/Subject and rest in Pure Being which is your True Nature.
This is why Shankara states in Vivekachudamani: ‘Dwelling on external objects will only increase evil propensities, so wisely recognising this fact, one should abandon external objects and and constantly attend to one’s true nature within, the Atman’.
For more information on how this is done please see here:
The Following teaching statements of Sri Ramana Maharshi are taken from the text Guru Vachaka Kovai (Garland of Guru’s sayings). This text is widely consider to be the most authoritative text on Sri Ramana’s verbal teachings – you can download it using the link below.
In the following video I have read the quotes to form a guided meditation/guided contemplation. You are invited to sit comfortably and allow these soothing words to wash over you and guide you to the Self.
393.One who has wisely chosen the straight path Of self-enquiry can never go astray; For like the bright, clear Sun, the Self Reveals itself direct to whoso Turns towards it.
391. Those who do not dive into the Heart And there confront the Self in the five sheaths hid Are only students answering out of books Clever questions raised by books, And not true seekers of the Self.
835. Renouncing this phenomenal world Which seems to, but does not, exist We gain (the great ones say) the Self, The Awareness shining all unseen.
755. If without wasting time one starts And keeps up steady self-enquiry, One’s life becomes at once ennobled, One is no more this wretched body, And there wells up within one’s heart A sea of bliss supreme.
647. If you refrain from looking at this Or that or any other object Then by that overpowering look Into absolute Being you become Yourself the boundless space of pure Awareness which alone is Real Being.
432. …If you observe Awareness steadily, this Awareness Itself as Guru will reveal The Truth.
291. For those who seek eternal life The assurance stands: the senses five Retracted tortoise-like, the mind Turned homeward to the Self and there Abiding is pure bliss.
130. When will the fool, who thinks the body And the world are permanent and clings To them, find peace? Only when this Folly leaves him and he trusts And like a limpet clings to That, The Self within. Thenceforward he Shall never more know pain.
390. Without abiding in calm solitude As the Being-Awareness shining in the heart, To tear oneself away and look for truth Fussing everywhere without, Is like searching with a lighted torch For a diver in deep water sunk.
420. The knowledge that ignores the Self, The knower, and holds as true the field Perceived, is but illusive folly…
293. Know that these countless things are pictures In a dream and none is real Apart from the beholder. Shun This phantom world of names and forms And dwell in the pure, blissful being Of Awareness.
697. …Not an iota of the past can touch Those who dwell unceasingly In the firmament of Self-Awareness, Vast, boundless, frontierless and full.
921. None can confront and overcome The mind. Ignore it, then, as something False, unreal. Know the Self As the real ground and stand firm-rooted In it. Then the mind’s movements will Gradually subside.
898. When we with mind serene and still Experience pure unbroken Being, That is samadhi. In this state The mind, abiding as the Self Supreme, shares God’s own Being.
399. If in this manner day after day Practice is maintained, the mind Is rendered flawless, pure, the quest Becomes so easy that the moment It begins the Heart is reached.
877. Only when the world-illusion goes Does the blissful light of Self arrive. Life lived in this bright, blissful light Is our true, natural life. Other ways Of life are full of trouble and fear.
974. Unbroken Self-awareness is The true, bright path of devotion or love. Knowledge of our inherent nature As indivisible Bliss supreme Wells up as Love
418. The only true and full awareness Is awareness of awareness. Till awareness is awareness Of itself, it knows no peace at all.
