Who is that energy, that power? What is the source of that? Who am I? What is my source? I am that energy. I am that power which is my source. So when I go to search for the source of this ‘I,’ I reach that self-illumination. Then this power that is existing in this body, residing in this body, is also arising from that self-illumination itself. And it has all the qualities and nature of That itself. So when I know this, I start evolving. This ‘I’ starts evolving to become That itself. That is its nature. Total expansion is its nature.
Ramachandra Ajja
(Source: From an interview to Andrew Cohen in 'What is Enlightenment Magazine')
(Ramchandra Bhat Nettar, also known as ‘Puttur Ajja’ was a preacher of Advaita philosophy.)
Explanation:
It sounds like the passage is delving into deep
philosophical and spiritual concepts about the nature of the self and its
connection to a higher source or power. In many spiritual traditions, there is
a belief in an underlying energy or consciousness that pervades everything in
the universe. This energy is often referred to by various names such as the
Divine, the Source, or the Self.
When the writer says, "I am that energy, that
power," the writer is expressing the idea that his essence is
interconnected with this universal energy. Many spiritual teachings emphasize
the idea that each individual is not separate from this energy but rather an
expression of it.
The search for the source of the self, or the "I,"
often leads to self-realization or self-illumination, where one comes to
understand their true nature beyond the physical body and ego. This realization
brings about a deep sense of connection to the universal energy or
consciousness.
The process of evolution or spiritual growth is seen as a
journey of realizing one's true nature and aligning oneself with the qualities
and attributes of the universal energy. This can involve practices such as
meditation, self-inquiry, and cultivating virtues like love, compassion, and
wisdom.
The ultimate aim, according to these teachings, is to
transcend the limitations of the individual ego and merge with the universal
consciousness, experiencing a state of total expansion and oneness with all
existence. This state is often described as enlightenment, liberation, or union
with the Divine.