Maharaj points to the Eternal Truth

that IS - before time ever was

POINTERS
FROM
NISARGADATTA
MAHARAJ
By Ramesh S. Balsekar
Copyrih! " #$%& 'y Ramesh S. Balsekar.
All rih!s reser(e). No par! o* !his 'ook may 'e repro)+,e) or !ra-smi!!e) i- a-y *orm or 'y a-y
mea-s. ele,!ro-i, or me,ha-i,al. i-,l+)i- pho!o,opyi-. re,or)i-. or 'y a-y i-*orma!io- s!orae
a-) re!rie(al sys!em /i!ho+! permissio- i- /ri!i- *rom !he p+'lisher. For i-*orma!io- a))ress0
The A,or- Press. P. O. Bo1 2&3$
D+rham. NC &33#452&3$.
P+'lishe) 'y arra-eme-! /i!h Che!a-a P(!. 6!).. Bom'ay.
Firs! Ameri,a- e). i- har),o(er #$%2. repri-!e) #$%7. #$%3.
Firs! A,or- paper'a,k #$$8. repri-!e) #$$4. #$$%.
ISBN 85%$2%9582259.
6i'rary o* Co-ress Ca!alo Car) No. %&53#484.
Co(er pho!oraph 'y Ji!e-)ra Arya.
Pri-!e) i- !he :-i!e) S!a!es o* Ameri,a.
O
;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;
Pre*a,e
I ha) -o i-!e-!io- o* /ri!i- a 'ook o- !he !ea,hi- o* Sri Nisara)a!!a Mahara<. The ma!erial
!ha! appears i- !his (ol+me emere) spo-!a-eo+sly. )i,!a!e). i- a *i-e *re-=y !ha! s+r,hare) my
'ei-. 'y a ,omp+lsi(e po/er !ha! ,o+l) -o! 'e )e-ie). There /as -o al!er-a!i(e '+! !o /ri!e. !o
re)+,e !o a (er'al le(el !he a's!ra,! ,omprehe-sio- o* !he Mas!er>s /or)s. A,!+ally i! /as more like
lis!e-i- !ha- /ri!i- !ho+h my pe- appare-!ly *orme) /or)s a-) se-!e-,es o- !he paper 'e*ore
me.
?he- !he *irs! pie,e. -o/ a ,hap!er i- !his 'ook. /as /ri!!e-. I *o+-) !ha! my !ho+h!s /ere
r+--i- /ay ahea) o* !he /ri!i-. A-) /ha! I /ro!e /as p+! a/ay i- a *ol)er /i!ho+! e(e- 'ei-
rea) o(er aai-. I )i) -o! !he- e1pe,! !ha! !here /o+l) 'e more o* s+,h /ri!i- le! alo-e as ma-y as
*i*!y5o)) pie,es. Ea,h !ime !here /o+l) 'e !his *eeli- o* ,omp+lsio- !o p+! i- /ri!i- a par!i,+lar
!opi, /hi,h Mahara< mih! ha(e )eal! /i!h@ a-) ea,h !ime !he ar!i,le /as p+! a/ay i- !he *ol)er
/i!ho+! 'ei- re(ise) or e(e- rea) o(er.
?he- a'o+! *i*!ee- ar!i,les ha) 'ee- so ,olle,!e). a *rie-) o* mi-e. Aeki B+-shah o* Ho-
Ao-. a- ar)e-! *ello/ )e(o!ee. happe-e) !o ,all a! my resi)e-,e. ?hile /e /ere )is,+ssi- a
par!i,+lar poi-!. I happe-e) !o me-!io- !ha! some /ri!i- ha) ,ome a'o+! o- !ha! (ery s+'<e,! o-ly
!he pre(io+s )ay. O* ,o+rse Aeki. kee- as e(er. /o+l) -o! le! me slip o+! o* /ha! ha) alrea)y 'ee-
sai) a-) /as i-sis!e-! !ha! he 'e allo/e) !o rea) !he ar!i,le. The-. o* ,o+rse. he ha) !o rea) !he
o!hers !oo. He !he- arra-e) !o ha(e !hem !ype). /i!h o-e ,opy *or himsel*. o* ,o+rseB
A! !his !ime I *o+-) mysel* i- a real pre)i,ame-! 'e,a+se I ha) -o! me-!io-e) !o Mahara<
a-y!hi- a'o+! !hese i-!+i!i(e /ri!i-s. I- *a,! I ha) -o! sai) a-y!hi- a'o+! !his !o a-yo-e. -o! e(e-
!o my par!i,+lar *rie-) a-) ,ollea+e. Sa+mi!ra M+llarpa!!a-. /ho ha) 'ee- )oi- !he !ra-sla!i- o*
Mahara<>s !alks lo- 'e*ore I also /as aske) 'y Mahara< !o )o so. By !he !ime I !ol) M+llarpa!!a-
a'o+! !he i-!+i!i(e /ri!i- a-) my pre)i,ame-!. !he -+m'er ha) i-,rease) !o a'o+! !/e-!y5*i(e.
I-spira!io- *or /ri!i- seeme) !o ,ome a! irre+lar i-!er(als o* !ime@ I /o+l) ,omp+lsi(ely )ash o**
*i(e or si1 pie,es a! a !ime a-) !he- -o!hi- *or a *e/ )ays.
O-e mor-i-. a*!er !he +s+al sessio-. M+llarpa!!a- a-) I /ere !aki- Mahara< o+! *or a )ri(e i-
!he ,ar /he- s+))e-ly M+llarpa!!a- 'ro+h! +p !he ma!!er o* !hese ar!i,les. He /as. like me. a/are
o* !he *a,! !ha! Mahara< e-erally )is,o+rae) his )e(o!ees *rom /ri!i- or le,!+ri- o- his
!ea,hi-. pres+ma'ly *or !/o reaso-s0
aC !he /ri!er ,o-,er-e) mih! ha(e +-)ers!oo) !he s+'<e,! -o! )eeply e-o+h. or he mih! ha(e
+-)ers!oo) i! o-ly s+per*i,ially. or mih! -o! ha(e really +-)ers!oo) i! a! all. a-)
'C i! mih! !emp! him !o es!a'lish himsel* as a pse+)o5G+r+ a-) )o ,o-si)era'le )amae all
ro+-).
So. M+llarpa!!a- /e-! a'o+! i! !a,!*+lly. 'ri-i- o+! (ery ,learly !ha! !he e-!ire /ri!i- /as
esse-!ially spo-!a-eo+s a-) i! /as -o! as i* I ha) )eli'era!ely sa! a! a )esk /i!h pe- a-) paper !o
/ri!e o- spe,i*i, s+'<e,!s. a-) !ha! !he (ery spee) /i!h /hi,h !he /or)s ha) ,ame po+ri- o+! o-
paper sho/e) !ha! !he /ri!i- /as -o! ,o-!ri(e). I /as si!!i- i- !he *ro-! sea! o* !he ,ar a-)
Mahara< a-) M+llarpa!!a- /ere i- !he rear. ?hile M+llarpa!!a- /as sayi- all !his. !here /as -o
(o,al rea,!io- o* a-y sor! *rom Mahara<. -o! a so+-)B So. /i!h ,o-si)era'le !repi)a!io-. I !+r-e)
ro+-) !o ha(e a look a-) *o+-) Mahara< ,omple!ely rela1e). lea-i- 'a,k i- !he sea!. his eyes
,lose) a-) !he mos! 'ea!i*i, smile o- his lips. The messae /as ,lear@ he alrea)y k-e/ a'o+! !he
ar!i,les@ he ha) !o k-o/. ?ha! is more. he /as please).
?he- M+llarpa!!a- *i-ishe). Mahara< sa! +p a-) sai).
D6e! !he ar!i,les ,o-!i-+e. as ma-y o* !hem as /o+l) emere 'y !hemsel(es. The esse-!ial poi-!
is spo-!a-ei!y. Do->! persis!. )o->! resis!.D A! !his poi-! M+llarpa!!a- s+es!e) !ha! !he ar!i,les 'e
p+'lishe). a-) I p+! i- !ha! !hey ,o+l) o +-)er a pse+)o-ym 'e,a+se I /as (ery m+,h a/are !ha! I
/as o-ly a- i-s!r+me-! *or !his /ri!i-.
Mahara< a! o-,e aree) !ha! !hey sho+l) 'e p+'lishe) '+! i-sis!e) !ha! !he a+!hor>s -ame m+s!
'e ,learly me-!io-e). Dal!ho+hD he a))e). DI k-o/ !ha! yo+ 'o!h are a/are !ha! all /ri!i-
orii-a!es i- ,o-s,io+s-ess. !ha! !here is /ri!i- '+! -o a+!hors.D
I! /as a !reme-)o+s relie* *or me !ha! Mahara< -o/ -o! o-ly k-e/ all a'o+! !he /ri!i- '+! /as
rea!ly please) a'o+! i! a-) ha) 'lesse) i!.
Contents of the book
#. The re-)eri-s o* Mahara<>s !ea,hi- i- !his 'ook are -o! repro)+,!io-s *rom re,or)e)
pro,ee)i-s o* !he )ialo+e sessio-s.
&. They are esse-!ially s+'<e,!s )is,+sse) a! !he sessio-s ei!her /he- M+llarpa!!a- ha) )o-e !he
!ra-sla!i- a-) I /as prese-!. or /he- I ha) )o-e !he !ra-sla!i- mysel*.
2. The s+'<e,! i- ea,h ,hap!er has 'ee- )eal! /i!h i- rea!er )ep!h !ha- /o+l) 'e !he ,ase i*
merely li!eral E-lish !ra-sla!io- o* Mahara<>s Mara!hi /or)s a! a-y o-e sessio- /ere i(e-. ?hils!
a s+'s!a-!ial por!io- o* a ,hap!er /o+l) 'e /ha! /as )is,+sse) a! a par!i,+lar sessio-. *+r!her
ma!erial. !o make !he poi-!s ,learer a-) more ,omple!e. ha) !o 'e )ra/- *rom o!her sessio-s /he-
!he same s+'<e,! ha) 'ee- )eal! /i!h. ?i!ho+! !his li'er!y !he s+'<e,! /o+l) ha(e la,ke) !he )ep!h
/hi,h i! is hope) i! -o/ ,o-!ai-s.
