- Ignorance, uncertainty and wrong knowledge are obstacles resulting from long-standing habits in the innumerable incarnations of the past which cause trouble, and then the fruits of Realization slip away. Therefore, root
them out by hearing the Truth, reasoning and meditation.52
- Checked by incantations,38 fire will not scorch. Likewise defective Realization will not put an end to bondage. Therefore devote yourself to hearing the Truth, reasoning and meditation and root out ignorance,
uncertainty and wrong knowledge.
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Ignorance veils the Truth that the Self is Brahman and shows forth multiplicity instead; uncertainty is the confusion resulting from lack of firm faith in the words of the Master; the illusion that the evanescent world is a reality and that the body is the Self is wrong knowledge. So say the Sages.
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Hearing the Truth is to revert the mind repeatedly to the teaching: “That thou art’. Reasoning is rational investigation of the meaning of the text, as already heard. Meditation is one-pointedness of mind. If every day you do these, you will surely gain Liberation.
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The practice must be kept up so long as the sense of knower and knowledge persists. No effort is necessary thereafter. Remaining as pure, eternal Consciousness, untainted like the ether and thus liberated while alive, one will live forever as ‘That’, after being disembodied also.
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