“To arrive at the conclusion that this solid-seeming world is a mere thought does not solve the whole problem. It cannot give entire satisfaction, for the thought-world remains.
The examination did not give satisfaction because it was conducted from the level of the buddhi which was left unexplained.
Buddhi is also something perceived. Is not oneself (Consciousness) the real Perceiver? To examine thoughts one has to take one’s stand in perceiving Consciousness
When it is seen that the content of thought is nothing but Consciousness, thought vanishes and Consciousness remains.”
Sri Atmananda, Atma Darshan
Without the need to add to that pithy last sentence, a similar phrase is the following from Gaudapada:
“When the mind does not imagine on account of the knowledge of the Truth which is Atman, then it ceases to be mind and becomes free from all idea of cognition, for want of objects to be cognized. – G.K. III. 32 – trans. Sw. Nikhilananda.” (there is probably a better translation).
Martin
Sw Chinmayananda’s translation of MK III.32:
“When the mind does not bring forth any more of these imaginations because of the knowledge of Truth which is Atman (Pure Consciousness), then it ceases to be mind, and that (mind) becomes free from the idea of cognition for want of objects-of-cognition”
His comment on this: “An empty mind is a ‘non-mind’; thus in that plane of Consciousness, when awareness is perceiving nothing other than awareness, mind cannot exist”
This quite nicely brings together the other thread of discussion we were having on analysis/synthesis vs deconstruction/neti.-neti. If I may respond here to your comment there.
“‘Studying the Way’ is just a figure of speech. It is a method of arousing people’s interest in the early stages of development. In fact, the Way is not something that can be studied. Study leads to retention of concepts, and so the Way is entirely misunderstood . . . Some of the ancients had sharp minds; they no sooner heard the Doctrine proclaimed than they hastened to discard all learning. So they were called ‘sages who abandoning learning, have come to rest in spontaneity’. In these days people only seek to stuff themselves with knowledge and deductions, seeking everywhere for book-knowledge and calling this Dharma-practice. They do not know that so much knowledge and deduction have just the contrary effect of piling up obstacles”. – The Zen teaching of Huang Po
“This conceptual understanding leaves open the possibility that . . . we are the Absolute, the one without a second. If it is so, what we really are obviously stands beyond the grasp of the limited mind. When we see that the mind, in spite of all of its abilities, is absolutely unable to comprehend the truth for which we are striving, all effort to reach enlightenment ceases naturally. This effortlessness is the threshold of real understanding beyond all limitations.” – Francis Lucille
“Instead of looking outwards, look within. WHATEVER IS NOT PRESENT IN DEEP SLEEP DOES NOT EXIST. What are you doing? Invite silence, stillness. Don’t waste your time doing anything other than being silent, being still within. Anything which is your‘self’, is illusion, not true, does not matter. Anything which is ‘out there’ is illusion, not true, does not matter. Let yourself be emptied of these. Let there be emptiness.” – David Carse, Perfect Brilliant Stillness
“All this conceptualising, all this articulation, has been taking place only after the original concept arose that you are. What was the position before this concept arose? At that time did you have any concepts, any needs? THE CONCEPT THAT IT IS LIKE DEEP SLEEP IS NOT INCORRECT, BUT IT IS STILL A CONCEPT, AND THE ORIGINAL STATE IS BEYOND CONCEPTS. That you are awake is itself a concept at this moment. Let this sink in. Throw away every thought, every experience, everything that happens after this consciousness has come. Other than throwing it away as useless, there is nothing to be done beyond the firm understanding in which you become more and more absorbed.” – Nisargadatta
Venkat,
Excellent pointers!