Similes On Self From Yoga Vasistha

A collection of teachings from Yoga Vasistha on Self.

If you separate yourself from the body and abide at ease in Consciousness you will become one – the sole reality – everything else will be insignificant.

After rejecting, through reasoning, all that can be known as non-truth what remains as pure consciousness – regard that as your self.

A child superimposes a real elephant on a clay elephant and plays with it; even so, an ignorant man superimposes the body, etc., on the Self and carries on his activities.

The picture of a snake does not cause fear of a snake when it is realized to be only a picture.

Similarly when the jiva is clearly understood there is neither misery nor the cause of misery.

Just as the sky appears to be stained by dust, smoke and clouds, so also the pure Self in contact with the qualities of Maya appears to be soiled by them.

Just as fire thrown into a large sheet of water loses its quality, so also Consciousness in contact with the unreal and the inert seems to lose its real nature and becomes inert.

The Self is realized in the body only with effort, like sugar from the sugarcane, oil from sesame seeds, fire from wood, butter from a cow and iron from ore.

Just as the air in the universe pervades everything, so also the Self, the Lord, abides bodiless in everything.
Yoga Vasistha

Explanation And Additional Teaching -

The analogy of the sky being stained by dust, smoke, and clouds to explain the concept of the pure Self (Atman) being seemingly soiled by the qualities of Maya (illusion or material world) is deeply symbolic and rooted in Hindu philosophy. It reflects the non-dualistic view of Advaita Vedanta, which teaches that the Self (Atman) is eternally pure, untouched, and infinite, like the vast expanse of the sky. However, due to Maya, the illusory nature of the world, we perceive ourselves as limited, tarnished, and bound by material conditions.

Symbolism of the Sky and Maya

In this analogy:

• The sky represents the pure, infinite Self, or Atman, which is untouched by anything in the material world. Like the sky remains unchanged regardless of the passing clouds, the true Self remains untainted by the conditions of the physical and emotional worlds.

• Dust, smoke, and clouds symbolize the gunas (qualities) of Maya—Sattva (goodness, purity), Rajas (passion, activity), and Tamas (ignorance, inertia)—which create the illusion that the Self is affected or stained by worldly circumstances, desires, and ignorance.

Hindu Scriptures on Maya and Atman

Hindu scriptures such as the Bhagavad Gita and the Upanishads discuss the nature of the Self and Maya in great depth. For example:

• In the Bhagavad Gita (2.23-25), Lord Krishna explains to Arjuna:

  "The soul can never be cut into pieces by any weapon, nor burned by fire, nor moistened by water, nor withered by the wind. The soul is everlasting, unchangeable, and beyond material conditions."

  This highlights that the Atman, like the sky, is untouched by anything material, even though it may appear clouded by our perceptions due to Maya.

• The Isha Upanishad (Verse 8) says:

  "The Self is pure, never affected by sin or virtue. It is one, it is everywhere, it is the ultimate reality."

These teachings reflect the idea that the Self is ever-pure, and that it is only ignorance (Avidya) that causes one to identify with the body, mind, and ego, mistaking the transient for the eternal.

A Simple Story: The Golden Pot

There is a popular analogy in Vedanta that describes the situation with golden pots:

Once, a man had several golden pots of various shapes and sizes. Over time, some of the pots got covered in dust, while others remained clean and shiny. Despite the dust or tarnish on the surface, the inherent value of the pots—the gold itself—remained unchanged. Similarly, the Atman is pure and unaffected by the 'dust' of worldly experiences and emotions. Realizing this truth requires brushing away the dust, which symbolizes ignorance, by means of self-knowledge and spiritual practice.

Modern-Day Relevance

In today’s fast-paced and materialistic world, this analogy of the sky and Maya can be profoundly relevant. Often, we identify ourselves with our roles, accomplishments, and struggles, which are like the clouds or dust covering our true nature. We may feel stressed, anxious, or inferior due to these temporary circumstances, forgetting that our true nature is beyond these external influences.

Practical Application in Daily Life

1. Self-Reflection and Meditation: Just as one would take time to clean a surface, regular introspection and meditation help to "clear" the mind from the dust and smoke of daily stresses. Practicing mindfulness allows individuals to remember their true essence beyond fleeting emotions.

2. Detachment: The understanding that our true Self remains untainted by the world can cultivate detachment (Vairagya) from negative emotions, worldly desires, and the pressures of society. When we realize that the Atman is beyond these passing phenomena, we can approach life with greater equanimity.

3. Developing Compassion: This realization fosters compassion for oneself and others. Just as we all appear to be stained by Maya’s qualities, deep down, every individual shares the same pure essence. This can encourage kindness and tolerance in interactions with others, understanding that everyone is on their journey of clearing the dust and smoke from their vision.

A Modern Example: The Mirror Analogy

In a modern context, this concept is often likened to a dirty mirror. A mirror reflects perfectly unless it is covered by dust. Similarly, our true Self (Atman) reflects the divine, but our ego, desires, and worldly experiences (Maya) cloud this reflection. Spiritual practices such as yoga, meditation, and selfless action (Karma Yoga) help clear this mirror so that we can experience the true reflection of our pure Self.

Importance of Understanding Maya

Understanding the nature of Maya helps one to navigate life with wisdom. In times of difficulty, we often feel that we are weighed down by challenges or adversity, much like the sky may seem heavy under the burden of clouds. However, just as clouds pass and the sky remains, our problems, emotions, and temporary circumstances will also pass, while the Atman remains untouched.

This understanding can bring great inner strength and peace, reminding us to hold onto our eternal, pure nature even in the face of life’s storms.

Another Story: The Rope and the Snake

In Vedanta, there’s a famous analogy of mistaking a rope for a snake in dim light. A person, seeing the rope, thinks it's a snake and experiences fear. Once the light is shone, they realize it was only a rope all along. The snake was an illusion, just like our mistaken identification with the body, mind, and ego is an illusion created by Maya. This simple story reminds us that the experience of fear, anxiety, and attachment is based on illusion, not reality.

Quotes to Contemplate:

• Bhagavad Gita (3.27):

  "All actions are performed by the qualities of material nature (Maya); but the soul, bewildered by ego, thinks itself to be the doer."

  This quote highlights how the ego identifies with worldly actions and experiences, forgetting the eternal, detached nature of the Self.

• Mundaka Upanishad (2.2.7):

  "Just as the sun, by its very nature, remains unaffected by the impurities of the objects it illumines, so also the Self, though illumining the minds of living beings, remains unaffected by the good and evil actions of those minds."

Final Thoughts:

The teachings on the pure Self and Maya are timeless and offer valuable guidance for modern life. As we navigate a world full of distractions, desires, and challenges, remembering the analogy of the sky and Maya encourages us to rise above temporary clouds and reclaim the awareness of our pure, untouched Self. By embracing spiritual practices and self-awareness, we can begin to "clear the sky" and experience life with greater peace, clarity, and compassion.