In Self Realization, The God You Were Seeking Disappears Because The God Was Created By You – Hindu Wisdom
In the context of Hindu wisdom, the statement "In Self Realization, The God You Were Seeking Disappears Because The God Was Created By You" encapsulates profound spiritual insights about the nature of divinity and self-awareness.
1. The Concept of Self Realization
Self Realization in Hindu philosophy, particularly in Advaita Vedanta, is the understanding and experience of one's true self, which is identical with Brahman, the ultimate reality. It transcends the individual ego and the illusion of separation from the divine.
2. The Illusion of a Created God
The idea that "The God You Were Seeking Disappears" refers to the realization that the conceptual image or idea of God that one holds is often a mental construct. This constructed deity is shaped by cultural, religious, and personal influences and is limited by the human mind's capacity to understand the infinite.
3. The Role of Maya
Maya, in Hindu philosophy, is the illusion or ignorance that veils the true nature of reality. The individual’s perception of a separate, external God is a product of Maya. In Self Realization, this illusion is lifted, revealing the non-dual nature of existence.
4. The Journey to Self Realization
The spiritual journey involves practices such as meditation, self-inquiry (Atma Vichara), and devotion (Bhakti). These practices help in peeling away the layers of ignorance and ego, leading to the direct experience of one's unity with Brahman.
5. The Disappearance of the Created God
Upon achieving Self Realization, the distinction between the seeker and the sought dissolves. The constructed image of God, which was a product of the limited human mind, vanishes. Instead, one recognizes that the divine essence is within oneself and all of existence. This state is often described as Sat-Chit-Ananda (being-consciousness-bliss).
6. The Non-Dual Reality
In Advaita Vedanta, the ultimate truth is non-dual (Advaita). There is no separation between the individual self (Atman) and the ultimate reality (Brahman). The perception of a distinct, external God is transcended, leading to the understanding that everything is a manifestation of the same singular reality.
7. Practical Implications
This realization has profound implications for how one lives life. It fosters a sense of unity with all beings, compassion, and a deeper understanding of the nature of existence. The external forms of worship and devotion may continue, but with a transformed understanding that they are expressions of the one reality.
8. Conclusion
The statement encapsulates a key teaching of Hindu wisdom: the journey of seeking God ultimately leads to the realization that the divine is not separate from the self. The created image of God dissolves, revealing the true, infinite nature of the self and the universe.
In essence, Self Realization is the dissolution of the false duality between the seeker and the divine, uncovering the non-dual nature of existence where the true self and the ultimate reality are one and the same.