Ignorance Makes You Afraid

Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj

Q: I have a case of a boy gone blind because his stupid mother fed him methyl alcohol. I am requesting you to help him. You are full of compassion and, obviously, eager to help. By what power can you help him?

M: His case is registered in consciousness. It is there - indelibly. Consciousness will operate.

Does it make any difference that I ask you to help?

Your asking is a part of the boy's blindness. Because he is blind, you ask. You have added nothing.

But your help will be a new factor?

No, all is contained in the boy's blindness. All is in it - the mother, the boy, you and me and all else. It is one event.

You mean to say that even our discussing the boy's case was predestined?

How else? All things contain their future. The boy appears in consciousness. I am beyond. I do not issue orders to consciousness. I know that it is in the nature of awareness to set things right. Let consciousness look after its creations! The boy's sorrow, your pity, my listening and consciousness acting - all this is one single fact - don't split it into components and then ask questions.

How strangely does your mind work?

You are strange, not me. I am normal. I am sane. I see things as they are, and therefore I am not afraid of them. But you are afraid of reality.

Why should I?

It is ignorance of yourself that makes you afraid and also unaware that you are afraid. Don't try not to be afraid. Break down the wall of ignorance first. People are afraid to die, because they don't know what is death. The jnani has died before his death, he saw that there was nothing to be afraid of. The moment you know your real being, you are afraid of nothing. Death gives freedom and power. To be free in the world, you must die to the world. Then the universe is your own, it becomes your body, an expression and a tool. The happiness of being absolutely free is beyond description. On the other hand, he who is afraid of freedom cannot die.

You mean that one who cannot die, cannot live?

Put is as you like; attachment is bondage, detachment is freedom. To crave is to slave.

Does it follow that if you are saved, the world is saved?

As a whole the world does not need saving. Man makes mistakes and creates sorrow; when it enters the field of awareness, the consciousness of a jnani, it is set right. Such is his nature.