On self-realization and baking a cake
It felt so close. As though I already knew it, but hadn't yet realized it. In the days leading up to that moment, I had been feeling and experiencing things differently than usual — and now I was holding a book filled with beautiful black-and-white photos and one-liners by Nisargadatta Maharaj. One of the great sages of India. I read: 'Be a witness to your thoughts…'. I noticed this was already happening, and read on: 'Remain the observer…'. And my search for self-realization was complete.
The great sages across many cultures, eras, and traditions have all emphasized the value of self-realization. Countless books have been written about it, and millions of people have devoted their lives to it — following the words of the wise in pursuit of freedom, to be released from their suffering. I've walked that path too, and this is what I can share with you.
Find out who it is that suffers
The story goes that one of the most accomplished Yogis of Ramana Maharshi's time was one day overcome by doubt. That same day, he found himself at Ramana's feet on the sacred mountain Arunachala. He expressed his frustration: "I have read every book there is and mastered every form of meditation. And still — no liberation. Ramana, please tell me how I, and with me all of humanity, can be freed from suffering."
Ramana drew him close and gazed at the Yogi in silence for 15 minutes with his gentle eyes, then answered: "Find out who it is that suffers." The Yogi turned inward and recognized the truth of Ramana's invitation. Flooded with joy, he sat speechlessly beside Ramana until nightfall.
Self-realization and the ego
As the word itself suggests, self-realization means realizing the self — knowing your true essence. This goes hand in hand with the release of the illusory ego. By ego, I mean the belief in the "I-thought" and the convictions attached to it, such as your identity. You might very reasonably wonder what on earth any of this has to do with your life. I'd like to invite you to look at your own experience to find out.
Do any of the following beliefs sound familiar? "I'm not good enough." "I'm better than others." "I need to work on myself." What would life be like without beliefs like these? Would you experience more space and freedom, or less? More or less stress? More or less connection with nature and the people around you? Somewhere in our system, these beliefs seem necessary to keep functioning — to maintain a sense of control and to survive. But is that really true?
You are that in which everything appears
Is it necessary to disapprove of who you are now in order to grow? Is it necessary to compare yourself to others when you're baking a cake? Is it necessary to create an image of ourselves or others in order to enjoy the moment? My experience is that I move through life far more effectively, freely, and lovingly without the weight of the ego.
The habit of constructing a self-image and then spending our lives defending that identity is deeply ingrained. Wars are essentially two identities fighting each other, aren't they? Seeing that clearly is of immense value. It can clear the path for self-realization — for recognizing yourself as that in which everything appears. This is a genuine contribution to freedom and love.
Embodiment of self-realization
Recognizing yourself as consciousness — beyond form and identity — is the beginning. From there, the capacity grows to recognize the habits that no longer serve ourselves or humanity. And with a little grace, we can slowly but surely begin to move through daily life from this realization of unity. This is embodiment. A cliffhanger for my next blog 😉
