3 Spiritual Practices To See Your True Self More Clearly
The number one obstacle on our journey toward greater
awareness of self is thinking that we know something when we really do not.
Known as avidya in Patanjali's Yoga Sutras, this
obstacle (klesha)
translates as “not seeing clearly” and indicates that our ignorance comes from
a lack of true spiritual insight.
Avidya is the first of five inner states of being that
prevent us from liberation of the ego or, enlightenment. Asmita (egoism)
follows, then raga (attachment)
and dvesa(aversion to
higher self), then finally, abhinivesa — (fear of death), the final klesha.
These teachings are not meant to discourage us, but rather
to provide a model from which we can understand the nature of our experiences
in life and move toward greater clarity and joy.
When we are experiencing avidya, we feel unsettled in some
way. This is recognizable since most of us feel unsettled in some way a good
portion of the time — incessantly striving to achieve without ever feeling
really complete just as we are. Or maybe we spend too much time seeking
pleasure or self-definition from things that are transitory.
When we cling to a certain belief and are unable to
consider another viewpoint, we are operating in avidya. If we cannot still the
restless mind in order to discern truth beyond our current desires, this too is
a state of unclarity. Emotionally, avidya manifests as anxiety, fear of
rejection, or tumultuous mood swings within our internal landscape.
This lack of clear vision is driven by the ego-self — the
part of us that thinks it knows everything and has to maintain its position of
control. Avidya only leads us to suffering.
So we have a choice: In our thoughts and actions, we can
either feed avidya, or starve it out. When we begin to move away from avidya
and progress toward clarity, we will feel more at peace and less clouded with
anxiety.
To overcome ignorance and liberate yourself from the ego
self, consider these three spiritual practices:
1. Humility
No matter how much knowledge we acquire, it is important
to remember the Universe is infinite. We must allow ourselves to be humbled by
this awareness. Only when we are willing to admit that we do not and cannot
know it all, can we then open our hearts to the Self that does know and can
guide us into Truth.
Through practices to help eliminate the ego we
become more able to act from the standpoint of Higher Self, rather than
personal agenda. This includes putting a cap on your desires, dedicating the
fruits of your actions to the Divine, and maintaining a sense of mindfulness.
2. Introspection
Integrating a disciplined self-reflection process each day
helps us to remain watchful of our physical, emotional and mental habits. By
careful self-observation, we begin to see the ways that ignorance or lack of
clarity starts to shift within us. It is our job to polish the glass of the
mind where pure consciousness is trying to shine through.
3. Devotion
In order to uproot the powerful connection we hold to our ego nature,
we must become devoted to that which is higher and greater than our individual
selves. Even if we cannot comprehend what this may be, we can acknowledge the
difference between the ego/personality self and the self that is the light within
us. We can meditate to make contact with this "Soul Self" and connect
with universal consciousness to experience it more completely.
With humility, introspection and devotion, our inner
vision will clear and we will begin to identify with the true self, rather than
the temporary body self. By overcoming avidya we will feel more peace within.
Sitting in the humble recognition of not-knowing versus knowing, we feel no
tension or agitation, but rather a stillness from which we can consciously
choose to speak or act (or not).
As avidya loses its grip on us, we sit as compassionate
witnesses to the fluctuations of our human experience, while maintaining
identification with the real self that holds infinite space for all learning
and wisdom to occur.
0 comments:
Post a Comment