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Self-realization
In yoga, self-realization is knowledge of the atman, one's true self.
The term "self-realization" is a translation of Atman Jnana, Sanskrit
for knowledge of the true self. Jnana referes to knowledge gained from
personal experience, as opposed to book knowledge.
While the goal of self-realization is the same in all teachings, this
article focuses in self-realization through yoga. Different yoga paths
have different ways of achieving self-realization. (see below).
The following terms are related to self-realization or atma jnana:
* moksha (liberation from the cycle of birth and death)
* samadhi (Supreme or Divine Bliss)
Self-realization in Gnan Vidhi - Dada Bhagwan
For Self realization, a living enlightened medium in the form of a
Avatar (Gnani Purush) is required. According to Gnan Vidhi teachings,
such enlightened beings are seldom born. However, when such beings are
around, they are able to procure liberation for anyone who seeks it.
In Gnan Vidhi, Self-realization begins by asking the questions Who am I?
What is the real truth? What is this whole world about? What or who is
God?
In Gnan Vidhi, self realization is realizing the God is within each of
us, and God is realized through enlightenment. It is said that when one
achieves self-realization, it is like turning on a light switch, with
the light instantly displacing the darkness. Similarly, it takes no time
for the self enlightened being to dispel ignorance with the light of
Knowledge.
Self-realization in Sahaja Yoga
In Sahajayoga, self-realization is said to be achieved when the serpent
force or Kundalini rises through the shushumna nadi to the sahasrara
chakra.
Self-realization in Reiki Tummo (Master Yoga)
According to Reiki Tummo, self-realization is a part of the process of
kundalini awakening before reaching full enlightenment and Yoga (Union
with the Divine). The combination of the term reiki with the term tummo
was done recently in Indonesia by the founder of Padmacahaya Foundation.
Tummo is one of the yogas practiced in Tibet in the context of Vajrayana
Buddhism (among Kagyupas it is one of the Six Yogas of Naropas, but it
had been practiced for centuries before Marpa Lotsawa's trip to India
and meeting with Naropa). However, in Vajrayana Buddhism yoga is not
"union with the divine," for Buddhism does not conceive a separate self
to unite, or a Divine reality separate from oneself to unite with; the
Tibetan term is "naljor," a combination of nalma, meaning "true
unalterated condition" and "jorwa," meaning "to possess:" the idea
conveyed by the term is that Yoga, rather than union with the Divine, is
the discovery, unconcealment or realization of one's true, unalterated
condition, which has alterated by the development of the basic human
delusion called avidya (Tib. ma rig pa). Reiki is a system wholly
different from all Tibetan yogas and schools; the name is Japanese
rather than Tibetan. Therefore it is clear that this is a yoga of recent
date rather than a traditional one.
Self-realization according to Paramhansa Yogananda
“Self-realization is the knowing in all parts of body, mind, and soul
that you are now in possession of the kingdom of God; that you do not
have to pray that it come to you; that God’s omnipresence is your
omnipresence; and that all that you need to do is improve your knowing.”
— from The Essence of Self-Realization by Paramhansa Yogananda
Self-realization in Surat Shabd Yoga
Surat Shabd Yoga cosmology depicts the whole of creation (the macrocosm)
as being emanated and arranged in a spiritually differentiated
hierarchy, often referred to as eggs, regions, or planes. Typically,
eight spiritual levels are described above the physical plane, although
names and subdivisions within these levels will vary to some extent by
movement and Master. In this arrangement, Self-Realization is attainted
in the third heaven level, Daswan Dwar, Spirit-Realization is attained
in the fourth heaven level, Bhanwar Gupha, and God-Realization is
attained in the fifth heaven level, Sach Kand (Sat Lok). (One version of
the creation from a Surat Shabda Yoga perspective is depicted at the
Sant Ajaib Singh Ji Memorial Site [1]). All planes below the purely
spiritual regions are subject to cycles of creation and dissolution (pralya)
or grand dissolution (maha pralya).
This cosmology presents the constitution of the initiate (the microcosm)
as an exact replica of the macrocosm. Consequently, the microcosm
consists of a number of bodies, each one suited to interact with its
corresponding plane or region in the macrocosm. These bodies developed
over the yugas through involution (emanating from higher planes to lower
planes) and evolution (returning from lower planes to higher planes),
including by karma and reincarnation in various states of consciousness.
The Path of Light and Sound involves the initiate traveling the
microcosm dharmicly in consciousness (soul) with the guidance and
protection of the Outer Living Master in the physical world and the
Inner Shabd Master in the higher worlds, eventually experiencing
Self-Realization and continuing to unfold until the regions of pure
spirituality are reached and God-Realization is attained.
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