In today’s wild world, we are continuously distracted from our purest Selves and pushed outside of our tranquility. This can diminish us and block us from remembering how powerful we are.
Yet, the moment our souls call out to our higher selves, we begin to feel the immanent, pure, and eternal nature of the All That Is.
Understanding this divine connection helps us open the gates to a pure Beingness and invite a spiritual healing and deeper awareness. As we embark on this journey, we benefit greatly from the original sages and their Advaita Vedanta and the original Buddhist teachings stemming from the Palicanon.
When we focus on such things, we enrich our hearts and connect to our most illuminated Selves, clearing pathways to our illumination.
Advaita Vedanta: The Pathway to Self-Realization Through Non-Duality
Among Indian philosophies, the profound and ancient Advaita Vedanta stands on its own by recognizing the identity between the individual self (Atman) and ultimate reality (Brahman).
It was formalized by sage Adi Shankaracharya, who taught people how to realize their true nature through destroying egoism. Without the burden of egoistic desires, there is no suffering. This is the path of the enlightened masters.
“Tat Tvam Asi” – You Are That
This statement, known as the Mahavakya, taken from the Chandogya Upanishad sums up the most enduring tenet within the Advaita Vedanta, saying, ‘You are not different from God; you are part of God.’
To connect with your higher self according to Advaita Vedanta, we do these things:
Self-Inquiry (Atma Vichara):
Guided by Ramana Maharshi: “Who am I?” This question, when asked earnestly, cuts through layers of ego and illusion until one realizes the truth about oneself. Sit quietly somewhere with eyes closed, asking yourself repeatedly this question, watching thoughts come up into awareness, then letting them pass away again without being caught up in them – thereby helping to recognize that ‘I’ is not my thoughts or feelings or body but something beyond all these things which never changes.
Meditation on the Self:
Inspired by Adi Shankaracharya’s Teachings: Meditate on the idea ‘Aham Brahmasmi’ – ‘I am God’. Imagine there is a brilliant light within you that represents this higher self of yours. As one meditates, let that inner radiance grow until it merges with infinite cosmic illuminations within and around you – thereby fostering a sense of unity with The Divine and the All That Is.
Scriptural Study (Svadhyaya):
Engage with Works Such as the Bhagavad Gita and Upanishads: By reading and reflecting on passages within these texts, we may come closer to our true nature. Read those parts that resonate most strongly for you, then integrate their teachings into your daily life.
Surrender to the Divine (Ishvara Pranidhana):
Adopted from Yoga Sutras of Patanjali: Releasing your personal will or ego and laying them at the feet of higher consciousness is an immensely beneficial spiritual practice. Know internally that everything happens according to the divine plan, so release all attachment related to desired outcomes. Do your best in each moment to express gratitude and acceptance to experience deep peace and alignment with your purest Self.
Buddhism: Mindfulness and Compassion as a Means Towards Realizing Our Truest Potential
Buddha Shakyamuni gave us many valuable insights on how to live a beautiful, spiritual life, including methods on how we can connect with our highest selves and achieve spiritual healing through Buddhism.
These teachings emphasize practices like mindfulness, compassion, emptiness (shunyata), and awareness, all aimed at helping individuals reach enlightenment.
“Be a lamp unto yourself” – The Buddha.
This quote from the Buddha encourages individuals to rely solely on themselves amid their spiritual journeys.
This quote from the Buddha encourages individuals to rely solely on themselves amid their spiritual journeys.
Insight Meditation (Vipassana):
Guided by the Teachings of the Buddha: A practice of watching one’s own thoughts, feelings, and sensations without getting attached to or judging them is called “Insight Meditation” or Vipassana. Find a quiet place, sit comfortably with your eyes closed, then focus on breathing normally as it happens naturally in present-moment awareness. When thoughts come up, note them briefly before returning to observing the breath again. This technique develops profound mindfulness about our mind’s nature and our self.
Loving-Kindness Meditation (Metta Bhavana):
Inspired by the Buddha’s Teachings on Compassion: Sit quietly and imagine sending love to yourself. Repeat phrases such as: “May I be happy; may I be healthy; may I be at peace.” Or “I am happy, I am loving, I am kind, I am at peace within myself.”
After some time, start extending these wishes towards other people, starting with those most dear to you, until eventually you include all Beings without exception, even those whom you find difficult. It is also known as boundless friendliness or the benevolence practice, which helps generate a universal loving feeling, thus connecting with one’s higher Self.
Understanding Emptiness (Shunyata):
Rooted in Mahayana Buddhism: Emptiness means that everything depends upon causes and conditions & has no inherent existence apart from them whatsoever – including ourselves. We are called to contemplate impermanence and how all things are connected together. This practice helps us dissolve the ego-Self, thereby revealing the ultimate reality to us.
