All Concepts Are False

Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj

V: Is the jnani is beyond consciousness and unconsciousness, he must contain consciousness. The jnani, after all, is the totality. How can that which contains consciousness not be conscious?

M: Knowledge, the entire manifestation, is the form of knowledge, jnana. But the jnani has no form or shape; he has transcended consciousness. Therefore, whatever acts is the universal consciousness and not the jnani. So, don't talk anymore about the jnani. Rather talk about this consciousness - individual consciousness or the universal consciousness - which is the basis of all your thoughts. So that subject you should discuss. Forget about the jnani because he is beyond that. And whatever you think the jnani is talking about, it is not the jnani talking but the universal consciousness.

Whatever you discuss, it can only be on the basis of this "I amness." Forget about this jnani aspect, inquire only about jnana.

V: That is where the shoe pinches: this conflict between jnana and the jnani. However high you go, however deep you go inwardly, unless you become a jnani, there will always be a path that goes beyond it; one will not be satisfied with the universal consciousness, one will ever want to go further.

M: There is no question of anyone becoming a jnani. The jnani is out of time, so one cannot become one. A jnani in the process of stabilizing in the jnana state possesses for some time the pride of that "I am brahman" state and therefore talks about it. That, however, is not the ultimate jnani state. I will not participate in any concept of yours.

V: There are a group of ethical concepts - loyalty, gratitude, justice, keeping one's word etc. Now, it has also been said that this is something beyond good and evil, neither good nor bad, etc. But certain groups of concepts like those I mentioned seem to be inseparably connected to the concept of the man of achievement. In other words, one assumes that such a man would somehow embody these qualities. My question is: Is that right or is it just an illusion?

M: What do you mean by "a man of achievement"?

V: A jnani

Interpreter: Ah, but a man of achievement in the world that is quite different.

M: All the qualities you mentioned as well as all possible qualities you can imagine are in consciousness  or knowledge. The jnani, however, is beyond al qualities and concepts.

V: OK, I have one supplement to my question: Does such a person want..

I: No, because there is no "person". Therefore, all the qualities are in knowledge or the consciousness. The jnani is beyond al concepts and all qualities. He is no longer an individual; therefore, whatever applies to an individual does not apply to him. That is the answer to the question. All the misconceptions arise because we think of the jnani as an individual. The jnani has lost his individuality.

Maharaj explains that he is not only not an individual, but he is also beyond the duality of manifestation nd non-manifestations.

Do you have any questions?

V: No.

I: What has happened? No questions! Silence is a good defense, self-protection. Maybe you are afraid to expose yourself.

V: Is it correct to assume that somebody who is to be what Maharaj talks about will ordinarily manifest the qualities of justice, loyalty, gratitude, honesty, etc.?

M: That is not necessarily so at all. Even a murderer can get knowledge. His past deeds or the absence of these good qualities never come in the way. A classical example is Valmiki, who wrote the Ramayana. For every murder he committed he puta tiny pebble in a vessel, and in this manner he accumulated seven enormous vessels filled to the brim. All these murders he had committed did not prevent him being a jnani.

Ultimately, all these concepts can and must be understood to be false, but the difficulty and the essential thing is to be convinced that the original basic concept I AM itself is false.

You like the talks?

V: I like getting answers.

M: Having obtained and digested the answers, one's ego must gradually dissipate.

If there are no further questions, we will close this meeting.