Self-Mastery and Enlightenment Demystified

On by

You are currently browsing comments. If you would like to return to the full story, you can read the full entry here: “Self-Mastery and Enlightenment Demystified”.

Read Related Posts:

  1. A 10 Minute Ujjayi Pranayama, Victorious or Ocean Sound Breathing Technique
  2. Sign Up Now for My Free Self-Mastery Newsletter!
  3. 9 Mistakes to Avoid on Your Way to Enlightenment
  4. Hindu Views on Creationism and Evolution
  5. Personal Development List Finds a Home at Self-Mastery for Independent Minded Seekers

44 thoughts on “Self-Mastery and Enlightenment Demystified”

  3. Hey Desika, remember me? Just thought I’d drop by to see how you are going, and wow found this fantastic article! It really strikes me how many different schools of thought are pointing essentially to the same thing. You must have spent ages on this work of art.

    Cheers,
    Albert
    UrbanMonk.Net
    Modern personal development, entwined with ancient spirituality.

  4. Hey Albert,

    Of course, I remember you buddy!

    You are very true that many different schools of thought (in fact, I believe that all schools of thought and religions) point to the same core essential truth behind all the veils of rituals and dogma. One has to be vigilant not to get caught up in the ignorance of dogma and forget who we truly are. I am very grateful for your appreciation of this article. I hope that this article will help the seekers of truth or at least give some food for their thought.

    Thanks,
    Desika

  5. Well, well, well, Mr. Nadadur,

    What an article! Brilliant. This is an excellent model to embrace in order to understand and apply oneself towards one’s spiritual evolution. I have come across it in other forms (physical, emotional and mental body emerging from creation), but I have gained much from your depiction in terms of the matter, sound, light and Om fields.

    I agree w/ associating pituitary w/ Agnya. Am looking forward to your article on elaborating on the chakra system.

    With regard to your comments on the brain, I find it helpful to relate it’s various regions to the primary chakras, and understand the opening up of the brain as a result of the activation of the respective chakras.

    If you don’t submit this article to my carnival I will have to fly over to your house and give you some taste of low vibratory matter meeting your chin :-) .

    I have also shared this gem out, I feel it would be of great service to those seriously interested in enlightenment.

    All Good Wishes,
    Anmol

  6. Hey Anmol,

    Thanks for your appreciation of the article. I can only take the credit for writing down the article. All the credit goes to great teachers like Siddhar Tirumoolar.

    I agree with you and it is a scientific fact that every part of our body is mapped to a portion of the brain as a distorted man called “homunculus.” Therefore, region of the chakras are mapped to the regions in the brain. I believe that the full activation of the chakras also signifies, physiologically, the full activation of the ductless glands in those regions as depicted in the figures in this article. And, this activation is basically activation of the corresponding regions in the brain. Most importantly the activation of the frontal lobes of the brain are the eventual goal of our evolution. Activation of the frontal lobes gives a perspective of the creation from the 5D (Om-field).

    Of course, this article is made for your blog carnival. I was going to submit it, but got very busy with my duties at my job. Moreover, I don’t want to get beaten up by a yogi (on the other hand, it is a great privilege to get beaten up by a yogi; it is a blessing, a kind of initiation!). :-)

    Love and Light,
    Desika

  7. Pingback: Enlightenment

  8. Regarding your article on Enlightenment, it was an excellant research work and you have put up
    the differenct models into a consolidated form with reasons. Hats off to you ! Keep giving such
    spiritual foods for innocent people like me.

    Finally, one layman’s question : Why should we go for enlightenment? Please answer in straight> do not give any evasive reply.

    Thanks & regards,
    S N N CHARI, CHENNAI

  9. Dear Mr. S.N.N. Chari,

    Thank you very much for your appreciation. I am glad that it was of help.

    Now, coming to your question: As seen from the model put forward in the article, we are multidimensional beings with our awareness mostly in the physical and sound bodies, in the present age. Because of this we are caught up in the emotional dramas that occur on this planet, be it with our families, friends, coworkers or even strangers. As you may know, “en-light-enment” means, “to live in light”. Meaning, when our awareness completely moves into light zone, we are not caught up in the emotional dramas of the earth and can live effortlessly.