7. No !ra-sla!io- i-!o a-o!her la-+ae ,a- possi'ly ,o-(ey ei!her !he e1a,! mea-i- or !he
impa,! /hi,h !he a,!+al /or)s o* Mahara< i- Mara!hi ha) a! !he !ime. The !ra-sla!io- o* Mahara<>s
/or)s i- !his 'ook is -o! p+rely li!eral. '+! -e,essarily ,o-!ai-s a- i-!erpre!a!io- o* /ha! seeme)
,learly implie) i- !he imai-a!i(e. *or,e*+l. some!imes !erse '+! (irile +se o* !he Mara!hi /or)s 'y
Mahara<.
4. The rea)er may *eel !ha! I ,o+l) ha(e a(oi)e) !he repe!i!io-s o* ma-y o* Mahara<>s /or)s.
/hi,h o,,+r aai- a-) aai- i- !he (ario+s ,hap!ers. B+! s+,h repe!i!io-s ,o+l) -o! 'e a(oi)e)
'e,a+se
aC repe!i!io-s are /ha! Mahara< ,alls hammer5'lo/s a! !he !reme-)o+s ,o-)i!io-i- !ha! has
!ake- pla,e a-) /hi,h makes i-)i(i)+als i)e-!i*y !hemsel(es as separa!e e-!i!ies a-) /hi,h
pre(e-!s !he seei- o* !he Tr+!h@ a-)
'C Mahara< /a-!s +s !o remem'er al/ays !ha! /e sho+l) -o! allo/ o+rsel(es !o 'e e-!a-le) i-
!he 'ra-,hes a-) *ore! !he roo!@ !ha! i! is *or !his reaso- !ha! he 'ri-s +s 'a,k !o !he roo! a-) !he
so+r,e aai- a-) aai-. repea!e)ly0 D?ha! /ere yo+ 'e*ore yo+ /ere >'or->ED a-). also 'e,a+se.
,C !hese pie,es are not expected to be read continuously a! a s!re!,h like a /ork o* *i,!io-. a-)
ea,h pie,e is i-!e-)e) !o 'e ,omple!e i- i!sel*.
Here I may also re*er !o Mahara<>s o*!5ma)e asser!io-. !ha! !he ,lear +-)ers!a-)i- i- )ep!h o*
e(e- a si-le s!a!eme-! o* his /o+l) lea) !o a- apper,ep!io- o* !he /hole Tr+!h. Alo- /i!h !his
m+s! also 'e remem'ere) his o*!5repea!e) /ar-i- !ha! a-y apper,ep!io- o* !he Tr+!h is (ali) o-ly
/he- !he apper,ep!io- i!sel* )isappears. !ha! is !o say. o-ly /he- !he seeker himsel* )isappears as
a- e-!i!y. A-y k-o/le)e ,a- 'e a,F+ire). he says. o-ly i- ,o-s,io+s-ess. a-) ,o-s,io+s-ess i!sel*
m+s! 'e reali=e) as 'ei- o-ly a ,o-,ep!. I- o!her /or)s. !he 'asis o* all >k-o/le)e> is a ,o-,ep!B
I! seeme) -e,essary !o i-,l+)e i- !his (ol+me a shor! 'ioraphi,al -o!e a'o+! Mahara< '+!. o-
se,o-) !ho+h!s. # )roppe) !he i)ea. This /as -o! o-ly 'e,a+se !he k-o/- e(e-!s o* Mahara<>s
simple a-) s!raih!*or/ar) li*e are !oo meaer !o /ri!e a'o+!. '+! esse-!ially 'e,a+se Mahara< him5
sel* ha) 'ee- a(erse !o i!. DThis is )ea) ma!!er G as )ea) as !he ashes o* a '+r-!5o+! *ire. I am -o!
i-!eres!e) i- i!. ?hy sho+l) yo+ 'eED This is ho/ he re<e,!e) a-y e-F+iry a'o+! his pas!. DIs !here
a-y pas! a! allED he /o+l) ask. DI-s!ea) o* /as!i- yo+r !ime i- s+,h +seless p+rs+i!s. /hy )o->! yo+
o !o !he roo! o* !he ma!!er a-) e-F+ire i-!o !he -a!+re o* Time i!sel*E I* yo+ )o so. yo+ /ill *i-)
!ha! Time has -o s+'s!a-,e as s+,h@ i! is o-ly a ,o-,ep!.D
Be*ore ,o-,l+)i- !his pre*a!ory -o!e I /o+l) e1press my ra!i!+)e !o my *rie-) Aeki B+-shah
/ho. a*!er rea)i- !he *irs! *e/ pie,es. almos! p+rs+e) me /i!h his a**e,!io-a!e )ema-) *or ,opies
o* *+r!her /ri!i-. a-) !o a-o!her *ello/5)e(o!ee P. D. Aas'ekar. I.A.S. *ormer Chie* Se,re!ary !o
!he Go(er-me-! o* Maharash!ra. *or maki- ,er!ai- help*+l s+es!io-s. I am par!i,+larly ra!e*+l
!o my )ear *rie-) Sa+mi!ra M+llarpa!!a-. /ho -o! o-ly 'roa,he) !he s+'<e,! !o Mahara< a-) se,+re)
*or me his ra,io+s 'lessi-s *or !he 'ook. '+! also e-,o+rae) me ,o-s!a-!ly /i!h his ,o-s!r+,!i(e
,omme-!s as !he ma-+s,rip! proresse).
My spe,ial !ha-ks are )+e !o S+)hakar S. Dikshi!. /hose ,ri!i,al rea)i- o* !he ma-+s,rip! i-
i!s *i-al s!ae le) !o F+i!e a *e/ impro(eme-!s. Dikshi!. a- ar)e-! a)mirer o* Mahara<>s !ea,hi-.
hea)s !he p+'lishi- ho+se o* Che!a-a. p+'lishers o* I Am That. ?he- he ,ame !o k-o/ !ha! I ha)
/ri!!e- some!hi- a'o+! Mahara<. he approa,he) me a-). a*!er a mere la-,e a! !he ma-+s,rip!.
o**ere) !o p+'lish i!. I am happy !ha! my MS is i- mos! ,ompe!e-! ha-)s. *or Dikshi!>s e)i!orial
e1perie-,e a-) e1per!ise as a p+'lisher. spe,ially i- !he par!i,+lar *iel) o* philosophy. is i-)ee) (as!
a-) is i-!er-a!io-ally k-o/- a-) a,,ep!e).
Ramesh S. Balsekar
Bom'ay
Fe'r+ary #$%&
O
;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;
E)i!or>s No!e
Dis,o(eri- a -e/ a+!hor o* e-+i-e meri! is like )is,o(eri- a -e/ pla-e! or s!ar i- !he
limi!less e1pa-se o* !he hea(e-. As I /ri!e !hese li-es I ,a- imai-e /ha! ?illiam Hers,hel may
ha(e *el! like /he- he )is,o(ere) :ra-+s.
Ramesh S. Balsekar. !he a+!hor o* !his /ork. is a -e/ l+mi-ary o* s,i-!illa!i- sple-)o+r !ha!
has 'la=o-e) *or!h o- !he mys!erio+s *irmame-! o* eso!eri, /ri!i- o* rea! si-i*i,a-,e. !ho+h
himsel* F+i!e i-)i**ere-! !o his o/- resple-)e-,e. ?he-. a*!er a ,+rsory la-,e a! a *e/ ,hap!ers o*
his MS. /hi,h a m+!+al *rie-) 'ro+h! !o me. I me! him a-) !ol) him ho/ rea!ly impresse) I /as.
he s!are) 'la-kly a! me. I am -o a+!hor. he sai). a-) /ha! I /ro!e is -o! *or p+'li,a!io-. '+! *or a
,lear ,omprehe-sio- o* my Mas!er>s !ea,hi- *or mysel*. *or my 'e!!er +i)a-,e a-) my o/-
pleas+re. I! /as )i**i,+l! !o ,o-(i-,e him !ha! /ha! he /ro!e *or his pleas+re ,o+l) pro*i! !ho+sa-)s
o* o!hers. i* i! /ere p+'lishe) as a 'ook. He lis!e-e) !o me /i!ho+! a-s/eri-G a- e-ima!i, smile
o- his lips. his a!!i!+)e a**a'le. '+! !o!ally -o-5,ommi!!al.
Appare-!ly i- his si1!ies a-) (ery /ell5mai-!ai-e) *or his years. Balsekar is *air ,omple1io-e).
F+i!e ha-)some a-) amia'le. '+! ra!her !a,i!+r- 'y -a!+re. ?he- he ,hooses !o !alk. he speaks /i!h
a ,ir,+mspe,!io- a-) remo!e-ess 'e*i!!i- a 'a-k presi)e-! ,o-(ersi- /i!h a 'orro/er. 6a!er. I
/as F+i!e i-!ri+e) !o lear- !ha! he a,!+ally ha) 'ee- a 'a-ker a-) ha) re!ire) as !he hihes!
e1e,+!i(e o* o-e o* !he premier 'a-ks i- I-)ia.
E(i)e-!ly. as a 'orro/er I pro(e) F+i!e a !e-a,io+s perso-. *or I s+,,ee)e) i- 'orro/i- *rom
Balsekar his MS *or a *e/ )ays *or my perso-al e-lih!e-me-! as a- a)mirer o* Mahara<>s !ea,hi-.
