Like two golden birds perched on the
selfsame tree,
Intimate friends, the ego and the Self
Dwell in the same body. The former eats
The sweet and the sour fruits of the tree of life
While the latter looks on in detachment.
As long as we think we are the ego,
We feel attached and fall into sorrow.
But realize you are the Self, the Lord
Of life, and you will be freed from sorrow.
When you realize that you are the Self,
Supreme source of light, supreme source
of love,
You transcend the duality of life
And enter into the unitive state.
- Mundaka Upanishad, 3:1-3
~*~
Spend today reflecting on the above passage from the Mundaka Upanishad. Recognize from the illustration that Awareness alone exists, here illustrated by the tree. Upon the tree reside two birds. The one is the ego or self-assertion attached to the fruit of the world. The other sits detached, not deceived by the sweet or sour fruit of the illusory world. But, notice that the tree, Awareness, is all that there IS.
Both birds, self and Self dwell in the selfsame reality, the Oneness of Awareness. As we begin to investigate awareness we see that we are not the body, senses, or mind. As we look inward we see the Self or “I am” which is the reflected manifestation of Awareness. We might call this our localized consciousness, it is our intuitive sense of existence and knowledge.
Liberation is dwelling in that sense of I amness until which point even the distinction of “I am” and “I am not” dissolve. Then we are left with the pure recognition of our true nature. The tree still appears, yet we no longer cling to it as if it were reality. We sit…blissfully, peacefully, effortlessly, involved.
Re-cognize, enjoy the lila rasa.
