Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj
Dec 13, 1980
Q: I don't understand the way the word consciousness is used here. I thought consciousness was pure awareness, the Ultimate Reality.
This consciousness, which depends on the food body which is born is time-bound. That which is prior to consciousness is the Absolute, and when consciousness is without a form and not aware of itself, it is the Absolute. We are nothing but this consciousness.
You come here and I talk to you but I am not concerned whether you come or go. I am totally independent. I, the Absolute, do not need the consciousness. Total independence is merely to apprehend and understand. My apparent dependence is on this consciousness which says 'I Am'. It is this sentience which enables me to perceive you. This concept I did not have but even then I existed. I was there before this consciousness appeared.
Whatever you want, desire or worship, can only be concepts. Have you heard what is conceptual existence and what is existence prior to concepts? Many people have come here for purely spiritual purposes and they have professed great love for me. Subsequently some good fortune happens to them and they prosper and in their prosperity they have no time to come here. All the earlier love is where? This is the province of maya. A person comes with the sincere intention of spiritual search, then this maya shows him a little bit of temptation and off he goes.
This maya does not operate independent - we are partners.Will he dare divorce himself from this maya? No, he will accept that maya. That ego (that I am so and so) is very difficult to get rid of, but the ego cannot touch one who really understands what I say.
You will continue coming here as long as the concepts remain; once you go beyond concepts there will be no need to come here. Since when and because of what, is what you think you are?
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