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Category:God Is The Superself

Theme Analysis

The philosophical essence of this category establishes that the Supreme Personality of Godhead acts as the Superself (Paramātmā) residing within the heart of every living entity. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that while the individual self (ātmā) and the Superself are qualitatively one—both being spirit—they are quantitatively different. The Superself is the absolute master, the supreme authority, and the most intimate friend, directing the individual soul in all activities of seeing, hearing, thinking, and feeling. True self-realization and the ultimate goal of all yoga systems is not to artificially merge the self with the Superself, but to perfectly understand their interrelation. By conquering material desires and dovetailing one's intelligence with the superior direction of the friendly Superself, the conditioned soul is freed from the reactions of all pious and impious activities and attains perfect peace.

  • The Master and the Friend: The Superself is not simply an order-supplier for material desires; He is the original master (ātmeśvara) and the supreme, equal friend to all living entities.
  • Qualitative Oneness, Quantitative Difference: The individual self and the Superself are both purely spiritual and qualitatively nondifferent. However, realizing only their oneness while remaining ignorant of their quantitative difference is incomplete knowledge.
  • The Director in the Heart: The individual soul is completely dependent on the Superself. Every action, thought, and feeling is directed by the higher authority residing within.
  • The Goal of Yoga: The true purpose of the yoga system (including jñāna-yoga and dhyāna-yoga) is to control the mind and senses in order to concentrate on the Superself, Lord Viṣṇu, and understand one's constitutional relationship with Him.

Pages in category "God Is The Superself"

The following 22 pages are in this category, out of 22 total.

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