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V:
When I try to track down the self it seems to
me that it creates more selves.
M:
But who is that sees so many selves? One thought
produces further thoughts. Who observes the first
thought?
V:
This is what I want to know.
M:
Only you are the observer of the first thought.
If the knower of the very first thought is not
there, who will observe the other thoughts?
V:
If the knower is not, there will also be no thoughts.
M:
If you understand this, everything is over —
you can go. To expound and propagate concepts
is simple. But to drop all concepts is difficult
and rare.
V:
How do I remove thoughts and new concepts? If
all concepts and thoughts are removed, will I
become one with that?
M:
Do not try to become anything. Do nothing! Without
thinking on any of your words, remain quiet. Once
a word sprouts it creates a meaning and then you
ride on it. You follow the meanings of your words
and claim that you are in search of your self.
So be wakeful to that state which is prior to
the sprouting of words. Did you associate with
any sages?
V:
This is the first time.
M:
Have you been reading any books?
V:
I have been reading Paul Brunton's work on Ramana
Maharshi.
M:
Your spiritual background is ready, that is why
you listen to the talks and try to understand
them. Other people quarrel with me with their
concepts. They are brimming over with concepts,
with the result that they are unable to listen
to what I say. Many people come here, presuming
themselves to be very knowledgeable but I know
that they are ignorant only. However, I consider
them as consciousness alone.
All
your identies at the body-mind level have been
changing continuously, and none of them has been
constant and faithful to you. Why then are you
attracted to any of such identities by stating
"I am like this," "I am like that"?
V:
This is all mental. At certain moments I think
I am "like this," at other moments I think I am
"like that."
M:
Who other than you is observing those moments?
You are the witness of these moments. Whatever
is seen and perceived and also whatever you see
inside and outside you, that you are not.
V:
I am trying to understand.
M:
In meditation, you might convince yourself "I
am Guru Nanak only," or as some people in their
meditation firmly believe: "I am Bhagavan Sri
Krishna only." None of such identities has any
stability. The only stable one is the observer
of those identities, and you alone are that observer
— the eternal one.
Take
the example of a poor actor who played the role
of a king so splendidly that he received a lot
of praise. But he is not the king. Similarly,
you are not Guru Nana Nanak. You are the observer.
Whatever you see and perceive is all the play
of maya, the illusive principle.
February
19th 1980
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