    It is not the question of “Why?” but “When?” Enlightenment is only the first step in our evolution. It is not the evolution that scientists talk about—one species mutating into another. It is the evolution of human species to become the source itself. It is part of our journey whether we want it or not. Our higher self (divine within) is always trying to pull the lower self (outer self or ego) toward it. We always have this subconscious desire to move up into light. This is the reason why we always try to better ourselves in our outer lives. Why should you decide to move into light? I cannot answer that question for you. This is a question that you should contemplate upon to get an answer for yourself. This urge to move into light comes from within. Something outside of you may trigger that urge. Some life experience that shakes you up so much you want to know the meaning of this life. Or, you may be bored of all the earthly experiences since you have gained wisdom that you needed to gain from all of them. Now, you want explore other facets of yourself. Any of these reasons could trigger your outer self to recognize the inner urge to move into light.

    As I said, Enlightenment is only the first step. There are, I believe, infinite steps to become Lord Narayana (the manifest and the unmanifest; not the deity form)—the creation itself. Next step is the physical ascension. That is, converting this material body itself into light. This was proved by Dhruva, who ascended with his physical body and became a star in one lifetime. So did Arundhati and Vasishta, and Prahlada become stars. Saints like Ramana Maharshi chose to leave their bodies, for reasons I do not know, but he has also ascended. Great Siddhas like Thirumoolar, Agastyar, Kriya Babaji all ascended with their bodies converting them to light. All these are available to us to be our masters.

    So, whether one wants it or not it is our eventual path. Some may want to graduate to the next step from being in a physical body in this lifetime. Some may not think of it at all and may take few more lifetimes to move to the next step. Either way there is no judgment. It is up to each individual to decide, since the “All Loving Almightly” has given us “Free Will” to choose.

    I hope this helps answer your question and gave something to contemplate upon.

    Regards,
    -Desika

  10. Pingback: What India May Have for the Law of Attraction | Gratitude Magic

  11. i have read so many books about enlightenment but they always say one must desire nothing. i will be 62 and no source of income and been dreaming to have at least something i could share others to uplift them in their situations.it is a miracle that in searching inspirations i have found your website teaching quick manifestastion of wishes and desires, a guru on spiritual matters and the material world where one could have what is needed.i thank you so much desika for your free materials in the internet.i am just learning how to type and dont know much about computer.i could feel your sincerity and love in what you want us to know. i am a filipino. may god bless you.

  12. Lourdes,

    Your comment deeply touched my heart. What you said made all the effort I put into this website, worth everything. If I can be of further help, please let me know.

    I will discuss the nature of desire in one of my future posts. Suffice it to say for now, “Without desire even enlightenment is not possible. Without desire you cannot drop desire. Remaining in the material body is only possible because of desire. It is a double edged sword.”

    Thanks again for your comment.

    -Desika

  13. Pingback: A Higher Dimensional Perspective on Earth Changes | I Am My Own Master « Self-Mastery - Enlightenment - Ascension

  14. Dear Desika,
    I am a seeker following anahata and jnana yogas. My primary path is ‘anahata nada’ because mind is transcended in the nada – the audible life stream or Om vibration. I am a bit uneasy over your portrayal of the realm of inner sound as the sphere of just emotions. As I understand it, the inner sound reverberates even after all material afflictions and emotions have been transcended. The inner vibration has various manifestations which progress to increasingly higher spheres of consciousness. To limit the inner sound to merely emotional sphere of being is bad theory.The shabda stays till the nishabda ( infinite void of brahmana) is attained. Even after the inner light is perceived, all movement is due to the sound vibration. This is the link to nadabindu upanishad.
    http://www.geocities.com/advaitavedant/nadabindu.htm
    I feel you have taken a reductionist and limited view of the inner sound vibration which is the primary creative power mentioned even in the Gospel of John as the holy word inherent and indeed equal to God.The sufis call it kalma. The vedas mention it as udgith or om. Tao, logos and ‘comforter’ are other names for the inner vvibration or the ‘audible life stream’. I skimmed through your article in a hurry so do correct me if I have taken a narrow view of your article. The genral tenor of the article pleased me and seems illuminating.

    love and regards,
    aman

  15. Hi Aman,

    Thank you for your insightful comment. The anAhata nAda comes in the Om-field, in my model. It is the first and foremost (after the Brahman or sadASiva, of course) and is the realm of Sakti the creative force which devolves successively into light, sound and matter. Even to feel that anAhata nAda in the material realm, it has to devolve. So, I don’t believe that I have reduced anything in my model. Nor did I ignore anything. I may not have explicitly stated a few things.

