Vedanta as a Reflecting Mirror
In Vedanta we often hear the expression that the Sastra (Scripture) acts as a reflecting mirror in which we can see ourselves, the world and God in an entirely clear and different light. The following is a clarification and unfolding of the implications of what is meant by the expression “a reflecting medium” in order to show the uniqueness and extraordinary nature of Vedanta study which can be, and is so easily missed.
If we are asked to look at our eyes with our eyes we find ourselves in an impossible situation. There is no means for the eyes to see the eyes by themselves unaided by some kind of reflecting medium like a mirror. The eyes do have the capacity to see themselves but this capacity does not come into play without a mirror of some sort, in which the eyes can be clearly seen.
We have to examine what a mirror is and how it functions as a reflecting medium before we can become clear on what we mean by the idea of the “scriptures being a reflecting medium”.
The first thing we notice when we look in the mirror is that we are not aware of the mirror as a mirror as such. Rather we are only seeing a clear reflection of ourselves within a reflecting medium of which we are entirely unaware. This should be noted ; while we are looking at our reflection the function of the mirror as a reflecting medium is entirely invisible. On the other hand we can look as a mirror as a mirror and it is just like any other object of our awareness. In this situation it is not a reflecting medium for us in which we can see our eyes clearly rather it is just an object of our visual perception . In this case the mirror can just be a mirror and not necessarily function as a reflecting medium.
When it comes to our eyes clearly seeing themselves by themselves the situation is entirely helpless. They require some means of knowing themselves that is outside of themselves. This fact is not a criticism of the eyes it is rather a clear statement as to their limitations in terms of knowing themselves unaided.
When we hear that the words of the Sastra are a means of knowledge a very big misunderstanding can easily occur and does occur when people first approach this study. The words of the scripture as words are not a means of knowledge. As words they do not function as a reflecting medium in which you can clearly see yourself. They are simply just an object of our perception like any other object. Scriptures by themselves are not a reflecting medium in which we can see ourselves clearly they are just words on paper. They can become a reflecting medium in which we can clearly see ourselves but not by themselves.
According to Traditional Vedanta here is only one situation where the words of the Sastras become a reflecting medium in which we can see ourselves and that is IN THE HANDS OF A QUALIFIED TEACHER TRAINED IN THE METHOD OF UNFOLDMENT. It is only when the words of the scriptures are handled by a qualified teacher who understands the method of unfoldment do the words of the scripture function as a reflecting medium or mirror in which we can obtain a clear doubt free vision of ourselves.
The other point that has to be very clear is that such a “scriptural mirror” is only available to a qualified mind which is listening. Just because a person can read Vedanta books and attend Vedanta classes does not mean they are studying Vedanta. Vedanta is an enquiry into the nature of who and what we really are using the scriptures as a reflecting medium IN WHICH who and what we really are can be clearly seen. It is not reading Vedanta books and listening to Vedanta talks in the act of acquiring Vedantic information. Such information does not transform our vision of ourselves, the world and God.
Studying the words in Vedantic texts by ourselves is of no use to us in terms of a clear doubt free vision of ourselves. In this situation the words do not become a reflecting medium in which to see ourselves. They will just be verbal objects of our senses and gasped in our minds as philosophical constructs. There is no discovery of an entirely new vision here there is only the entertaining of new ideas. An adding of more information to an already overloaded mind.
If I don’t understand the scriptures as a reflecting medium in which I can clearly see myself Vedanta study will become boring because I will feel I have heard it all before and I will wish to hear something new. The growth of clarity is not a boring thing. It is like a photo being developed. The same words may be used again and again but when they are used as a reflecting medium the picture becomes clearer and clearer. This is a deeply meaningful process if it is in fact occurring.
When I understand the role of the scripture as a reflecting medium I will value the scriptures in the right way. I will willingly expose my mind to the vision that is revealed through them again and again and look in wonder at the emergence of new and unforeseen clarity that begins to embrace my life and lifts me beyond the sufferings of ordinary human life.
Words as words are nothing. Conveying ideas as ideas, even Vedantic ones is meaningless because it just adds the burden of new information and will give the false notion that you understand when in fact you are more ignorant as before because you now think you really know something. Understanding Vedantic words and ideas as words and ideas has nothing to do with Vedantic study. It is only the unfolding vision the counts in Vedanta nothing else. This is not possible without a qualified teacher trained in the method of unfoldment. This method consists of skilfully using the Sastras as a mirror in which the Self is clearly seen.
