Category:Engaging in Self-realization
Theme Analysis
Self-realization is the primary duty of every living entity developed in consciousness. Śrīla Prabhupāda defines true self-realization as the understanding that the soul is a part and parcel of the Supreme Whole, Kṛṣṇa, and must therefore engage in His service. This stands in contrast to the misconception of thinking "I am the Whole." While there are various paths like karma-yoga, jñāna-yoga, and dhyāna-yoga, the most intelligent devotees engage in the nine processes of devotional service, specifically hearing and chanting. The Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam is identified as the literary incarnation of God specifically meant for those engaged in this path. Śrīla Prabhupāda also notes that even if one falls short in this endeavor, they are guaranteed a fortunate birth in the next life, whereas a perfected soul becomes reluctant to enjoy even the highest material planets.
- The Definition: Self-realization means realizing one's position as an eternal servant. It is the shift from serving māyā to serving Kṛṣṇa.
- The Process: While many paths exist, the direct method is bhakti-yoga. Hearing the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam immediately engages one in self-realization.
- Social Responsibility: According to sanātana-dharma, one must retire from family affairs after fifty years of age to focus exclusively on the self, rather than remaining entangled in household duties until death.
- The Ultimate Goal: The text distinguishes between those realizing the Brahman effulgence and those who accept the Supreme Personality of Godhead. The latter attain the highest platform of friendship with the Lord.
- Explore the synthesized essence of this category in this Vanipedia article: Engaging in Self-realization - The Duty of Human Life.
Pages in category "Engaging in Self-realization"
The following 31 pages are in this category, out of 31 total.
A
- A conditioned soul and a liberated soul may apparently be on the same platform, but factually they are differently engaged, and their attention is always alert, either in sense enjoyment or in self-realization, respectively
- A Krsna conscious person, fully engaged in self-realization, has very little time to falsely possess any material object. For maintaining body and soul, he does not require unfair means of accumulating money. BG 1972 purports
- According to the principles of sanatana-dharma, one must retire from family life after half the duration of life is finished and must engage himself in self-realization
- Although it (Srimad-Bhagavatam) is especially meant for the paramahamsas, or those who are totally engaged in self-realization, it works into the depths of the hearts of those who may be worldly men
E
- Engagement in Krsna consciousness and application of devotional service unto Krsna make it possible to advance in knowledge and detachment, as well as in self-realization
- Everyone is searching after self-realization in different ways - by karma-yoga, by jnana-yoga, by dhyana-yoga, by raja-yoga, by bhakti-yoga, etc. To engage in self-realization is the responsibility of every living entity developed in consciousness
O
- On the other hand, those who are not devotees but are engaged in uncertain processes of self-realization, such as jnana, yoga and karma, are understood to be still contaminated
- One begins as a brahmacari then becomes a grhastha, a vanaprastha and finally a sannyasi to take advantage of the duration of one's life by engaging oneself fully in self-realization
- One who engaged in the process of self-realization, or connecting with the Supreme Absolute Truth, but fell short is allowed to take birth in such a rich family, or he is allowed to take birth in the family of pious brahmanas
S
- Self-realization is when you actually engage yourself in the service of the Lord. That is your self-realization. Because you are part and parcel, your duty is to serve the whole. If you think yourself, "I am whole," that is wrong conception
- Srimad-Bhagavatam is so made that one becomes at once engaged in the path of self-realization simply by hearing the topics
- Srimad-Bhagavatam is the natural commentation on the Brahma-sutras compiled by the same author. This Brahma-sutra, or Vedanta-sutra, is meant for those who are already engaged in self-realization
T
- Temple or asrama means for renunciation and renounced persons. If one is engaged in self-realization process, then his material necessities become almost nil. Persons who do not like this can work outside
- The apana-vayu goes downwards, vyana-vayu acts to shrink and expand, samana-vayu adjusts equilibrium, udana-vayu goes upwards - and when one is enlightened, one engages all these in searching for self-realization
- The apana-vayu goes downwards, vyana-vayu acts to shrink and expand, samana-vayu adjusts equilibrium, udana-vayu goes upwards-and when one is enlightened, one engages all these in searching for self-realization. BG 1972 purports
- The great sage Vyasadeva, after compiling the Srimad-Bhagavatam and revising it, taught it to his own son, Sri Sukadeva Gosvami, who was already engaged in self-realization
- The mind, although ceasing to think of sensual activities at present, remembers past sensual activities from the subconscious status and thus disturbs one from cent percent engagement in self-realization
- The most intelligent devotees do not take to any means of self-realization except devotional service and constant engagement in the nine different processes of devotional life, especially hearing and chanting
- The word atmarama refers to those who are not interested in the material world but are simply engaged in spiritual realization. Such self-realized persons are generally considered in two categories - impersonal and personal
- There are different kinds of yogis, but every yogi is supposed to engage in self-realization, or Brahman realization
- Those who are engaged in self-realization, appreciating the Brahman effulgence of the Lord, and those engaged in devotional service, accepting the Supreme Personality of Godhead as master, are now playing with the Lord in friendship as cowherd boys
W
- When a person thus engages in DS and self-realization for many, many years and births, he becomes completely reluctant to enjoy any one of the material planets, even up to the highest planet, which is known as Brahmaloka
- When we come to our spiritual senses, we can understand that we are erroneously engaged in maya's service and that our duty is to engage in Krsna's service. That is self-realization