    That said, as I stated in the beginning of the article, every spiritual path follows a model whether that model is made implicit or explicit. A model, by its very nature, cannot capture the infinite. Models are created for the mind to grab on to something and stop complaining and stop throwing obstacles on the path. So, the Self or Brahman in which everything arises and dissolves is not really discretized, as this or any model would suggest. “Practice”, that suits your current level of awareness, is more important than any model.

    When you get some time please go through this article carefully and let me know, if you have more questions. I’d be more than happy to discuss.

    Thanks,
    Desika

  16. Dear Desika,
    This is the rough model which I use :-

    1.) ‘ Infinite bliss of pure being’ is the great supreme purity of blessed consciousness which is the highest happiness and is beyond all appearances, attributes and individuation of any kind. It’s the true essense of everything that appears to have an individuated existence, from the entire universe to the sun to me and you and the chair on which you are sitting. ‘ The Infinite Bliss of Pure Being’ corresponds with ‘PARAMATMAN’ or the infinite bliss beyond the apparent individuated essence.
    2.) The first and primary emanation which appears from the ‘INFINITE BLISS OF PURE BEING’ is the great AUM consciousness from which the great effulgence of pure consciousness appears. This is the effulgence which is experienced by yogis as the brightness of a million suns shining as one. Bliss and the greatest happiness which fills the innermost recesses of being is the primary attribute of this effulgence. The great cosmic symphony described as AUM or the word ( gospel of john/bible), logos( Greek mystics), Udgitha etc. is the ‘AUDIBLE LIFE STREAM’ which emanates from AUM along with the effulgence. This audible life stream too has bliss or the greatest happiness as its primary attribute.The AUM consciousness corresponds with the ATMAN or the apparent individuated essence.
    3.) As the AUM consciousness with its sphere of effulgence and audible vibration involutes or descends a bit, the CAUSAL SPHERE ( Karana ) comes into manifestation which too has bliss , though now somewhat individuated as its primary attribute.This corresponds with the sheath or covering of ‘BLISS’( Anandamayi kosha).
    4.) With further involution of the AUM consciousness, the SUBTLE SPHERE OF ENERGY( appears from the causal realm.Consciousness takes the gross form of energy. This corresponds with the sheaths of pure INTELLIGENCE( Buddhimayi kosha) and pure EMOTION( manomayi kosha).
    5.) The involution of the sphere of energy into the GROSS SPHERE OF MATTER( jara) occurrs when energy is transformed into matter. Consciousness appears as apparently lifeless in the form of rocks, earth, fire, physical light, electricity etc..( Its extremely important to remember that the effulgence of AUM experienced in meditation is the light of consciousness with pure bliss and pure consciousness as its attribute and hence is very different from the physical light, say of sun. Besides the effulgence of AUM doesn’t cast any shadow which physical light does.)
    6.) As involution occurrs, the three spheres intercat with one-another and exist in tandem with one of them having prominence in its sphere of power rather than as isolated realms. Thus within the earth experience, the gross frequencies appear as the earth, soil, rocks etc. while the subtle frequencies appear as sentient beings ( birds, fishes, human etc.) and the more subtle frequencies appear as human beings.

    I have read your entire article and it gives me much joy. The one difference in our models is that I see sound and light as beyond the material sphere and emotions. In the anahata nada meditation, the inner AUDIBLE LIFE STREAM ( Aum vibration) is the primary target of concentration even after the inner light becomes visible. According to this theory the inner sound is the primary vehicle of the movement of consciousness to higher planes and the ultimate ‘ infinite bliss of pure being’ where effulgence and vibration are resolved into infinity. If you have the time, you can go through my blog, http://anahatanada.blogspot.com/, which, though,is unstructured and quite autbiographical with the holy and the profane mixed up. I must say, I really liked your exposition and would like to stay in touch with you. Your correlating the glands and inner experiences was especially enlightening.

