Principles of Eastern Wisdom –16 Unfolding Your True Self: Beyond waking, dreaming and sleeping, destiny

In our fast-paced modern world, it’s easy to feel lost, stressed, and disconnected from our true selves. We often find ourselves caught in a cycle of anxiety, reaction, and conflict, wondering if there’s a better way to navigate life’s challenges. The good news is that ancient Eastern wisdom offers a profound roadmap for personal transformation and self-discovery. This journey, known as the “Journey to Real-Self,” can help us break free from our false selves and tap into a deeper, more authentic way of being.

The Concept of Unfolding

At the heart of Eastern Wisdom lies the idea of “unfolding.” Our lives are typically folded into three states: waking, dreaming, and deep sleep. We cycle through these states, often unaware of a deeper reality that underlies them all. The goal of Eastern wisdom is to help us unfold these layers of existence and discover our true nature – an uncreated, all-pervading reality that transcends our everyday experiences.

This process of unfolding isn’t about escaping our daily lives or responsibilities. Instead, it’s about bringing a new level of awareness and understanding to everything we do. By studying and applying Eastern principles, we can transform our perception of the world and ourselves, leading to profound changes in our behavior, relationships, and overall well-being.

The False Self vs. The Real Self

One of the key concepts in this journey is the distinction between the false self and the real self. The false self is the ego-driven, reactive part of us that’s shaped by our past experiences, fears, and desires. It’s the source of much of our suffering and conflict. Understanding this distinction can bring a sense of enlightenment and liberation. The real self, on the other hand, is our true nature – unchanging, peaceful, and beyond the reach of life’s ups and downs.

The journey from false self to real self involves a gradual process of self-observation, reflection, and practice. It’s not about rejecting or fighting against our false self but rather about developing awareness of its patterns and gently shifting our identification to our real self. This shift can lead to profound changes in how we relate to others, handle challenges, and experience life.

Practical Steps for Unfolding

Daily Reflection: Start and end each day with a period of reflection. Before sleep, review your day and note any instances where you acted from your false self. Upon waking, set an intention to operate from your real self throughout the day.

Mantra Practice: Use simple mantras or affirmations to remind yourself of key principles. For example, “Let both be protected” can serve as a reminder to approach relationships with mutual care and consideration.

Mindful Awareness: Throughout the day, practice being present and aware. Notice when you’re reacting from your false self and gently redirect your attention to your real self.

Karma Yoga: Perform your duties and actions without attachment to the results. This practice helps purify the mind and reduce ego-driven behavior.

Self-Inquiry: Regularly ask yourself probing questions like “Who am I?” or “Why am I reacting this way?” This helps to increase self-awareness and discernment.

Study and Contemplation: Dedicate time to studying Eastern wisdom texts and contemplating their meanings. Apply these teachings to your daily life.

The GROWS Principle

To help remember key aspects of this journey, we can use the acronym GROWS:

G – Guard yourself against negativity

R – Relish the journey of self-discovery

O – Operate with active engagement

W – Seek wisdom

S – Sink into peace (Om Shanti)

By keeping these principles in mind, we can stay focused on our path of unfolding and personal growth.

Understanding Prarabdha (Destiny)

An important concept in Eastern philosophy is Prarabdha or destiny. This refers to the fruits of our past actions that are manifesting in our current life. Understanding Prarabdha can help us approach life with more equanimity and less attachment to outcomes.

The key is to recognize that while certain aspects of our lives may be predetermined by our past actions, our current actions and attitudes shape our future.

By performing our duties diligently without attachment to results, a practice known as ‘karma yoga ‘, we can gradually purify our minds and transcend the limitations of Prarabdha. Karma yoga is a key component of the journey to the real self, as it encourages us to focus on the present moment and the actions we can take, rather than worrying about the outcomes.

This understanding allows us to give our best effort in all situations while remaining calm and accepting the outcomes. It’s a powerful tool for reducing stress and anxiety in our daily lives.

Becoming Your Own Guru

As you progress on this journey of unfolding, you’ll find that you become increasingly capable of guiding yourself. By regularly practicing self-reflection, studying wisdom teachings, and applying what you learn in daily life, you develop the discernment and intuition needed to navigate life’s challenges. This empowerment makes you increasingly self-sufficient and confident in your journey.

This doesn’t mean you won’t benefit from teachers or guides along the way. However, you’ll increasingly find the answers you seek within yourself as you tap into the wisdom of your real self.

Transforming Relationships and Daily Life

One of the most profound effects of this journey is how it transforms our relationships and daily interactions. As we operate more from our real selves, we approach others with greater compassion, understanding, and patience. We’re less reactive and more responsive, able to handle conflicts and challenges with grace and wisdom. This transformation brings a sense of hope and optimism for a more fulfilling life.

This shift doesn’t happen overnight, but with consistent practice, you’ll notice subtle changes in how you relate to family, friends, colleagues, and even strangers. Your perception of situations will change, allowing you to remain calm and centered even in difficult circumstances.

The Ongoing Journey

The journey to the real self is not a destination but an ongoing process. It’s about continually unfolding, layer by layer, to reveal more of our true nature. There will be challenges and setbacks along the way, but each experience becomes an opportunity for growth and deepening awareness.

Remember, this journey is not about perfection but about progress. Celebrate small victories, be kind to yourself when you stumble, and always return to your practice with renewed commitment.

Conclusion

The “Journey to Real-Self” offered by Eastern wisdom provides a profound path for personal transformation and self-discovery. By engaging in practices like daily reflection, mantra repetition, karma yoga, and self-inquiry, we can gradually unfold the layers of our false selves to reveal our true nature.

This journey offers not just personal benefits but ripples out to positively impact our relationships, work, and overall approach to life.

As we align more with our real selves, we find greater peace, clarity, and purpose in our daily experiences.

So why not start your journey of unfolding today? Remember, every step, no matter how small, brings you closer to your real self and a life of greater authenticity and fulfillment.

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