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Question:  Why Did I Not Become Self-Realized?

A few years ago I was meditating without any goal and to my surprise my thinking stopped completely and there was only the feeling of existence, without any body or anything else. When I returned from this state I felt a great euphoria and love for everything. But it didn't last long. I am still identifying with the body after this experience. Why didn't I become self-realized?

Thank you for answering and for the great course,

M.A.
 

Answer: You Did Not Awaken Your Love for God

Until you revive your original loving relationship with that person who is the source of everything, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, whatever spiritual awakening you may have will only last temporarily. This is described in the Srimad Bhagavatam (10.2.32) as follows:

ye 'nye 'ravindākṣa vimukta-māninas
tvayy asta-bhāvād aviśuddha-buddhayaḥ
āruhya kṛcchreṇa paraṁ padaṁ tataḥ
patanty adho 'nādṛta-yuṣmad-aṅghrayaḥ

"Even though those who undergo great austerities to become self-realized may experience a sensation of merging into Absolute Oneness, of being liberated from material existence, because of not being engaged in the service of the Supreme Lord, they cannot remain there permanently. After some time they will fall back down into material consciousness."

Therefore, if you would like to become permanently self-realized, you will need to follow the instructions given by Lord Sri Krishna in the Bhagavad-gita on how to become fully absorbed in His devotional service. In this way you will become a perfectly self-realized soul, and you will never return to material consciousness. Upon leaving your body at the time of death you will re-enter the Lord's eternal pastimes in the supremely splendorous spiritual sky. 

Sankarshan Das Adhikari