Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj
V: The actor is part of the play?
M: Why does something appear to us as actual or real? Because something that one sees every day or often conveys a sense of reality or actuality. Therefore we accept it as more actual, more real, that something that appears in a dream, but essentially they are the same.
How is a jnani? The jnani is like the cigarette lighter without the flame. When the lighter is lit, the consciousness comes in. And whatever happens is seen in the light of that consciousness. But whether or not there is the light of the consciousness, the jnani is ever there. In deep sleep we are like the condition of the unlit lighter. There is no light, therefore nothing happens. But even in that state, the light may come on; from the moment that slight consciousness arises, the dream occurs and one appears to act in that dream, as part of the dream.
I repeat, I am not talking about what happens to an individual. I am only talking about the total manifestation and how that manifestation arises. Because of the impersonal consciousness, there is the impersonal presence. But a difficulty arises, because, while the composite consisting of body, vital breath and consciousness has no shape or form, we identify all three with the body, and so we become unhappy. But once we realize the basis of it - that the total manifestation is only in the impersonal consciousness, which is Presence, impersonal presence - there is no longer any difficulty. On the other hand, so long as this charge of having a male or female body is not removed from that which exists impersonally, the trouble will continue and unhappiness will persist.
This composite of body/vital breath/ knowingness does not know itself as I AM in the absence of that knowledge I AM. The vital force is also our self: without form. Similarly, the knowingness has no form. Now this vital force depends on the food essence body to sustain itself; and on the manas, that is the mind: it also feeds on the mind. This vital force is the agent for all activities. And this knowledge I AM is a mere witness, yet this entire composite must be available. To repeat: that vital force does not know itself, it does not go into activity in the absence of the knowledge I AM. And that knowledge is available only if a sustaining body is available. Now so long as you do not remove the charge that this vital force, and the knowledge I AM, is male or female, on account of bodily association, you are bound to suffer.
Maybe the examples I have given are somewhat pedestrian, but my intention was only to create a stronger impact.
V: The actor is part of the play?
M: Why does something appear to us as actual or real? Because something that one sees every day or often conveys a sense of reality or actuality. Therefore we accept it as more actual, more real, that something that appears in a dream, but essentially they are the same.
How is a jnani? The jnani is like the cigarette lighter without the flame. When the lighter is lit, the consciousness comes in. And whatever happens is seen in the light of that consciousness. But whether or not there is the light of the consciousness, the jnani is ever there. In deep sleep we are like the condition of the unlit lighter. There is no light, therefore nothing happens. But even in that state, the light may come on; from the moment that slight consciousness arises, the dream occurs and one appears to act in that dream, as part of the dream.
I repeat, I am not talking about what happens to an individual. I am only talking about the total manifestation and how that manifestation arises. Because of the impersonal consciousness, there is the impersonal presence. But a difficulty arises, because, while the composite consisting of body, vital breath and consciousness has no shape or form, we identify all three with the body, and so we become unhappy. But once we realize the basis of it - that the total manifestation is only in the impersonal consciousness, which is Presence, impersonal presence - there is no longer any difficulty. On the other hand, so long as this charge of having a male or female body is not removed from that which exists impersonally, the trouble will continue and unhappiness will persist.
This composite of body/vital breath/ knowingness does not know itself as I AM in the absence of that knowledge I AM. The vital force is also our self: without form. Similarly, the knowingness has no form. Now this vital force depends on the food essence body to sustain itself; and on the manas, that is the mind: it also feeds on the mind. This vital force is the agent for all activities. And this knowledge I AM is a mere witness, yet this entire composite must be available. To repeat: that vital force does not know itself, it does not go into activity in the absence of the knowledge I AM. And that knowledge is available only if a sustaining body is available. Now so long as you do not remove the charge that this vital force, and the knowledge I AM, is male or female, on account of bodily association, you are bound to suffer.
Maybe the examples I have given are somewhat pedestrian, but my intention was only to create a stronger impact.
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