Real recognition
Real recognition refers to the recognition accompanied by conviction, when something you’ve been introspectively exploring about yourself becomes understood intuitively and felt deeply – not a recognition by the brain, but one made by the heart. It’s a direct experience and leaves a deep, strong impression on the mind. What is realized through genuine experience will not be forgotten.
The term “Atman ” refers to the true I. However, describing its form or appearance is impossible, as it is an existence without shape or form, and can only be expressed as a pure consciousness enveloped in bliss.
How can one know Atman as pure consciousness enveloped in bliss? When one engages in analytical exploration of the Atman, focusing on it without other thoughts, and maintains a silent, unbounded state of mind, bliss appears. Bliss, in this context, refers to joy that wells up from the depths of the heart, a inner state where joy ceaselessly continues, wave after wave. No external factors are necessary for the emergence of bliss.
Why does bliss well up from within this body? If there is not some existence that generates joy, joy will not occur. Unlike emotions, joy, and ecstasy that arise from external factors sensed by sensory organs, bliss that springs from the heart must, presumably, be brought about by the pure consciousness existing within the heart. The appearance of bliss is a stage before the realization of the true I. Ultimately, one reaches the genuine realization: “I am that. “
Interior view:
【1】 (An event at Prasanthi Nilayam during Guru Purnima in July 1996)
On the morning of the day before returning home, while waiting for Baba’s Darshan, something unfolded. Baba, while walking by and lightly touching people’s shoulders, passed by me, proceeding to the person to my right. An expectation, albeit faint, lingered in my mind recalling receiving vibhuti from Baba the previous year (July 1995). Baba knew my thoughts and passed by to remind me to maintain the purity of my heart without any expectation of Prasanthi. It became my most profound Darshan as I recognized my faint desire.
【2】(Situation when I received Vibhuti from Baba in July 1995)
Light appeared at a point in space, from which vibhuti materialized, descending in an inverted V shape onto the palms of my outstretched hands. Although logic would defy the vibhuti traveling in such a trajectory considering the distances and heights involved, it did.
【3】 (An event at Whitefield during Buddha Purnima in May 1997)
On the day before returning home, Japanese and Sri Lankan groups awaited Baba’s Darshan in a crowded storage-turned-gymnasium-like building. With about 100 Japanese and 900 Sri Lankans present, it was a tight squeeze. Baba started Darshan with the Sri Lankans, lightly touching each person as he navigated between the narrow rows of people. While waiting, I kept my consciousness on my breath and maintained silence in my heart, holding no expectations. Baba walked up from the front, tapped my left shoulder, and went by. In that moment of silence, I met Baba’s thoughtless consciousness. I was assured that I had ascended a step towards further realization of the true I.
translator：Makoto Ishii