A-) as I rea) !hro+h I *o+-) i! 'eyo-) my 'es! e1pe,!a!io-s. I los! -o !ime i- ,alli- o- him a-)
o**ere) !o p+'lish !he /ork. A*!er a 'rie* sile-,e a-) ra!her +-,o-,er-e)ly. he -o))e) his
a,F+ies,e-,e.
I rea) !hro+h !he MS aai-. (ery ,are*+lly. as a )eeply i-!eres!e) rea)er. keepi- my e)i!orial
pro,li(i!ies i- !he 'a,kro+-). A-) /hile rea)i- i! I e1perie-,e) i- a *lash. mome-!arily. my !r+e
i)e-!i!y. as )i**ere-! *rom /ha! I !hi-k I am. or /ha! I appear !o 'e. I ha) -e(er ha) s+,h a-
e1perie-,e 'e*ore. A *e/ years ao. /he- I ha) !he oo) *or!+-e o* e)i!i- a-) p+'lishi- Sri
Nisara)a!!a Mahara<>s ,o-(ersa!io-s. e-!i!le) I Am That I )i) *eel !he impa,! o* his ,rea!i(e
orii-ali!y a-) So,ra!i, reaso-i-. '+! )i) -o! ha(e e(e- a *lee!i- limpse o* Tr+!h or Reali!y or o*
my !r+e e-!i!y. as -o/. A-) !his. 'e,a+se Balsekar i- his /ri!i- )oes -o! merely repea! !he /or)s
spoke- 'y Mahara<. '+! he i-!erpre!s !hem /i!h )eep i-sih! a-) l+,i)i!y a-) a pro*o+-)
+-)ers!a-)i-. He /ri!es /i!h a po/er a-) a- i-!ri-si, a+!hori!y )eri(e) *rom Mahara< himsel*. as
i! /ere. He )oes -o! ar+e@ he a--o+-,es. His asser!io-s are o* !he -a!+re o* pro-o+-,eme-!s o-
'ehal* o* !he Mas!er.
I -e(er /as a re+lar (isi!or !o Mahara<. '+! I )i) a!!e-) his !alks F+i!e o*!e-. /he-e(er my
preo,,+pa!io-s allo/e) me spare !ime. A )e)i,a!e) )e(o!ee o* Mahara<. -ame) Sa+mi!ra
M+llarpa!!a-. /ho is eF+ally /ell5(erse) i- Mara!hi a-) E-lish. +se) !o a,! as a- i-!erpre!er. O- a
,o+ple o* o,,asio-s. ho/e(er. I *o+-) a perso- +-k-o/- !o me )oi- !he i-!erpre!i- a-) I /as
s!r+,k 'y !he a+!hori!a!i(e !o-e i- /hi,h he ,o-(eye) Mahara<>s a-s/ers !o F+es!io-ers. He sa! /i!h
his eyes ,lose) a-) *lashe) o+! Mahara<>s /or)s o* /is)om /i!h a *i-ali!y ,hara,!eris!i, o* !he
Mas!er. I! /as as i* Mahara< himsel* /as speaki- i- E-lish. *or a ,ha-e.
O- e-F+iri- I /as !ol) !ha! !he i-!erpre!er /as a -e/ )e(o!ee o* Mahara<. -ame) Balsekar. A!
!he e-) o* !he sessio-. /he- people /ere )ispersi-. I i-!ro)+,e) mysel* !o him a-) praise) him *or
his e1,elle-! !ra-sla!io- o* Mahara<>s spoke- /or). B+! he /as +-respo-si(e. as i* he ha) -o! hear)
me a! all. Take- a'a,k 'y his i-!ra,!a'le a!!i!+)e I mo(e) a/ay a-) -e(er !ho+h! o* him !ill I me!
him re,e-!ly i- ,o--e,!io- /i!h !his 'ook. A-) -o/ I reali=e ho/ )eplora'ly /ro- I /as i-
*ormi- my <+)me-! a'o+! him. I! sho+l) ha(e o,,+rre) !o me !ha! he li(e) o- a )i**ere-! le(el o*
e1is!e-,e. /hi,h /as 'eyo-) !he rea,hes o* praise a-) 'lame. I sho+l) ha(e +-)ers!oo) !ha! he /as
a! o-e /i!h !he Mas!er a-) -o!hi- else ma!!ere) !o him. A-) !ha! i! /as so is pro(e) 'y his prese-!
/ork i- /hi,h /e *i-) Mahara<>s prese-,e o- e(ery pae G his e1,ep!io-al me-!al aili!y. his
rioro+s loi,al ,o-,l+sio-s. his !o!al !hi-ki-. his ,omple!e i)e-!i!y /i!h !he +-i,i!y !ha! appears as
)i(ersi!y.
I! is i-!eres!i- !o -o!e !ha! i- his Pre*a,e !o !he 'ook Balsekar almos! )iso/-s i!s a+!horship.
He says !ha! !he ma!erial !ha! appears i- !his (ol+me emere) spo-!a-eo+sly. )i,!a!e) i- a *i-e
*re-=y !ha! s+r,hare) his 'ei-. 'y a ,omp+lsi(e po/er !ha! ,o+l) -o! 'e )e-ie). I 'elie(e his
s!a!eme-!. A-) I am i-,li-e) !o !hi-k !ha! !he rea)er as he rea)s !hro+h. /ill aree /i!h me. For
!here is -o!hi- i- !his /ork !ha! may 'e !ake- as !he a+!hor>s sel*5pro<e,!io-. -o impro(isa!io-s. -o
lear-e) F+o!a!io-s *rom !he s,rip!+res@ !here are -o 'orro/e) pl+mes o* a-y ki-). The !ho+h!s
propo+-)e) 'y Balsekar 'ear !he sile-! si-a!+res o* !he Mas!er. They seem !o ,ome *or!h *rom a
l+mi-o+s k-o/le)e. a s/elli- lory o* Tr+!h !ha! *ills his /i!hi-.
This /ork. entitled !ointers from "isar#adatta Maharaj is Mahara< himsel* o+! a-) o+!. I! is
i-)ee) a sor! o* pos!5ra)+a!io- ,o+rse *or !he rea)er /ho has alrea)y im'i'e) /ha! is o**ere) i- I
Am That. I! ,omprises !he *i-al !ea,hi- o* !he Mas!er a! i!s s+'limes! a-) oes *ar 'eyo-) /ha! he
!a+h! i- earlier years. I (e-!+re !o say !ha! !here really ,a- 'e -o k-o/le)e hiher !ha- /ha! !his
'ook ,o-!ai-s. I also (e-!+re !o say !ha! -o-e e1,ep! Balsekar ,o+l) ha(e e1po+-)e) !his
k-o/le)e. *or -o! o-e o* !hose /ho ha(e 'ee- ,lose !o Mahara< has +-)ers!oo) his !ea,hi- so
pro*o+-)ly as Balsekar.
Some o* !he )e(o!ees o* Mahara< k-o/- !o me ha(e a!!e-)e) his !alks *or !/e-!y years or
more. '+! !heir psy,he ha) -o! al!ere) a-) !hey ,o-!i-+e !o 'e !he same e-!i!ies !hey /ere !/o
)e,a)es ao. Balsekar>s perso-al asso,ia!io- /i!h Mahara<. o- !he o!her ha-). e1!e-)e) o(er a
perio) o* 'arely !hree years. B+! s+,h asso,ia!io-s are -o! !o 'e meas+re) i- !ime. i* !hey ,o+l) 'e
meas+re) a! all. ?ha! is more impor!a-! !ha- !he le-!h o* asso,ia!io- is !he spe,ial !ype o*
re,ep!i(i!y !ha! is !he *or!e o* Balsekar. I ha(e -o )o+'! !ha! !he ma-!le o* Mahara< has *alle- o- his
sho+l)ers. For /a-! o* a 'e!!er e1pressio-. I may e(e- say !ha! Balsekar is !he li(i- al!er eo o*
Mahara<. !ho+h he has -o i-,li-a!io- a! all !o play !he role o* a !ea,her. Tha! he is sa!+ra!e) /i!h
!he J-a-a impar!e) 'y !he Mas!er is more !ha- e(i)e-! *rom !his 'ook. B+!. I )ra/ !he rea)er>s
par!i,+lar a!!e-!io- !o his spe,ial ar!i,le e-!i!le). >The Core o* !he Tea,hi-> e1po+-)i- i- all i!s
*a,e!s !he +-iF+e philosophy o* Mahara< HAppe-)i1 IC as /ell as his -o!e o- !he ,o-*o+-)i-ly
)i**i,+l! s+'<e,! o* Co-s,io+s-ess HAppe-)i1 IIC. No rea)er sho+l) miss rea)i- !hese.
Be*ore I ,lose. I may as /ell rela!e a- am+si- i-,i)e-! i- /hi,h !he e)i!or i- me ha) a ,lash
/i!h !he a+!hor i- Balsekar. His remo!e-ess a-) +-,o-,er- al/ays irke) me. He is a ra)+a!e o*
6o-)o- :-i(ersi!y a-) has a oo) ,omma-) o(er E-lish. I ,o+l) -o! easily *i-) *a+l! /i!h his
la-+ae. S!ill I !rie) !o impro(e his )i,!io- a-) e1pressio- here a-) !here. as a- e)i!or m+s! )oB He
-o!i,e) !he +-,alle) *or >impro(eme-!s> a-) kep! F+ie! /i!h his +s+al i-)i**ere-,e. I! /as ,lear !ha!
he ha) ma)e a (ir!+e o* his !a,i!+r-i!y. <+s! as I ha) ma)e a (ir!+e o* my (er'osi!y. ?e /ere a!
a-!ipo)es I *el!. 6o-i- *or a rappor! /i!h him. I /a-!e) !o )ra/ him o+! o* his shell. a-yho/. I
hi! +po- a )e(i,e. I a!!a,ke) his e1posi!io- o* o-e o* !he aspe,!s o* Mahara<>s !ea,hi- H!ho+h I
really aree) /i!h i!C a-) he e1plo)e) s+))e-ly. His ,o+-!er5a!!a,k /as )e(as!a!i- a-) I /as la)
!ha! !he shell /as 'roke- a! las!. He /as. ho/e(er. F+i,kly pa,i*ie) /he- I aree) /i!h him /i!ho+!
m+,h a)o. A-) his eyes 'eame) /i!h *rie-)li-ess. The ha'i!+al ,ir,+mspe,!io- a-) remo!e-ess
)isappeare). i(i- pla,e !o a -e/ !oe!her-ess 'e!/ee- +s. A*!er !ha! /e /orke) !oe!her o- !he
'ook@ i- *a,! he allo/e) me all li'er!ies /i!h his MS a-) -e(er 'o!here) !o look a! !he a))i!io-s or
al!era!io-s I ,hose !o make. ?e )e(elope) !he m+,h5-ee)e) rappor! 'e!/ee- +s. /hi,h i-)ee) I
pri=e rea!ly. He la-,e) ra!her ,as+ally a! !he *i-al ,opy ma!!er 'e*ore i! /as se-! !o !he press a-)
seeme) !o 'e F+i!e happy /i!h i!.
