How does one attain the vision (realization) of God?

 

Jai Shri Krishna, seekers,

In this article, we will discuss how devotees and seekers experience the divine revelation of God.

 

If you think, “God can be seen with the eyes,” then you need to understand a bit more.

How can that which is your own true self be seen with the eyes? The soul is not separate from God.

But due to his karma and samskaras (impressions), he limits himself greatly. If understood correctly, there is nothing apart from God.

Let’s understand this with an example…

Just as a potter makes clay pots, idols, and many different kinds of items, humans have given different names to these items, such as pot, lamp, water jug, etc. Their uses are also different.

But are all these items made by the potter truly different from each other?

Think about it yourself!

All have different names, forms, and uses, but apart from clay, there is nothing else. If we go beyond their uses, their forms and colors, they are all the same. Even the ground on which they are placed is not separate from them.

Similarly, people have given themselves different names, and have given importance to distinctions of form and color in their minds, but if one becomes free from these and sees clearly, then everything is seen as non-dual Brahman.

But this cannot be seen with the ordinary eyes. The eyes given by nature can only see nature, and the intellect can only reflect upon this world. But through knowledge, one can become free from this nature.

Once free, the yogi realizes that which he truly is – the formless one.

He is not bound by this world. If he becomes free from this life, then he will certainly be free from death as well.

Life and death exist within this universe. Everything that we see with our eyes and know with our senses has a beginning – a birth – and an end.

The lifespan may differ, but destruction is inevitable for all, whether living or non-living. Even the universe itself has an end.

But if a yogi realizes the truth of his own self, then he also knows the truth of the universe. The cycle of birth and death is merely an illusion, appearing due to the limitations of the senses and intellect. In reality, there is neither birth nor death – the entire existence is beginningless and non-dual.

If you come to know how a potter made a single pot, you will also understand how he made all the different items in his shop.

You don’t need to understand all of them individually. Just by fully understanding one pot, you gain the knowledge of the entire art.

The clay was not created with the making of the pot. It existed before, and even if the pot breaks, the clay remains.

In the same way, a yogi, by fully realizing himself, comes to know what this universe truly is – which, in truth, is God alone.

But realizing this truth is neither too simple nor too difficult. Some realize it very easily, while others take years.

Because this knowledge is not as easy as understanding some external object. Even knowing the external illusion (world) isn’t that simple. People learn a little and think they’ve known everything.

They neither come to fully know themselves nor the illusion – and remain stuck in between. Those who are stuck in the middle are called “jivas” (individual souls).

Animals and birds are not conscious enough to practice self-inquiry, but humans have this capacity and yet roam around in ignorance.

They are overcome by tamas (inertia). Just as a lazy person does not even do work for his own well-being and ends up harming himself,

So too are these people overwhelmed by ignorance. Even those who think they are knowledgeable are actually ignorant, and those who consider themselves wise are seen as ignorant by others.

The true wise one is he who knows the whole as the whole, or at least is striving to do so. But the ignorant neither know the whole as it is, nor are they striving to know. Therefore, they remain stuck in their own false assumptions.

Look, just like sunlight appears white, but actually contains seven different colors – which can be seen in a rainbow. If seen separately, white is not visible. But when combined, only white is seen. Nothing else.

In the same way, the yogi who unites himself with the universe attains divine knowledge. For him, ignorance is destroyed,

Just like when all the colors are combined, only one color is visible. If separated, seven appear, and the eighth one disappears.

Likewise, seekers, understand God. If you try to fully know this world, explore every corner of the universe – even infinite universes – you will not find God anywhere. But if you attain non-dual knowledge of Him, then everything will be seen as God alone.

Therefore, the true form of God cannot be seen with ordinary eyes. When Arjuna was shown the cosmic form by Lord Krishna, he was told, “Arjuna, you cannot see Me with these eyes. Therefore, I grant you divine vision.” Arjuna saw the cosmic form of God within himself.

The soul is not separate from Brahman, but due to the mind (chitta), it considers itself a separate being (jiva). It places the jiva within the chitta. Just like a container has something placed inside it, people say that a certain object is inside the box, but they forget that the box also has empty space – only because of which the object could be placed inside.

Similarly, the chitta is consciousness, but the ignorance called ‘jiva’ is placed within it. The ignorant only see the jiva that appears in the consciousness. They do not know that beyond the jiva, there is also consciousness.

Without meditation and spiritual practice, they believe that the jiva is the origin, and that consciousness arises from it. But in reality, if one goes to the root, he will find that the jiva is just an illusion. Consciousness is beyond it. It is formless,

This formless consciousness – the nature of awareness – is not separate from God. Therefore, those who drink the nectar of consciousness beyond the jiva attain God. For them, there is no ignorance – only knowledge.

Those seekers who are spiritually aware, desire to attain the knowledge of non-duality. This should be seen as God’s grace upon them. They engage in knowledge, meditation, devotion – these yogic practices – and receive teachings from enlightened masters.

But the ignorant remain in doubt all their lives. They are like crabs who pull others down. They are devoted to the unreal. Therefore, the seeker must not allow their company to influence him. They corrupt others from spiritual joy because they themselves are corrupt.

This is not a new phenomenon. For thousands of years such ignorant ones have been born on this earth, who, because of their false beliefs, have tortured saints. Even today they continue their efforts.

The seeker must associate with saints, seek guidance from the Guru, and practice with faith. Become your own liberator. Be free from the sorrowful material existence and attain eternal bliss.

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