Moment to Speak

In the Yoga-Vasistha, the concepts of unity and duality are central to understanding Reality and the path to Moksha , or liberation. The text Yoga-Vasistha is attributed to Maharshi Valmiki, the author of Ramayana. Maharshi Valmiki, in the Yoga-Vasistha texts, presents conversations between Maharshi Vasistha and Bhagwan Sri Rama, discussing how the unchanging and limitless nature of Consciousness, known as Brahman or Cosmic Self, shows up as the separate world we experience. The Yoga-Vasistha asserts that this duality is ultimately an illusion, a mental construction, or projection of the mind, and that true understanding lies in realising the underlying unity. It postulates that our perception of a separate, dualistic world is a mental conditioning resulting from Avidya , or ignorance. This phrenic mode leads us to falsely perceive a separation between ourselves and the world, creating a sense of duality in our experience. It contends that Ultimate Reality is one, indivisible, imperis...

The Universal Toleration, a key aspect of Yoga Vasistha ( Yoga-Vasistha , Book VII - Nirvana prakarana, part 2, chapter CXCVIII - Excellence of Universal Toleration) advocates for a path of compassion, self-control, forbeareance, dispassion and equanimity as a means to move-up in the elevatory journey towards Moksha , or liberation. It says constrain yourself to yourself, view the phenomenal as they are of themselves, and without any concern with himself. Regard all in the one and same light with yourself, and observe a universal benevolence towards all beings, and then place your reliance on your own equanimity, conduct yourself safely and securely everywhere. Know the plan of your even-mindedness, to be productive of the fruits of purest and most delicious taste; and bearing the blossoms of unbounded prosperity, and the flowers of our unfading good fortune. Humbleness of disposition, yields the fruit of universal benevolence, and makes the prosperity of the whole world wait at it...

Sage Ashtavakra, during his discourses ( Ashtavakra Gita , 12.3) with Sage King Janaka, pronounces, 'Seeing all change, I stay as I am,' or 'I am established.' It signifies that Atman , or Self, remains unchanged while witnessing the phenomenal world's constant changes. It suggests this reflects self-realisation, where one understands Atman , or Self, as eternal, immutable, imperishable, infinite, unattached, and unaffected by transience and the state of opposites. That way, it teaches detachment, equanimity, forbearance, peace, and liberation. It emphasises the practice of tolerance, or forgiveness; sincerity, or straightforwardness; compassion; contentment; and truthfulness, like nectar. It signifies recognising that all things are subject to arising, changing, and passing away, which is their inherent nature ( Ashtavakra Gita 11.1-8). Unmoved and undistracted, realising that being, non-being and transformation are of the very nature of things, one easily finds...

The Yoga-Vasistha of Maharishi Valmiki is a discourse between Maharishi Vasistha and Sri Rama, the prince of Ayodhya, of Ramayana fame. The Yoga-Vasistha teaches that the world as we perceive it is a temporary dream or illusion created by the mind, and liberation comes from realising the true nature of reality as pure consciousness. The text is structured into six prakaranas: Vairagya (dispassion), Mumuksu vyavahara (qualifications of the seeker), Utpatti (creation), Sthiti (existence), Upasama (dissolution), and Nirvana (liberation). It emphasises the illusory nature of the phenomenal world and the importance of self-awareness, yoga, and self-knowledge for realising moksha, or liberation. It stresses self-effort, discrimination, self-enquiry, detachment from desires, and the importance of a qualified teacher in guiding one towards self-realisation. The text also explores the nature of mind, the nature of consciousness, the illusion of separateness, the path to enduri...