Page 33 - November Cover 2017.pmd

problem for which they are be at the level of right under-
seeking relief. All my sorrows standing, never at the level of
spring from my identification physical experience. Truth
with the limited body, mind and cannot be different from me,
intellect. In fact, that is my because if it is, then it is dual.
bondage. So I have to be that non-dual
The cause of this bondage is Truth.
ignorance of the non-dual Self Wisdom lies in understand-
– advaita ätma ajïänam. Unless ing the meaning of the word
and until I recognize that I am ‘liberation’. This defines the
the infinite non-dual Reality, my goal. To begin the journey, we
bondage is not eliminated. As have to first anchor our present
long as I think I am the finite position. At the entrance to a
perishable body, my sorrows large mall, complex maps
will never end. The purpose of indicate the layout. One dot
advaita-vedänta is to reveal this indicates your position: You are
Truth, which is non-dual and here. With respect to that, you
infinite. Nothing else will free go either right or left. So the
us from saàsaraëam or transmi- starting point of the sädhanä
gration. So, fix the goal. Know should be clear – I have to know
without any doubts that this is what bondage is. The goal
the target; this is the objective. should also be clear: I am
Mukti, from this standpoint, seeking the non-dual Truth as
means liberation from or elimi- my Self.
nation of the notion of duality. In Vedäntic language, libera-
However, duality at the level of tion is defined as ätyantika
perception, of experience will duùkha-nivåtti, paramänanda
continue. Non-duality can only präpti – total extermination of

Bliss alone is truth, bliss alone
Nagaveni Badethalav is real and bliss alone is the
nature of the universe.
Sydney, Australia
Swami Chinmayananda

Tapovan Prasad 33 November 2017