Sage Vasishta Educates Prince Rama

Sage Vasishta Educates Prince Rama
Self-knowledge is not gained by explanations and descriptions, nor by the instructions of others -- but by direct experience. Whatever is experienced and known here in this world, all that is the Self, consciousness devoid of the duality of the experiencing and the experience. It is the Self alone that exists everywhere at all times, but because of its extreme subtlety, it is not experienced. In all beings, it is the jiva. All activities take place in the light of the sun, but if the activities cease, the sun does not suffer loss: even so, it is on account of the Self that the body et al function, but if the body et al perish, the Self does not suffer loss. The Self is not born, nor does it die; it does not acquire, nor does it desire; it is not bound, nor is it liberated – the Self is the Self of all, at all times.
That (Self) is unconditioned by time and space; how does it become bound? Abandon these two false concepts -- that of bondage and of liberation, and live an enlightened life here. There is no liberation in the sky, on earth or in the nether world; liberation is but a synonym for pure mind, correct Self-knowledge and a truly awakened state. The complete absence of all desires and hopes is liberation. Until one reaches this true inner awakening or Self-knowledge, one considers oneself bound and strives for liberation. Abandon these wrong notions of bondage and liberation.

Om Namah Shivay.