I aske) him i* he /o+l) /ri!e *or +s a-o!her 'ook a'o+! !he Mas!er>s !ea,hi-. He smile)
*ai-!ly a-) perhaps !here /as a- imper,ep!i'le -o))i- o* his hea).
S+)hakar S. Dikshi!
E)i!or
Bom'ay
Mar,h. #$%&
O
;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;
Co-!e-!s
Pre*a,e I
E)i!or>s No!e J
#. Pri)e o* A,hie(eme-! #
&. Co-s,io+s-ess. !he O-ly >Capi!al> 2
2. I- Fa,e o* Dea!h 9
7. Ma-i*es! a-) !he :-ma-i*es! are O-e $
4. A/are-ess a-) Co-s,io+s-ess #&
9. Bo-)ae o* Spa,e a-) Time #7
3. Ho/ a J-a-i Sees !he ?orl) #%
%. The Proo* o* Tr+!h #$
$. Ko+ are Rama I am Rama &&
#8. Imaes i- Imai-a!io- &4
##. The Play Goes O- &3
#&. Ma-i*es!a!io- is a Dream &$
#2. 6o(e a-) Go) 2#
#7. S!a-)poi-! *or Rea)i- !he Gi!a 24
#4. Bli-) Ko+!h /i!h Tr+e Iisio- 23
#9. He Came !o S,o**... 78
#3. No+me-o- a-) Phe-ome-a 79
#%. 6e! +s :-)ers!a-) Basi, Fa,!s 48
#$. Sel*5k-o/le)e a-) Pro'lems o* 6i*e 42
&8. G+r+>s Gra,e is All I Nee) 4%
&#. The See) o* Co-s,io+s-ess 9&
&&. Sel*5reali=a!io- is E**or!less 9$
&2. Chil) o* a Barre- ?oma- 3&
&7. A Re(ie/ o* !he F+-)ame-!als 34
&4. ?ha! are ?e. ReallyE 3%
&9. 6i*e. a Slaps!i,k Come)y %&
&3. Mis5i)e-!i*i,a!io- is >Bo-)ae> %7
&%. Ko+ are Timeless %3
&$. No S+,h Thi- as >E-lih!e-me-!> $8
28. ?ha! ?ere yo+ 'e*ore yo+r >Bir!h>E $2
2#. Mahara< o- Himsel* $9
2&. A Perso-al E1perie-,e $3
22. There is -o Per,ei(er. O-ly Per,ei(i- #8&
27. The Imma,+la!e I)e-!i!y #87
24. To!al A'se-,e o* !he Do5er #83
29. No >O-e> is Bor-0 No >O-e> Dies ##8
23. A-aly=i- Tho+h! ##&
2%. Bei--ess is Go) ##7
2$. Ko+ are !he Co-s,io+s Prese-,e ##3
78. Mahara< o- Himsel*. aai- #&#
7#. There Ca->! 'e Re5'ir!h #&&
7&. I-!elle,! Ca- Be a- A))i,!io- #&9
72. Seei- !he False as False is Tr+!h #&%
77. Da''li- i- Me)i!a!io- #2&
74. There is No!hi- '+! >I> #27
79. Nea!io- o* E-!i!y5-ess #23
73. The Seeker Is !he So+h! #2$
7%. The Na!+re o* Deep Sleep #7&
7$. A--ihila!io- o* !he >Ko+> #77
48. A- Irre(ere-! Re(ela!io- #73
4#. ?ho S+**ersE #7$
4&. Proress i- Spiri!+al Sear,h #4&
42. The S+**eri- o* E1perie-,e #47
47. ?or)s a-) !heir F+l*ilme-! #43
44. Co-*+sio- a'o+! 6i*e a-) Dea!h #4$
49. The 6as! Days0 6as! Tea,hi- #9#
43. The 6as! Mome-!s0 Mahasama)hl #39
APPENDICES
I. The Core o* !he Tea,hi- #3$
II. A No!e o- Co-s,io+s-ess #$7
III. Bhak!i. J-a-a a-) !he I-)i(i)+al &8&
II. The ?hole Tr+!h &#&
I. Glossary &#4
1
;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;
Pri)e o* A,hie(eme-!
DI ha(e /orke) har) a-) I -o/ ,o-si)er mysel* a (ery s+,,ess*+l ma-. I /o+l) 'e a hypo,ri!e
i* I )i) -o! a)mi! !ha! I ha(e a ,o-si)era'le amo+-! o* sa!is*a,!io- a-). yes. a ,er!ai- amo+-! o*
pri)e !oo i- my a,hie(eme-!. ?o+l) !ha! 'e /ro-ED
O-e e(e-i- a *orei- (isi!or a))resse) Sri Nisara)a!!a Mahara< /i!h !hese /or)s. He /as i-
his mi) *or!ies G sm+. sel*5,o-*i)e-! a-) a 'i! aressi(e. Co-(ersa!io- !he- pro,ee)e) alo- !he
*ollo/i- li-es0
Maharaj: Be*ore /e ,o-si)er /ha! is >rih!> a-) /ha! is >/ro->. please !ell me /ho is aski-
!his F+es!io-.
Visitor: HA 'i! s!ar!le)C ?hy. >me>. o* ,o+rse.
M: A-) /ho is !ha!E
V: Me. This >me>. /ho is si!!i- i- *ro-! o* yo+.
M: A-) yo+ !hi-k !ha! !ha! is yo+E
V: Ko+ see me. I see mysel*. ?here is !he )o+'!E
M: Ko+ mea- !his o'<e,! !ha! is 'e*ore meE ?ha! is yo+r earlies! re,olle,!io- o* !his o'<e,! !ha!
yo+ !hi-k yo+ are. Thi-k as *ar 'a,k as yo+ ,a-.
V: HA*!er a mi-+!e or !/oC The earlies! re,olle,!io- /o+l) perhaps 'e o* 'ei- ,aresse) a-)
,+))le) 'y my mo!her.
M: Ko+ mea-. as a !i-y i-*a-!. ?o+l) yo+ say !ha! !he s+,,ess*+l ma- o* !o)ay is !he same
helpless i-*a-!. or is i! someo-e elseE
V: I! is +-)o+'!e)ly !he same
M: Goo). No/. i* yo+ !hi-k *+r!her 'a,k. /o+l) yo+ aree !ha! !his i-*a-!. /hi,h yo+ ,a-
re,olle,!. is !he same 'a'y !ha! /as 'or- !o yo+r mo!her. !ha! /as o-,e !oo helpless e(e- !o reali=e
/ha! /as happe-i- /he- i!s li!!le 'o)y /as oi- !hro+h i!s -a!+ral physi,al *+-,!io-s. a-) ,o+l)
o-ly ,ry /he- i! /as h+-ry or i- pai-E
V: Kes. I /as !ha! 'a'y.
M: A-) 'e*ore !he 'a'y a,F+ire) i!s 'o)y a-) /as )eli(ere) /ha! /ere yo+E
V: I )o->! +-)ers!a-).
M: Ko+ )o +-)ers!a-). Thi-k. ?ha! happe-e) i- yo+r mo!her>s /om'E ?ha! /as )e(elopi-
i-!o a 'o)y /i!h 'o-es. 'loo). marro/. m+s,les e!,.. o(er a perio) o* -i-e mo-!hsE ?as i! -o! a
male sperm ,ell !ha! ,om'i-e) /i!h o(+m i- !he *emale /om' !h+s 'ei--i- a -e/ li*e a-). i- !he
pro,ess. oi- !hro+h -+mero+s ha=ar)sE ?ho +ar)e) !his -e/ li*e )+ri- !his perio) o* ha=ar)sE
Is i! -o! !ha! (ery i-*i-i!esimally !i-y sperm ,ell /hi,h is -o/ so pro+) o* his a,hie(eme-!sE A-)
/ho aske) par!i,+larly *or you$ Ko+r mo!herE Ko+r *a!herE Di) !hey par!i,+larly /a-! you *or a
so-E Di) yo+ ha(e a-y!hi- !o )o /i!h 'ei- 'or- !o !hese par!i,+lar pare-!sE
V: I am a*rai). I really ha(e->! !ho+h! alo- !hese li-es.
M: E1a,!ly. Do !hi-k alo- !hese li-es. The- perhaps yo+ /ill ha(e some i)ea o* yo+r !r+e
i)e-!i!y. Therea*!er. ,o-si)er i* yo+ ,o+l) possi'ly 'e pro+) o* /ha! yo+ ha(e >a,hie(e)>.
V: I !hi-k. I 'ei- !o +-)ers!a-) /ha! yo+ are )ri(i- a!.
