What We Are All About

By Sukshmananda Swami

In this masterly work, the sage Swami Sukshmananda, long a prominent figure in the Sivagiri Ashram, has authored a remarkable meditation on consciousness, awareness, thought and the self in his What We Are All About. Challenging many accepted notions of these concepts, Swamiji engages with a complex subject in simple language, laying out for the lay reader the insights, in particular, of Sree Narayana Gurudevan and explaining them in easily understandable terms. An educative read for the inquiring mind

 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Sivagiri Madam Publications
• Release date: Apr 7, 2024
• ISBN: 9798224262946

Book preview

What We Are All About

Sukshmananda Swami

Published by Sivagiri Madam Publications, 2024.

to Gurudevan 

GURAVE NAMA

WHAT WE ARE ALL ABOUT

Sukshmananda Swami

SIVAGIRI MADAM PUBLICATIONS

Sree Narayana Dharma Sanghom Trust Sivagiri Mutt, Varkala 695 141 Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala

Price : Rs. 275.00

English

What We Are All About by Sukshmananda Swami 1st Edition : August 2023

Cover: Ajayan Chalissery Lay out:Rajesh Chalode

Published by

Sivagiri Madam Publications

Sree Narayana Dharma Sanghom Trust Sivagiri Mutt, Varkala 695 141

Kerala State, India

E-mail: [e-mail]

Printed at: Orange Printers Pvt.Ltd. Thiruvananthapuram

All rights are reserved. This book should not be reproduced

or transmitted in any form or by any means in whole or in part without prior written permission from the publishers.

Price : Rs. 275.00

SNDST I 2000 IE- 1/ 2023

CONTENTS

Acknowledgment Note Foreword

Chapter 1

Science and Sages 17

Chapter 2

The School of Experience 23

Chapter 3

What We Are All About 29

Chapter 4

Nature of Thoughts 41

Chapter 5

Nature of the World 53

Chapter 6

Nature of Knowledge 61

Chapter 7

Nature of Spirituality and Liberation 69

Chapter 8

Nature of Happiness 77

Chapter 9

The God Question 95

Chapter 10

Meditation 103

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Acknowledgment Note

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am deeply grateful to extend my heartfelt thanks to all those who have contributed to the realization of this book, an attempt to convey the profound teachings of Sri Narayana Guru, affectionately known as Gurudevan. As with my previous work, 'Mind the Gap,' this book is not a platform for my own ideas or a claim to Guruhood, but rather a sincere endeavour to share the wisdom that has blossomed from my 45-

plus years of life at Sivagiri.

I recognize that spiritual literature often grapples to capture the essence of its subject matter, and in this pursuit, I have strived to present the teachings in a manner that reflects my unique perspective, hoping it will resonate with readers and fulfil its purpose.

I acknowledge that attempting to articulate the ineffable nature of first­ person experiences may inevitably lead to intellectual inaccuracies. The realm of consciousness, being the very essence of

experience itself, eludes complete expression in words. Nonetheless, I wholeheartedly invite readers to explore the present moment, as it holds the answers to all our inquiries and offers a profound understanding of our true selves.

I emphasize that my intention is not to dismiss spiritual practices; rather, I seek to underscore the importance of experiencing reality in the present moment, acknowledging the knowing element that transcends the content of objective experiences, remaining untouched by their fluctuations.

I owe an immeasurable debt of gratitude to the revered Gurudevan and the illustrious Saswthikananda Swami, whose teachings have served as a boundless source of inspiration. Additionally, I extend my deep reverence to the countless known and unknown masters, both from the past and the present, whose wisdom has quietly influenced my journey. My heartfelt bow to all of them.

I express my sincere appreciation to Dr Shashi Tharoor, the esteemed wordsmith and writer, for his gracious contribution of the book's blurb, and I extend my heartfelt thanks to my friend Smt. Theresa Dolby from Africa, whose invaluable assistance significantly shaped the ideas contained within.

To Dear Sri. Riyas Babu of Norway, my profound gratitude for the meticulous editing and language refinement that has breathed life into this book. My thanks also extend to Sri. Ajayan Chalissery, whose artistic brilliance culminated in creating a captivating cover for this work, and to Sri.

