Ego- whence, how and whither

In the Vedanta, ego is the feeling of separateness within the “jiva” [pronounced as jeev], or embodied soul.

“In the mirror of infinite consciousness are seen countless reflections which constitute the appearance of the world. These are the jiva.
Jiva is like just a little agitation on the surface of the ocean of Brahman; or just a little movement of the flame of a candle in a windless room. When in that slight agitation the infinitude of infinite consciousness is veiled, limitation of consciousness appears to arise…that limitation of consciousness is known as jiva.

Just as when a spark comes into contact with flammable substances and bursts into an independent flame, even so this limitation of consciousness, when it is fed by latent tendencies adn memories condenses into egotism- ‘I’-ness.

This I-ness is not a solid reality, but the jiva sees it as real, like the blueness of the sky. When egotism begins to entertain its own notions, it gives rise to the mind-stuff, the concept of an independent and separate jiva, mind, Maya or cosmic illusion, cosmic nature, etc.
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From ~The Concise Yoga Vasistha ed. Swami Venkatesananda

Re: Ego- whence, how and whither

“The one never became many, O Rama. When many candles are kindled from another, it is the same flame that burns in all candles; even so, the one Brahman appears to be many. ”

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From ~The Concise Yoga Vasistha ed. Swami Venkatesananda, P. 75

Re: Ego- whence, how and whither

Meenakshi,

This verse, on the surface, is easy for me to understand and clear to my thinking.  I understand that we are all enlivened by the same Source, which appears to us, while in this earth, as the life force.  

To where ?, does this energy that we call the life force go, when our body no longer functions?  

That is a question that we can never answer, while in the body, regardless of any stories any person may try and tell you.  We can certainly have beliefs about it.  

We can believe what science has told us, that nothing is ever lost.

Therefore, if we believe what we've been told, we must “return” to be again some part of the Source that gave us a life force in this physical life.

Whether we remain individualized and aware is one of those aspects that we can not know, while we yet breathe air.

Deb

Re: Ego- whence, how and whither

Good points, Deb. I think this verse is reminding us that what is One does not really get divided.

It's the classic unity-duality debate. This is saying that both are true: there are many dualities, many egos, many manifestations, but there is no DIVISION of One.

That's how I read it! Yet; no doubt both versions : 'yours' and 'mine' - though they appear different, are completing the picture.

Re: Ego- whence, how and whither

Meenakshi,

“… though they appear different”, there is no division and no separation, it is ALL some part of the ONE.  Yes, that is my understanding as well.

Deb

Re: Ego- whence, how and whither

Just stopped to smell the clear air..
Great Stuff..I got lost in the Yogi Sutras of Patanjali again..
Our vision is all we have while we're breathing..
I'm in unity with this concept.
:-)

Re: Ego- whence, how and whither

Something you can quote from those Yoga Sutras, Lars? I haven't read them.

Re: Ego- whence, how and whither

Meenakshi,

It's difficult to pull something out of context, but here goes.
this is from the Notes section of the book.

Re: Ego- whence, how and whither

Meenakshi,

Thanks for bringing me back to re-read through this all again.  

Deb

Re: Ego- whence, how and whither

Deb, here's the card I pulled on this:

If you have found your truth within yourself there is nothing more in this whole existence to find. Truth is functioning through you. When you open your eyes, it is truth opening his eyes. When you close your eyes, it is truth who is closing its eyes.

This is a tremendous meditation. If you can simply understand the device, you don't have to do anything; whatever you are doing is being done by truth. You are walking, it is truth; you are sleeping, it is truth resting; you are speaking, it is truth speaking; you are silent, it is truth that is silent.

This is one of the most simple meditation techniques. Slowly, slowly everything settles by this simple formula, and then there is no need for the technique. When you are cured, you throw away the meditation, you throw away the medicine. Then you live as truth - alive, radiant, contented, blissful, a song unto
yourself. Your whole life becomes a prayer without any words, or better to say a prayerfulness, a grace, a beauty which does not belong to our mundane world, a ray of light coming from the beyond into the darkness of our world.

Osho The Great Zen Master Ta Hui Chapter 23

Commentary:
The Inner Voice speaks not in words but in the wordless language of the heart. It is like an oracle who only speaks the truth. If it had a face, it would be like the face at the center of this card - alert, watchful, and able to accept both the dark and the light, symbolized by the two hands holding the crystal. The crystal itself represents the clarity that comes from transcending all dualities.

The Inner Voice can also be playful, as it dives deep into the emotions and
emerges again to soar towards the sky, like two dolphins dancing in the waters of life. It is connected with the cosmos, through the crescent-moon crown, and the earth, as represented by the green leaves on the figure's kimono.

There are times in our lives when too many voices seem to be pulling us this way and that. Our very confusion in such situations is a reminder to seek silence and centering within. Only then are we able to hear our truth.

Re: Ego- whence, how and whither

Lars,

I do love Osho's Zen Tarot.  I used to do it often but have not been back, since some minor problems with loading (that I could probably have solved rather easily).  I miss it and you remind me of it.  I found it to be like checking the weather - how is my soul this day?  or what is my soul coping with? or have I “changed” from the last time I did the reading?

Today, this speaks so gently and truly to my heart that tears form in my eyes.  Yes, I feel this as my being in this moment, in most moments, though sometimes I fall back into sleep and pretend not.  One can not truly regress, one can only take a breather from realizing where one has arrived.

You are so sweet to have done this for me today.  It goes with my Life Visioning last Sunday, which I have spoken not of, as it hit in me a resistance point and I said, “I'm not ready for that, I will take time to contemplate it, I'm sure I will be okay with it but I'm not ready to face that”, even though I do not clearly perceive what “that” is or how it will come to pass, it makes me anxious and when that happens, I relax and say to myself “There is always time, take all the time you need to accept this next step.”

In deep appreciation for your intuitive hits -
Deb

Re: Ego- whence, how and whither

It's a nice touch :-)

Re: Ego- whence, how and whither

Lars, I'm so glad you indulged me today- and came  out of your silent communion to share these words of beauty. Your inner beauty shines through and around and over and under them.