The different experiences of self-realization

In my “spiritual career” so far I find that Self realization is the discovery of no-self, that is the experience of BEING no-self while embodied in a self. Another way to say the same: To be one with all. Another way to say it: The experience of non-duality. Although, we already ARE, we are not aware, thus without realization. This is not a matter of mental understanding, it is BEING it, not DOING it or pretending it. Interesting how words could be misleading. My little “definitions” above are logically contradictory. Irrational. Worst yet, there is no scientific proof to those. In a few words sheer nonsense. However, few will find some value as those words could match their experiences, then they will know not to be alone.

While some “spiritual” individuals will put in their resume that they “want to attain self-realization,” it is that “I” behind, driving their “efforts.” They think the word “self-realization” is the thing to attain. It is a wild-goose chase.

Despite many recipes on “how to” become self-realized, the fact is that there cannot be a single path. Why? Because everyone has different life experiences and therefore, different things to heal, dirty laundry to wash, etc. Different “Karma.”

Imagine someone reading a book on how someone “achieved” self-realization. Without a doubt they may want to DO the same. Monkey sees, monkey does. Eckhart Tolle “slept rough on Hampton Heath,” England; which means that new modern “wanna be” gurus will have in their background some of those stories to tell their crowd on how they slept near a library or lived homeless as that will increase their chances to be accepted as self-realized by those who take Tolle’s experience as the “path.” It is tough for “seekers” to find a bona fide self-realized person nowadays.

For starters, the “normal” every day individual cannot recognize a self-realized being, not even if that person lives with him/her. Jesus was crucified, and Osho poisoned, imagined that! There are countless lesser known cases all over, but world history is mainly driven by whatever happens in the USA and Europe. Someone may say: What about Indian saints? Well, they came to the “world picture” thanks to England, as India was a colony at one time. However, rest assured that there are many self-realized beings in all parts of the world and from all walks of Life, specially at this time when there is the “ascension to the 5th dimension” deal.

A seeker wants the “official road map” to self-realization. How do you know how to get there? Those who are honest can say that they have no idea. Observe the case of Eckhart Tolle: He was going insane and all of the sudden he woke up changed. How is that for a clear road map? His books are well known thanks to Oprah Winfrey, a well known talk show host in the USA and from there, the masses accepted those books and he became famous. A “normal” guy wouldn’t have recognized the value of his books without some background and experience in spirituality.

Consider Gautama the “Buddha.” He followed an ascetic path of isolation before “reaching” there while meditating (as the story goes) similarly with Mahavira who “attained” self-realization in an ascetic lifestyle. Thus, the story of meditation and asceticism as “tools” to “attain” self-realization came up.

But now consider, J. Krishnamurti. He came to this world surrounded with a special aura as a child and later was recognized by some Westerner spiritual leaders as the upcoming “world teacher.” Or Yogananda’s journey following the path of celibacy while on the contrary, his master (Yukteswar Giri who I understand was a self-realized man) followed the householder path for he had briefly a wife and a daughter. Then, the story of Brahma Baba and the Brahma Kumaris where an entity who he named as “Piyush” and followers as “Shiva,” had a role in Brahma Baba’s self-realization. For those who believe that self-realization is just for men, here is a woman as an example: Anandamayi Ma. In her path she had spontaneous revelations so she did not need to study anything. She just knew. Her insights of Life and spiritual paths are deep with simplicity. That is the ultimate paradox. She is quoted as teaching: “The supreme calling of every human being is to aspire to self realization. All other obligations are secondary.” Completely agree with that. Whenever we “seriously” reach that conclusion, then Life will be helping us to get rid of those things which are no longer needed. Many do not like that. Then, it is best just to talk about self realization and become a writing guru. That is the time when we recognize how honest we are: One thing is to BE, a different thing is to talk pretty words about it. Here is a pic of Anandamayi : That is bliss not pleasure. How many know the difference?

As we can see the stories will be so different and with much variety and spice as Life itself.

There is a difference when you know the process and live it day by day than when you don’t know it and suddenly “it happens.” There is also a difference between a guru with hundreds of followers and one with just a few, or one, or none.

However, knowing the process does not mean to know the path. Two different things. Everyone has a distinct, unique path.

One thing is certain, that every self-realized individual had a mission in Life to fulfill. While some influenced the larger collective consciousness through their writings, talks, appearances, or even unchecked stories given by disciples, others had a far less flashy role but highly significant while being a living “presence” to a smaller group, where they were needed. At the end, it is inspiration for people to continue on their journeys.

Finally, there is the story of Shiva and Parvati which embodies the relation of the master and the disciple and how love is the sure path to get “there” without wanting it. Don’t we all know that Love is the sure path, the answer? Why doesn’t it happen then to all those knowledgeable souls? Because it just happens when we are ready. In the meantime, enjoy Life, cherish it and be aware of it.

Until then.