Wisdom Material | Q & A on Meditation
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| Quesiton: I had an experience where I became one with the universe. Is this self- realization or enlightenment? |
Sirshree: Before answering the question, it is important to know your understanding of self-realization. It can be said that self-realization is just the beginning. Self-stabilization is the goal. One day a seeker experiences a deeply profound meditative state. He is in a no-mind state for quite some time. It is an experience of self-realization. Somebody experiences oneness with the universe when he is on a nature trail. He experiences that he is no longer a separate entity. It is an experience of self-realization. Self-realization is experienced only when the interfering and comparing mind disappears.
| Question: But what happens after the experience? |
Sirshree:The mind emerges again and takes credit for the experience:
‘I performed meditation, I attained this deeply profound state and I experienced realization.’ The mind does not have the understanding that it is not the mind that has experienced that state. On the contrary, it was when the mind was not there that the self experienced itself. Self-stabilization is when the mind does not emerge later. Self-stabilization means remaining stabilized in the experience of Self or Being, or constantly abiding in the truth. It is not just a one-time experience. That is why it is said that self-realization without understanding is futile. And proclaiming that you are enlightened based on a one -time experience without being stabilized in the state is dangerous. The importance of a guru is that he ensures that you progress from self-realization to self stabilization, which is the ultimate goal.
Self-stabilization is the basic purpose of our life. Otherwise, even after having many experiences of the truth, if the body continues with its old tendencies and programming (a fixed framework) then you will not fully benefit from the experience. The mind will return with false beliefs and ask various questions and express doubts about the experience of the Self. As a result, the Self may not be able to experience itself again. The practice is hence not to entertain thoughts of the contrast mind. Otherwise you will get entangled in its web. Thus the ultimate goal is that of self-stabilization and the prerequisite is the surrendering of the contrast mind.
Also, understand that along with self-stabilization occurs self-expression. It is expression of the self through the body–mind mechanism to fulfill its true potential. On attaining self-stabilization at the age of thirty-five, the Buddha continued to spread the message till the ripe age of eighty. This is self-expression where his body was used by the self to express itself after attaining self-stabilization. Thus self-stabilization and self-expression are the ultimate goals.
If you are confused with the word self-stabilization, then you can call experiences on the path as self-realizing experiences and the goal as self-realization. Hence, the understanding of self-realization is most important. If self-realization is seen as self-stabilization, then it is the goal. If you see it as a one-time experience, then it is just the beginning.
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