Verses from the Scriptures of India
Atmabodha is a Sanskrit text attributed to Adi Shankaracharya, a great being who consolidated the doctrine of Advaita Vedanta in the eighth century. Atmabodha consists of sixty-eight verses and describes the way to attain the knowledge of the Self, or Atman.
Atmabodha 43; trans., Swami Nikhilananda Self-Knowledge (Atmabodha) (New York: Ramakrishna-Vivekananda Center, 1946, 1989) p. 154.
The moment I read this verse, I experienced the Atman within me rising and nudging my intellect to recall “I am God,” “I am That.” I am grateful for this profound experience.
Mayfield, Australia
What stood out for me most when I read this teaching were the words “destruction of ignorance by knowledge.” I have been following the Siddha Yoga path for many years, and for a long time I resisted the notion of study. I thought I could simply sit for meditation, and all knowledge would be unveiled through the grace of the Guru.
Then about ten years ago, I joined a Sadhana Circle. We study Gurumayi’s Messages and the teachings with focus and dedication, and it is through acquaintance with the teachings and the scriptures that I feel I have made the most progress in
sadhana.
Through Gurumayi’s grace and my own efforts, I now see that I better understand my meditation experience and recognize Atman, the Self, when it appears.
Hurlstone Park, Australia
When I received
shaktipat-diksha, a new understanding came to me—that God’s creation is made of bliss. I experienced the same bliss both inside and outside myself. I treasure
shaktipat as the dawn of my
sadhana.
As I follow the Siddha Yoga path, guided by Gurumayi, I find that my wrong understanding is disappearing more and more, and knowledge of the Truth is shining. As the darkness of duality fades away, my awareness of the light of unity is expanding.
Rodez, France
Inspired by this verse, I had a rich, multi-faceted
satsang with my inner Self this morning. I was feeling a bit moody, and I wanted to understand more deeply what Adi Shankaracharya meant by the word
ignorance. Some synonyms I found were
forgetting,
not remembering, and simply
ignoring.
As I entered within and asked myself what I was forgetting, supportive responses began to emerge—some specific to my situation today and other beautiful teachings that had slipped out of my awareness.
I realized that if I take time to turn within, open to remembering and focusing on what I know to be true, my contemplation process is grace-filled and carries the light of the sun within.
Kentucky, United States
This verse fills me with faith and gratitude.
When I received
shaktipat, it was as if the world had been in sepia and suddenly was flooded with light. Now, after decades of
sadhana, I often recognize the signs of dawn approaching: a deeper yearning, a rush of joy, or compassion, or love—or even a particularly tangled difficulty that presents a challenge to my understanding and perspective. Sensing this, I gratefully do what I can to open my heart to renewed light and awareness.
When the inner sun rises, it brings clarity and simplicity, as if I were standing still and filling my lungs with the early morning air. Each time, it is a new beginning, accompanied by immense gratitude for the wondrous presence in my life of Shri Gurumayi.
Adelaide, Australia
Upon first reading this verse, I felt the words to be at once simple and yet also inviting of contemplation so that they would not remain merely words but become my living experience. When I received
shaktipat, I felt within me a profound, life-changing dawn—when the light of my Self was fully revealed and experienced. Since then, more dawns, both dramatic and subtle, have arrived as veils of darkness lift and I become more and more accustomed to the brilliance of my Self.
Massachusetts, United States
I feel so much compassion in these words. No matter how much darkness I may experience, no matter how often I may be misled by ignorance, I always have the opportunity to connect with the Self through the knowledge of the Truth that I have learned. This quotation has created a vivid image in my mind of the regal, exquisite sun rising on the horizon—yet another tool for remembrance of the Truth. So many pathways!
California, United States
Whenever I receive Gurumayi’s teachings, I begin to notice anew the brilliance of the many shades of light in the world. Learning from Gurumayi has liberated my senses to rejoice in the present moment, where I am better able to notice the light of the world and appreciate the innumerable ways that the Self is shining in that moment. Through Gurumayi’s words, I have learned that “the dawn of knowledge” is eternal and abiding, and my own openness and presence in every moment determine whether or not I can discern it.
Massachusetts, United States
This verse mirrors exactly a transforming experience I had recently in meditation. I truly felt as though the sun were shining inside me as I took in the remarkable effects of the insight that followed—warmth, joy, relief, light-heartedness, inspiration, faith.
All this came to the fore as I gave thanks to the Guru for the teachings and practices that light my way on the Siddha Yoga path.
Ohio, United States