The Atman

Siddhananda: So, should we start with our three [stones] here? Did you want to do that?

G: Sure.

Siddhananda: Okay, one of them is the linga (showing a linga stone).

G: We have the linga, yes (smiling). Wild card, linga! 

Siddhananda: (smiling). Okay, let's see what he or she is.. (pause) He says he has been waiting in line [for the counselling session] and that time has been good for him. He is a little bit quieter [now].

G: Good. 

Siddhananda: He is feeling more settled.

G: Okay. 

Siddhananda: He wants to know what the Atman is, in truth.

G: The Atman? What the Atman is, in truth?

Siddhananda: (nodding).

G: The Atman, in truth, is what we call the Self, is the Absolute. And the covering of that Absolute is the face that you are wearing, all the experiences that you are having that you take as something separate from That. But, the absolute Atman is nothing but the Para-Brahman, that Absolute Is. 

Siddhananda: (pause) He is reflecting back a face and a dress, and he is showing [that] he is hearing what you are saying because what i see behind that or within it all is Light.

G: Right. 

Siddhananda: So, he is reflecting back his understanding of that, and he is bowing. And, he is asking for the COS.

G: Yes, of course, he may have the COS. 

Siddhananda: (smiling) (hand on heart).

G: Namaste (hand on heart).

Siddhananda: That was straightforward and simple. (smiling).

G: Yes (smiling).