Realize the Self

Purification Rituals- Cleansing Mind, Body, and Soul1. Ancient Egyptian Purification Rituals- Cleanliness Before Godliness 2. Greek Eleusinian Mysteries- The Secrets of Purification3. Roman Ritual of Lustratio- A Group Effort4. Mayan Sweat Lodge Ceremony- Sweat Away Your Sins5. Japanese Misogi- Purified by Nature6. Native American Smudging Ceremony- Smoking Indoors7. Hindu Panchakarma- A Very Thorough Cleansing8. Jewish Mikveh- A Purifying BathSource: https://www.ancient-origins.net/history-ancient-traditions/purification-rituals-0019155

In this video we read the first 20 pages of the new book: Realize the Self scheduled for release 2/22/26. We go over the preface, introduction and first 9 pages of chapter 1 in this 40 min video.Realize the Self is a Self Realization manual for anyone who chooses to, can Realize the Self. You are THAT!

Coming up 1/25 first 20 pages of the book reading which takes about 40min. https://youtu.be/VGNOsBa-3nkCome watch the video with us!I will be in the chat if anyone has any questions. For some listening to the book can spark self realization in itself. Secret knowledge like the Ribhu Gita can do this hence the reason for koans, to still the mind to get to the place of Self Realization. The Self is the space innbetween thought.This is the secret of all secrets. You are the secrete of all secrets. This is the ultimate graduation from this realm. The Self is liberation and ultimate freedomKnow ThyselfRealize the Self.

Below is an expanded, structured overview of the Greek Mystery Schools, their origins and parallels in Egypt, and how they related to self-realization (gnōthi seauton — “know thyself”). I’ll treat this historically and philosophically, since the mystery tradition lives at the intersection of ritual, psychology, and metaphysics.1. What “Mystery Schools” WereThe Greek word mystērion comes from myein — “to close the eyes or mouth.”This implies initiation through direct experience, not public teaching.Mystery schools were:Initiatory (graded stages)Experiential (visions, ritual drama, altered states)Transformative (ethical, psychological, spiritual rebirth)Secret (knowledge was lived, not explained)Their aim was not belief but inner awakening.2. Major Greek Mystery SchoolsA. Eleusinian Mysteries (Demeter & Persephone)Location: Eleusis, near AthensTime span: ~1500 BCE – 400 CE (longest-running)Core Myth:Persephone’s descent into the underworld and return.Initiatory Goal:Confrontation with deathRevelation of the soul’s immortalityLoss of fear of deathSelf-Realization Aspect:The initiate experiences themselves as more than the body — a cyclic being tied to cosmic rhythms.Plato, Cicero, and Sophocles all testified that Eleusis taught how to “die well.”B. Orphic Mysteries (Orpheus)Nature: Decentralized, ascetic, philosophicalKey Texts: Orphic Hymns, gold burial tabletsCore Beliefs:The soul is divine but trapped in matterLife is a cycle of purification (metempsychosis)Liberation comes through knowledge and purityPractices:VegetarianismEthical disciplineSacred chants and cosmologySelf-Realization Aspect:Recognition of the divine spark (Dionysian essence) within.“I am a child of Earth and starry Heaven.”C. Dionysian MysteriesFocus: Ecstasy, madness, divine possessionRituals: Dance, wine, music, trancePsychological Function:Dissolution of ego boundariesRepressed instincts reintegratedControlled chaos → renewalSelf-Realization Aspect:Breaking the false self constructed by society to access primal, unconditioned being.This school complements Apollo (order) with Dionysus (chaos).D. Samothracian Mysteries (Great Gods / Cabeiri)Unique Feature: Open to slaves and foreignersFocus: Protection, fate, cosmic forcesSymbolism:Sacred geometryMasculine/feminine polarityCosmic harmonySelf-Realization Aspect:Alignment with universal order (kosmos) rather than personal salvation alone.E. Pythagorean School (Semi-Mystery Tradition)Nature: Mathematical-spiritual brotherhoodTeachings:Number as the essence of realityHarmony of soul and cosmosReincarnationPractices:SilenceMusic therapyGeometry as meditationSelf-Realization Aspect:The soul awakens by tuning itself to cosmic ratios — becoming harmonious, ordered, and clear.F. Platonic / Neoplatonic MysteriesKey Figures: Plato, Plotinus, IamblichusCore Idea:The soul descends from the One and must return through recollection (anamnesis).Methods:DialecticContemplationTheurgy (ritual invocation)Self-Realization Aspect:Remembering one’s divine origin — the Good beyond Being.3. Egyptian Origins & ParallelsEgyptian Mystery CentersHeliopolisMemphisThebesAbydos (Osiris Mysteries)Greek sages openly acknowledged Egyptian initiation:Pythagoras studied in Egypt (~22 years by some accounts)Plato referred to Egyptian priests as ancient custodians of wisdomHerodotus said Greek religion came from Egypt

