"The very first step in understanding what this is all about is giving up the concept of an active, volitional 'I' as a separate entity and accepting the passive role of perceiving and functioning as a process." - Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj

Friday, February 17, 2017

No Difference Between Jnani and Sadhaka

Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj
April 13, 1981

Q: The disciple is devoted to the Guru; is this not destiny?

M: In the world duality always exists. Manifestation can only take place in duality because of the identification with the body-mind. If the Guru and the disciple are not identified with the body, where does the question of duality arise? The pupil and the Guru are only knowledge and there is no form of design to knowledge.

Q: We have accepted that we are not the body, that we were never born and cannot die, but it seems that something is missing; what is it?

M: Give me a sample of the one who has heard and accepted. I assume that those who listen to me are knowledge.

An animal exists only to appease the hunger; is that all you are here for? There must be a change in you after listening to me all these days. One has to know that one is not the form but the consciousness which gives sentience to the form. Has this change really occurred?

Q: The Guru explains that the attachment to the Guru is also a concept; how to get rid of it? The sadhaka wants to pay his respects to the Guru all the time.

M: This is initial stage talk - duality is there. The sadhaka considers Guru as something other than himself, so he wants to pay his respects. The sadhaka is also a Guru, a jnani, there is no difference.

I am still doing this pooja for my Guru. It has to be maintained for the guidance of others; unless you have respect and love for the Guru the process of your becoming concept-free will not be hastened. If you understand what I say, only then do you come here. If nobody comes, I will not be unhappy; whatever must happen has already happened. 

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सर्वानुग्राहकत्वेन तद्स्म्यहं वासुदेवः॥

That in whom reside all beings and who resides in all beings,
who is the giver of grace to all, the Supreme Soul of the universe, the limitless being:
I AM THAT. -- Amritabindu Upanishad