[Advaita-l] Atman -- soul or witness or both ?

[Anbu sivam2]

The biggest impediment one has is his optional identification viz. "I am
not".  Because there is an expectation as to what is "I am"!

On Wed, Aug 26, 2009 at 7:59 AM, Sarma KV <sarmakv at gmail.com> wrote:

> Dear Sri Michael,
>
> I am sure 'you know' more than your words are conveying, esp. your words
> "whom we can invite to witness every thought, every word, .... "
>
> We do not "invite" aatma.. Atma IS, like it or not, witnessing everything.
> Our attempts to be aware of it take us into it. "brahmavit brahmaiva
> bhavati" (one who knows brahma/Atma becomes brahma/Atma.)
>
> What do you mean by "classical texts?"
>
> vEda-s?
> Here it is usually referred to as "tat." There are some vEdic references
> with the word "Atma" itself. For example, in atharva vEda, gaNapati is
> praised as:
> "tvam saakshaat Atma asi nityam."
>
> Though not using the word "Atma", SvEtASvatara upanishat says:
> EkO dEvaH sarva bhUtEshu gUDhaH - sarvavyApee savra bhUta antarAtmA |
> karmaadhyakshaH sarva bhUta adhivaasaH - saakshee chEtaa kEvalO nirguNaScha
> ||
>
> Notice the last quarter of this - it is the direct reference of the word
> "witness." It says that "the One - God" is "The Witness."
>
> To understand more on Atma-witness etc. in lucid words, please Bhagawan
> Ramana Maharshi's talks.
>
> sOham
> -Syam
>
> On Wed, Aug 26, 2009 at 6:03 PM, Michael Shepherd <
> michael at shepherd87.fsnet.co.uk> wrote:
>
> > The mahavakya all remind us of the shared identity of atman and Brahman.
> >
> > But how do we personally enter the truth of this ?
> >
> > Some teachers and gurus emphasise the practicality of atman as eternal
> > witness, whom we can invite to witness every thought, every word, every
> > action; as a means to unite with Brahman in the simplest possible manner.
> >
> > But I note that 'atman as witness' doesn't seem to figure much in
> classical
> > texts. Or am I wrong ? Is this more implied than stated outright ?
> >
> > I'd appreciate comment.
> >
> > Michael
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > Archives: http://lists.advaita-vedanta.org/archives/advaita-l/
> > http://blog.gmane.org/gmane.culture.religion.advaita
> >
> > To unsubscribe or change your options:
> > http://lists.advaita-vedanta.org/cgi-bin/listinfo/advaita-l
> >
> > For assistance, contact:
> > listmaster at advaita-vedanta.org
> >
>
>
>
> --
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------
> नगुरोरधिकं नगुरोरधिकं नगुरोरधिकं नगुरोरधिकम्।
> शिवशासनतश्शिवशासनतः शिवशासनतश्शिवशासनतः ।।
>
> Best Regards,
> Syam
> ------------------------------------------------------------------
> _______________________________________________
> Archives: http://lists.advaita-vedanta.org/archives/advaita-l/
> http://blog.gmane.org/gmane.culture.religion.advaita
>
> To unsubscribe or change your options:
> http://lists.advaita-vedanta.org/cgi-bin/listinfo/advaita-l
>
> For assistance, contact:
> listmaster at advaita-vedanta.org
>