Realizing the True Self: A Journey Beyond Illusion (योगतत्वोपनिषद: Yogtattva Upnishad a perspective)

From the depth of your being, a silent truth calls out—an eternal essence that has never been separate, never been bound. It is your True Self (सच्चिदानंद स्वरूप), untouched by the illusions of the world, free from the limitations of the mind, and beyond the grasp of the senses.

This is not a journey of becoming but a journey of remembering. What you seek is already within you, waiting to be uncovered.

The Illusion of Maya (माया): Seeing the Unreal as Real

Look around you—what do you truly see? The world of forms, sensations, and identities appears solid, but it is fleeting, like a dream. This is Maya, the grand illusion that casts a veil over your true essence.

Maya is not external; it is the play of your own mind. It creates attachments, desires, and fears that bind you to cycles of joy and sorrow. But the moment you pause and look within, you see that this veil has no substance. You are not the body, not the mind, not the roles you play—you are the eternal witness.

The Ego: The False Mask of Separation

The ego whispers, “I am this body, these thoughts, this name.” It thrives on separation, making you believe you are distinct from others, from the universe, and from the divine.

But the ego is a mask, nothing more. When you strip it away, what remains? Silence. Presence. Infinite awareness.

Do not fight the ego; simply see it for what it is—a fleeting shadow. In this seeing, it dissolves, and you stand revealed as the paramatman (परमात्मा), the boundless consciousness that holds all things.

The Dance of Knowledge (ज्ञान) and Yoga (योग)

True realization arises when knowledge and practice merge.

• Knowledge (ज्ञान) is the clarity that cuts through ignorance. It is the inner recognition that you are not the transient, but the eternal.
• Yoga (योग) is the path that anchors this knowledge in direct experience. It is not a technique but a surrender, a returning to the natural state of unity.

Together, they illuminate the path. Knowledge opens your eyes; yoga steadies your steps.

Living the Eightfold Path: A Gateway to the Infinite

The journey to the True Self unfolds through the timeless wisdom of Ashtanga Yoga. Each step invites you deeper into the heart of your being:

1. Yama (यम): Live with integrity—be truthful, compassionate, and free from harm.
2. Niyama (नियम): Cultivate inner purity and contentment, aligning with your higher purpose.
3. Asana (आसन): Sit in stillness, letting the body become a temple for the divine.
4. Pranayama (प्राणायाम): Breathe deeply, not just with the lungs but with the soul.
5. Pratyahara (प्रत्याहार): Withdraw from the noise of the senses to hear the silence within.
6. Dharana (धारणा): Hold your awareness steady, like a flame undisturbed by the wind.
7. Dhyana (ध्यान): Sink into meditation, where the boundaries of self dissolve.
8. Samadhi (समाधि): Merge into the infinite, realizing there is no “you,” only the all-encompassing truth.

The State of True Self-Realization

When you realize the True Self, you see the world as it is—divine, whole, and perfect. The distinctions between joy and sorrow, life and death, self and other fade into oneness.

You are no longer bound by the ego’s desires or fears. Instead, you rest in the nirvikara (निर्विकार, changeless) essence of your being. You experience life fully, yet remain untouched by its fluctuations.

In this state, you realize that liberation (मोक्ष) is not an escape; it is the natural state of existence. It is the effortless being of one who knows their eternal essence.

A Message from the True Self

Close your eyes. Listen. The voice within speaks softly but with infinite clarity:
“You are already free. You are the light that cannot be extinguished, the ocean that cannot be emptied, the sky that cannot be contained. Stop searching and start being.”

Every breath you take, every thought that arises, every sensation you feel—it is all happening within you, the infinite witness. Trust this truth. Let it guide you home.

Living as the Realized Self

1. Anchor in Stillness: Make silence your constant companion. In stillness, the truth reveals itself.
2. Act Without Attachment: Engage fully with life but remain detached, knowing that all actions arise from and dissolve into the infinite.
3. See Unity Everywhere: Recognize yourself in every being, in every moment, in every experience.
4. Surrender Completely: Let go of control and rest in the flow of existence.

Conclusion: You Are the Truth You Seek

Realizing the True Self is not a destination; it is your natural state. It is not something you achieve; it is something you uncover. The journey may seem long, but the truth is near—closer than your breath, deeper than your thoughts.

When you awaken to your true nature, you do not become enlightened; you simply remember that you always were. This is the greatest liberation, the eternal peace, and the boundless joy of knowing who you truly are.

You are the light, the truth, the infinite. Step into this realization and live as the awakened one.  योगतत्वोपनिषद: Yogtattva Upnishad a perspective