M: I* yo+ o )eeper i-!o !he ma!!er. yo+ /ill reali=e !ha! !he so+r,e o* !he 'o)yG!he male
sperm a-) !he *emale o(+mG is i- i!sel* !he esse-,e o* *oo) ,o-s+me) 'y !he pare-!s@ !ha! !he
physi,al *orm is ma)e o*. a-) *e) 'y. !he *i(e eleme-!s ,o-s!i!+!i- !he *oo)@ a-) also !ha! F+i!e
o*!e- !he 'o)y o* o-e ,rea!+re )oes 'e,ome !he *oo) *or a-o!her ,rea!+re
V: B+!. s+rely. I. as s+,h. m+s! 'e some!hi- o!her !ha- !his *oo)5'o)y.
M: I-)ee) yo+ are. '+! -o! some >!hi->. Fi-) o+! /ha! i! is !ha! i(es se-!ie-,e !o a se-!ie-!
'ei-. !ha! /i!ho+! /hi,h yo+ /o+l) -o! e(e- k-o/ !ha! yo+ e1is!. le! alo-e !he /orl) o+!si)e. A-)
*i-ally. o )eeper ye! a-) e1ami-e i* !his 'ei--ess. !his ,o-s,io+s-ess i!sel* is -o! !ime5'o+-).
V: I shall ,er!ai-ly o i-!o !he (ario+s F+es!io-s yo+ ha(e raise). al!ho+h I m+s! ,o-*ess !ha! I
ha(e -e(er e1plore) !hese areas 'e*ore. a-) I *eel almos! i))y i- my i-ora-,e o* !he -e/ spheres
yo+ ha(e ope-e) +p 'e*ore me. I /ill ,ome a-) see yo+ aai-. sir.
M: Ko+ are al/ays /el,ome.
2
;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;
Co-s,io+s-ess. !he O-ly >Capi!al>
Mahara< o*!e- ,omes o+! /i!h !he s!a!eme-! !ha! ,o-s,io+s-ess is !he o-ly >,api!al> !ha! a
se-!ie-! 'ei- is 'or- /i!h. This. he says. is !he appare-! posi!io-. The real si!+a!io-. ho/e(er. is
!ha! /ha! is 'or- is ,o-s,io+s-ess. /hi,h -ee)s a- ora-ism !o ma-i*es! i!sel* i-. a-) !ha! ora-ism
is !he physi,al 'o)y.
?ha! is i! !ha! i(es se-!ie-,e G ,apa,i!y !o *eel se-sa!io-s. !o respo-) !o s!im+liG!o a
se-!ie-! 'ei-E ?ha! is i! !ha! )is!i-+ishes a perso- /ho is ali(e *rom !he o-e /ho is )ea)E I! is. o*
,o+rse. the sense of bein# !he k-o/le)e o* 'ei- prese-!. ,o-s,io+s-ess. !he a,!i(i=i- spiri!
/hi,h a-ima!es !he physi,al ,o-s!r+,! o* !he 'o)y.
I! is ,o-s,io+s-ess i-)ee) !ha! ma-i*es!s i!sel* i- i-)i(i)+al *orms a-) i(es !hem appare-!
e1is!e-,e. I- h+ma- 'ei-s !hro+h s+,h ma-i*es!a!io- arises !he ,o-,ep! o* a separa!e LIM. I- ea,h
i-)i(i)+al !he A'sol+!e e!s re*le,!e) as a/are-ess. a-) !h+s p+re A/are-ess 'e,omes sel*5
a/are-ess. or ,o-s,io+s-ess.
The o'<e,!i(e +-i(erse is i- ,o-!i-+o+s *l+1. ,o-s!a-!ly pro<e,!i- a-) )issol(i- i--+mera'le
*orms. ?he-e(er a *orm is ,rea!e) a-) is i-*+se) /i!h li*e HPra-aC. ,o-s,io+s-ess HChe!a-aC
appears. sim+l!a-eo+sly a-) a+!oma!i,ally. 'y !he re*le,!io- o* !he A'sol+!e A/are-ess i- ma!!er.
Co-s,io+s-ess. i! m+s! 'e ,learly +-)ers!oo). is a re*le,!io- o* !he A'sol+!e aai-s! !he s+r*a,e o*
ma!!er. 'ri-i- a'o+! a se-se o* )+ali!y. As )i**ere-! *rom i!. p+re A/are-ess. !he A'sol+!e s!a!e.
is /i!ho+! 'ei--i- a-) e-). /i!ho+! !he -ee) o* a-y s+ppor! o!her !ha- i!sel*. A/are-ess 'e,omes
,o-s,io+s-ess o-ly /he- i! has a- o'<e,! !o re*le,! aai-s!. Be!/ee- p+re A/are-ess a-) a/are-ess
re*le,!e) as ,o-s,io+s-ess. says Mahara<. !here is a ap /hi,h !he mi-) ,a--o! ,ross. Re*le,!io- o*
!he s+- i- a )rop o* )e/ is -o! !he s+-B
Ma-i*es!e) ,o-s,io+s-ess is !ime5'o+-) i-asm+,h as i! )isappears as soo- as !he physi,al
,o-s!r+,! i! i-ha'i!s ,omes !o a- e-). Ne(er!heless. a,,or)i- !o Mahara<. i! is !he o-ly >,api!al> a
se-!ie-! 'ei- is 'or- /i!h. A-) ma-i*es!e) ,o-s,io+s-ess 'ei- his o-ly ,o--e,!io- /i!h !he
A'sol+!e. i! 'e,omes !he o-ly i-s!r+me-! 'y /hi,h !he se-!ie-! 'ei- ,a- hope !o e! a- ill+sory
li'era!io- *rom !he >i-)i(i)+al> he 'elie(es himsel* !o 'e. By 'ei- o-e /i!h his ,o-s,io+s-ess a-)
!rea!i- i! as his A!ma. his Go). he ,a- hope !o a!!ai- /ha! he !hi-ks as !he +-a!!ai-a'le.
?ha! is !he a,!+al s+'s!a-,e o* !his a-ima!i- ,o-s,io+s-essE O'(io+sly. i! m+s! 'e physi,al
ma!erial 'e,a+se i- a'se-,e o* !he physi,al *orm i! ,a--o! s+r(i(e. Ma-i*es!e) ,o-s,io+s-ess ,a-
e1is! o-ly as lo- as i!s a'o)e. !he 'o)y. is kep! i- a so+-) a-) ha'i!a'le ,o-)i!io-. Al!ho+h
,o-s,io+s-ess is a re*le,!io- o* !he A'sol+!e. i! is !ime5'o+-) a-) ,a- 'e s+s!ai-e) o-ly 'y !he *oo)
ma!erial. ,omprisi- !he *i(e eleme-!s. !ha! !he physi,al 'o)y is.
Co-s,io+s-ess resi)es i- a heal!hy 'o)y a-) a'a-)o-s i! /he- i! is )e,aye) a-) mori'+-).
Re*le,!io- o* !he s+- ,a- 'e see- o-ly i- a ,lear )e/ )rop. -o! i- a m+))y o-e.
Mahara< o*!e- says !ha! /e ,a- o'ser(e !he -a!+re a-) *+-,!io- o* ,o-s,io+s-ess i- o+r )aily
ro+!i-e o* sleepi-. )reami- a-) /aki- s!a!es. I- )eep sleep ,o-s,io+s-ess re!ires i-!o a s!a!e o*
repose. as i! /ere. ?he- ,o-s,io+s-ess is a'se-!. !here is -o se-se o* o-e>s e1is!e-,e or prese-,e.
le! alo-e !he e1is!e-,e o* !he /orl) a-) i!s i-ha'i!a-!s. or o* a-y i)eas o* 'o-)ae a-) li'era!io-.
This is so 'e,a+se !he (ery ,o-,ep! o* >I> is a'se-!. I- !he )ream s!a!e a spe,k o* ,o-s,io+s-ess
'ei-s !o s!irG o-e is -o! ye! *+lly a/ake G a-) !he- i- a spli!5se,o-). i- !ha! spe,k o*
,o-s,io+s-ess is ,rea!e) a- e-!ire /orl) o* mo+-!ai-s a-) (alleys. ri(ers a-) lakes. ,i!ies a-)
(illaes /i!h '+il)i-s a-) people o* (ario+s aes. includin# the dreamer himself. A-). /ha! is
more impor!a-!. !he )reamer has -o ,o-!rol o(er /ha! !he )reame) *i+res are )oi-B I- o!her
/or)s. a -e/ li(i- /orl) is ,rea!e) i- a spli!5se,o-). *a'ri,a!e) o+! o* memory a-) imai-a!io-
merely 'y a si-le mo(eme-! i- !ha! spe,k o* ,o-s,io+s-ess. Imai-e. !here*ore. says Mahara<. !he
e1!raor)i-ary po/er o* !his ,o-s,io+s-ess. a mere spe,k o* /hi,h ,a- ,o-!ai- a-) pro<e,! a- e-!ire
+-i(erse. ?he- !he )reamer /akes +p. !he )ream5/orl) a-) !he )reame) *i+res )isappear.
?ha! happe-s /he- !he )eep sleep as also !he )ream s!a!e are o(er a-) ,o-s,io+s-ess appears
aai-E The immediate se-se !he- is !ha! o* e1is!e-,e a-) prese-,e. -o! !he prese-,e o* >me> '+!
prese-,e as s+,h. Soo-. ho/e(er. !he mi-) !akes o(er a-) ,rea!es !he >I> 5 ,o-,ep! a-) a/are-ess o*
!he 'o)y.
