Go Beyond

Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj

To take appearance for reality is a grievous sin and the cause of all calamities. You are the all-pervading, eternal and infinitely creative awareness -- consciousness. All else is local and temporary. Don't forget what you are. In the meantime work to your heart's content. Work and knowledge should go hand in hand.

My own feeling is that my spiritual development is not not in my hands. Making one's own plans and carrying them out leads no where. I just run in circles round myself. When God considers the fruit to be ripe, He will pluck it and eat it. Whichever fruit seems green to Him will remain on the world's tree for another day.

You think God knows you? Even the world He does not know.

Yours is a different God. Mine is different. Mine is merciful. He suffers along with us.

You pray to save one, while thousands die. And if all stop dying, there will be no space on earth.

I am not afraid of death. My concern is with sorrow and suffering. My God is a simple God and rather helpless. He has no power to compel us to be wise. He can only stand and wait.

If you and your God are both helpless, does it not imply that the world is accidental? And if it is, the only thing you can do is to go beyond it.