    Love and regards,
    aman

  17. Dear Desika,

    You are so generous in giving us/me (seekers) something to help us move towards enlightenment.
    I have been trying to practice detached mind, living in the now, and accepting what is. However my mind is rarely still, and though sometimes I feel I have grasped what you and others are trying to tell me, my mind seems to cloud in again and I become confused. My mind seems to be mostly attached, how does one look inside ones self? I spend lots of time driving and am trying to bring myself to focus in the now, but without too much success.

    Can you help me to help myself?

    Gareth

  18. Aman,

    Thanks for the elaboration of the model you follow. This is the classical model, I believe.

    Thanks for adding it here for everyone’s benefit. It gives an alternative to the model I gave.

    As I stated, all models are there so that our mind can rest, so that it can perform the techniques without too much analysis. The One Infinite is a continuum and cannot be discretized by any model.

    I started going through your site. It is very interesting and insightful. I like your poetry as well.

    Please do keep in touch.
    -Desika

  19. Hi Gareth,

    It is a constant effort to keep the mind in check. Especially, when we are working in the world with so much mental chatter and egotistical behavior it is difficult. It is said that “Prana” (or life force) is also the energizing factor of the “mind.” So, Pranayama (breathing exercises) is one way to calm the mind down. Meditative techniques are another way. However, doing pranayama and meditative techniques in succession is a powerful way. Detachment from your thoughts then becomes natural.

    Don’t try to control your thoughts. The act of controlling energizes that which you are trying to control.

    You can perform one or more of the following techniques daily:

    A Powerful 3-Part Deep Abdominal Breathing Technique
    A 10 Minute Ujjayi Pranayama, Victorious or Ocean Sound Breathing Technique
    Simple Techniques for Busy People to Help Access Inner Peace and Joy
    Yoga Nidra or Yogic Rest

    As you will see, the last technique of yOga nidra is a very powerful technique as it involves breath and visualization.

    To come back to the present moment, breath is a very powerful gateway. If you notice that you are wandering in your thoughts and not in the present moment, then take a couple of deep abdominal breaths and return the breath to its normal pace. Then, bring your attention to your breath without changing it (if you are driving or otherwise doing something that requires your full attention, then bring your attention to breath partially and bring the rest of your attention fully to your surroundings and what you are doing). This should bring you back to the present moment.

    If you are really interested in moving further in your spiritual evolution and more powerful techniques, then you should get initiated into one or both of:

    Babaji’s Kriya Yoga
    Thirumoolar’s Siva Yoga

    They both offer very powerful combinations of breathing, visualization and meditation techniques.

    I hope that this is of help.

    Thanks for your insightful comment.

    -Desika

  20. Dear Desikachari,
    I read your article “Self Mastery & Enlightenment Demystified”. It is extermely well written and eminently readable. However, I have a few suggestions. If you don’t like them, ignore them.

    1. As you stated, there is no judgement on the different realms of cosmic vibrations. They are formed only due to higher or lower frequencies of vibrations. Here the flow chart showing them can not be in vertically downward direction from “Void”. Please change it to concentric circles one over the other. That avoids unidirectional vibrations from “Void”.

    2. You mentioned that there is no such thing as “Atman”. I differ with you. Because there is Atman, there is Re-Birth. If there is no Atman, there will be births (creations) in generations after generations but not Re-Births. The term Re-Birth or simply rebirth indicates to specific Atman. So also Re-Incarnation. They are inevitable in the Karma world based on individual Karma.

    3. You discussed in the article, rather briefly mentioned about “Gnana Yoga” and “Bhakthi Yoga”, though you did not use these terms. You did not touch upon “Karma Yoga”. All the three yoga types enable one to realize Brahman ultimately as enunciated in the Bhagavadgitha by Lord Krishna. All the three yogas lead to self mastery & enlightenment.

    4. The Kundalini Chakra model is good but its relationships with the harmones is oversimplified in the article.

    Holistically, the article is very good and makes the point about Self-Mastery, not about enlightenment.

    Sincerely yours,
    PS Murthy.

  21. Pingback: Secret Of Instant Self Healing Meditation. | 7Wins.eu

  22. Dear Dr. Murthy,

    Thank you for your insightful comment.

    (1) I agree with the concentric circles approach. I guess I have been doing too much of software engineering, lately. I will see if I can change that when I have time. Even if I don’t when people read your comment they will understand.