In this video we continue the topic of the Egyptian Mystery Schools and how they directly relate to Self Realization.

1. What Were the Egyptian Mystery Schools?They were temple-based priestly education and initiation systems, not “schools” in the modern sense, whose purpose was to transform consciousness, preserve cosmic order (Ma’at), and prepare select individuals for ritual, governance, and immortality rites.They functioned as:Religious institutionsScientific and philosophical centersEthical training systemsInitiatory paths for spiritual realizationOnly a small elite had access to the deepest levels.B. Human Purpose: Transformation of ConsciousnessAt the individual level, the schools aimed to transform a person into an:AkhA being who is:Self-awareEthically integratedConscious beyond bodily deathCapable of effective action in subtle realmsThis is explicitly stated in Pyramid and Coffin Texts.3. When Did the Mystery Schools Exist?Rather than one system, they evolved over 3,000+ years.Chronological OverviewOld Kingdom (c. 2600–2100 BCE)Pyramid Texts appearInitiatory afterlife knowledge restricted to kingsHeliopolis, Memphis prominentMiddle Kingdom (c. 2100–1700 BCE)Coffin Texts democratize initiation to nobilityAbydos Osirian mysteries expandClear ethical and psychological emphasisNew Kingdom (c. 1550–1070 BCE)Temple initiation highly developedThebes (Amun) dominantRitual drama, dream incubation, darkness ritesLate Period & Ptolemaic Egypt (c. 700–30 BCE)Isis and Osiris mysteries open to foreignersGreek philosophical integrationHermetic tradition emergesThere is continuous institutional evidence across all periods.1. Temple ComplexesKarnak, Luxor, Abydos, Philae, SaïsArchitectural features consistent with initiation:Hypostyle halls (progressive darkness)Inner sanctuaries (restricted access)Processional routes (ritual journey)2. Textual EvidencePyramid Texts (c. 2400 BCE)Coffin TextsBook of the DeadTemple inscriptions describing:PurificationSecrecy oathsB. Indirect but Strong Evidence1. Priestly TitlesEgyptian inscriptions mention:“Master of Secrets”“He who knows the hidden things”“Pure one of the House of Life”C. Greek Testimony (Secondary but Important)Greek writers consistently report Egyptian initiations:Herodotus (5th c. BCE): describes secret rites and prohibitionsPlutarch: details Osiris initiationsDiodorus Siculus: confirms ritual secrecy and staged revelationIamblichus: connects Egyptian rites to theurgyThese writers were outsiders, but independent of each other.D. What We Do Not Have (Important Limits)No single text labeled “Mystery School Manual”No explicit public description of full initiation sequencesNo unbroken lineage documentsThis absence is expected in secrecy traditions.5. Famous Historical Figures Associated with Egyptian MysteriesWe must separate attested, probable, and legendary.Historically Attested or Highly ProbableEgyptian PharaohsAll legitimate kingsInitiated into Osirian and solar ritesHigh Priests of Amun, Ptah, ThothTitles explicitly reference secret knowledgeLived within temple precinctsProbable (Based on Multiple Sources)PythagorasAncient sources say he studied in Egypt for ~20 yearsHis doctrines (number mysticism, purification, silence) closely parallel Egyptian practicesPlatoExplicitly states Egyptian priests preserved ancient wisdomHis metaphysics align strongly with Egyptian cosmologyLater Initiatory Tradition (Not Historically Provable)These claims appear in Hellenistic, Hermetic, or esoteric sources, not archaeology:SolonThalesOrpheusMoses (mentioned in some Jewish and Greco-Egyptian texts)These are possible, not provable.Roman-Era Initiates (Well Attested)PlutarchInitiated into Isis mysteriesApuleiusDescribes Isis initiation in The Golden AssThis is our clearest first-person initiation account

In this episode we go over in depth the Egyptian Mystery Schools and how they were a path to Realize the Self. These schools were only for the Elite and not for the masses.

