Knowledge is really Ignorance

Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj

Q. This that I am - and the consciousness which is time-bound - what is the relationship?

M. What is the concept of "I" with which you are trying to find a relationship? This is exactly where the misconception arises. In this concept of space and time there is total manifestation, in that you consider that you are something separate. There is nothing separate, you are part of the function of the total manifestation.

As Absolute, I am timeless, infinite, and I am awareness, without being aware of awareness. As infinity I express myself as space, as timeless I express myself as time. Unless there is space and duration I cannot be conscious of myself. When space and time are present there is consciousness, in that the total manifestation takes place and various phenomena come into being. 

I, by Myself, Awareness, descend into this consciousness, and in this consciousness I express Myself in manifold ways, in innumerable forms. This is the crux, the framework of manifestation; there is no question of any individuality. 

What is this? (Holding up a bag of apples) There is no difference between this fruit, a goat or a human being. They are all food products, all three are food.

All creation, every creature, is made up of the five elements, and the behavior of each creature depends on the combination of the three gunas - sattva, rajas, tamas. There is no question of being responsible for anything that happens in the world. It is only by taking delivery of responsibility that one suffers.

The consciousness of being present, the five elements and the three gunas, that is the total of the universal manifestation.

In your original state there is no awareness of awareness, therefore, no question of knowledge.The knowledge comes only with the appearance of the body and consciousness. This knowledge is really ignorance, and whatever knowledge is based on that is also ignorance.