Let us contemplate on the clarity you should have in Paroksha Jnana – the clarity what you should have in Paroksha Jnana before you enter into Nidhidhyasa. After Paroksha Jnana or the teaching which comes from the Shravana, Manana – listening to the teachings of Guru, understanding the teachings of the Guru, what clarity you should have, let us contemplate on that.
The teaching of Vedanta is ‘Tat Tvam Asi’ – You are That Brahman. What should be the clarity about You – Tvam? Tvam means, ‘I am Jiva’. I am not the body, mind, or intellect.
Nanu nanembudu nanalla. Ee deha-mana-buddhi nanalla. Sacchidanandatma Shiva nanu nane. Shivoham, Shivoham, Shivoham.
I am not the body, mind, or intellect; I am Pure Consciousness, Shivoham. This clarity you should have, from Shravana, Manana. This is called indirect knowledge. That is about you. Now about ‘Tat’ or Brahman or Shiva – what is the nature of Brahman or Shiva? It is Pure Consciousness. Consciousness is not caused by anything; Consciousness is the source, from which everything has come. There is nothing beyond Consciousness.
Consciousness has no Akara; it is Nirakara, formless. Consciousness is Nirvikara – no modification is there in Consciousness. Consciousness is Nirvikalpa – there are no thoughts in Consciousness. It is Akhanda, means undivided. It is infinite, Ananta. It is Truth, it doesn’t change at all. There is no bondage or liberation in Consciousness. Consciousness is independent Reality. Everything else depends on Consciousness. I am of the nature of Consciousness. This clarity you should have.
With this clarity, you can enter into Nidhidhyasa. If you don’t have this clarity, get a conviction through doing Shravana and Manana again, so that you get a Paroksha Jnana – indirect knowledge. Before you go for direct knowledge or Aparoksha Jnana, you should get this clarity. You should be convinced deep inside you, that ‘This is the Truth’. Then, seeing the Truth directly, without the mediation of any sense organs, you go for Nidhidhyasa. Otherwise, what will happen is mind will constantly keep on disturbing your thought process.
Pranams