Seeking The Self

Anecdotes

oi-Staff

By Super Admin

Wednesday, July 20, 2011, 11:35

'Who am I?', to probe into one's own existence is the purpose of one's birth say great masters.

There was once a disciple of the great Shankaracharya, the exponent of the Advaita Vedanta or the non-dualistic school, who served his master without receiving any formal teachings from Him. Once Sri Shankara on hearing footsteps behind enquired who it was. The disciple answered "It is I". The master said, "If the 'I' is so dear to you, either stretch it to infinity or drop it all together!"

The greatest teaching was imparted in just a simple, day to day happening. To stretch the 'I' to infinity or to drop it would mean the same truth of dissolving one's identity in the vast existence of nothingness.

To seek one's true self is the real purpose of one's existence.