benefits of self-knowledge

7/31/2019 Benefits of Self-Knowledge

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Raja Subramaniyan [email protected]

July 2012 Page 1

Benefits of Self-knowledge

Knowledge, in general, connects the knower and the known. Self-Knowledge

involves knowing the knower and therefore there is no more a division between

the known and the knower (I AM THAT!). Once we gain this Self-Knowledge

through consistent and systematic study of scriptures under a competent

teacher for a length of time, we reap the following benefits.

1. Fulfillment: The sense of incompleteness and inadequacy (which drives allhuman beings into action) will disappear.

2. Security: The feeling of insecurity will vanish. There is no need to chasemoney, wealth, name, fame, award, reward, people, property, position,

power, status, comforts and companionship

3. Immortality: I am the consciousness that supports the entire universe. Iexisted even before Big Bang and I will survive even after the dissolution ofthe universe. Therefore, death is conquered.

4. Happiness: I am the ONLY source of happiness. The sense objectsincluding other people do not have the capability to give me happiness.

5. Peacefulness: Making noise requires effort. To be silent we do not have todo anything. Since we see inaction in action, we are always peaceful.

6. Free from mental suffering: Following negative emotions do not sustain inthe mind for a prolonged period.

a. Angerb. Annoyancec. Anxietyd. Bitternesse. Confusionf. Discontent

g. Displeasureh. Feari. Frustrationj. Griefk. Guiltl. Hatred

m.Irritationn. Regreto. Shamep. Suspicionq. Vengeancer. Worry

7. Ability to ignore mood swings: Since it is understood that mind is merely atool and its nature is to oscillate, mood swings are ignored.

8. Freedom from action: The nature of body and mind is to be in constantaction and this natural process is not resisted. In addition, there is no need

to find work to avoid inaction. Action happens and we do not act!9. Overflowing joy in actions: While others act to fill up their cups, all our

actions are the results of our overflowing cups.

10.Freedom from Goals: Living joyfully is the only goal of life and there isabsolutely no pressure to achieve anything in life.

11.Freedom from mistakes: There are no possibilities of making a mistake orwrong action in life. Omission and commission are always exempted.


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12.No expectations from the world: We understand that Peace, Security andHappiness cannot be obtained from the world and as a result, there will

be no expectations.

13.Ease in decision making: Since we do our duty without expecting aspecific result from our action/inaction, decisions can be made withoutmuch confusion or conflicts.

14.Life without problems: There are no more problems or crises in life. Thereare only situations. Ups and downs in the external world are two sides of

the same coin. We do not label one side as problem. Since creation

means variation, we are free from worry of old age and fear of death.

15.Nothing is important: We do not have to take any trouble to gain or seekanything. There are no more valuable objects, beautiful places, important

persons or respectable positions out there. The world rests on me!

16.Enjoyment through Renunciation: We can possess limitless wealth andindulge in all sorts of sense pleasures since we have renounced the

attachment to the world.

17.Risk-Free enjoyment: We can fall in love and if the lover leaves us, we donot suffer since we can love anyone anytime.

18.Pure Love: Our love is unconditional. All others love someone/ somethingas long as they derive happiness from the loved. Therefore, such love

invariably gets mixed-up with sorrow.

19.Love without attachment: We rise in love while others fall in love due toattachment.

20.All inclusive love: We love everyone equally and do not hate anyone. Theignorant assume that love has to be exclusive and therefore pay special

attention to few and give secondary treatment to the rest.

21.No dependence on anyone: No one can give us happiness, peace andsecurity. Therefore, we do not have to struggle to retain or renounce any

relationship.

22.Free from Likes and Dislikes: The interplay of sense objects and senseorgans is understood to be a part of the illusory world and therefore likes

and dislikes are neither encouraged nor discouraged.23.Emotional Independence: While we continue to be dependent on theworld for the maintenance of the body, we do not depend on the world

for our mental health.

24.Freedom from haunting emotions: Frequency and Intensity of anyemotional ups and downs are highly minimized. Even if they happen the

recovery period is amazingly short.


