Reaching Reality

Visitor: What exactly do I want? Well, I want to reach reality. That is what I want.

Master: If you could only realize how funny that is - "I want to reach reality." Who is the "I" who wants to reach reality? Is it this body-complex, the psychosomatic apparatus that wants to reach reality? And is he sure that 'reality' is agreeable to accept him? Also, how will this "I" reach reality? By taking a high jump or long jump? Or perhaps by a rocket? Or is it through a mental leap that this reality is to be reached? And finally, what exactly do you mean by the 'reality' that you want to reach?

V: Now that you put it this way, it does seem funny, or, I should perhaps say, tragic.

M: Who is it that listens to these words, whether funny or tragic?

V: Me, I, the one who is sitting here; I am listening to these words and also speaking to you.

M: The respective senses, with the aid of the prana, the life-force, do the actual work. But is there not something - call it your sense of presence - without which none of your senses would be able to cognize anything? What is it that gives sentience to a sentient being?

It is this Conscious Presence that you are, so long as the body is there. Once your body is gone, along with the vital breath, consciousness also will leave. Only that which was prior to the appearance of this body-cum-consciousness, the Absolute, the ever present, is your true identity. That is what we all really are. That is reality. It is here and now. Where is the question of anyone reaching for it?