Satsang is a compound Sanskrit word that means “keeping the company of the Self.” The Self, Awareness, is the true nature of everyone and one keeps company with it by continually meditating on it in many ways. One of the most effective methods involves discussing non-dual teachings with someone who has realized his or her identity as the Self, to get clarity with reference to Self inquiry. The satsangs posted here are the questions of many people around the world who are interested in enlightenment and find that Vedanta is their preferred means of Self knowledge. Since I am a teacher of Vedanta, a time tested means of self inquiry, I am qualified to reply to these questions.Search & Read
ShiningWorld Reader
Confusing God and You
Ram: Dear Shanti, very nice to hear from you. I trust you are well. Let me see if I can help you.
Shanti: The pain, pleasure, hunger or hearing that is happening is apparently perceived by this body-instrument.
Ram: The body is only an instrument through which awareness sees. It is like a telescope through which one looks. The body doesn’t see anything. It is not conscious.
Shanti: Is it the only perception that is? I mean, isn’t there any other perception by apparent other bodies?
Ram: There is only one self looking through many bodies. Because the bodies are different and exist in different places and times, there are many different perceptions. So the answer is yes. But the self is not a perceiver. It is that part of you that knows the perceptions of the body.
Shanti: Is it really like a dream? I mean, when this body is apparently talking with a friend, is the only and all reality what is perceived here?
Ram: The reality is you, awareness, the one that sees the perception. There is only one awareness looking through many bodies.
Shanti: Doesn’t my friend have her own perceptions?
Ram: Yes, indeed. But the perceptions belong to the body-mind entity, not to awareness. It is the same awareness in your friend that is in you.
Shanti: Is there nothing that I don’t know of?
Ram: As the self there is nothing that is known without you. Awareness associated with maya knows everything that exists, all the creatures and all their perceptions. In this role awareness is called God, or Isvara. It is all-knowing. In its role as jiva, it is known as Shanti, and she has limited knowledge, experience, power, desire and action.
Shanti: Is what is being known here all there is?
Ram: Only if you are talking about awareness. Everything known is awareness. What Shanti knows is just a tiny piece of the big puzzle of existence.
Shanti: When I taste an apple, is it the only tasting in the whole apparent universe?
Ram: No. All the other jivas, individuals, taste different things. But the essence of the action called taste is the same for everyone. There is one self tasting different tastes though the many bodies.
Shanti: Ah, Ramji, I am quite confused, and anyway, I love the apparent idea of you.
Ramji: This is a common confusion, Shanti. I hope my comments have been helpful. Are you coming to the Turkey in October? I will be there.
~ Love, the apparent Ramji