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25.Discrimination: We have complete understanding of everything andtherefore we can differentiate between the following effortlessly.

a. Right and Wrongb. Truth and Falsec.

Natural and Artificial (EVERYTHING is natural)

d. Eternal and Ephemerale. Infinite and Limitedf. Cause and Effectg. Selfish and Selfless Actions

26.No more debates: Debates are due to incomplete understanding. It is notpossible to understand ANYTHING completely without self-knowledge.

27.Money becomes more valuable: Material success that is earned throughworldly knowledge will become meaningful only with Self-Knowledge.

a.The leading digit 1 in a number gives value to all the following 0s.Similarly, Self-Knowledge makes the Worldly Knowledge valuable.

b. Without Self-Knowledge all luxuries will progressively becomenecessities. With Self-Knowledge even necessities are seen as

luxuries.

c. With Self-Knowledge we will be satisfied with the current level ofcomforts. Without Self-Knowledge we will not be satisfied with any

level of comfort.

28.Relationships become more rewarding: Since there is no expectationfrom any relationship, we can have stress-free and meaningfulrelationships with everyone that we get to meet.

29.Complete Knowledge: with Self-knowledge everything is known.a. A scale need to be correct in order to have right measurements. In

the absence of knowledge of the knower, the known is really not

known. True knowledge is possible only with Self-Knowledge.

b. Without Self-Knowledge all our actions are based on wrong or faultyknowledge of the world.

c. The desire to know will come to an end with Self-Knowledge sincethere is nothing else to know.d. By knowing gold, the essence of the ornaments is known. By gainingself-knowledge, the essence of the world is known. Knowledge of

the names and forms is not important if the essence is known.

e. The questions WHY or WHAT or HOW cannot be answeredCOMPLETELY without Self-Knowledge. There are NO MORE questions

in our mind regarding our life, other human beings, world or god.


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30.Nomore nagging questions about life:a. What is life or why are we here?b. What is the secret of success?c. Why are there ups and downs in life?d. Why do certain things make me happy, while others don't?e. Why did I make that huge mistake?f. Why is this happening only to me?g. Can I get back to my happy childhood?h. How can I make this world a better place to live?i. How can I make others understand the truth?j. What lies beyond death? Is rebirth true?k. What lies beyond the boundary of the universe?l. What was there before the Big bang?m.How can the entire universe be compressed into Singularity?n. Is it possible and will I be able to know everything?o. Will I miss the fascinating understanding of the universe that is being

uncovered by science?

p. Is there a freewill or everything happens according to Gods will?31.No more curiosity about others:

a. Why that person does behaves the way he does?b. How do the minds of other people work?c. Why cant people change?d. Why are some people violent?e. Why is there a high variation in the levels of intelligencef. Why does a stupid succeed in life while an intelligent person fails?g. Why do good people suffer while bad people seem to enjoy life?h. Why is it that two people who are close to me cannot get along

with each other?

32.No more haunting questions about the world:a. Why was the world created and how did life originate?b. Why is there so much suffering in the world?c. Why cant the world be free from social evils such as exploitation,

crimes, corruption, dirty politics, poverty, terrorism and war?

d. Is it ever possible to bring about a new world in which everyone livescomfortably and peacefully?

e. Is there no end to new discoveries about the functioning of theuniverse?

f. Where will the developments in science and technology take us?g. Is the world heading towards self-destruction?h. What will happen if we encounter alien life?


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33.No more suspense about God:a. Does God exist or is he an invention of man?b. Who created the world?c. Is it possible to do miracles?d.

Is there black magic?

e. Is astrology true?f. Which is the true religion?g. With so many religious conflicts causing violence, do we really need

religions?

h. Whether Atheism and Agnosticism are correct?i. If I do not believe in God, will I go to hell?j. Why should we pray to God?k. If God is all powerful why is he so partial?l.

If God is merciful why cant he eradicate poverty and suffering?m.Is there a Satan?n. Is there heaven and hell?o. Is it possible to see God?

benefits of self-knowledge

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