Who Am I? Who Am I? | Page 36

WHO AM I ? 27 as one). That is why both the Self and non-self have become one. In fact, both these entities are separate. ‘You’ are separate, and ‘Chandulal’ is separate. But until you become aware of this difference, what can you do? A Gnani Purush can make this separation for you through the Science of Separation. After this, the Real you, the ‘I’, does nothing. It is ‘Chandulal’ that continues to do everything. (6) WHO WILL DO THE SCIENTIFIC SEPARATION ? SCIENTIFIC SEPARATION OF SELF AND NON-SELF What is Atma Gnan? It is the understanding of the inherent qualities of Atma (Purush, Self) and the anatma (prakruti, non- self). The one who knows the qualities of the Self and of the non-self, and has been through the process of separation, is said to have acquired Atma Gnan. When you become aware of the inherent qualities and differences of the Self and the non- self, you have acquired Atma Gnan. It is not possible to attain Atma Gnan on your own. This is because right now, you are living and behaving as prakruti and you are trying to destroy the prakruti while being in it. How can this be possible? You will only be able to scratch the surface, but you will not be able to totally destroy prakruti. For example, if this cloth becomes dirty, you will need soap to remove the dirt. In the process of cleaning, the soap will leave behind a residue. While you remove one kind of residue, another kind will set in. Then you have to use Tinopal (a branded cloth whitener in India) in order to remove the residue from the soap. The Tinopal will also leave its own stain. I am giving you this analogy to help you understand why it is not possible to attain Atma Gnan through one’s own efforts. Unless one receives Atma Gnan, it is not possible to destroy prakruti. It can be weakened, but not destroyed. Once you recognize the attributes