AUM

The Self is formless and transcendental. Let not thy meditation be merely blind practice without the understanding of its principles and ideal. Such practice often misleads the aspirant and wrecks his spiritual life. Thy understanding will become perfect with the realization of the Self. Those who seek phenomenal powers through meditation create bondage and misery for themselves. (49) By following the path of meditation with true understanding and perfect vision, thou shalt realize thyself as the absolute Self. Therefore practice thy meditation with joy and determination. This is the secret of self-realization. (50) The true Yogi does not desire any phenomenal power. Thus he transcends the limitations of duality and realizes the state of absolute bliss. (51) In the process of meditation, when the consciousness of sense-identification is removed, the limitations of time, space and causality vanish in the realization of conscious, blissful, eternal existence. (52) When the mind is absorbed by the cosmic vibration, AUM, then the power of understanding becomes pure, the mind remains established on the Self at the spiritual eye, and finally the Self is revealed. (53)

The self:
What is the nature of absolute self-realization? Transcending all limitations, how does a man of self-realization manifest himself in speech, action, and life? (54)

The supreme Self:
Eternal existence in absolute bliss is the glory of self-realization. It is the state of pure-consciousness, wherein the self is liberated in the cosmic Self. In this state of pure-consciousness all thoughts of self-limitation are forever gone. (55) When a man of self-realization manifests himself on earth, to him suffering and happiness are various waves of absolute bliss. He lives in peace. His all-embracing love is pure and spiritual. The realization of his oneness with all is ever present in his consciousness. He is ever aware that his own infinite perfection is reflected in and through all beings. He realizes that the whole manifested universe is a part of his own cosmic Self. (56) The same to all is the man of perfect wisdom. Virtue and vice are to him different degrees of the same goodness. In him both saint and sinner find guidance, assurance, comfort and inspiration. Peace and calmness are not conditioned by circumstances for a man of self-realization. (57) Absolute control over the mind is the prerequisite of self-realization. When the mind is withdrawn from the senses and sense-objects, when all its modifications have ceased, then the Self is revealed and wisdom is attained. (58) Consciousness of forms exists in the qualified Samadhi, the Savikalpa. All forms vanish in the absolute Samadhi, the Nirvikalpa. (59) When the mind fails to reflect the perfection of the Self, it becomes a slave to the senses. (60) Therefore the spiritual aspirant continuously identifies his mind with the Self, and thus finally attains self-realization. When the mind is no longer dominated by the finite, it invariably leads to the state of infinite consciousness which is the state of absolute self-realization. (61) In the finite plane of consciousness mind is the reflector of the Self as well as the recipient of impressions of phenomena. But when it is allowed to be occupied exclusively with the latter it becomes allured by these and longs for phenomenal powers, and challenges any obstacle to their fullest enjoyment. (62) Gradually the veil of finitude and delusion hides the reflection of the Self from the mind. Finally, it becomes almost oblivious to its identity with the Self and is lost in the snare of phenomena. (63) But when the mind is identified with and guided by the Self, the aspirant is neither distracted nor discouraged by the allurements of phenomenal powers. He continues in his meditation in perfect self-assurance and serenity. (64) In perfect calmness of mind, all consciousness of duality vanishes and the Self is realized. This is the state of absolute bliss. (65) Without the complete identification of the mind with the Self, the Self is never realized. Without self-realization there is no peace. And without peace, how can there be the attainment of bliss? (66)

Swami Premananda
The Srimad-Bhagavad-Gita: The Revelation of the Supreme Self
Spiritual interpretation of the Gita according to Kriya Yoga

Ajna - The Spiritual Eye

Illumined and inspired by the divine qualities of the indwelling supreme Self, the enlightened self becomes firmly established at Ajna, the spiritual eye, and witnesses a white star within a dark blue center surrounded by a brilliant but soothing effulgence. While at this state there is awakened a cosmic vibration of all-engulfing immensity wherein the self is merged in blissful self-consciousness. The illuminating, joyous vibration of the ascending current of Pranic force resembles the tone quality of the hum of the bumblebee at Muladhar, coccygeal; that of the melodious note from a violin at Sadhisthan, sacral; that of the sweet call of a flute at Manipur, lumbar; that of the deep and vibrant roar of a conch at Anahata, dorsal; that of the reverberation of rolling thunder at Visuddha, cervical; and that of an universal symphony of exalting blissfulness at Ajna, the spiritual eye. Besides these there are also felt in this body temple the power of calmness of mind and poise of the senses, clear conscience and love of truth, intuition and enlightened perception, as well as the power of purified consciousness and self-realization. The illuminating power and joyousness of these vibrations are beyond the conception of mind. This cosmic vibration, resounding throughout the entire being and consciousness, spiritualizes the faculties of the senses, transforms the will of the sense-attached mind, and liberates the self from sense-identification.

Srimad-Bhagavad-Gita: The Revelation of the Supreme Self
Swami Premananda

Path of Self-Enlightenment

“Spiritually man is not segregated from his fellow beings, human or otherwise. The self of man is universally one and identical in perfection with every being and object. At one pole man is one with the grain of sand and the blade of grass, and at the other he is the transcendental and absolute God. When a man lives and acts in accordance with this divine nature of his true Self, he practices noninjury.”

—Swami Premananda, Introduction to The Path of the Eternal Law, Dhammapada

“Speak ill of no one, hurt no one, steadfastly follow the path which leads to self-liberation, be moderate in the enjoyment of life, from time to time seek solitude, but always keep your mind firmly established on the highest Self: These are the conditions of the path of self-enlightenment.”

—The Dhammapada, translated by Swami Premananda