Mahara< !ells +s repea!e)ly !ha! /e are so a,,+s!ome) !o !hi-ki- o* o+rsel(es as 'o)ies ha(i-
,o-s,io+s-ess. !ha! /e *i-) i! (ery )i**i,+l! !o a,,ep! or e(e- +-)ers!a-) !he real posi!io-. A,!+ally
i! is ,o-s,io+s-ess /hi,h ma-i*es!s i!sel* i- i--+mera'le 'o)ies. I! is. !here*ore. esse-!ial !o
apper,ei(e !ha! 'ir!h a-) )ea!h are -o!hi- '+! !he 'ei--i- a-) !he e-)i- o* a s!ream o*
mo(eme-!s i- ,o-s,io+s-ess. i-!erpre!e) as e(e-!s i- spa,e5!ime. I* /e ,a- reali=e !his. /e shall
also reali=e !ha! /e are p+re 'ei-5a/are-ess5'liss i- o+r orii-al pris!i-e s!a!e. a-) /he- i- !o+,h
/i!h ,o-s,io+s-ess. /e are o-ly !he /i!-essi- o* Ha-) !o!ally apar! *romC !he (ario+s mo(eme-!s i-
,o-s,io+s-ess. This is a- i-)isp+!a'le *a,!. 'e,a+se o'(io+sly. we cannot be what we perceive% the
perceiver must be different from what he perceives.
3
;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;
I- Fa,e o* Dea!h
Visitor: My o-ly so- )ie) a *e/ )ays ao i- a ,ar a,,i)e-!. a-) I *i-) i! almos! impossi'le !o
a,,ep! his )ea!h /i!h a philosophi, *or!i!+)e. I k-o/ !ha! I am -o! !he *irs! perso- !o s+**er s+,h
'erea(eme-!. I also k-o/ !ha! ea,h o-e o* +s has !o )ie some !ime. I ha(e i- my mi-) so+h! sola,e
*rom all !he +s+al ploys 'y /hi,h o-e ,o-soles o-esel* a-) o!hers i- s+,h pre)i,ame-!s. A-) ye!. I
,ome 'a,k !o !he !rai, *a,! !ha! a ,r+el *a!e sho+l) )epri(e my so- o* e(ery!hi- i- !he prime o* his
li*e. ?hyE ?hyE I keep o- aski- mysel*. Sir. I ,a--o! e! o(er my rie*.
Maharaj: HA*!er si!!i- *or a mi-+!e or so. /i!h his eyes ,lose)C I! is +-a(aili- a-) *+!ile !o
say !ha! I am rie(e) 'e,a+se i- !he a'se-,e o* >sel* H>me> as a- i-)i(i)+alC !here are -o >o!hers>. a-)
I see mysel* mirrore) i- all o* yo+. O'(io+sly. yo+ ha(e -o! ,ome !o me *or mere sympa!hy. /hi,h
yo+ s+rely m+s! ha(e re,ei(e) i- a'+-)a-,e *rom yo+r rela!i(es a-) *rie-)s. Remem'er. o-e oes
!hro+h li*e. year a*!er year. e-<oyi- !he +s+al pleas+res a-) s+**eri- !he +s+al pai-s. '+! -e(er
o-,e seei- li*e i- i!s !r+e perspe,!i(e. A-) /ha! is !he !r+e perspe,!i(eE I! is !his0 There is no &me&
nor &you&% there never could be any such entities. E(ery ma- sho+l) +-)ers!a-) !his a-) ha(e !he
,o+rae !o li(e his li*e /i!h !his +-)ers!a-)i-.
Do yo+ ha(e !his ,o+rae. my *rie-)E Or. m+s! yo+ /allo/ i- /ha! yo+ ,all yo+r rie*E
V: Mahara<. par)o- me. I )o -o! *+lly +-)ers!a-) /ha! yo+ ha(e sai). '+! I )o *eel s!ar!le) a-)
shake-. Ko+ ha(e e1pose) !he ,ore o* my 'ei-. a-) /ha! yo+ ha(e sai) so pi!hily appears !o 'e !he
ol)e- key !o li*e. Please ela'ora!e o- /ha! yo+ ha(e <+s! sai). ?ha! e1a,!ly is i! !ha! I m+s! )oE
M: DoE DoE A'sol+!ely -o!hi-0 J+s! see !he !ra-sie-! as !ra-sie-!. !he +-real as +-real. !he
*alse as *alse. a-) yo+ /ill reali=e yo+r !r+e -a!+re. Ko+ ha(e me-!io-e) yo+r rie*. Ha(e yo+ e(er
looke) a! >rie*> i- !he *a,e a-) !rie) !o +-)ers!a-) /ha! i! really isE
To lose some'o)y or some!hi- yo+ ha(e lo(e) )early. is 'o+-) !o ,a+se sorro/. A-) si-,e
)ea!h is !o!al a--ihila!io- /i!h a'sol+!e *i-ali!y. !he sorro/ ,a+se) 'y i! is +-mi!ia!e). B+! e(e-
!his o(er/helmi- sorro/ ,a- -o! las! lo-. i* yo+ i-!elle,!+ally a-aly=e i!. ?ha! e1a,!ly are yo+
rie(i- *orE Go 'a,k !o !he 'ei--i-0 Di) yo+ a-) yo+r /i*e make a-y areeme-! /i!h someo-e
!ha! yo+ /o+l) ha(e a so- G a par!i,+lar 'o)y G a-) !ha! he /o+l) ha(e a par!i,+lar )es!i-yE Is i!
-o! a *a,! !ha! his ,o-,ep!io- i!sel* /as a ,ha-,eE Tha! !he *oe!+s s+r(i(e) !he ma-y ha=ar)s i- !he
/om' /as a-o!her ma!!er o* ,ha-,e. Tha! !he 'a'y /as a 'oy /as ye! a-o!her ,ha-,e. I- o!her
/or)s /ha! yo+ ,alle) yo+r >so-> /as <+s! a ,ha-,e e(e-!. a happe-i- o(er /hi,h yo+ ha(e ha) -o
,o-!rol a! all a! a-y !ime. a-) -o/ !ha! e(e-! has ,ome !o a- e-).
?ha! e1a,!ly are yo+ rie(i- *orE Are yo+ rie(i- *or !he *e/ pleasa-! e1perie-,es a-) !he
ma-y pai-*+l e1perie-,es !ha! yo+r so- has misse) i- !he years !o ,omeE Or. are yo+. really a-)
!r+ly. rie(i- *or !he pleas+res a-) ,o-(e-ie-,es !ha! yo+ /ill -o lo-er 'e a'le !o re,ei(e *rom
himE
Mi-) yo+. all !his is *rom !he poi-! o* (ie/ o* !he *alseB No-e!heless. are yo+ /i!h me so *arE
V: I am a*rai). I ,o-!i-+e !o remai- s!+--e). I ,er!ai-ly *ollo/ /ha! yo+ ha(e <+s! sai). O-ly.
/ha! )i) yo+ mea- /he- yo+ sai) !ha! all !his /as o- !he le(el o* !he *alseE
M: AhB No/ /e shall ,ome !o !he !r+!h. Please +-)ers!a-) as !r+!h. !ha! yo+ are -o! a-
i-)i(i)+al. a >perso->. The perso-. !ha! o-e !hi-ks o-e is. is o-ly a pro)+,! o* imai-a!io- a-) !he
sel* is !he (i,!im o* !his ill+sio-. >Perso-> ,a--o! e1is! i- i!s o/- rih!. I! is !he sel*. ,o-s,io+s-ess.
!ha! mis!ake-ly 'elie(es !ha! !here is a perso- a-) is ,o-s,io+s o* 'ei- i!. Cha-e yo+r (ie/poi-!.
Do->! look a! !he /orl) as some!hi- o+!si)e o* yo+rsel*. See !he perso- yo+ imai-e yo+rsel* !o 'e
as a par! o* !he /orl)Greally a )ream5/orl)G /hi,h yo+ per,ei(e as a- appeara-,e i- yo+r
,o-s,io+s-ess. a-) look a! !he /hole sho/ *rom !he o+!si)e. Remem'er. yo+ are -o! !he mi-).
/hi,h is -o!hi- '+! !he ,o-!e-! o* ,o-s,io+s-ess. As lo- as yo+ i)e-!i*y yo+rsel* /i!h !he 'o)y5
mi-) yo+ are (+l-era'le !o sorro/ a-) s+**eri-. 'utside the mind there is just bein# not bein#
father or son this or that.
Ko+ are 'eyo-) !ime a-) spa,e. i- ,o-!a,! /i!h !hem o-ly a! !he poi-! o* -o/ a-) here. '+!
o!her/ise !imeless. spa,eless a-) i-(+l-era'le !o a-y e1perie-,e. :-)ers!a-) !his a-) rie(e -o
more. O-,e yo+ reali=e !ha! !here is -o!hi- i- !his /orl) !ha! yo+ ,a- or -ee) ,all yo+r o/-. yo+
/ill look a! i! *rom !he o+!si)e. as yo+ look a! a play o- !he s!ae or a mo(ie o- !he s,ree-. a)miri-
a-) e-<oyi-. perhaps s+**eri-. '+! )eep )o/-. F+i!e +-mo(e). NN
4
;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;
Ma-i*es! a-) !he :-ma-i*es! are O-e
Is >I> a- e(er5prese-! e-!i!y appeari- a! )i**ere-! le(els G ma-i*es! a-) +-5ma-i*es!E This
F+es!io- is o*!e- pose) 'e*ore Mahara< i- (ario+s /ays. i- )i**ere-! /or)s. 'y )i**ere-! perso-s. !he
esse-,e o* !he F+es!io- 'ei- !he same. Some!imes !he 'ol)er (isi!or mih! 'ri- +p !he F+es!io-
rih! a! !he s!ar! o* a sessio-. i* Mahara< sho+l) happe- !o me-!io-. /hi,h he o*!e- )oes. !ha! his
lis!e-ers m+s! al/ays 'ear i- mi-) !ha! he is !alki- -o! as a- i-)i(i)+al !o a-o!her i-)i(i)+al. '+!
as ,o-s,io+s-ess !o ,o-s,io+s-ess a'o+! !he -a!+re o* ,o-s,io+s-ess.