1. Temple of Heliopolis (Iunu)Role: Old Kingdom priesthood; center of cosmology and metaphysicsCore FocusMa’at (cosmic order, truth, balance)Solar consciousness (Ra / Atum)Techniques for Self-RealizationContemplation of Ma’atEthical self-purification through daily moral alignmentSacred recitation (Heka)Spoken formulas believed to awaken divine intelligenceSolar meditationVisualization of consciousness rising with the sun (symbol of awakening)Geometry & cosmology studyUnderstanding divine order through numbers and form

🜂 Self-realization aim: Alignment of the individual soul with cosmic intelligence.

2. Temple of Memphis (Ptah Mystery School)Role: Intellectual and creative mystery centerCore FocusPtah as divine mind and creative wordCreation through thought and speechTechniquesInner silence practicesMastery of thought before speechSacred craftsmanshipWorking stone, art, or architecture as spiritual disciplineMental concentration (proto-dharana)Holding divine concepts without distraction

🜂 Self-realization aim: Realizing oneself as a conscious co-creator with the divine mind.

3. Temple of Thebes (Waset)Role: Advanced initiatory center; priest-kings and high initiatesCore FocusAmun (the Hidden One)Inner divinity and transcendence of formTechniquesDarkness initiationProlonged isolation in sealed chambersBreath control & internal energy circulationSymbolic death and rebirth ritualsDream incubationReceiving instruction through dreams

🜂 Self-realization aim: Direct realization of the hidden divine essence within.

4. Abydos (Osirian Mysteries)Role: Death, resurrection, immortality ritesCore FocusOsiris as archetype of the eternal soulAfterlife consciousness while livingTechniquesRitual reenactment of deathVisualization of the Duat (inner worlds)Judgment of the heart meditationMantric recitation from Pyramid / Coffin Texts

🜂 Self-realization aim: Conscious immortality and mastery beyond death.

5. Isis Mystery Temples (Philae, Saïs)Role: Sacred feminine wisdom and healingCore FocusDivine intuitionSacred sexuality (non-hedonistic)TechniquesChanting & tonal vibrationRitual fasting and lunar observanceSacred union rites (symbolic, not public)Healing through sound and touch

🜂 Self-realization aim: Awakening intuitive gnosis and unity through love-wisdom.

6. Hermetic Schools (Thoth / Djehuti Tradition)(Later systematized in Greco-Egyptian Alexandria)Core FocusGnosis (direct knowing)“As above, so below”TechniquesMental transmutationSymbol meditationAstral ascent practicesSacred writing & hieroglyph contemplation

🜂 Self-realization aim: Knowing oneself as divine intelligence embodied.What the Initiates Were Ultimately SeekingEgyptian self-realization was not ego enhancement, but:Becoming an Akh — a luminous, effective, awakened being Conscious in life, death, and beyond.This is one of the earliest documented non-dual spiritual systems in human history.

