“The ultimate realization of truth,” at least according to the tradition of Neo-Advaita Vedanta. At first I was convinced of this myself, although at the same time it seemed somewhat strange. After all, according to Neo-Advaita Vedanta there is no personal “I” other than an illusion. So whose conviction was this? And yet…

Gradually I began to feel more and more that this reality did not stand on its own. The best way I can describe this feeling is as if you find yourself in a beautiful garden in which you become completely absorbed. The flowers, the fragrances, the colors and forms—everything is equally beautiful and breathes an atmosphere of unity, peace, and extraordinary beauty in its purest form.

An incredible synthesis of creative power.

Yet this realization made me wonder: “To whom does this garden belong?”
Who is the owner of this energy that makes everything breathe as one breath?

Not I.
Because although the “I” dissolves completely in this all-embracing energy—coming home, as it were—
I am not the one, in any form, personal or impersonal, who created this energy or this garden.

This insight is decisive for a much deeper realization.

Teachers of Neo-Advaita Vedanta, however, regard this insight as an illusion arising from the ego and therefore dualistic in nature. They label the impersonal Brahman as “that which you are.” This view rests on a misunderstanding with far-reaching consequences. Let me go a little deeper into this.

When the energy of impersonal Brahman is qualified as “that which you are,” simply because the material platform has given way to the spiritual platform, then it is once again the power of Maya, or ego, that creates this illusion. Identifying yourself with this energy is truly the last trick the ego plays on you.

Of course, the energy of impersonal Brahman itself is not an illusion. On the contrary, it is perfect because the All-attractive is perfect. It is the living energy of the All-attractive—God’s field of energy in which you are lovingly embraced.

Yet this energy field cannot be claimed. It cannot be considered your own, even when you dwell on the spiritual platform. Your personality may be completely absorbed in the benevolent energy of God’s field, but this does not mean that you are this energy field.

God’s energy field removes every notion of person and ego, yet these forces remain active. The impersonal field of love is so blissful that there is no longer any sense of concentration or focus. Detachment from the ego may be total, but that does not mean the energetic principle we call ego has ceased to exist—only that we are no longer consciously aware of it.

Perhaps this needs some clarification.

The impersonal Brahman, God’s energy field, is the power from which everything arises and to which everything ultimately returns. It is the mother of all forms, and nothing can exist outside it. When we look at the ego, we see that the ego too is a form with certain characteristics and qualities. The ego also arises from the impersonal Brahman, from the creative energy of the All-attractive.

Therefore the ego is also perfect, because the All-attractive is perfect.
You are not the creator of the ego, even though you may identify with it.

When your spiritual path leads to detachment from the ego, this does not mean the ego has ceased to exist. Being absorbed in God’s energy field means being absorbed in another reality. The material reality has made way for the spiritual reality. Remaining there without falling back to the material platform depends on insight and Sadhana(spiritual practice).

Within me there arose spontaneously a loving devotion to the energy field in which I was embraced. Distinctions and personal preferences disappeared like snow in the sun, making way for deep peace and all-embracing love. Although I still had no idea who the owner of this beautiful garden was, he or she certainly possessed an unparalleled creative power that expanded endlessly as far as I could see.

It was like a magnificent painting that you can never tire of looking at. I recognized the hand of the master in every detail without knowing the master himself. Yet this did not diminish the wonder and joy.

The garden of impersonal love had become my home without interruption.
I recognized it in everything and everyone.

The impersonal Brahman was no longer merely an abstract unity, but also the source and foundation of a loving interaction between the soul and the divine owner of the garden.

I deliberately use the word divine, because the owner of the garden transcends all human attributes. The recognition of both the personal and the impersonal aspects of the Divine—and the devotion that naturally arises from this—ultimately led to the revelation of the owner of this field of energy.

If you would like to read more about this, click on the link “Premdas.”