Questionnaire / Self-assessment before Vedantic Meditation 4
Meditation 4 is a further recognition, a much deeper and very expanded realisation from Meditation 3, that I am pure, universal Consciousness itself. I realise the mind-body and the universe is an appearance in Consciousness, Me, I, just as blue sky is an appearance in infinite colourless space or ring is an appearance of the one gold. I, Consciousness, am primary and absolute. The mind-body is secondary and relative. It may be there; it may not be there. Its presence or absence makes no difference to Me, Consciousness.
I abide as all-expansive, all-pervading, infinite Consciousness. The universe arises from, is sustained by, resolves into Me, Consciousness. The universe is a speck, a small bubble in Me, Consciousness, I.
It is the mind which gets expanded and it must be sufficiently prepared through the regular practice of Meditation 1, 2, 3. Then, Meditation 4 will be a natural progression. Having a prepared mind at this stage means I am sufficiently clear and convinced, with very little doubt, that I definitely am infinite Consciousness itself. This is the benefit of practising the first three meditations regularly.
If the mind is not sufficiently prepared, Meditation 4 may be meaningless. If there is still strong identification with the mind-body, the unprepared seeker may even turn away from Self-knowledge / Vedanta. Meditation 4 expands the mind to such a degree, the danger is that the unprepared mind may get frightened, may contract away from, or even reject this knowledge of Self-recognition.
If you find your mind is not ready to accept Meditation 4, do not get discouraged or turn away. Practise Meditations 1, 2, 3 again and again. With more time and commitment, the mind will become ready. Have trust in the scriptures and teaching until you can verify for yourself that the teaching is accurate and true: “You are pure Consciousness itself … Tat tvam asi”.
This is a dimension subtler than the mind, logical yet beyond logic. Do not try to understand with just the mind and logic. This is the dimension of direct and immediate recognition. Trust. You are on the right path; you are not being fooled. You need time and continued effort to overcome long-standing ignorance about oneself as Brahman. The Upanishads confirm: “You are Brahman.”
This is why a private self-evaluation is needed before starting Meditation 4 to assess how much residual ignorance and persisting identification with the body-mind is present, and conversely, how clear and strong the definition and conviction of oneself as Consciousness is. Please take time to study and truthfully answer the following questions and score yourself out of 100 …
| Am I convinced I am Consciousness? | Score out of 100 = |
| Do I accept I am immortal? | Score out of 100 = |
| Do I realise I am changeless? | Score out of 100 = |
| Do I recognise I am limitless? | Score out of 100 = |
| Do I accept I am infinite? | Score out of 100 = |
| Do I realise I am already complete? | Score out of 100 = |
| Do you take myself to be always fulfilled? | Score out of 100 = |
| Do I recognise I am beyond space and time? | Score out of 100 = |
May you recognise and abide all the days of your life as the Fullness, Consciousness you already are and always are. May you have fun and enjoyment witnessing and experiencing your mind-body instrument in life, with whatever happens, negative or positive, as driven by your prarabdha karma.
OM. Shanti. Shanti. Shantih.
