Rest in the Self

Sage Vasishtha

When one realizes that death is inevitable to all, why will he grieve over the death of relatives or the approach of one's own end? When one realizes that everyone is sometimes prosperous and otherwise at other times, why will he be elated or depressed? When one sees that living beings appear and disappear like ripples on the surface of consciousness, where is the cause for sorrow? What is true is always true (what exists always exists) and what is unreal is ever unreal; where is the cause for sorrow?

The "I" is not, was not and will never be. The body has risen from a mysterious delusion and appears to exist. Where is the cause for sorrow? When there is right understanding of the truth that even if the body is real, 'I' is different from it and that 'I' is but the reflection of the infinite consciousness, there is no sorrow.

Hence, one should not pin one's faith, hope and aspiration on that is unreal; for such hope is bondage. O Rama, do thou life in this world without entertaining any hope. What has to be done has to be done and what is inappropriate should be given up. Live happily and playfully in this world without considerations of desirable and undesirable.

The infinite consciousness alone exists everywhere at all times. Whatever appears to be is but an appearance. When the appearance is realized as appearance, that which IS, is realized. Either realize that 'I am not and these experiences are not mine' or know that 'I am everything': you will be free from the lure of world appearance. Both these attitudes are good: adopt the one that suits you. You will be freed from attraction and aversion (rAga-dvesha). 

Whatever there is in the world, in the firmament and in heaven is attained by one who has destroyed the twin forces of attraction and aversion. Whatever the ignorant man does prompted by these forces leads him to instant sorrow. One who has not overcome these forces, even if he is learned in the scriptures, in indeed pitiable and despicable. His conversations are 'I have been robbed by another' or 'I have abandoned wealth and pleasure'. Wealth, relatives and friends come and go; the wise one does not seek them nor abandon them. That which has a beginning and en end is not worthy of the attention of the wise. In this world someone produces something (like a daughter) and someone else (like the bridegroom) enjoys it; who is deceived by this?

O Rama, for your spiritual awakening I declare again and again: this world-appearance is like a long dream. Wake up, wake up. Behold the self which shines like a sun. You are indeed awakened by this shower of nectarine worlds: you have nothing to do with birth, sorrow, sin and delusion. Abandon all these notions and rest in the self.