A,,or)i- !o Mahara<. a! !he le(el o* !he mi-). !he >I> may 'e ,o-si)ere) +-)er !hree aspe,!s0 #.
The imperso-al G A(yak!a H+-5ma-i*es!C. !he A'sol+!e >I>. 'eyo-) all se-sory per,ep!io- or
e1perie-,e a-) +-a/are o* i!sel*. &. The s+per5perso-al G Iyak!a Hma-i*es!e)C. /hi,h is !he
re*le,!io- o* !he A'sol+!e i- ,o-s,io+s-ess. as >I am>. a-) 2. !he perso-al G Iyak!i. /hi,h is a
,o-s!r+,! o* !he physi,al a-) (i!al pro,esses. !he psy,hosoma!i, appara!+s i- /hi,h ,o-s,io+s-ess
ma-i*es!s i!sel*.
Mahara<. ho/e(er. makes i! a poi-! !o repea! a! *reF+e-! i-!er(als. !ha! s+,h )is!i-,!io- is
p+rely a -o!io-al o-e. a-) ,a--o! e1is! i- reali!y. Esse-!ially !here is -o )i**ere-,e 'e!/ee- !he
ma-i*es! HIyak!aC a-) !he +-5ma-i*es! HA(yak!aC. <+s! as !here is -o )i**ere-,e esse-!ially 'e!/ee-
lih! a-) )aylih!. The +-i(erse is *+ll o* lih! '+! !ha! lih! ,a--o! 'e see- +-!il i! is re*le,!e)
aai-s! a s+r*a,e as )aylih!@ a-) /ha! !he )aylih! re(eals is !he i-)i(i)+al perso- HIyak!iC. The
i-)i(i)+al i- !he *orm o* !he h+ma- 'o)y is al/ays !he o'<e,!@ ,o-s,io+s-ess Has !he /i!-essi-C is
!he s+'<e,!. a-) !heir rela!io- o* m+!+al )epe-)e-,e H,o-s,io+s-ess ,a--o! appear /i!ho+! !he
appara!+s o* a 'o)y a-) !he 'o)y ,a--o! ha(e se-!ie-,e /i!ho+! ,o-s,io+s-essC is !he proo* o* !heir
'asi, i)e-!i!y /i!h !he A'sol+!e. They 'o!h are !he same ,o-s,io+s-ess@ o-e a! res!. !he o!her i-
mo(eme-! G ea,h ,o-s,io+s o* !he o!her.
The e-!ire ma-i*es!e) +-i(erse. e1plai-s Mahara<. e1is!s o-ly i- ,o-s,io+s-ess. The
,o-,ep!+ali=e) pro,ess /o+l) 'e as *ollo/s0 Co-s,io+s-ess arises i- P+re Bei-. *or -o par!i,+lar
,a+se or reaso- o!her !ha- !ha! i! is i!s -a!+re !o )o so G like /a(es o- !he s+r*a,e o* !he sea. I-
,o-s,io+s-ess !he /orl) appears a-) )isappears@ a-) ea,h o-e o* +s is e-!i!le) !o say0 All !here is. is
I. all !here is. is mi-e@ 'e*ore all 'ei--i-s. a*!er all e-)i-s. I am !here !o /i!-ess /ha!e(er
happe-s. &Me& &you& and &he& are only appearances in consciousness G all are basically &I(.
I! is -o! !ha! !he /orl) )oes -o! e1is!. As a- appeara-,e i- ,o-s,io+s-ess. !he /orl) is !he
!o!ali!y o* !he k-o/- i- !he po!e-!ial o* !he +-k-o/-. The world can be said to appear but not be.
D+ra!io- o* !he appeara-,es. o* ,o+rse. /ill )i**er a,,or)i- !o !he )i**ere-! s,ales o* !ime. Apar!
*rom !he *a,! !ha! !he /orl) )isappears i- )eep sleep a-) re5appears i- !he /aki- s!a!e. !he )+ra!io-
o* i!s appeara-,e /o+l) (ary a,,or)i- !o !he allo!!e) spa- o* o-e>s li*e !imeGa *e/ ho+rs *or a-
i-se,! a-) aeo-s *or !he !ri-i!y o* Brahma. Iish-+ a-) Mahesh/araB :l!ima!ely. ho/e(er. /ha!e(er
is a- appeara-,e i- ,o-s,io+s-ess m+s! e-). a-) i! ,a--o! ha(e a-y reali!y.
The ma--er i- /hi,h Mahara< e1po+-)s !his s+'lime k-o/le)e is !r+ly as!o-ishi- i- i!s
ra-e o* aspe,!s /hile !he ,e-!ral !heme ,o-!i-+es !o remai- *irmly a-,hore). He says !ha!
a/are-ess ,omes *rom !he A'sol+!e HA(yak!aC a-) per(a)es !he i--er sel* HIyak!aC. The o+!er sel*
HIyak!iC is !ha! par! o* o-e>s 'ei- o* /hi,h o-e is -o! a/are. i-asm+,h as. al!ho+h o-e may 'e
,o-s,io+s H*or e(ery se-!ie-! 'ei- has ,o-s,io+s-essC. i! is possi'le *or o-e -o! !o 'e a/are. I-
o!her /or)s. !he o+!er sel* HIyak!iC is )eli-ea!e) 'y !he physi,al 'o)y@ !he i--er sel* HIyak!aC 'y
,o-s,io+s-ess. a-) i! is o-ly i- P+re A/are-ess !ha! !he S+preme HA(yak!aC ,a- 'e ,o-!a,!e).
There ,a- -e(er 'e a-y >e1perie-,e> as s+,h o* !he A'sol+!e *or !he simple reaso- !ha! !here
,a--o! possi'ly 'e a-y!hi- o'<e,!i(e a'o+! !he A'sol+!e. /hi,h is esse-!ially p+re s+'<e,!i(i!y. I!
is !he i--er sel*5,o-s,io+s-ess /hi,h is !he e1perie-,i- me)i+m *or all e1perie-,e. The A'sol+!e
pro(i)es !he po!e-!iali!y *or !he e1perie-,e@ !he sel* pro(i)es !he a,!+ali!y.
The i-)i(i)+al perso->s ,o-!a,! /i!h !he a/are-ess o* !he A'sol+!e ,a- ,ome a'o+! o-ly /he-
!he mi-) is >*as!i-> as i! /ere. 'e,a+se !he- !he pro,ess o* ,o-,ep!+ali=i- ,eases. ?he- !he mi-)
is F+ie!. i! re*le,!s Reali!y@ /he- !he mi-) is a'sol+!ely mo!io-less i! )issol(es a-) o-ly Reali!y
remai-s. Tha! is /hy. says Mahara< aai- a-) aai-. i! is -e,essary !o 'e o-e /i!h ,o-s,io+s-ess.
)hen the mind feasts *eality disappears% when the mind fasts *eality enters.
A/are-ess. Mahara< poi-!s o+! i- ye! a-o!her /ay. /he- i! is i- ,o-!a,! /i!h a- o'<e,!. a
physi,al *orm. 'e,omes /i!-essi-. ?he- a! !he same !ime !here is sel*5i)e-!i*i,a!io- /i!h !he
o'<e,!. s+,h a s!a!e 'e,omes >!he perso->. I- Reali!y. !here is o-ly o-e sla!e@ /he- ,orr+p!e) a-)
!ai-!e) 'y sel*5i)e-!i*i,a!io-. i! may 'e ,alle) a perso- HIyak!iC@ /he- i! is !i-!e) 'y a se-se o*
'ei-. !he res+l!i- ,o-s,io+s-ess 'e,omes >!he /i!-essi->@ /he- i! remai-s i- i!s pris!i-e p+ri!y.
+-!ai-!e) a-) +-!i-!e). i! is !he S+preme. !he A'sol+!e.
I! is -e,essary !o 'e ,lear a'o+! !he )i**ere-,e. -o!io-al !ho+h i! 'e. 'e!/ee- a/are-ess o* !he
A'sol+!e a-) !he ,o-s,io+s-ess i- /hi,h !he +-i(erse appears. Mahara< repea!e)ly /ar-s +s. O-e is
o-ly !he re*le,!io- o* !he o!her. B+! re*le,!io- o* !he s+- i- !he )e/5)rop is -o! !he s+-. I- !he
a'se-,e o* o'<ee!i(i=a!io-. as i- )eep sleep. !he appare-! +-i(erse is -o!. '+! /e are. This is so.
'e,a+se /ha! /e are is /ha! !he appare-! +-i(erse is. a-) vice versa G )+al i- prese-,e. -o-5)+al
i- a'se-,e@ irre,o-,ila'ly separa!e i- ,o-,ep!. i-(iola'ly +-i!e) /he- +-,o-,ei(e).
5
;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;
A/are-ess a-) Co-s,io+s-ess
The o+!s!a-)i- *ea!+re a'o+! Mahara<>s !alks /i!h !he (isi!ors is !he per(a)i- se-se o* !heir
!o!al spo-!a-ei!y. S+'<e,!s are -e(er sele,!e) earlier. '+! Mahara<>s +!!era-,es ha(e a +-iF+e
resilie-,e /hi,h i(es !hem a- e1hilara!i- *resh-ess e(ery !ime. A-) o-e mar(els all !he more
/he- o-e re,alls !ha! he has 'ee- !alki- like !his. /i!ho+! a-y pre(io+s prepara!io-. !/o sessio-s a
)ay. e(ery )ay i- !he /eek i-,l+)i- S+-)ays. *or !he las! ma-y years. A-) !he-. o- !op o* !his.
Mahara< says /i!h a ,h+,kle o* am+seme-!0 ?ha! )o I !alk a'o+!E O-ly o-e s+'<e,!. !he same
s+'<e,!G yo+ a-) I. !he /orl) o+!si)e. a-) Go).
Ge-erally. Mahara< )oes -o! 'o!her !o /ai! *or his a+)ie-,e 'e*ore ope-i- a-y !opi, !ha!
