Few days ago I read an article about self realization. Apparently some schools of yoga “do not confess any self to realize”.
Can anyone name one of those schools?
Thanks alot
When the seeker and the sought become One…
all discriminatory attachment to any separation of self and other than self disappears, leaving no self to confess!
[QUOTE=adityananda;28590]When the seeker and the sought become One…
all discriminatory attachment to any separation of self and other than self disappears, leaving no self to confess![/QUOTE]
I noticed that you did not name any source where this idea comes from. As far as I know, the notion of non-duality does not mean that there is no self, but that the individual self and the universal self are one. Not all of the Indian philosophical schools accept the concept of non-duality.
[QUOTE=Asuri;28605]I noticed that you did not name any source where this idea comes from. As far as I know, the notion of non-duality does not mean that there is no self, but that the individual self and the universal self are one. Not all of the Indian philosophical schools accept the concept of non-duality.[/QUOTE]
In the Advaita Vedanta School, upon reaching the Transcendental Level (Pāramārthika) of Self-Realization which is finally experienced in Nirvikalpa Samādhi, total absorption in God (Brahman) results in complete destruction of self-consciousness.
As a result, no duality exists in Divine Union.
The [U]Supreme Self[/U] shines Pure, Illuminated, and [U]devoid of all modifications[/U].
It is unique, eternal, and free from passion.
It is indivisibly whole, untouched by illusion (maya), and free from the qualities of nature (gunas): creation (satva), preservation (rajas), and destruction (tamas).
[U]Atmavidya Vilasa[/U]
Yes, I did not listed any sources since I read and navigated away from that page:( As I understood that “where is no self” mans something like that we do not exist at all… I read it in other bools before and would like to know the SOURCE where I can find relevant info…
Namaste, CityMonk:
The primary source material is found in the writings of the major [U]Upanishads[/U].
A number of excellent translations from the original Sanskrit language are available online as free PDF format e-books. Check them out.
Hari Om!
Adityananda
[QUOTE=adityananda;28615]In the Advaita Vedanta School, upon reaching the Transcendental Level (Pāramārthika) of Self-Realization which is finally experienced in Nirvikalpa Samādhi, total absorption in God (Brahman) results in complete destruction of self-consciousness.
[/QUOTE]
Why would you you want to do that? Don’t we all want to live forever?
[QUOTE=Asuri;28682]Why would you you want to do that? Don’t we all want to live forever?[/QUOTE]
Ha! Ha! If [U]you[/U] really want to live forever, knowing that most people don’t and won’t, wouldn’t your immortality be complete if you weren’t self-conscious about it? 
Hari Om!
I see. So you just dodge the questions that maybe are a little difficult to answer. I repeat, why would anybody want to engage in a practice that “results in complete destruction of self-consciousness” ?
Oh and by the way, Advaita Vedanta is not a school of yoga, it is a school of Indian philosophy, so the original question remains unanswered. Also I think its a little misleading to point to the Upanishads as your source, since there are 108 of them, containing a wide variety of beliefs and practices, which can be confusing to say the least.
To answer your question more directly, how can “my” immortality be complete if “I” no longer exist? Again, I think that most people don’t want to self-destruct, but to be reborn into better circumstances.
[QUOTE=Asuri;28727]To answer your question more directly, how can “my” immortality be complete if “I” no longer exist? Again, I think that most people don’t want to self-destruct, but to be reborn into better circumstances.[/QUOTE]
What in your view will be the best circumstances to be born in to, and then after that what?
[QUOTE=prasad;28733]What in your view will be the best circumstances to be born in to, and then after that what?[/QUOTE]
I never really thought about what would be the best circumstances. Whatever troubles one has in this life, he or she probably would hope not to repeat them in the next. One’s parents are key, as they provide the starting point and initial direction.
But I also think that most people don’t even give much thought to the next life. They want to get as much as possible out of this one.