    (2) I believe that the term Atman has been very misunderstood. I like Sri Ramana Maharshi’s explanation using the I-thought, that arises from Brahman and identifies with one of these realms of vibration. When this I-thought gets attached to other thoughts that arise from it, we create an individuality and so we call that mind, atman, etc. This I-thought is the one that reincarnates in that realm, depending on which realm it was attached to. This is my understanding.

    (3) I reserved Jnana, Bhakthi, and Karma Yoga for later articles, since this article was already getting too long. Kriya Yoga is another that actually includes all the three approaches above. The true state of Jnana and Bhakthi are the same.

    (4) I did not want to give another esoteric description of Chakras, since there are million others who have done that. I wanted to give a description of what happens to the physiology and psychology of the human being, when each of the chakras awaken and balance.

    To me there is no difference between Self-Mastery, Enlightenment and Liberation. Living free of emotional attachments, and attachment to thought induced states is liberation–Jeevan Mukti. I have described it further in, “What is Enlightenment?” and also why liberation or enlightenment is only first step in our evolution “Why Enlightement?.”

    I am very grateful for your insightful comment. You made me contemplate quite a bit. :-)

    Love and Light,
    Desika

  23. Woah! It took me 60 minutes to read the entire post!

    The post definitely does live up to the title.

    But, what I don’t really understand is that, when one does perceive the entire body as light, there comes a need for us to issue the athma as the athman and the whole concept of “panchaboodham” is not properly refuted.

  24. This was indeed an eye opening and I must say that it has made me think about myself a bit more. I have been interested in the world of spirituality for some time and the main reason being not satisfied with what I get in my day to day life.

    How do one restrict their ego? In this world of competition, is it not a bit hard to not feel a bit proud when one accomplishes something,

  25. Thanks for this post, this was something that really touched me and made me think a lot about what I’m doing in my life….

    I think this is something that everyone should reach, the power of the soul is underestimated by many…

  26. Psychic,

    Thanks for taking an hour off of your time to read this article.

    I state in the section, “Limited Ego, self, …,” that from a higher perspective, there is no such thing as Atman. Great masters have always said, aham brahmasmi (I am Brahman) or sOham (That I am). They have not said this to recite as a mantra, but to live it everyday (you can recite this as a mantra with this understanding). So, the prescription is that we live as the creator. Every morning when you wake up ask yourself, “How can I be more creative today? How can I be more like the creator who is effortless in his creation?” From this perspective, you are creating everything, everything is in you and nothing outside of you. This is the “Top down approach” to spirituality, as opposed to the the “bottom up approach” most contemporary gurus teach, “You are ignorant and I am god, and I can give you salvation.” No one but you can help free yourself.

    I will be writing an article soon on this top-down approach. I hope this answers your questions. If not, ask.

    Thanks,
    Desika

  27. Hi Psychics,

    Please also see my answer to question by “psychic” (very similar to your name, except it is singular!).

    In the top-down approach, the ego does not exist, only the concept of creation. You create, you enjoy, but without attachment to it. If your creation dissolves later, then so be it. So, if you feel elated because you accomplished something let the feeling pass through you, feel elated fully without guilt or holding back, but don’t let it touch you and don’t get attached to it. Remember, this is your internal state of elation. As long as you don’t thumb your nose at somebody else literally or figuratively, because of your so called accomplishments, there is nothing wrong with elation. Also, ask yourself what experience that was and what wisdom did you gain from it. We are on this planet because we want experiences and the consequent wisdom.

    This means that everyone of us was supposed to be on this planet at this very moment at the very place we are in. In the top-down approach, everyone is brahman and therefore equally a beacon of light, intelligent and creative.

    I don’t believe in the dog-eat-dog world. I believe in a cooperative world. Remember the good bacteria in our intestines. We are feeding them, and they are helping us–a cooperative world. Change your internal state from competition to cooperation and the rest will follow.

    Thanks,
    Desika

  29. This post surely enlightened me on various aspects, and I need to thank you for that. I have always believed that there is a force in us that we can tap into, but there was no concrete guide that I could look upto. But yours have served the purpose.

    Can anyone do Yoga? Does one need to be fit and flexible? Or do we reach there, with Yoga?

  30. GiveBackToYourself,

    I am glad that this helped your understanding.

