Sunday, November 27, 1977

All worldly activities are being done for the sake of entertainment of the consciousness of every living being. The quality of the fruit depends upon the quality of the seed. Hence, it is important to listen to good things.

What is seen is the reflection of the seer’s own consciousness. The pervader (you, as consciousness) and the pervaded (the manifest universe) are not different; they are one and the same. That through which space is created is within us. Mind has neither birth nor death. Mind means the speech (thoughts). The mind becomes silent when the word-flow ceases. The word comes from space, mind comes through the word, and your behaviour depends upon your mind. (From this perspective, the first sound-word is OM which symbolizes the manifestation – the first vibration. The mind is formed from the words thereon.)

In fact, you are not the doer. You wear clothes but you do not say, ‘I am the clothes’. Similarly, learn to say, ‘I am not the body’. Your form is of the nature of space.

(In this discourse, Maharaj is telling us to go back to our Source. When we get up in the morning, the first to appear is the seed consciousness, just a feeling of our beingness. In a few seconds, this seed consciousness expands and space comes into existence. In this space everything is seen, including our own body. This has been happening every day from our childhood. Since then, we have identified ourselves with the body. This deep-rooted impression cannot be dismissed without the guidance of an enlightened Guru. The Guru asks us to go inwards by saying, ‘I am not the body. I am consciousness within the body’.)

Thursday, December 1, 1977

Brahman (the manifestation) is eternal. However, even the concept ‘I am Lord Vishnu’ does not last. What does that mean? Can the meaning be understood through austerities? It can only be understood through right discrimination. (Maharaj points out that Vishnu may be the Supreme One, but when He sleeps, He forgets everything including His own name. As long as one regards oneself as a body, even if one is an incarnation, one cannot remain in one’s true state of being.)

To keep in mind what is heard is meditation.

What was done in childhood was true, what was done in youth was true, and what was done in old age was also true; but finally, one must realize that it was altogether false (as it passed away with time).

Liberation means being free. It is freedom from our own concepts, from the bondage of our mind, intellect and imagination. The Self is free from the concept, ‘I want to be’ and requires no liberation.

One who has recognized the source of the mind and intellect remains free from the resulting harassment. They arise out of body-consciousness.

Parabrahman (Absolute) does not belong to any organization. All cults are concepts and all concepts are incomplete.

What is the Guru-word? It is: ‘You are not the body, you are consciousness in the body’. Hold onto this.

Time will end, but you will never end. The one who says ‘I am the body’ will never understand this.

When there is no time, there is no world. (This time is not by the clock. Maharaj says time starts with the birth of the person. It is not the child, but it is time that is born. So, the world is there as long as you are.)

You know that ‘you are’. That is the misery. Consciousness in the body is the reason why everything is seen. This subtle self-sensation is the Guru. Always remember this. That is meditation. Even if the pure sense of beingness is not held consciously in the mind, it is always there. The experience of time disappears along with the world, just like the ending of a dream. One who witnesses the dissolution of the universe is certainly prior to it. The situation is like that of a sleeping man witnessing a dream.

You will get time for spirituality only when your mind is silent. For this, concentrate on the goal. Krishna says: ‘That, through which the world is known, is My nature as well as yours’.

Maya is difficult to grasp. She blocks the path to Self-realization, unless there is devotion to the Guru. Practice non-dual devotion. Catch hold of the knowledge ‘I am’. (Here, Guru is not a physical person; it is your pure consciousness. It is also called jnana. The common meaning of maya is delusion. The root-maya is your seed-consciousness.)

By adhering to the Guru’s word, you will grow spiritually and be happy in household life as well.

It is said that there are three gunas (qualities). Really speaking there is only one guna – Sattva guna – pure consciousness. When it takes up doership, it is Tamo guna. When it is active, it is Rajo guna. The presence of these gunas is known through worldly dealings.

Thursday, December 22, 1977

Your dream is your own, no one else can watch it. Similarly, your world is your own.

The fact ‘I am not the clothes I wear’ can be easily understood. The fact ‘I am not the body’ cannot be understood without the grace of the Guru. The Guru’s word, ‘I am pure consciousness’ is as good as a mantra.

Self-realization never changes. The greater the understanding, the lesser will be the desires. The nature of the Self has no desires.

Jiva (self, identified with the body) is fond of the body. However, do not forget that even when absorbed in the Self, the body should be well looked after. The Guru’s word reflects our true nature. After our efforts are over, the true nature shines automatically.

One who has contemplated upon the Self even a little, will not need any gods or deities; in fact, he will not need anything. Such a one will not hurt even the smallest creature.

After realizing your nature, you will not ask for anything.

The body has not been created by you, or by your parents, or by God. It has been created spontaneously.

Compared to knowing your true nature, the holy places of the world are nothing. The holy places have their importance through your light alone.

Doubting the Guru-word is the greatest sin.

The light which you see outside arises from your own light. The light of the sun and the moon cannot be compared to the light of your Self. The body pertains to the human being, but the one that acts through the body is not a human being. It is the true nature of the Self. Because of body-consciousness, you think you are someone or the other. This is not so once the Self is realized. You are certainly going to die, but with what identity?

The sense ‘I am’ is making a small gesture towards you – catch hold of it. It is easy for a man who is disgusted by worldly dealings. The knowledge of beingness is motivating all. The consciousness that gives you the feeling ‘you are’, is the same as the feet of the Sadguru. Be in touch with it. At least remember the fact that your corpse-like body contains the seed of the Absolute. Contemplate on the flame of the Self. The eternal nature of this flame will be understood on Self-realization.

Keep in mind that this is your own story. Then your worthiness will be as good as that of Brahman. As you do not forget that you are a woman or a man, so also remember ‘I am Brahman’. Do not face death by calling yourself as the body. The meditation on the Self is what redeems us. Time will get dissolved into you and not you into time.

‘Oh Guru, your true nature is my own Self, I see no difference in them, and that is how I have surrendered to you’. This should be your conviction. This knowledge of beingness is like the missile called Brahmastra. It will never fail. Such a person may look ordinary, but he is different. Meditate on the meditator, not on others. It is very fortunate to get to listen to Self-knowledge in this way.