Purpose Of Spirituality

Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj

November 30, 1980

M: This "I Amness" is a function of nature, a product of the five elemental food body. It knows itself, it loves to be. With the aid of this knowingness, get to know your Self. Many eons have come and gone, but no person could retain his identity or his memory perpetually - it is gone with the departure of the body. The five element essences, plus the three gunas, means a person; with that this knowingness comes, the memory "I Am". This personality is sustained by the provisions supplied by the five elements. So long as the provisions are supplied in proper order the body and "I Amness" will be there. Once the supply is stopped the touch of "I Amness" is gone. 

That which has come to see Maharaj, do you recognize that? Is it the body, or something outside the body?

Q: Inside or outside, I don't know.

M: Very good reply. Keep aside the body and describe that.

Q: I can't describe it.

M: Since you can't describe that, what is the use of that?

Q: No use.

M: Once you understand this, you will get the truth. The one which is listening, which you do not know, is you, and the one which you know as you, you are not.

The highest purpose of spirituality is the paramatman - that knowledge that indwells the body, "I Am", and that cannot be described. When you firmly agree that this is right, does it not mean that you have the spiritual wisdom?