ManSinha
Well-Known Member
Ah come on my friend - it is the Dharmic way
- just how many different names for the Lord in SGGS? 
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What is the Self?
- Thread starter Spirit of Light
- Start date
- just how many different names for the Lord in SGGS? 
Firemorphic
Activist Membrane
This is basically my position too, although with some metaphysical specificities in there.
Firemorphic
Activist Membrane
Ah come on my friend - it is the Dharmic way
One can never find an end of the names of the Ultimate Reality. There are more names than there is time to say them
Here is my understanding from Advaita Vedanta
Self (with a capitol letter 'S') is the One Consciousness of the universe also called 'Brahman' or 'God.
self (with a lower-case 's') is the Self incarnating temporary individual forms.
The 'self' is impermanent and eventually realizes it is Self. The Self is eternal.
Self is that which remains unchanged through a process of change and is the fundamental reality structure that makes knowing awareness and phenomenological awareness possible (though its not the content that this awareness has from one moment to the next). It is distinct from the ego which is an abstract (and imperfect) mental model of the body-mind complex called the living individual.
Jumi
Well-Known Member
Neither do I. I'm thinking the most part of people's personality are like clouds over and surrounding a nucleus that is more stable than the cloud. Compare with electrons as a cloud over and around the nucleus of protons and neutrons.
Jumi
Well-Known Member
Interesting poem.
Twilight Hue
Twilight, not bright nor dark, good nor bad.
I tried pointing at my self in a dew drop and it pointed right back at me before it dropped away when it let go, and plunged into the deep pond.
I looked down to see where myself had gone and saw self again, and it pointed back at me too just before the wind wisked my self away again.
Shantanu
Well-Known Member
There is a self for most people. It is their genetics that defines the person and they say this is me. However, it is possible to lose all sense of self from transcending ones gunas (genetics) and being attuned to Consciousness to derive all ones wisdom.Then there is no self, only Self as Consciousness.
Aupmanyav
Be your own guru
Again, no nucleus. Each molecule/atom goes its own way.
Jumi
Well-Known Member
Our body and brain doesn't go away no matter how we try, as long as we exist. It's quite stable. Our organs don't travel to places on their own.Again, no nucleus. Each molecule/atom goes its own way.
Spirit of Light
Be who ever you want
Is the body self?
A Vestigial Mote
Well-Known Member
I believe we're a composite. The "self" as we experience it is the collection of all physical entities and processes (individual cells, cell colonies forming organs, chemical products, etc.), as well as all abstract processes (thought, sensory inputs, pain, etc.) to form one cohesive body. And a great many pieces of this whole are vital to ongoing "life". Mind can't exist without the substrate of the brain. Heart can't pump without the electrical signals from the brain. Brain can't exist without nutrient and oxygen infusion from the blood. Blood can't exist without the protection provided by flesh, veins and arteries. And on and on...
But, for far too long (in my opinion) people have had this notion that "self" is basically only our consciousness and memory. This is far too closed-minded a view, and leaves people feeling that their mind is the more important part of the whole "self." When that part is only a hired-out component, in charge of responding to stimuli, movement and eating/drinking... and that's about it when you really think about it.
But, for far too long (in my opinion) people have had this notion that "self" is basically only our consciousness and memory. This is far too closed-minded a view, and leaves people feeling that their mind is the more important part of the whole "self." When that part is only a hired-out component, in charge of responding to stimuli, movement and eating/drinking... and that's about it when you really think about it.
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ManSinha
Well-Known Member
Thanks for taking a look at it
The Guru was a prolific poet - he died at 42 - but his compositions are said to cover close to 3000 pages - this is one of the first and part of the recommendations for daily recital - the irony is that many (at times me included) recite for the sake of reciting which is why I try to read it on my phone rather than rote reciting from memory - at least that way I am forcing my mind to concentrate on what I am saying
ajay0
Well-Known Member
From the Advaitan perspective, the Self or Being is pure consciousness.
The Self, our Being, is awareness. - Sri Muruganar
A distinction is made between the Self and false self or ego. The false self is made up of desires in the form of cravings and aversions, as also pointed out in Buddhism, generating a compulsive thinking and emoting process that blurs the state of pure consciousness which is one's true Self or Being.
Understanding this mental-emotional process and dwelling in the state of Self or pure consciousness rather than the desire-ridden impure consciousness, is what Hinduism focusses on.
Abiding in your own Being is also holy company. - Nisargadatta Maharaj
Most people know this intuitively, but forgets this true inner identity of theirs, characterestic of peace and tranquility, due to the tremondous distractive stimuli of the outer world which agitates the mind. The challenge thus lies in being self-aware even in the most chaotic situation and circumstance, through cultivation of mental equanimity by austerities.
Remember your Self always and everywhere. - George Gurdjieff
The Self, our Being, is awareness. - Sri Muruganar
A distinction is made between the Self and false self or ego. The false self is made up of desires in the form of cravings and aversions, as also pointed out in Buddhism, generating a compulsive thinking and emoting process that blurs the state of pure consciousness which is one's true Self or Being.
Understanding this mental-emotional process and dwelling in the state of Self or pure consciousness rather than the desire-ridden impure consciousness, is what Hinduism focusses on.
Abiding in your own Being is also holy company. - Nisargadatta Maharaj
Most people know this intuitively, but forgets this true inner identity of theirs, characterestic of peace and tranquility, due to the tremondous distractive stimuli of the outer world which agitates the mind. The challenge thus lies in being self-aware even in the most chaotic situation and circumstance, through cultivation of mental equanimity by austerities.
Remember your Self always and everywhere. - George Gurdjieff
Jumi
Well-Known Member
I guess there are different things people get out of it. From memory things set you up for some kind of meditative experience, but if you read from text you can take the time to understand.
I confess that I know very little about Sikh beliefs, so it's very interesting to me.
ManSinha
Well-Known Member
I hate to be the contrarian here - and what you said is true - there is also the other side - a quick story from the life of the 1st Master - I just related this to someone else on PM - may be funny or ironic depending on your perspective
"The 1st Master during his travels went to Kabul - and was invited to pray with the locals - he agreed. A couple of them observed that he was not praying but merely smiling at them - when asked afterwards he said "But you were not praying either - the Kazi was thinking about the horses he wanted to buy and you" pointing to the person who started the conversation "were thinking about the upcoming wedding of your daughter" Needless to say - they were stunned and asked his forgiveness. "
The flights of the human mind are sometimes challenging to control - I use the phone / tablet to help me focus - is all
Jumi
Well-Known Member
I actually agree with that, a lot of people do that, but I tried to focus on the positives