"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

Thursday, May 23, 2019

Prior to Consciousness

Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj

Q: A difficulty in our understanding is that consciousness itself is the object of the Knower, right? This consciousness can eventually be understood by the jnani. Unfortunately, the opposite of consciousness is unconsciousness. So in the language, so to speak, there is an inbuilt tendency to make this division - consciousness and unconsciousness. Consciousness is being understood and then what remains according to the language is unconsciousness.

Interpreter: That he explained yesterday morning..
When the consciousness is not there, then obviously one is unconscious. So what are you getting at?

Q: Consciousness is not true. You say that to the ordinary person, and then that seems an inferior state to him.

Second visitor: It does not seem inferior to me.

M: It is out of unconsciousness that consciousness is born; unconsciousness is the source. And that is our experience also. This knowledge I AM, this consciousness, has come out of the prior state when there was no consciousness. The consciousness is a state which is now with us and because of which we suffer; and before this consciousness came, a state prevailed when we were not conscious and which was a happy state.

The session is over, but if there are any questions then go ahead!
(There are no further questions)

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सर्वभूताधिवासं यद्भूतेषु च वसत्यपि।
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