A parrot may appear to speak by mimicking the speaker.  But it does not mean that the Parrot knows or understands what it is saying. When we write an exam, we make sure that we get the marks needed to pass the exam. So we memorize the lessons and the answers to possible questions even though we do not understand a word of what we write. The one thing about Realization that needs to be accepted is that we cannot pretend to be realized.  Nothing is there to be memorized. We have to be able to know and understand the objective of the attainment and state of existence. We either have it or we do not. There is no place for pretentions.

So it is absolutely essential that we think and explore all the doubts and questions that come to mind without any inhibitions, fear or obligatory attitude. What is being sought to be taught is the ultimate Truth.  It can withstand any amount of questioning or doubting without requiring any change in what has been written.  It is the ultimate Truth. So it can withstand "attacks" from all and any quarters. It is us who have to go thru the process of understanding and knowing the Truth.

Being ignorant and being born in a world of hosility and falsehood, we doubt and mistrust almost everything that we come across. So it is not surprising to carry the same failings born out of ignorance into the spritual world as well.  If the pursuit is sincere, these doubts and misgivings will be dispelled in successive stages of evolution. 

It is better to approach the path by asking questions right from the start. 

Before we start this journey, we have to be sure of the following -

• That we infact exist both in the conscious and subconscious states.  
• That we do have an identity that is completely independant of worldly forces (without this belief, the search will not be pursued with conviction - This is the Bhakthi or Faith or conviction requirement).
• That we can find the identity.
• That when we find our true identities our existence will be elevated to the next higher level. We will attain moksham.

These are the prerequisites of the Journey.  Within these  prerequisites lie the tools and the clues to guide us along what could be a very rough journey.

Some of the questions that are likely to arise during the course of the journey are considered here. Prior awareness of the unanswered questions, always help point us in the right direction when the time comes to make choices.

Here's a sample of questions relative to our true identity;

1. Does the identity have a physical form? Or is it a state of the mind.

2. Is the identity specific to each individual or is it univeral (such as Dharma, Sattvic state of mind). 

3. Does the identity already exist or does it have to be consciously created by the mind? 

4. Can we have an existence devoid of the physical form? If so, will we be able to retain our relationships, attachments to kith and kin, our achievements on this planet?

5. If we locate the identity, can we escape the bindings of the forces of the mind? 

The answers to the questions will emerge as we pursue the path of inquiry.  The answers will also help keep us on the correct path of progress. 

So what approach can we take to identify who we are? 

When we seek to know what we look like, we use a mirror to look at our reflection.  So we project ourselves by allowing light to shine on us and then use a mirror to redirect the light into our eyes so we can look at our appearance.  In this instance, we know that we have a face and an appearance and we have also been given the medium (light) and the sense of eyesight to capture and interpret the image in the light. 

Likewse, the "image" of the identity has been projected as the "external" world and is fed back to the conscious mind.  The conscious mind interprets the sequence of events, objects and people to come to conclusions about itself, so it can evolve to the next level.

So the conscious realization, requires that the self be projected and then perceived and understood. 

So our consciousness, mind (and its many components), intellect, sense organs and the reflection which is the external world, all play important parts in the enabling the self to be aware of its own existence.  This awareness of the self differentiates between living and non-living.  

THIS AWARENESS OF THE SELF IS OUR IDENTITY.  

OK so if the awareness that we were looking for is a collective effect of the consiousness, mind, intellect and the environment, then do we have the final answer, are we self realized?

The answer is NO.  The reasons for this will become clear as we go along further on this journey.......