The Key Of Awareness

Swami Vivekananda

oi-Priya

By Priya Devi

Wednesday, April 25, 2012, 14:43

Awareness can be attributed to the state of witnessing. It is said to be the first step in one's inward journey as it aids in looking within. At the end of the quest, it remains as the pure space, potent with power, with the mind merged in it. This awareness is awakened by the spiritual master, who guides each step of the disciple's progress.

There is an interesting account on awareness which took place in the life of Swami Vivekananda.

There was a disciple of Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa called Kalu. Kalu was a simple man who was inclined to idol worship as advocated in the Hindu religion. He had several idols with him which he worshipped devoutly every day. He would start his day by taking a dip in the Ganges and proceeding to worship his idols. It was almost noon when he had his breakfast. His simple mind could not ignore even the worship of one idol as he innocently thought that he would be ignoring that particular deity.

Kalu was often the object of fun for the other disciples especially Narendra (Swami Vivekananda) known for his intellectual bent of his mind and rational thinking.

One day Sri Ramakrishna introduced a certain awareness technique to Narendra to be practised. As per the words of the Master, Narendra, sat in isolation in a cell, practising. At one point, Narendra felt very powerful owing to reaching a considerable stage in his practice. He realised that at that stage, whatever he said within himself could be made to happen. He then resorted to test his power on Kalu. He said within himself, “Kalu, now take all your Gods and throw them into the Ganges" He apparently chose the time when Kalu resorted to pray.

Kalu immediately gathered all the idols in a big bag and started dragging them down the steps. Sri Ramakrishna, the omniscient, ran up to Kalu and shouted, “Kalu what are you doing?
Kalu said, “I heard a powerful voice that commanded me to throw away the idols in the Ganges. It was so distinct that I thought that it was the voice of God"

Sri Ramakrishna dissuaded him in doing so and told him that he would show the source of the voice that ordered him to do so.

The master came down harshly on Narendra. He said that he had only instructed him to be aware and not to get into spoiling a beautiful, devout and a simple man's life.

He further said that he would keep the key of Narendra's awareness with himself .

The above incident shows the power of awareness which has to be put into the right use. The right thing for an earnest spiritual seeker to do is to live in awareness, directing it to remain as the pure being, the true state without the least taint of the ego. This is indeed the ultimate goal in one's spiritual quest.