"I know", "I do" etc

[Gregory Goode]

Gummuluru,

Don't have my copy of Atmabodha at hand, but I agree with your analysis,
how nicely and cogently stated!  For the last several months, this
ridiculousness has been becoming more and more obvious, whenever I use "I".
This usage is becoming more and more obviouly conventional, a way
to flow with Lila.  I don't take it seriously, as though there realy IS such
an entity!

No matter how the "I" is construed, it not the do-er of actions, it
is not the recipient of the fruits of actions.  For the same reasons:
If the "I" is Nirguna Brahman, it is awareness Itself, non-acting,
and non-receiving.  And if the "I" is anything in phenomenality,
associated with the kosa's or sheaths, then it is inert, and
cannot do or receive anything!

Isn't this why the Mandukya Upanishad IV-2 salutes Asparsa Yoga,
that yoga free from all touch of duality?

Ashtavakra Gita has a very cogent sloka on this, I'll look it up tonight
and post tomorrow.

--Greg

At 08:53 AM 9/16/97 -0230, Gummuluru Murthy wrote:
>In my re-study of Atmabodha by Shri Shankara over the weekend, two verses
>(# 24 and 25) stood out prominently. In our day-to-day writings and
>conversations, we use "I know", "I do" and such other sentences quite
>commonly. It struck me that sentences like "I know" are the most
>ridiculous. They are ridiculous for both words I and know and for the
>I meaning of either the Nirguna Brahman or the worldly I.
>
>For the I meaning Atman (Nirguna Brahman), the I is the knowledge and is
>of nishhkriya (no action), and statements like "I know" and "I do" are
>superfluous and wrong. For the I representing the intellect of the jeeva,
>that is inert, and again statements like "I know" and "I do" are wrong.
>
>Thus, for an advaitin, the first person singular pronoun is the most
>significant one, yet, is also a banned pronoun for usage.
>
>Atmabodha verses 24 and 25 are revealing in this context.
>
>Regards
>Gummuluru Murthy
>------------------------------------------------------------------------
>Yadaa sarve pramucyante kaamaa ye'sya hr^di shritaah
>atha martyo'mr^to bhavatyatra brahma samashnute   Katha Upanishhad II.3.14
>
>When all the desires that dwell in the heart fall away, then the mortal
>becomes immortal, and attains Brahman even here.
>------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>