Jiva can discover his true nature by giving up his attachments to the Upadhis, for example the body and stop identifying himself with add-ons, emotions like happiness and misery, good and bad and be free of everything. His real nature will then show up as his fundamental state. Truth is that which never changes and does not deteriorate, that is, remains eternally as it is the Atman in its pure state is the truth.
There has never been any change in the fundamental state of being oneself from the day you could recognise the body you were born with, you have seen quite a good number of changes the body as a child, youth, an adult, lean body. The body which has put on weight a sick body when you are ill, a strong body when you are healthy. Threading through these changes, there is one changeless thing the fundamental state of being. This fundamental state adhistama or the ground has always been there when the changes were taking place.
You are Brahman in all beings: Anything which has a specific name, form and qualities comes under the influence of place time and other factors. But the thing without Upadhis or add-ons remains the same without being affected by place time and other factors but the thing without upadhis remains the same without being affected by place time and other factors.
A person could be an European or a Chinese or an African or an Indian, irrespective of the colour of the skin there is no difference in the Atman in any of them. Giving importance to the Upadhis gives rise to conflicts and even wars.
You are Sat-Chit-anand or Existence-awareness -bliss. You are perfect in all respects. You are the Brahman in all beings and Atman in yourself, both being identical.
This must be believed firmly but this is possible only after it is experienced. The body is the store-house where all the dirtiest things are collected but nobody,at any time, has felt that he is dirty where as he feels that he is pure. No body feels that he is going to die but has a feeling that he has no death at all. This means that you are the immortal unchanging eternal pure fundamental state of being ‘Shiva’.
Body may go through many changes but you never feel that you have changed. In life you have seen happiness and also sufferings. These occasions come and go neither happiness nor misery lasts. None of them remain forever. None of them stick to you, you are aloof. You are that pure”Atman”.
Every one has the fundamental ‘ananda’ or joy in him. Misery comes from outside. Sufferings show up in association with the external Upadhis. If the Upadhis are removed the natural ‘Ananda’ which is already there shows itself. Suppose you are sitting alone at ease, with no thoughts, you feel very happy.
In a sound sleep you experience ‘Ananda’ which has not come from outside. This ever-present fundamental ‘Ananda’, the supreme peace, is our natural state and we should experience it. Keeping this goal in mind, ‘Sadhakas’ should engage themselves in spiritual practices.
