Perennial Philosophy: Chapter 13

 

 

Perennial Philosophy:
Quotes, Passages and Commentary
Chapter XIII: Salvation, Deliverance and Enlightenment

 

“This body, he said, is mortal, forever in the clutch of death. But within it resides the Self, immortal, and without form. This Self, when associated in consciousness with the body, is subject to pleasure and pain; and so long as this association continues, no man can find freedom from pains and pleasures. But when the association comes to an end, there is an end also of pain and pleasure. Rising above physical consciousness, knowing the Self as distinct from the sense-organs and the mind, knowing Him in his true light, one rejoices and one is free.”

—From the Chandogya Upanishad

 

“Having realized his own self as the Self, a man becomes selfless; and in virtue of selflessness he is to be conceived as unconditioned. This is the highest mystery, betokening emancipation; through selflessness he has no part in pleasure or pain, but attains absoluteness.”

—Maitrayana Upanishad