<p>Indian philosophy lays immense emphasis on the achievement of spiritual awareness, on realising the basic oneness of the soul with the supreme power that exists as a spark of the divine within the body. <br /><br /></p>.<p>Achieving this awareness is possible only through resorting to a preceptor and leading a life of moral uprightness. This is the only means, says Adi Shankaracharya in his treatise ‘Vivekachudamani’ to elevate oneself to higher spheres of existence from the mundane. Shankara says any other means, like resorting to various rituals will be of no use. The first prerequisite is the understanding of the oneness of the soul with the universal spirit. As the Upanishads say, when everything is seen as being a reflection of the same infinitude, then there is neither fear nor confusion. Ordinary mortals may not find it easy to achieve this mental state, but the idea is to at least gain an awareness of this path and attempt to progress along these lines. <br /><br />Shankara makes an important statement here saying that though every human is inherently divine in nature, this awareness does not exist due to the overpowering ignorance and the ego. It is precisely to dispel this darkness of ignorance that a Guru is necessary and spiritual awareness is needed to subdue and control man’s false pride and ego. In other words, spiritual knowledge only reveals what already exists, but has been buried under ignorance. Here Shankara gives some examples from daily life. A person thinks he has lost the gold chain around his neck. He searches everywhere, but fails to find it. Then his friend points out to him the chain on his neck covered under his clothing. This friend did not bring a new chain, but he only pointed out what was already there, but was assumed to be lost, due to ignorance. Paddy is dehusked to get the rice grains. The husk is analogous to ignorance and rice to man’s innate divinity. <br /><br />Shankara has some telling comments here. Some people are well versed in theory and are good orators and interpreters of the scriptures. But this alone does not confer exalted status. A musician may be an expert in playing on his instrument, but does that make him a King? Too much of reliance on books alone can be misleading, like the vast forest in which a bewildered man wanders, unable to find his way. The light of knowledge is required from a realised Guru. If a man simply repeats the name of a medicine, will he be cured of his ailment? Will spiritual realisation be achieved by merely parroting some words? A king is known for his valour and righteous rule. Mere boasting does not make a man a King. A treasure buried underground, to be unearthed, must be identified by a competent person and efforts must be made to find it. Simply relying on an ignorant man’s words will be a waste of time. Casting aside such misconceptions, man must try to improve his lot by attempting to gain spiritual awareness.</p>
<p>Indian philosophy lays immense emphasis on the achievement of spiritual awareness, on realising the basic oneness of the soul with the supreme power that exists as a spark of the divine within the body. <br /><br /></p>.<p>Achieving this awareness is possible only through resorting to a preceptor and leading a life of moral uprightness. This is the only means, says Adi Shankaracharya in his treatise ‘Vivekachudamani’ to elevate oneself to higher spheres of existence from the mundane. Shankara says any other means, like resorting to various rituals will be of no use. The first prerequisite is the understanding of the oneness of the soul with the universal spirit. As the Upanishads say, when everything is seen as being a reflection of the same infinitude, then there is neither fear nor confusion. Ordinary mortals may not find it easy to achieve this mental state, but the idea is to at least gain an awareness of this path and attempt to progress along these lines. <br /><br />Shankara makes an important statement here saying that though every human is inherently divine in nature, this awareness does not exist due to the overpowering ignorance and the ego. It is precisely to dispel this darkness of ignorance that a Guru is necessary and spiritual awareness is needed to subdue and control man’s false pride and ego. In other words, spiritual knowledge only reveals what already exists, but has been buried under ignorance. Here Shankara gives some examples from daily life. A person thinks he has lost the gold chain around his neck. He searches everywhere, but fails to find it. Then his friend points out to him the chain on his neck covered under his clothing. This friend did not bring a new chain, but he only pointed out what was already there, but was assumed to be lost, due to ignorance. Paddy is dehusked to get the rice grains. The husk is analogous to ignorance and rice to man’s innate divinity. <br /><br />Shankara has some telling comments here. Some people are well versed in theory and are good orators and interpreters of the scriptures. But this alone does not confer exalted status. A musician may be an expert in playing on his instrument, but does that make him a King? Too much of reliance on books alone can be misleading, like the vast forest in which a bewildered man wanders, unable to find his way. The light of knowledge is required from a realised Guru. If a man simply repeats the name of a medicine, will he be cured of his ailment? Will spiritual realisation be achieved by merely parroting some words? A king is known for his valour and righteous rule. Mere boasting does not make a man a King. A treasure buried underground, to be unearthed, must be identified by a competent person and efforts must be made to find it. Simply relying on an ignorant man’s words will be a waste of time. Casting aside such misconceptions, man must try to improve his lot by attempting to gain spiritual awareness.</p>
