Yoga in its Purest Form
By the introspective absorption of consciousness and mind, with its potency of thoughts, determination of will, and absolute devotion, the direct perception of the indwelling self is attained. All concepts of duality fade away; thought rests in the stillness of illumination, will expands into dynamic immensity and devotion melts into all pervasive peace in an infinite effulgence of our expanding consciousness wherein our self is revealed in its truth, power, beauty and perfection.
How are we to discover our true self? Following what procedure can we reveal unto ourselves what we really are in our essential nature?
By the introspective absorption of consciousness and mind, with its potency of thoughts, determination of will, and absolute devotion, the direct perception of the indwelling self is attained. All concepts of duality fade away; thought rests in the stillness of illumination, will expands into dynamic immensity and devotion melts into all pervasive peace in an infinite effulgence of our expanding consciousness wherein our self is revealed in its truth, power, beauty and perfection.
This is yoga in its purest form. The ideal of yoga practice is the attainment of the realization of our true self. Self-realization leads to God-realization. Discover your true self and you will reveal unto yourself your identity with God.
Swami Premananda
The Blessedness of the Inner Life
Subjective Meditation
The realization of the transcendental Self is a difficult task; this is the experience of every seeker after the state of self-liberation. But by the practice of subjective meditation the mind becomes steady, serene and self-composed, it is inspired by the strength of the self, and the power of remembrance reawakens the consciousness of self-transcendence, and finally the revelation of oneness with the absolute Self is attained.
By the practice of subjective meditation the Self is revealed in its transcendental perfection as well as in its immanental existence; and the Yogi realizes that he is the Self, all-pervading yet absolute.
Meditation reveals in successive states of consciousness: I, the self, exist in the Self; the Self manifests itself through me; I am one with the Self; I am the Self; I am the Absolute.
The practice of Kriya unfolds the absolute divinity of one’s own Self, and the whole phenomenal universe, in all its diversities, is revealed as the manifestation of the one cosmic Self.
In the power of pure-consciousness the bliss of the Self transmutes the dual experiences of joy and sorrow in all states of existence. Bliss is the supreme power of self-realization.
As he aspires to liberate the mind from its identification with the sensory enjoyment of temporary pleasures the spiritual aspirant observes that the mind is incapable of independent existence, hence it seems that permanent tranquility is not its nature.
The sense-identified and sense-bound mind remains invariably objective in its tendency and stubbornly refuses to become subjective. Abiding calmness of the mind seems as impossible to attain as it is to gain perfect polarization of the currents of energy between the Muladhar and the Sahasraram.
The impression-bound mind is subject to ungovernable passion for objectivity and is consequently restless; but by continuous and steady practice of Kriya, as well as by complete renunciation of all relative desires, sensory and supersensory, the mind is made serene and is illumined by the Self.
The realization of the transcendental Self is a difficult task; this is the experience of every seeker after the state of self-liberation. But by the practice of subjective meditation the mind becomes steady, serene and self-composed, it is inspired by the strength of the self, and the power of remembrance reawakens the consciousness of self-transcendence, and finally the revelation of oneness with the absolute Self is attained.
Subjective Meditation 6:29-36
Srimad-Bhagavad-Gita: The Revelation of the Supreme Self
Swami Premananda