THE DANGER OF DESIREIn this video we go over desire. ___________________________________We often speak of desire as one of the root causes of suffering, yet there is one desire that is not only harmless but profoundly beneficial: the desire to Realize the Self. This is the yearning to end suffering and to know the everlasting happiness that is our true nature. Once the Self is Realized, even this desire falls away, for there is nothing left to seek. All wanting dissolves in the fullness of the Self.Any other desire—anything the mind longs for—may bring temporary pleasure, but it can never bring permanence. Only the Realization of the Self leads to lasting, unshakeable happiness. Everything else in this world, without exception, offers only momentary satisfaction before fading. This is the trap of the world: desire is constantly cultivated and reinforced by society, conditioning us to seek happiness externally.Every day we see commercial after commercial, TV show after TV show, social media post after social media post portraying people blissfully happy with new cars, expensive boats, exotic vacations, perfect bodies, cold beers, and endless sensory pleasures. At first these things seem to bring joy—but soon the mind wants more, and the cycle of craving and dissatisfaction continues.Only Self Realization is the true antidote, the gateway to eternal happiness. Be the Self. Be happy. Be free. You are THAT!Ashtavakra Gita 18.21 (Chinmayananda, 2016)Like a leaf in the windthe liberated oneis untethered from life–desireless, independent, free.“Be like a child who never grows up: the only reason why the child-like state does not last is “desire”. -Ma Anandamayi Another similarity between Gnosticism and Vedic teachings appears in the Gospel of Thomas, where Jesus says: “If you do not fast from the world, you will not find the kingdom.” This is yet another hint that the world is a trap of the senses—an obstacle echoed in both Buddhist and Vedic teachings on Self Realization. The Sufis often spoke of this world in stark, even shocking terms—calling it garbage, manure, or a latrine—not out of hatred for creation, but as a deliberate reminder of the dangers of attachment. They practiced zuhd, a discipline of detachment from worldly desires and excess, in order to devote themselves fully to love, remembrance, and the knowledge of the Self. Zuhd places spiritual aims above material pursuits, discouraging luxury and extravagance while emphasizing what truly nourishes Self- Realization and endures beyond this life. In the Astavakra Gita Ashtavakra says: “If you are seeking liberation, my son, shun the objects of the senses like poison.” This is another concept strongly emphasized in many ancient teachings as an aid to Self Realization. Sensual pleasures hook one into the illusory world, and their addictive nature generates the very opposite of stillness—restlessness, agitation, and longing. One seeks pleasure hoping it will bring lasting happiness, but as mentioned earlier, it becomes a perpetual hamster wheel of pain and pleasure, endlessly repeating until this life comes to an end—and with it, the opportunity to Realize the Self that was always right under one’s own nose. Remember: Ramana Maharshi said that man’s search for happiness is an unconscious search for the true Self. Instead of seeking pleasure, turn inward to its very source. Realize the Self—the bliss of all bliss, the essence of all joy. You are THAT!Ashtavakra Gita 1-1.2 (Chinmayananda, 2016): 1: Instruction on Self Realization1:1Janaka said: Master, how is Knowledge to be achieved, detachment acquired, liberation attained? Ashtavakra said:1.2 To be free, shun the experiences of the senses like poison...

REALIZE THE 7 DEADLY SINS

In this video we go over some western teachings relating to obstacles of Self Realization. _________________________________Aside from the ancient Eastern teachings on what to cultivate and what to avoid, we also find wisdom much closer to the West. In Christianity, there are the Seven Deadly Sins, considered vices that give rise to further wrongdoing and immoral behavior. Let’s explore them briefly:1—Pride
Pride is regarded as the root of all sins in Christianity. It is an excessive sense of self-importance and deep satisfaction in one’s achievements. This keeps a person locked in competitiveness and separateness, distancing them from unity and therefore from Self- Realization.2—Greed
Greed is the excessive desire for material possessions, power, food, or sensual pleasures. It can be seen as a form of attachment, since desire and attachment go hand in hand. Greed is also mentioned in Buddhism as one of the Three Poisons.3—Lust
Lust refers to the craving for sensual pleasure, especially sexual desire. In Buddhism, this is considered a form of greed and one of the Three Poisons—not limited only to sexual craving but extending to excessive desire for anything of the senses.4—Envy
Envy is the resentment of another person’s good fortune or excellence, along with the desire to have it for oneself. In Buddhism, envy parallels the hindrance of ill will. Much of this material overlaps across religions and cultures. Envy can also be seen as the opposite of empathetic joy, one of the Four Brahmaviharas.5—Gluttony
Gluttony is overindulgence, especially with food or drink, and can be seen as yet another form of greed. It relates to overindulgence in any sensual pleasure. Excess consumption creates greater attachment and agitation, not only biochemically but also psychologically. For example, drinking alcohol every night slowly builds tolerance until the person needs more and more to achieve the same effect, often leading to physical or mental crisis. As mentioned earlier, it is wise to avoid alcohol, caffeine, nicotine, and other intoxicants most if not all of the time.6—Wrath
Wrath refers to anger, fury, and the desire for revenge. This aligns closely with the second of Buddhism’s Three Poisons—hatred—as well as the hindrance of ill will. It is remarkable how universal these teachings are across traditions.7—Sloth
Sloth is excessive laziness and apathy. It appears again in Buddhism as one of the Five Hindrances and is understood as mental dullness and resistance to wholesome effort.What is interesting to observe is how strongly many of the Seven Deadly Sins correspond to the Buddhist kleshas and hindrances—especially lust, greed, sloth, and gluttony. These teachings clearly overlap across cultures and religions. They offer important qualities to be aware of—traits best not cultivated.Instead, we should work to cultivate the precious jewels of loving-kindness, compassion, empathetic joy, and equanimity—virtues that dissolve the poisons and illuminate the path to Self- Realization.

