The Yoga of the Field and the Knower of the Field

Krishna uses the analogy of space to explain the Self's nature. Just as the all-pervading space, because of its subtlety, is not tainted, so the Self, situated everywhere in the body, is not tainted. Most people think they're tainted by their experiences. They think: 'I've done bad things, so I'm bad. My past affects who I am.' But they're confusing the Self with the body's experiences. The Self is not tainted by experiences. Just as space is all-pervading but not tainted by what's in it, so the Self is in the body but not tainted by the body's experiences. The body can have experiences—good, bad, mixed. But the Self remains pure. Most people think they need to cleanse the Self. They think: 'I need to purify myself.' But the Self is already pure—it's not tainted. The body can be affected, but the Self remains pure. Most people think they're affected by the body. They think: 'When my body is sick, I'm sick.' But the Self is not affected by the body. Just as space is not affected by what's in it, so the Self is not affected by the body. The Self is in the body, present everywhere in it, but it's not affected by the body. It doesn't get tainted by the body's actions, qualities, or changes. When you understand this, you recognize that you (the Self) are in the body, but you're not tainted by it. The body can be affected, but you remain pure. The body can change, but you remain constant. The body can be tainted, but you remain untainted. Understanding this distinction clearly—not just conceptually, but experientially—is what liberates you from thinking you're tainted or need to be cleansed.