The Eightfold Path:
Following the Buddha’s Path to Enlightenment: The Eightfold Path lays out an ethical framework for people who desire freedom from attachments and delusions, on the path to attain enlightenment. This system includes right understanding, right intention, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right concentration. Practicing these principles during daily life leads to wisdom, moral conduct, emotional freedom, and mental discipline, which serve as a spiritual healing process and help one realize one’s Self-worth.
By incorporating these Buddhist practices into your life, you develop mindfulness, compassion, and wisdom, which serve as a fertile ground for connecting with your higher Self and attaining deep awareness and spiritual healing.
Sadhana: The Spiritual Practice
Sadhana is a Sanskrit word that means “spiritual practice” or “discipline.” It includes various activities aimed at achieving spiritual growth and Self-realization. Sadhana is an individual pursuit toward gaining higher consciousness and uniting with The Divine. This may involve meditation, prayer, chanting, yoga, and other spiritual exercises.
“The goal of life is to realize God. That is the purpose of human birth. Sadhana is the means to attain this end.” – Swami Sivananda
The Significance of Sadhana:
Sadhana provides a structured path for spiritual development, which is why it is essential to our lives. It helps foster discipline, focus, and commitment. Regular Sadhana cleanses the mind, develops concentration, helps us release emotions, and cultivates a deep connection with one’s higher Self.
Daily Meditation:
Establish a Routine: Allocate a specific time each day for meditation. This could be early in the morning or before going to bed – or both. Consistency is crucial in building a strong meditation practice.
Techniques: Mantra meditation, breath awareness, guided visualization – there are many forms of meditation that can be practiced. Find what resonates with you most and make it part of your daily routine.
Chanting and Mantra Recitation:
Sacred Sounds: Chanting mantras such as ‘Om,’ ‘Gayatri Mantra,’ or any Vedic hymn can uplift your vibration. Regular chanting helps focus the mind and connect with divine energies.
Japa (Mantra Repetition): Silent or loud repetition of a mantra using mala (rosary) beads has great power. It deepens concentration, thus aligning the mind with the higher Self.
Yoga and Physical Postures:
Asanas (Postures): Yoga asanas help maintain physical health, balance the body’s energy, and prepare the mind for meditation. Yoga integrates body, mind, and spirit – hence it is an integral part of Sadhana.
Pranayama (Breath Control): Techniques such as Anulom Vilom (alternate nostril breathing) and Kapalabhati (skull-shining breath) purify the mind & body, thus enhancing our spiritual practice.
Study of Scriptures:
Svadhyaya (Self-Study): Reading sacred texts like the Bhagavad Gita, Upanishads, and Yoga Sutras deepens one’s understanding of spiritual principles. One should reflect on the teachings and integrate them into daily life.
Seva (Selfless Service):
Karma Yoga: Selfless service performed without any expectation of reward cleanses the heart and mind. Acts of kindness towards others cultivate humility, thus aligning with one’s higher Self.
Prayer and Devotion:
Bhakti Yoga: Expressing devotion through prayer, singing bhajans (devotional songs), and participating in rituals strengthens the connection with The Divine. Devotion opens the heart, fostering deep love & unity.
Mindfulness and Awareness:
Living in the Present: Practice mindfulness during your daily activities. Be fully present in every moment, whether eating, walking, or working. This awareness brings peace and clarity, connecting you with your higher Self.
Silence and Solitude:
Mouna (Silence): Regular periods of silence can be incredibly transformative. They allow one to turn inward, listen to the inner voice, and connect with the higher self. Find time each day to sit silently and reflect.
By incorporating all these features into your daily Sadhana (spiritual practice), you create a well-rounded pursuit that nurtures the body, mind, and soul. Sadhana is not just a set of activities; it is a way of living that leads to deep healing, Self-realization, and spiritual fulfillment.
Conclusion
Coming into contact with your higher Self is a life-changing process that brings about deep spiritual healing, and eventually, enlightenment. The Advaita Vedanta and Buddhism both have practices that have withstood time and are very helpful on this sacred path.
As enlightened masters always say, this type of spiritual work involves dissolving egoic identity, recognizing our true nature, developing great love for humanity, and embracing mindfulness in everyday life.
Sadhana, the disciplined practice involving spiritual exercises, plays an important role in this journey. It gives us structure for growing spiritually, thereby enabling us to acquire the self-control, concentration, and commitment required on any given day or throughout a lifetime.
Through daily meditation, chanting mantras, yoga postures, studying sacred texts, performing seva (selfless service), praying at regular intervals, and maintaining awareness through silence, among other practices, one can connect deeply with one’s higher Self, thus encountering transformative innermost healing.
“Tat Tvam Asi” – That Thou Art
Remember: Dear soul, continually strive for yourselves and within yourselves to liberate. We do this co-interdependently, always seeking little for ourselves externally. As Gautama Siddhartha has said, “Buddhas only point the way.”
Embrace these teachings with your whole mind and heart. Diligently practicing them will help reveal the divine light within you, leading you toward peace and joy along with a divine fulfillment in this life.