Your own self is your ultimate teacher. The outer teacher is merely a milestone. It is only your inner teacher that will walk with you to your goal, for he is the goal.
~Nisargadatta, spiritual teacherborn April 17, 1897
April, the month of Aries, predominantly, and ‘I seek my Self’. Aries is representative of new beginnings as it is the sign that heralds spring and light overcoming darkness. It is an opportunity to wake up to new possibilities. You might ask what area of life you wish to invigorate, renovate or explore. Aries provides energy for undertakings of all descriptions and the insight to focus on that which best serves your vision. Whether it is to grow an idea that wants manifestation in the external world or to fuel a desire for inner reflection, Aries, ruled by Mars, is an engine to drive the train to success.
The focus is on me, thereby reducing distraction to growth and continued awakening, awakening to facts about relative reality that may no longer serve us. Though the thought of being in control is important to some people, it is an illusion that I have control over anything as there is no I, and what is apparently running the show does not exist. What is, is the absolute unchanging presence that is everything, indivisible, inseparable—not two. There is nothing else.
Allow the energy of April to drive and motivate Self discovery where the not knowing and emptiness replace acquisition of knowledge and the desire to fill every moment with stimulation. The benefit? Peace of mind, and freedom from suffering.
The body, the vehicle that houses “that”, requires care, nurturing that ensures an easy passage here. These days there are abundant supplies of everything we need to be fit—fresh food and all the resources necessary to live a healthy life style and Aries is motivated to maintain a strong vehicle for survival.
The ‘light-bringer’ Uranus, which stimulates the evolution of consciousness through revolution, is in Aries, still squaring Pluto within a degree or two variously, and including Jupiter, is the ongoing process of enlightenment one person at a time. Whether we feel pushed or pressured to change, it will happen and there is nothing we need do except to accept what is. There may be turmoil all about you but there is calm and stillness where I am. We can talk about this or that, thinking that it makes a difference, it is all fine but in peace we rest knowing that “that”, our true nature, is what is happening and cannot be different, better or more. We can relax.
Your duty is to be and not to be this or that, 'I am that I am' sums up the whole truth. The method is summed up in the words 'Be still'. What does stillness mean? It means destroy yourself. Because any form or shape is the cause for trouble. Give up the notion that 'I am so and so'. All that is required to realize the Self is to be still. What can be easier than that?
~Ramana Maharshi
