History & Essence of the
Self-Revelation Church of Absolute Monism

AUM

INTRODUCTION

     The history of a religious institution usually begins with the account of its formal establishment. In this sense, the story of the Self-Revelation Church of Absolute Monism and the Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Foundation might begin with the founding of the Sat-Sanga by Swami Yogananda Paramhansa in Boston in 1920. ("Sat-Sanga" signifies the ideal and the realization of constant and complete identification and oneness with God.) However, to mark the greater significance of the church and Gandhi Center, this history will begin with the concepts and ideals which are their essence.

This history will, of course, include important dates in the life of these institutions. However, it will emphasize the search for perfection or oneness with God as seen in the lives and teachings of philosophers and spiritual leaders, past and present.

All these philosophers and spiritual leaders, including our line of gurus, shared a belief in Absolute Monism which is basic to the establishment and development of the Self-Revelation Church and the Gandhi Memorial Center.

Advaita Vedanta: Absolute Monism

"Absolute Monism" refers to the ancient philosophy called "Advaita Vedanta" according to the spiritual heritage of India. Although the philosophy of Absolute Monism has come to us virtually from time immemorial, it was first recorded during the period when the ancient Aryans entered into what is now the region of the Indian subcontinent from Central Asia, developing there a culture and civilization whose distinctive features culminated in the philosophy first known as Advaita Vedanta. The period is known historically as being between 2500 and 600 B.C.

Absolute Monism originated in the divine consciousness of the soul of man. The soul of man-of every man-of identical nature with the God of the Universe, awakens to the realization of its inherent attributes of pure intelligence, immortal life and peace and love. The soul of man, one with the Consciousness-Existence-Bliss (Sat-Chit-Anandam) of God, realizes itself as Absolute, One.

Although the philosophy has undergone development over time, it is impossible to present Absolute Monism from a historical survey. Its exponents, by their very deeply contemplative nature, have placed more emphasis on the eternal than on what can be marked by time. They have stressed the Reality to be known rather than themselves as its personal agents; and they have illumined humanity with their encouragement and guidance to a subjective experience to be apprehended and proved by each truth seeker rather than doctrines to be conferred, adopted, or conformed to collectively.