There's a saying that for self-realization, one should rely on external forces, but fundamentally, a posture of surrendering to God is necessary.
On the other hand, there's a concept of using techniques to change reality for oneself, but this approach has its pitfalls.

The difference lies in whether one surrenders to God or considers oneself as God.

While there's an aspect of considering oneself as God, fundamentally, God and oneself are very different. One is a part of God, but thinking that one is God can be both correct and incorrect.

In Vedanta, God corresponds to Atman as an individual entity or Brahman as the totality. It is Sachidananda, which means existence (Sat), consciousness (Chit), and bliss (Ananda). Sat refers to existence in the past, present, and future; Chit refers to consciousness; and Ananda refers to being full (often translated as "bliss," but that's the original meaning). These three attributes are similar in nature and are a composite, and these three are the qualities of God.

Therefore, it's based on the understanding that "self" does not exist. However, in some schools of thought, the concept of "self" remains, and the understanding that "I am God" emerges first. As a result, even if spiritual growth occurs, the ego (self) expands, leading to arrogance.

There are several spiritual origins in this world, and one of them is magic. It's likely connected to figures like Solomon, Babylonians, Zoroaster, or Jewish rabbis. These individuals used certain spiritual techniques, and tracing the origins back, it probably leads to Atlantis. A characteristic of this tradition is that it involves handling spiritual vibrations while the ego (self) remains.

In traditions like magic, God or angels are used as tools, and techniques are used to draw out their power. There is a sense of "self" present, and to varying degrees, people believe that "I am God (or a manifestation of God)" or that they are becoming closer to God. Techniques can be used to achieve things like fulfilling desires or healing.

The people who use healing techniques are particularly difficult to understand, and it's unclear how aware they are. However, healing is to some extent a technical skill, and it doesn't necessarily lead to enlightenment. Just as a physical therapist performs treatments on the body, they can perform treatments on the subtle energy dimension (prana, astral dimension in yoga). Just as a physical therapist may not be enlightened, being able to heal doesn't necessarily mean one is enlightened.

■ People tend to become arrogant when they can use techniques.

There are traditions that have passed down magic to the modern era, and while they don't openly curse people like in the past, techniques certainly exist. In these traditions, abilities are often valued more than enlightenment.

On the other hand, there are traditions that emphasize enlightenment, where "understanding" is considered important.

This "understanding" is not always consistent with enlightenment, and some practical experience is necessary. However, from what I've seen, there are traditions that emphasize "understanding" and "enlightenment" as a way to avoid the arrogance that can result from using magic and other techniques.

There are also traditions that do both, and depending on the tradition, there are three main types:

- Traditions that emphasize techniques.
- Traditions that emphasize understanding.
- Traditions that emphasize both.

In traditions that emphasize techniques, people tend to believe they are superior as they become more skilled, leading to arrogance. However, in the modern era, with more interaction and access to information compared to the past, people are less likely to become extremely arrogant. Nevertheless, there are cases where people misunderstand the truth due to a lack of fundamental understanding.

For example, as mentioned earlier, God is Sachidananda, meaning "full." However, it is full in every way, meaning that everything, including oneself and the surrounding space, is full. Therefore, the concept of "I am God" can be considered correct in a sense. However, it's not that only oneself is God; everything, including the space and inanimate objects around, is God. So, while everything is special, it's not that only oneself is different. However, traditions that emphasize techniques tend to have a tendency to see oneself as special because the ego (self) remains.

Furthermore, different schools of thought diverge on the understanding of whether one is inherently perfect in their original state. Schools that emphasize technique prioritize "change." If one does not undergo a change through a ritual, it is considered a lack of progress. However, according to Vedanta, the true self is Sachidananda, which means there is no possibility of change.

■Techniques can be used even without self-realization or enlightenment.

The state of believing oneself to be the ego (Atman) is expressed as "Jiva" in Vedanta. While living as a Jiva, this understanding is not attainable. Because the ego exists, there is change, and rituals can cause change. One might feel like they are growing. However, this is only until the Jiva realizes its true self, Atman or Brahman, as Sachidananda. While superficial auras and dormant karmas may change, the true self, the Atman, remains unchanged.

Even when one does not achieve self-realization and discover the Atman, techniques can still be used. The results of using these techniques primarily affect the astral realm (the world of thoughts), making them very useful for resolving issues in that realm.

For example, they can destroy deeply embedded karmic seeds or break down and eliminate traumas. Karmic seeds are said to reside in the causal realm (Karana), which is above the astral realm. However, it appears that the astral and causal realms are quite connected. Some prominent teachers have even stated that the causal realm is part of the "material" world, which aligns with one's own perception.

Techniques that primarily affect the astral realm, with some influence extending to the causal realm, can be beneficial. It may be useful to entrust such abilities to skilled individuals. However, it does not necessarily mean that such individuals are enlightened.

Therefore, while there may be beneficial situations, receiving sessions from others can be risky. This is because when someone receives a session, their aura becomes vulnerable. The practitioner may be consciously or unconsciously manipulating the aura and karma. Therefore, one should be cautious about such treatments.

Especially, those who have become skilled in techniques and mistakenly believe themselves to be gods can be difficult to identify at first glance. They may initially appear to have a strong aura and be excellent, but in reality, they may have a strong ego.

■Techniques provide temporary bliss, while self-realization provides continuous bliss.

When one uses techniques like magic, they often come to believe in using gods or angels, or they may be taught or believe that they themselves are gods, leading to arrogance. They may forget to surrender to the divine or misunderstand the concept.

Perhaps, this is why there were many such people in Atlantis. Although it is difficult to confirm due to the passage of time, it seems like a reasonable assumption.

Even in modern times, there are magicians, and some of them seem to be repeating the same mistakes as those in Atlantis, which is regrettable.

In reality, the fact that earthly techniques primarily affect the astral realm (the world of thoughts) suggests that there are even higher abilities. However, techniques that reach the causal (Karana) or Purusha (or Atman) realm are not as common.

While the causal realm is still connected to the astral realm, the Purusha realm exists in a different dimension, resulting in significant differences in abilities. Spells and incantations are related to the astral realm, while geometric patterns are rooted in the causal realm. In the realm of Purusha, which is not material, such things have no influence. In such a realm, so-called "techniques" are ineffective.

The Purusha (or Atman) realm is the gateway to the realm of God. In that realm, there are no "techniques."

The Purusha (Atman) realm is the realm of Sachidananda, which is a consciousness that is eternally present and full. This full consciousness, simply put, is the world of "gratitude" and "love." When one reaches that realm, they lose interest in "techniques."

Using "techniques" to "change reality" or to fulfill desires is a small thing compared to the enlightenment of self-realization. Even if such things can help people or sometimes even provide healing, and these things are important in living in this world, such temporary things are only temporary help, and compared to the full love, gratitude, and consciousness of the eternal Atman, they are very small.

When you reach Atman, there are no more worries, and your consciousness becomes full. At first, this may appear occasionally or only be glimpsed, but eventually, it will become normal. Gradually, the enlightenment of self-realization becomes more solid, and you will always be in a state of bliss.

Compared to this lasting bliss, temporary techniques, even if they are temporarily useful, are not comparable.