The most important aspect of self-realization lay in our understanding that besides the manifest physical form existed, a world of spirits, souls’ atmans essence of which could be understood only by indulging in spirituality per se Bhagavad Gita.
If we believe the physical manifest body was the end, nothing relating to self realization could be understood by us. If we did not believe in god or its creation, the world of souls’ atmans… the underlying precept of self-realization would always delude our understanding.
To understand concept of self-realization from Hinduism point of view, our indulgence in path of jnana yoga (absolute wisdom) is necessitated. Only through path of jnana yoga could we assimilate the hidden underlying meaning of self realization as detailed in scriptures.
Indulgence in bhakti yoga and also karma yoga alone in present times did not yield desired results.
To realize self, to realize god, to realize we were primarily a spiritual being manifesting human form… we have to contemplate (indulge in chintan). No external medium, not even a spiritual master could help us in this part of spiritual life.
Contemplation (chintan) is always indulged individually, best if we were a total introvert. Only then we could concentrate on the inner happenings going on within our heart. The end result of pranayama is reaching the source, the spirit existing in heart.
Realizing self means realizing we were primarily a spirit, a consciousness that manifest human body to work out its karma, remove dross impurities within. If we understood this precept in clarity then the onus is on us to undertake spiritual journey to reach state of total purity.
Every soul atman on its cosmic sojourn desires liberating self from cycle of birth and death to regain its lost original pure prime pristine primordial form at the earliest. And in this the human form comes to its rescue. State of self realization could not be achieved in lower forms of life.
After the spirit, consciousness within manifests human form for the first time, one had a maximum of 1.1 million manifestations in human form to reach state of absolute purity. On the spiritual platform there never was hurry. Still, if a human being desires liberating self from cycle of birth and death early then our indulgence in spirituality detailed in Bhagavad Gita is an absolute must.
Between eight and nine years of age I was caught up in this spiritual jargon, how to liberate self from cycle of birth and death in present life time. A few months of contemplation (chintan), I finally decided to go in search of God in this very life. I decided that I shall make this my last life.
And thus started my serious indulgence in scriptures of Hinduism like Bhagavad Gita and Upanishads (independent spiritual treatises)! As a child I knew nothing about Bhagavad Gita or Upanishads even Lord Krishna but the stories relating to Lord Krishna always fascinated me. I started loving company of elders in the family and outside who had some knowledge of spirituality. Even that was sufficient for me at that young age.
While listening to the stories I had many queries. To my utter disbelief the elders in the family and outside were not able give satisfactory answers. And thus started my serious indulgence in contemplation (chintan) all the time! So much so that within a short time I became an introvert of the highest order, contemplating on vital issues of life all the time!
As I was 100% truthful from the beginning of life, something within started helping me. I started getting answers from within. What it was I just could not understand but I was very happy, excited by this happening. Slowly I realized that it was my soul atman helping me from inside. Practicing truthfulness at its level best, I continued my indulgence in chintan (contemplation) most of time.
Finally I mastered the delicate art of contemplation (chintan) and started my journey towards self-realization.
For understanding essence of self-realization three things are very important:
1. Our belief in God and world of souls’ atmans.
2. Our ability to remain truthful all the time.
3. Our willingness to master delicate art of contemplation (chintan).
If we can master all the three then I can guarantee one can reach state of self realization in present life time.