Know your higher self
ho am I?” This question has exercised the minds of philosophers and theosophists for ages. We usually tend to define ourselves in many ways — by whose child or grandchild or spouse we are, our station in life, our net worth, where we figure in the pecking order at work or in society, the power we wield and the influence we have, etc. In other words we, continue thinking at the level of the ego.
What we sometimes miss completely is the fact that there is a self other than just our physical self with all its material pursuits, ego trappings, hang-ups and baggage. This other self is a part of us that has been labelled the higher self. Variously referred to as atman, cosmic self, human consciousness, spirit etc, the higher self is what we should remain connected to at all times and whose power we should all access. Connecting to the higher self can guide and protect us, show us the way, help us to manifest our intentions and open up possibilities.
What then is the higher self ? Is it something outside of us? Is it some kind of guardian angel or someone with magical powers?
Initiatic science master Omraan Mikhael Aivanhov explains: “The creator has planted within every creature a fragment of himself, a spark, and a spirit of the same nature as himself and thanks to this spirit, every creature can become a creator. Our higher self is perfect, omniscient and almighty, a fragment of God himself, and a pure, transparent, luminous quintessence.”
Annie Besant, president of the Theosophical Society, whose brilliant paper Modern Science and the Higher Self had me completely riveted, observes, “Every one of us is a divine fragment, every one of us an eternal spirit, every one of us a deific life striving to attain through matter to consciousness of our own divinity. That is the teaching of all faiths, that is the fundamental principle of life, of religion of nature and Modern Science is finding that even physical nature is not intelligible without the recognition of larger possibilities.”
Ramana Maharishi, the sage of Tiruvannamalai while responding to a query from a follower in his classic exposition first written on sand says, “Who am I? The physical body composed of the seven dhatus — chyle (fluid from small intestine), blood, fat, flesh, marrow, bone and semen — is not I. The five sense organs and the five types of perception known through the senses are not I.The five parts of the body which act (mouth, legs, hands, arms and genitals) and their functions (speaking, walking, giving, excreting and enjoying) are not I. The five vital airs such as prana which perform the five vital functions such as respiration are not I. Even the mind that thinks is not I. In the state of deep sleep, vishaya vasanas remain (latent mental tendencies that impel one to indulge in sensory activity). Devoid of sensory knowledge and activity even this state is not I. After negating all of the above as not I, not I, the knowledge that alone remains is itself I. The nature of knowledge is sat-chitananda = being-consciousnessbliss.”
If we look at the Chandogya Upanishad which contains the grand pronouncement that says it succinctly in three words Tat tvam asi — which when translated reads, “That thou art” or “Thou art that”, we figure what it means is that “You are Brahman.” Various commentaries on the Upanishads stress on the total unison between the individual self and the Universal self and the realisation thereof, which is the means to liberation.
Tapping into one’s higher self or the I am presence, being conscious of and staying eternally connected to it can transmute negative energies, facilitate amazing co-incidences and empower one to remain unshaken during adversities among other things. Here are some techniques.
As Wayne Dyer says “Spend some of your quiet meditation time, visualising a tiny spark of awareness glowing within your being. Practice seeing this God portion of yourself expanding its glow within your mind. Yoga is a process through which man develops a higher consciousness and enables that consciousness to express itself in the physical body.
For example I am unlimited, I am shining like the Sun, etc and other affirmations besides violet flame visualisations are some ways in which one can access the higher self. Incidentally, one is cautioned against using the negative for instance saying I am sad and such like.
Acting from a space of abiding love and forgiveness is also a must. Being in tune with the higher self can effect a vital transformation in an individual. It will have to be experienced to be understood.