My question to adityananda is rather straightforward. Any guru should be able to answer it easily. The fact is that all (or most) Indian philosophies regard liberation as the highest good, because it is the only way to permanently end the suffering of material existence. But this reasoning is foreign to the western mind, because we do not regard all life as suffering. Especially with all of our modern conveniences that make our lives easier, we see life as consisting of both pleasant and unpleasant experiences. For most people, the quest is to eliminate as much of the unpleasant as possible, in order to maximize enjoyment of the pleasant.
Getting back to the original post, the following quote comes from “Dakini Teachings”
For ordinary people… the self of the individual is regarded as being that which controls and experiences the conditioned five aggregates, twelve sense bases, and eighteen constituents. Moreover, regarding this self as being permanent and concrete, they fixate on it as being friend and enemy, self and other.
…What type of person denounces this self? In general it is denounced by all Buddhists. In particular, the shravakas specifically denounce it. Needless to say, we who have entered the gate of the Mahayana also denounce fixation on the individual self.
Again, Buddhism is not a school of yoga.
[QUOTE=Asuri;28726]I see. So you just dodge the questions that maybe are a little difficult to answer. I repeat, why would anybody want to engage in a practice that "results in complete destruction of self-consciousness" ?
Oh and by the way, Advaita Vedanta is not a school of yoga, it is a school of Indian philosophy, so the original question remains unanswered. Also I think its a little misleading to point to the Upanishads as your source, since there are 108 of them, containing a wide variety of beliefs and practices, which can be confusing to say the least.[/QUOTE]
Namaste Asuri:
Firstly, you have apparently mistaken me for someone who wishes to engage you in argument and debate. Please be assured that I have no interest in such pursuits. I never stated that Advaita Vedanta is a school of yoga, as I am well aware that it is a school of Indian spiritual philosophy.
Secondly, perhaps you misunderstand the concept of Samadhi. The "complete destruction of self-consciousness" referred to is simply a dissolution of all dualistic separation between God and Self, which is only experienced when personal consciousness becomes completely absorbed in Oneness with Divine Consciousness.
Thus, Samadhi represents the fullness of reunion with God, not the loss of something more valuable. As I was taught, such Union with the Divine is the fundamental spiritual aim of Yoga. 
Hari Om!
Adityananda
Of course, I’m often mistaken and lacking in understanding. I’ve duly noted that you are someone who prefers not to have his pronouncements challenged. I’m sure it’s much more comfortable than having to actually defend one’s views.
I’m sort of a purist when it comes to yoga philosophy. In other words, I don’t like it when people mix up other philosophies with yoga, or disseminate information that is less than accurate. I’m interested to know where you learned the definition of Samadhi that you’re using, as it is somewhat different from what I’m familiar with. Perhaps you did not realize that your own views are not necessarily universally accepted.
Namaste Asuri:
There is nothing to defend, no need to compete. This old sadhaka's views and opinions are simply that, nothing special, and certainly not the final word on any subject. If you feel that your understanding of this topic is threatened in some way by a differing view, that is certainly your choice and solely your challenge to address.
Please accept my apology for offending your discriminating sensitivity on this issue, and allow me to bow to your esteemed authority on the subject.
Hari Om!
Swami Adityananda
Self-Realization
[quote=CityMonk;28555]Few days ago I read an article about self realization. Apparently some schools of yoga “do not confess any self to realize”.
Can anyone name one of those schools?
Thanks alot[/quote]
No. But they are all wrong, of course. 
PS. I am glad to see brother Asuri has had some Presence at least. Truth, Self and Love do not exclude each other. In fact nothing excludes anything except the things-beings what-who really want to be excluded. Ofc they have their right to be excluded if they choose so.
No need to apologize, Swami, as I am a mere student of yoga, and often regret my rash and foolish words. That must be a cool hermitage that you have there in the forest, with internet access and computer graphics software and everything.
I’m sure we all welcome you to the forums and enjoy your contributions. Just out of curiosity, what exactly does it mean to be a swami?