OBSERVATIONS BY KOLLER

In his 1970 book Oriental Philosophies (Scribner’s), John M. Koller makes observations that are meaningful to this day.  He says that “the Self (Atman) can be known in the surest way possible, for it is self-revealing in consciousness when the objects of consciousness that block out self-illumination are transcended.”--p30

He then points out that “because of the deep-seated ignorance that results from the objectification of the world, and because of the resulting multiplicity, one is inclined to think of the ultimate reality as an other.  But this is a mistake, for ‘in the beginning all this world was Brahman only.  Whoever thus knows, “I am Brahman” (Aham Brahman asi) becomes this All.’”--p31

He adds that “this Self (Atman) is the ultimate subject which can never become an object.  Consequently, it can never be known in the way that objects in consciousness can be known, but must be realized directly in self-illuminating experiences.”--p32

He says at the end that “those without faith or experience might be skeptical of the existence of the Atman and the possibility of Atman-realization.  But those who have experienced the bliss of the Atman know no other joy--they are completely fulfilled.”--Ibid.