Question

I have a few questions:

That blissful feeling that comes from self-realization, is it permanent or breaks up? How does bliss feel? Can you describe it?

Secondly, I take it that to achieve self-realization, one has to master the art of restraint and concentration. How does one go about doing this? Like what are the first steps as a starting point?

Last but not least, what is your take on meat-eating and vegetarianism?

Answer

Michael Smith has answered this question.

Michael Smith

These are three analogies that Swami Veda used to give:

“How can you describe what water is to a person who has never seen, tasted, or swam in water? or
“How can you describe what it is like to fall in love romantically to a three-year old child?” or
Let’s say you are a Martian and came to the planet earth. And let’s say that Martians never needed sleep. How would you, as a Martian, ever be able to understand the phrase “sweet dreams”?
How does one go about achieving self-realization; what are the first steps? A regular daily practice of yoga, a life style that supports it, a good teacher, and determination.

As a person’s meditation intensifies, there comes a greater appreciation for nature and all living beings. With that appreciation comes a strong inclination not to harm them or contribute to their harm. Sometime this is not easy. An excellent book on this subject is GANDHI: All Men Are Brothers: Autobiographical Reflections compiled by Krishna Kripalani with an Introduction by Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan.

Editor’s Note

If you have any questions about your spiritual practice, you may write to the AHYMSIN Spiritual Committee at adhyatmasamiti@gmail.com.