Is it true we are unconscious until we spiritually awaken?

The essence of human life is to get awakened and remain only in ‘Self’.

The Soul is the real Self. But from time immemorial, we have not known this real Self. Owing to our ignorance of the Self, we have always lived in an illusion. And years after years, life after life, this illusion has only multiplied. It has multiplied infinitely.

Spiritually, this state of illusion is called a state of deep sleep.

It is only when one is awakened from this slumber, that he becomes aware of the Self. This awakening is called spiritual awakening. And it occurs only through Self Realization. Once the real Self is realized, the awareness of the Self begins.

Self-Realization cannot be attained by one’s own efforts.
We need a Living Gnani, the Enlightened One, who can help us realize our real Self, for Gnani has the divine power to remove the obstacles that do not allow us to realize the Self.

What are these obstacles that block our experience of the Soul?

The Soul is the infinite light of Knowledge and it is present right within each of us. But it is covered with layers and layers of the deluding karmas of ignorance, due to which the light cannot be seen or experienced by us. These very karmas are the obstacles that do not allow us to reach upto our Soul. And it is due to these karmas that we are in an illusory state.

In spiritual language, such illusory state is referred to as an unconscious state!

It is because we lose our consciousness that, “I am the all-knowing and all-powerful Pure Soul. Infinite knowledge, infinite vision, infinite strength and infinite bliss are few of my inherent properties.” And as a result, live in illusory darkness that “I am John (the reader may insert his own name here). I am this body, I am the doer.”

The ignorance of the Self leads to utter darkness within.
For instance, say there is a one thousand watts light bulb placed in a clay pot. And the opening of the pot is then closed tight. Now, would there be any light that we can see around? No! Similar is the case with the ignorant self. Utter darkness prevails within due to of these layers of ignorance of the Self that are sitting over our Soul.
But if someone comes and makes a tiny hole in the clay-pot wherein the 1000 watts light bulb is present, what will happen? A tiny ray of light will come out and illuminate the entire room, isn’t it?

Similarly, when we happen to come in touch with Gnani, the Enlightened One, He, through His divine grace and special spiritual powers, removes the obstacles that are currently blocking the light of the Soul and helps uncover the direct light of the Soul. This light is like a small hole made in the clay-pot. But it is a direct light of the Soul and is called Pragnya.

After this spiritual awakening of our Soul, as we remain in the company of Gnani and keep following His given instructions sincerely and diligently, the light of Pragnya goes on increasing. In this light, we are able to see more and more of our mistakes. And as we destroy our mistakes one after another, further layers covering the Soul happen to get lifted.

In the above example, imagine when more and more holes get made in the pot, and finally one day, the whole pot is destroyed, what will we get to see? The bulb will be uncovered completely. And thus, there will be flood of full light everywhere, isn’t it?!

This is what happens with us too! When all the deluding karmas sitting over the Soul wither off, the light of the omniscient Soul is fully uncovered, which results in the state of Absolute knowledge of the Soul (keval gnan)!!!

Conclusion:

Thus, we need the Living Gnani Purush to attai
Self-Realization. He lifts us from the unconscious state and awakens us through the speech of Gnan (real knowledge of the Self). In Akram Vignan, this is called Gnan Vidhi i.e. the Self Realization process. It awakens the Self such that thereafter, the awareness of ‘I am Pure Soul’ never leaves us.

Once this awareness sets in, the experience of the Self continues to increase as we follow the teachings of Gnani with great love and affection. The completion of the experience is when we attain the state of absolute knowledge (keval gnan).

The happiness of illusion (one that is derived from worldly things) makes us sway between intermittent feelings of easiness and uneasiness; it keeps fluctuating depending on how the external events take shape, whereas the happiness (bliss) of the Soul is always unaffected by any external event or circumstance.

When you experience such happiness, know that you have met Gnani who has made you realize the Self; know that you are spiritually awakened!!!