REALIZE THE 5 HINDRANCESIn this video we go over the 5 main hindrances to Self Realization.___________________________________________________________________In classical Buddhism, there are five hindrances or mental factors identified on the path to Self Realization. These hindrances are considered obstacles to mindfulness, meditation, and ultimately, Self Realization. The five hindrances are: sensory desire, ill-will, sloth and torpor, restlessness, and doubt.Sensory desire is the seeking of pleasure through the five senses: sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch.Ill-will refers to hostility, resentment, anger, or hatred.Sloth and torpor refers to laziness, lethargy, or half-hearted action with little or no concentration.Restlessness and worry is the inability to calm the mind and focus.Doubt refers to a lack of conviction in oneself, mistrust of one’s abilities, or lack of confidence in teachers. These hindrances are important to observe, as the ego often exploits them to sabotage the path to Self Realization. According to some, one can even add a sixth: forgetfulness. The ego uses forgetfulness, along with the other five hindrances, to keep one from Realizing the Self.

REALIZE THE 5 POISONS

In this video we will over over the kleshas or poisons that are obstacles to Self Realization._______________________________________________In Buddhism, there is a teaching known as the three poisons: greed, hatred, and delusion. These are mental states that cause suffering and hinder the Realization of the Self. They are also referred to as the three unwholesome roots or the three defilements.1 — GreedGreed is another term for passion, attachment, or lust. It is the excessive desire for things—sensual pleasures, power, wealth—as well as attachment to ideas and opinions. Society heavily promotes this excess through the over-sexualization of culture, constant fast-food advertising, and the reinforcement of certain beliefs or narratives. This world is a trap, and caution must be used as one navigates it. Many systems and messages are designed to shape the subconscious, becoming default programming that binds a person to illusion. To Realize the Self, all of these programs, attachments, and beliefs must be let go, allowing one to return to nothingness and inner emptiness where the Self resides.2 — HatredHatred includes aversion, aggression, and anger. It refers to rejecting or resisting anything one dislikes—whether external situations or internal feelings. Society often normalizes anger, even glorifying it. This is another trap that keeps people bound to suffering. "Righteous anger" is one of the most deceptive forms of anger, for it appears justified. When people believe their anger is morally correct, mob mentality can arise, often leading to violence or even death. The proper approach is not to identify with anger or heightened emotional states but simply to observe them. Anger clouds clarity and weakens one’s connection to the Self. When the Self is Realized, it's not that anger never arises—it simply loses identification. One watches emotions come and go like waves in the ocean or clouds drifting across the sky. Always remember: thoughts, emotions, the world, and even the body all come and go—therefore they cannot be the real Self. Only the awareness that observes them—the eternal witness—is real. Find that which is real and abide in the Self. You are THAT!3 — DelusionDelusion is another word for ignorance, the fundamental misunderstanding of the nature of reality. It is the root cause of the other two poisons. Buddhist and Vedic teachings align remarkably on this point. This aligns closely with the Vedic concept of avidya, which is viewed as the core of human suffering. Avidya is the misidentification with the mind—the belief that the mind is the true self—while unaware of the luminous awareness beyond the mind that is one’s real nature. Delusion, greed, and hatred perpetuate suffering and, according to Buddhism, keep beings trapped in the cycle of reincarnation. ______________________________________________If we want to continue expanding beyond the three poisons, we naturally come to the five kleshas, sometimes called the five poisons. I’ll go over these briefly. The five kleshas are mental states that obscure the truth and lead to suffering: ignorance, egoism, attachment, aversion, and fear of death. They are considered the root causes of suffering and major obstacles to Self Realization. It is wise to understand them, alongside practicing the methods that lead to Self Realization. By recognizing these poisons and refraining from attaching to them, we can further ensure Self Realization.