Observations placeholder

11: Wisdom

Ashtavakra said:

11.1 Existence, non-existence, change-- this is the nature of things. Realizing this, stillness, serenity and bliss naturally follow.

11.2 One who knows for certain that “Self creates All and is alone” becomes still, desireless, unattached.

11.3 One who knows for certain that adversity and success come and go in obedience to destiny becomes content. He neither desires nor grieves.

11.4 One who knows for certain that birth and death, happiness and misery, come and go in obedience to destiny sees nothing to accomplish. He engages in non-action, and in action remains unattached.

11.5 One who has realized that only by caring is misery caused in the world becomes free, happy, serene, desireless.

11.6 “I am not the body, nor is the body my possession— I am Awareness itself.” One who realizes this for certain has no memory of things done or left undone. There is only the Absolute.

11.7 “From Brahma to the last blade of grass-- I alone exist.” One who knows this for certain becomes immaculate, serene, unconflicted. Attainment has no meaning.

11.8 One who knows for certain that this manifold and wonderful universe is nothing becomes desireless Awareness and abides in the stillness of No-thing.