Chinmaya Story : Swami Tapovanam words ....
Swami Tapovanam
To,
All Members,
Before we continue with our story, let us take a moment to reflect on the import of Swami Tapovanam’s words.
The dawn of Knowledge is the awareness that Brahman alone is the Reality, the world is an illusion, and the jiva (individual ego) is nothing other than Brahman (Brahma satya jaganmithya jivo brahmaiva naparah).
This Knowledge is not a mere passing intellectual understanding, but it is an abiding conviction based on one’s own direct divine Experience.
When Swami Tapovanam said, “To have the experience of the Divine is not enough,” he indicated that Swamiji had such an experience of the Self.
However, this should not only be at the seat of meditation, but it should also continue to be present at all times, even when perceiving the world of names and forms.
Hence, he advised, “You must be able to keep that vision through all your activities.”
Also, Swami Tapovanam said, “This will rub out your ego!” What does this mean?
Does not the ego cease at Self-realization?
Indeed, at Self-realization, the ego is dead.
But, to be and function in the world, for example, to even eat food, the ego is necessary — for it is the ego that is the doer, and not the Self. The man of Self-realization functions in the world with a “falsified ego” which is incapable of creating bondage.
Such a falsified ego is compared to a burnt rope; it is incapable of binding anything.
It is with this false ego that saints and sages continue to display various personalities in their play with the world, even after Self-realization.
Even this false ego — Swami Tapovanam felt — had to be rubbed and polished in his beloved student!
In short, Swami Tapovanam had wanted what was best for his student.
He wanted Swamiji to consolidate his newfound Self-knowledge before he plunged into a world of activity, so that he would be able to keep his higher vision at all times.
Chinmaya Mission
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