M.C. Dinakaran, Smt. Sreekala Sankar and Smt. Sathyabai Sivadas for their invaluable inputs.

I am deeply appreciative of the unwavering support and inspiration I have received from the Sannyasins of Sivagiri, Sri Mohandas family from Trivandrum (South

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Park), Sri V. Sivaprasad (Condor), Sri Sujathan (Ambili) of Benoy Marbles, and Sri Rama Krishna Babu of Chirayinkeezhu (Innovation Technology, Saudi Arabia). Your encouragement has been a guiding light on this journey. I am deeply grateful for the sincere efforts of Sri. Mangad Balachandran and Adv. Semeen N Raj, who have worked tirelessly to co-ordinate the activities behind the publishing of this book.

Once again, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to all those who have contributed to the realization of this book. May the teachings of Gurudevan and the timeless wisdom of ancient sages continue to illuminate the path of self-discovery for all who engage with these pages.

With utmost sincerity,

Sivagiri, Varkala Date: 11-08-2023

Sukshmananda Swami

Foreword

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elcome to an attempt of exploration into the depths of reality, where science,  spirituality,  and  self-discovery intertwine. In this book, we set forth on an inquiry to unravel the enigmatic nature of our perceived world and dive into the profound teachings of Gurudevan. Together, we will challenge conventional beliefs, question the foundations of our understanding, and seek to awaken to a

new level of awareness.

At the heart of our inquiry lies a groundbreaking scientific discovery that revealed the universe we inhabit is, in fact, unreal. The discovery was so monumental that it was honoured with the prestigious Nobel Prize in 2022, which shattered the long-held notion of objective realism. This revelation has left us pondering a perplexing question: How can we comprehend and study a universe that is fundamentally illusory? As we grapple with this paradox, we find ourselves drawn to the wisdom

of ancient sages like Gurudevan, whose teachings offer a profound key to unlocking the mysteries of self, consciousness, awareness, thoughts, mind and ultimately the true nature of reality.

The science delusion has perpetuated a longstanding debate between science and spirituality, revolving around the fundamental conflict between matter and mind. While science champions matter as the ultimate reality, spirituality asserts that consciousness holds the key to understanding the true nature of our existence. Gurudev's insights, shared in Stanza 20 of AtmopadesaSatakam, shed light on this matter, emphasizing the primacy of universal consciousness as the core essence of all existence. Any claim of another essence is baseless and meaningless, akin to mistaking a garland for a snake. Only a person lacking wisdom would perceive a garland as a snake, while a wise individual recognizes the truth. Gurudevan boldly declared that consciousness, as the fundamental factor necessary for discerning the illusion, must qualify as the ultimate reality.

In our exploration, we confront the limitations of science, which despite its remarkable precision in deciphering the behaviour of the world, falls short of providing a satisfactory answer to the profound question of what truly constitutes reality. Our world, culture, and mind are interconnected facets of our existence, and yet, science predominantly focuses on the matter, considering it fundamental, while regarding consciousness as a byproduct of the material world. The hard problem of consciousness remains unanswered, leaving us yearning for a comprehensive understanding that includes the profound implications of consciousness.

Turning our attention to the school of experience, we venture into the realm of self-discovery and the intrinsic nature of our being through Gurdevan's teachings. In the

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busyness of our lives, we often find ourselves seeking answers and solutions outside of ourselves, overlooking the essence of what we truly are-awareness. This innate awareness, effortless and spontaneous, is often obscured as we mistakenly identify with the efforts to redirect our attention. Yet, once we realize our departure from this natural state of awareness, we come to recognize that awareness itself is the foundation of our existence, requiring no effort to be present.

Through the lens of awareness, we examine the relationship between attention and consciousness. While attention can be cultivated and refined, awareness is already complete and boundless. Meditation becomes a tool to guide us back to this inherent awareness, allowing us to be fully present and attuned to our true nature. In this context, any activity that helps us become more aware and present can be regarded as a spiritual practice, breaking down the barriers that separate the mundane from the sacred.

As we venture further into the subject matter, we uncover the boundless potential of the present moment and the transformative power of attention. We learn to balance our focus, perceiving both