BETWEEN INSIGHT AND ILLUSION

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN INSIGHT AND ILLUSION

Isha Upanishad clearly describes the conditions in which the unity of mankind is directly perceived. By implication, this description separates actual insight from pretence, make-believe or illusion of unity. 

Who but, to all living beings, (यः-तु सर्वाणि भूतानि)

being connected with one’s Self as it were, (आत्मन्य-इव-) 

is towards seeing with the spiritual eye – (अनुपश्यति)

Siva* in living beings, the bad soul (सर्व-भूतेषु च-आत्मानम्)

consequently he does not shun.  (ततो न विजुगुप्सते) [Ish 6]

In whom to all living beings – (यस्मिन्-सर्वाणि भूतानि)

Self really, the Unborn**, both are knowers (आत्म-एव-अभू-द्वि-जानतः), 

There – how delusion [that] soul is sorrow? (तत्र को मोहः कः शोक)

Quality of oneness of man (they) see with the spiritual eye. (एकत्वं-अनु-पश्यतः) (Ish 7) 

NOTE:

*Sarva is translated as Siva (A,Mw,C), since if it were used in meaning of ‘all’, it would have been declined as सर्वेषु with भूतेषु, as in सर्वाणि भूतानि in the first phrase and elsewhere. 

**The ‘Unborn’ (अभू) is Vishnu (A,Mw). To Vishnu belongs Antaratma (Jaabaali Upanishad).

COMMENTS

1. Four conditions are laid out here to identify direct insight:

i) Being connected with one’s Self (आत्मन्य)

ii) Seeing with the spiritual eye (पश् or पश्यति)

iii) The Self gets to be knower  i.e. ego disappears. &

iv) The Unborn also watches through you (आत्म-एव-अभू-द्वि-जानतः).

2. If the unity of mankind is a proclamation of direct knowledge, it carries immense power that goes beyond the mere declaration and words. 

If it only expresses make-believe, pretence or illusion, it will only have the force and effect that words carry.