When we gain a realization, that essentially means we understand and accept as a reality that which is already a reality. By extension, when we become self-realized, we understand and accept as our self that which is our real self.
Why is our understanding of who we are different from who we actually are? Because of our self-image: our conception of who we are. Our self-image is generally socially constructed, being derived from how people perceive us. If we grew up being negatively compared with a sibling, our inferiority to that sibling may become our self-image. If we were told that we were not fair enough or slim enough or tall enough, those may become our self-images.
Not all self-images center on seeing ourselves in an unnecessarily negative light; some may center on seeing ourselves in an unjustifiably positive light. If we were brought up in an ethnic or religious or economic community that considered itself superior to other communities, our elite status may become central to our self-image. If we had some talent far more than others, our superiority over them may characterize our self-image.
Do we have many self-images? Frequently, yes; simultaneously, we often have one central self-image that defines us the most.
Beyond all such self-images is our actual self: the essence of who we are. The Bhagavad-gita explains that the self is spiritual and indestructible (02.13). We all are sentient beings, presently manifest as sparks of consciousness. Our consciousness radiates outward from our heart to our entire body and to our outer world. And based on the nature of our social interactions, our consciousness becomes filled with a particular self-image. The more our self-image becomes aligned with our actual self, the more we become self-realized. Put another way, when we are fully self-realized, who we think we are becomes harmonious with who we actually are.
One-sentence summary:
Self-realization is the increasing alignment of our self-image with our actual self.
Think it over:
- What keeps us from self-realization?
- What is your defining self-image?
- What is self-realization?
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02.13: As the embodied soul continuously passes, in this body, from boyhood to youth to old age, the soul similarly passes into another body at death. A sober person is not bewildered by such a change.
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These daily bites from the ripened fruit of knowledge are very enlivening and satisfying to my heart and soul. Thank you very much for all the hard work that goes into Gita Daily.
Thank you, Narahari Prabhu, for your appreciative words; I see Srila Prabhupada’s blessings coming through them.