GS: Thank you for the clarification. I am grateful to you. I wonder how you tolerate my questions. Your support is unconditional. Kindly provide explanation for Sanskrit words for self-realization, self-actualization
Sundari: You are welcome, GS, I am happy to answer your questions. Self-realization is moksa if the akandhakara vritti, the unbroken ‘I” thought referring to you as the Self is firm (direct) and the association with the jiva identity is fully negated. The thought “I am Awareness” (akhandakara vritti) is defined as a ‘modal cognition’ or thought through which the Self (Brahman) is directly apprehended. This knowledge arises in the mind through cognition which can occur through self-inquiry, in a teaching environment, in meditation, or washing the dishes, i.e., at any time.
This modification or thought (vritti) is called the ultimate modification (antya-vritti) in that it destroys every other thought, giving rise to direct perception/knowledge of reality that you ARE the Self. This is not an event or something you can gain. Although the akandakara vritti experience comes from Self-knowledge, if the full assimilation of Self-knowledge is not firm, the experience ends, and Self-knowledge is indirect, and can be ‘lost’.
In the case of Self-realization being experiential, there is still some residual ignorance to be removed by Self-knowledge. Therefore, we say that Self-realization is usually where true self-inquiry begins, not ends and for this, the inquirer must be properly taught by a qualified teacher. The last stage of inquiry is called Self-actualization or nididhysana. When Self-actualization is complete, moksa is really moksa. Many people think they are fully Self-actualized, but in fact, this last stage of inquiry is very subtle, and truly free beings are quite rare.
Om
Sundari