Brahman

The Self is hidden in the lotus of the heart. Those who see themselves in all creatures go day by day into the world of Brahman hidden in the heart Established in peace; they rise above body-consciousness to the supreme light of the Self. Immortal, free from fear, this Self is Brahman, called the True. Beyond the mortal and the immortal, he binds both worlds together. Those who know this live day after day in heaven in this very life.
- Chandogya Upanishad.

Brahman, or the Supreme Self, is the greatest discovery of the Upanishads. In the Upanishads He is described as the One and indivisible, eternal universal self, who is present in all and in whom all are present. In the Mundaka Upanishad, the Brahman is described thus, "Imperishable is the Lord of love, as from a blazing fire thousands of sparks leap forth, so millions of beings arise from Him and return to Him." Brahman in His Absolute aspect is immutable; but in His conditional aspect He is ever changing, ever transforming, ever evolving, ever revealing, ever manifesting and ever fulfilling. Brahman is eternal, and immortal.

Sri Chinmoy states:

?When we look within, Brahman is Consciousness-Force. When we look without, Brahman is Self-manifestation. When we think of Brahman with the earth-bound mind, the limited mind, the unaspiring mind, our life becomes sheer frustration. When we meditate on Brahman in the silent recesses of the heart, our life becomes pure illumination.?

To the non-seeker, Brahman is unknowable. To a beginner-seeker, Brahman is unknown. To a Master-seeker, Brahman is knowable, Brahman is known. Further, the Master himself grows into the Consciousness of Brahman.

Indeed, all is Brahman.
? Chandogyopanisad.

Brahman is transcendental delight.
From the transcendental Delight we came into existence.
In Delight we grow and play our respective roles.
At the end of our journey's close, we enter into the supreme Delight.
? Taittiriya Upanishad

Brahman is Infinity.
Infinity is that. Infinity is this.
From Infinity, Infinity has come into existence.
From infinity, when Infinity is taken away, Infinity remains.
? Brhadaranyaka Upanishad

The whole universe came into existence from Brahman the Seed. When Brahman wanted to project Himself, He first projected Himself through four significant words: Ambhas, the highest world; Marici, the sky; Mara, the mortal world, the earth; and Apa, the world beneath earth. Then Brahman sent forth the guardians of these worlds. Next, He sent forth food for them. Then Brahman Himself took part in His Cosmic Game. He entered into the
Cosmic Lila (game) through His own yogic power. First He entered into the human body through the skull. The door by which Brahma entered is called the door of Delight. This door is the highest center of consciousness. It is known as sahasrara, the thousand-petaled lotus. It is situated in the center of the brain. The realization of the yogi enters there and becomes one with the Consciousness of Brahman.

The sages of the hoary past, tell us that the individual soul in every being is in reality identical with the Supreme Self or Brahman. It is only when human beings come out of the shackles of ignorance that they remember their true transcendental nature. Finally the sages declare that "to know the Self is to become the Self." To attain this Truth i.e. to become one with Brahman, a seeker needs the help of the scriptures, then a spiritual guide or Guru, then yogic disciplines and finally the Grace of God. The Katha Upanishad says, "A seeker cannot find his way to God unless he is told of God by another". The Mundaka Upanishad says, "A seeker must approach a Self-knower for his inner illumination." The Mundaka Upanishad says, "A Guru is he whose outer knowledge is the Veda and whose inner knowledge is the contemplation of Brahman".

The Absolute

No mind, no form, I only exist;
Now ceased all will and thought.
The final end of Nature's dance,
I am It whom I have sought.

A realm of Bliss bare, ultimate;
Beyond both knower and known;
A rest immense I enjoy at last;
I face the One alone.

I have crossed the secret ways of life,
I have become the Goal.
The Truth immutable is revealed;
I am the way, the God-soul.

My spirit aware of all the heights,
I am mute in the core of the Sun.
I barter nothing with time and deeds;
My cosmic play is done.

? Sri Chinmoy