    Yes, anybody can do yoga. Becoming fit and flexible is a side effect and benefit of yoga and you don’t have to be fit and flexible to start yoga. If you feel that your current fitness level limits you or you have physical limitations, then consult a competent yoga teacher (I am talking about postures here, since yoga encompasses much more than physical postures) who can tailor/customize the postures for you.

    Please note that goal of yoga postures is not becoming like a pretzel (though that is what is propagated in the mainstream), but to keep the body free of pain and disease, so that one can focus properly on one’s spiritual practices without distractions from the body and mind.

    I hope this helps.

    Desika

  33. Hi Desika, I have been searching it seems like forever for a way to grasp the concepts of enlightenment and spiritual awakening. I happened upon your site reading other blogs and BAM! Your article was brilliant and directional. Thank you so much for taking the time to explain and define many questions of us who are searching for understanding.

    You certainly made my day :-) I am looking forward to reading more of your articles and following your thought provoking blog.

  35. Dear Sir,
    Your blog got me interested in Thirumoolar’s 3DQ. Your article is amazing for the reason that a simple man like me could atleast make an attempt to understand ‘BRAHMAN’. But I think Ascension without the Body is superior to Ascension with it. Your views on this please.

  36. Jolly Roger,

    All of us can only try earnestly. Rest is up to that Brahman only.

    This is my current understanding of ascension.

    Ascension with the body or without it is a choice.

    (1) Ascension without the body entails that after self-realization/merging in to the void, you stay in that void without care for the body garment or the world, e.g., Sri Ramana Maharshi, Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj, et al.

    (2) After merger with that void, if you bring that knowledge to express through the body into this world in order to transform the manifest world back to that divine light, by surrender every cell in your body to that divine energy, and transform it (body garment) to divine light, it is called ascension with body., e.g,, Siddhar Tirumoolar, Mahavatar Sri Kriya Babaji, Sri Ramalinga Swamigal (19th century). Even Sri Aurobindo was working on this before he decided to leave the body garment.

    I hope this helps.

    Thanks,
    Desika

  37. I haveen pratising pranayama,51 letters chanting and meditation, but I am no having any

    experience so far. kindly guide me.

    ganesan

    [Email ID deleted by the admin]

  38. Ganesan,

    Experiences come on their own accord depending on the practitioners inner state. Don’t get attached to the experiences. Don’t practice techniques expecting experiences. Before, during and after the practice remember the divine (any form or no-form that you choose like Siddhar Thirumoolar, Shiva or whoever or whatever) and offer the techniques and the results from them to your chosen divinity.

    Hope this helps.

    Thanks,
    Desika

  40. Ross,

    It is a tricky one, isn’t it?

    If I go around telling that I am enlightened, then I am not really enlightened, is it? If I think I am NOT enlightened, then I am blocking the light within to shine through. :-) So, there is really no one answer to your question.

    Please read What is enlightenment?

    Thanks,
    Desika

  41. Pingback: Chakra & Kundalini Activator Suites. | 7Wins.eu

  42. Pingback: On the Merging Causal Continuums of Self-Existence in Everyday Life | 2012: End Of The World

  43. Hello Desika: Namaste. This is an outstanding article and blog post. The world-renowned philosopher, writer, and mystic Eckart Tolle was once asked what lies beyond death and he replied that this depends upon our need for form. So, if we need “form”, we return to a realm of form. If we have transcended the need for physical form, then we, as consciousness, move on to higher realms where form is less or not present. So, in many ways, OM is kind of a bridge between the Infinite Void (Brahman) and realms of creation featuring form (sound, light, matter, etc). Again, excellent post and wishing you well with this blog. Naamaste, Keith

  44. Keith,

    Namaste. I totally agree with you. OM or Sabda Brahman is the ripple in brahman before the creation happens (of course, there is other theory that creation never happened and that this manifestation is nothing but a dream of that brahman/consciousness :-) ).

    I have started reading a translation of Yoga Vasistha titled, “Vasistha’s Yoga” translated by Swami Venkatesananda. I am just floored to read so much of what quantum physics says now and much more. It is a hard read as it requires a lot of contemplation and unable to read more than a paragraph or two per day. It talks about how atman dreams of a body and acquires it and whatever it feels/thinks at the time of shedding that body manifests as its next incarnation.

    Very interesting indeed.

    Thanks,

    Desika