Atma Bodha (Knowledge of Self): Adi Shankara's Methods to Self-Realization
Discover the essence of non-dual wisdom in Atma Bodha (“Knowledge of the Self”), Adi Shankara’s timeless 68-verse guide to dissolving ignorance and realizing your true nature. Crafted by one of history’s greatest spiritual masters, this concise yet profound text distills the core teachings of the Upanishads into a systematic roadmap for awakening.
Shankara bridges philosophy and lived experience through relatable metaphors — comparing the mind to a mirror, existence to clay, and illusion to clouds veiling the sun — to make subtle truths tangible. He employs diverse methods: stripping away false identities (“not this, not that”), analyzing cause and effect, examining waking/dreaming/sleep states, and contrasting temporary appearances with unchanging reality. Each verse dismantles misconceptions, guiding seekers beyond the familiar world to recognize the infinite Self (Brahman) that transcends all limitation.
Though accessible to newcomers, Atma Bodha is no introductory primer. Its brevity and clarity conceal unparalleled depth, designed for earnest students ready to confront the root of human suffering: the primal confusion separating “I” from reality itself. Without dogma or abstraction, Shankara directly addresses this timeless dilemma, offering precise tools to unravel self-ignorance and realize liberation here and now.
Ideal for contemplatives and seasoned seekers alike, Atma Bodha remains a peerless spiritual manual—a mirror reflecting your innermost truth, inviting you to awaken to the boundless awareness you already are.
Resources:
- Location: Conducted in Thonse Health Center, India, 8-18 Jan 2025
- Verses & MindMap Used in Class
- Questionaire: Test Your Understanding
NOTE: This series is meant to be watched with Bhagavad Gita, CH12, Non-Dual Devotion (currently uploading).