,omes +p i- his mi-). Some!imes his small lo*!5room e!s *ille) !o ,apa,i!y /i!hi- *i*!ee- mi-+!es
or so. A! o!her !imes. /he- he s!ar!s !alki- G o-e mih! say !hi-ki- alo+) G !here are har)ly
!hree or *o+r perso-s prese-!. B+! i! makes -o )i**ere-,e !o him. He may !alk e(e- !o a si-le
seeker. i* he so ,hooses. a-) e1po+-) !o him /i!h =es! !he 'asi,s o* his !ea,hi-. rela!i- !hem !o
ea,h o!her a-) pla,i- !hem i- !r+e perspe,!i(e. His mi-) is /hole mi-) !ha! oes 'eyo-)
prama!ism. His !hi-ki- is !o!al !hi-ki-.
O-e mor-i-. /he- I ha) pai) my respe,!s !o Mahara< a-) sa! )o/-. I *o+-) !ha! !here /ere
o-ly !/o o!her perso-s prese-!. Mahara< s+))e-ly sai)0 ?ha! is !he )i**ere-,e 'e!/ee- >a/are-ess>
a-) >,o-s,io+s-ess>. i* a-yE ?he- some!hi- like !his happe-s. o-e )oes -o! really k-o/ /he!her
he e1pe,!s a- a-s/er. or /he!her he is merely !hi-ki- alo+). O-e hesi!a!es !o a-s/er *or *ear o*
'reaki- !he *lo/ o* his !ho+h!s. B+! !he-. he mih! also say0 ?hy )o->! yo+ a-s/erE Ha(e yo+
'ee- /as!i- my !ime. lis!e-i- !o !he !alks all !hese )aysE This mor-i-. ho/e(er. he ,arrie) o-
/i!ho+! /ai!i- *or a- a-s/er.
He o'ser(e) !ha! a/are-ess is o* !he A'sol+!e. a-). !here*ore. 'eyo-) !he !hree G+-as
HG+-a!i!aC@ /hereas ,o-s,io+s-ess is some!hi- *e) 'y. a-) limi!e) 'y. !he *oo)5'o)y. ?he- !he
*oo)5'o)y is )es!roye). ,o-s,io+s-ess also )isappears. Mi-) yo+. -o o-e )ies G !he 'o)y. ma)e o*
!he *i(e eleme-!s mi-les /i!h !he eleme-!s /he- i! is li*eless. a-) ,o-s,io+s-ess. /hi,h is s+'<e,!
!o !he !hree G+-as. 'e,omes *ree o* !he G+-as. A/are-ess is !he primor)ial orii-al s!a!e. prior !o
!he ,o-,ep! o* spa,e5!ime. -ee)i- -o ,a+se. -o s+ppor!. I! simply is. Ho/e(er. !he mome-! !he
,o-,ep! o* ,o-s,io+s-ess arises o- !his orii-al s!a!e o* +-i,i!y. !he se-se >I am> arises. ,a+si- a
,o-)i!io- o* )+ali!y. Co-s,io+s-ess is /i!h a *orm. a re*le,!io- o* a/are-ess aai-s! !he s+r*a,e o*
ma!!er. O-e ,a--o! !hi-k o* ,o-s,io+s-ess apar! *rom a/are-ess@ !here ,a--o! 'e a re*le,!io- o* !he
s+- /i!ho+! !he s+-. B+! !here ,a- 'e a/are-ess /i!ho+! ,o-s,io+s-ess. I- )eep sleep. *or i-s!a-,e.
!here is -o ,o-s,io+s-ess Hi! is res!i-C '+! a/are-ess is ,er!ai-ly !here. 'e,a+se. o- /aki-. o-e is
a/are o* ha(i- slep!@ '+! o-ly o- /aki-.
Mahara< -e(er allo/s +s !o *ore! !ha! i! is ,o-s,io+s-ess alo-e /hi,h is o+r ,o-s!a-!
,ompa-io-. a-) !ha! i! is !he ,o-!i-+o+s a!!e-!io- !o o-e>s s!ream o* ,o-s,io+s-ess !ha! !akes o-e o-
!o A/are-ess G !he 'asi, e1is!e-,e. !ha!5/hi,h5is5li*e5lo(e5<oy. A,,or)i- !o Mahara<. !he (ery
,o-s,io+s-ess o* 'ei- ,o-s,io+s is alrea)y a mo(eme-! !o/ar)s A/are-ess. The mi-) 'y i!s (ery
-a!+re is o+!5oi-. al/ays !e-)i- !o seek !he so+r,e o* !hi-s /i!hi- !he !hi-s !hemsel(es. ?he-
i! is )ire,!e) !o/ar)s !he so+r,e /i!hi-. i! is almos! like !he 'ei--i- o* a -e/ li*e. A/are-ess
repla,es ,o-s,io+s-ess. The >I am>. /hi,h is a !ho+h! i- ,o-s,io+s-ess. ,eases. I- a/are-ess. !here
is -o !ho+h!. A/are-ess is !he so+r,e o* ,o-s,io+s-ess. Mahara< s+es!s !ha! i! is a- e1,elle-!
spiri!+al e1er,ise !o si! F+ie!ly a-) /a!,h /ha! ,omes !o !he s+r*a,e o* !he mi-). ?ha! /e ,all
!ho+h!s are like ripples o- !he s+r*a,e o* /a!er. Tho+h!s al/ays lea) !o i)e-!i*i,a!io- or
,o-)em-a!io-@ !hey are pro)+,!s o* pre5,o-,ei(e) -o!io-s a-) s!a-) i- !he /ay o* real
+-)ers!a-)i-. J+s! as /a!er is sere-e /he- *ree o* ripples. so is !he mi-) sere-e /he- *ree o*
!ho+h!s. /he- i! is passi(e a-) *+lly re,ep!i(e.
I- !he mirror o* yo+r mi-). says Mahara<. all ki-)s o* pi,!+res /ill appear. s!ay *or a /hile a-)
)isappear. Sile-!ly /a!,h !hem ,ome a-) o. Be aler!. '+! -o! a!!ra,!e) or repelle). I! is impor!a-!
-o! !o 'e i-(ol(e). This a!!i!+)e o* sile-! /i!-essi- /ill ha(e !he e**e,!. ra)+ally. o* )ri(i- a/ay
all +seless !ho+h!s. like +-/a-!e) +es!s !ha! are i-ore). By 'ei- !h+s /i!hi- yo+rsel*. !ha! is. i-
!he >I5am5-ess>. 'y /a!,hi- !he *lo/ o* mi-). /i!ho+! i-!er*eri- or <+)i-. as a )ispassio-a!e
/i!-ess. !he >)eep> +-k-o/- /ill 'e e-,o+rae) !o ,ome !o !he s+r*a,e o* ,o-s,io+s-ess a-) release
i!s +-+se) e-eries !o e-a'le yo+ !o +-)ers!a-) !he mys!ery o* !he orii- o* li*e.
6
;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;
Bo-)ae o* Spa,e a-) Time
Visitor: I remem'er rea)i- some/here !ha! i! is !he ,om'i-a!io- o* spa,e a-) !ime /hi,h is
!he ,a+se o* o-e>s 'o-)ae. I ha(e si-,e 'ee- /o-)eri- ho/ possi'ly spa,e a-) !ime ,o+l) res+l!
i- 'o-)ae.
Maharaj: 6e! +s 'e ,lear /ha! /e are !alki- a'o+!. ?ha! )o yo+ mea- 'y >'o-)ae>. a-)
'o-)ae *or /homE I* yo+. are sa!is*ie) /i!h !his /orl) /hi,h yo+ ,o-si)er as real. a-) !he /ay i!
has 'ee- !rea!i- yo+. /here is !he 'o-)ae *or yo+E
V: 6e! me a,k-o/le)e !ha! !o me !he /orl) seems real e-o+h. '+! i! is -o! a *a,! !ha! I am
sa!is*ie) /i!h my role i- i!. I *eel )eeply ,o-(i-,e) !ha! !here m+s! 'e (ery m+,h more !o li*e !ha-
<+s! oi- !hro+h i!. as mos! o* +s )o G /i!ho+! a-y )e*i-i!e aim. merely ro+!i-ely. From !his
poi-! o* (ie/ I !hi-k li*e i!sel* is 'o-)ae.
M: ?he- yo+ +se !he /or) >I> /ha! e1a,! imae )o yo+ ha(e a'o+! yo+rsel*E ?he- yo+ /ere a
,hil) yo+ ,o-si)ere) yo+rsel* -o!hi- o!her !ha- a ,hil) a-) /ere happy e-o+h !o play /i!h !oys.
6a!er. yo+ /ere a yo+- ma-. /i!h s!re-!h e-o+h i- yo+r arms !o !a,kle a ,o+ple o* elepha-!s.
a-) yo+ !ho+h! yo+ ,o+l) *a,e a-y!hi- or a-yo-e i- !his /orl). Ko+ are -o/ i- yo+r mi))le ae.
a li!!le mello/er '+! -o-e!heless e-<oyi- li*e a-) i!s pleas+res. a-) yo+ !hi-k yo+ are a happy a-)
s+,,ess*+l ma-. 'lesse) /i!h a -i,e *amily. A! prese-! yo+ ha(e a- imae a'o+! yo+rsel* !ha! is
F+i!e )i**ere-! *rom !he imaes yo+ ha) earlier. Imai-e yo+rsel* !e- years he-,e a-) *+r!her !/e-!y
years la!er. The imae yo+ /ill !he- ha(e a'o+! yo+rsel* /ill 'e )i**ere-! *rom all !he earlier o-es.
?hi,h o-e o* !hese imaes is !he real >yo+>E Ha(e yo+ e(er !ho+h! a'o+! i!E Is !here a-y par!i,+lar
i)e-!i!y !ha! yo+ ,a- ,all yo+r (ery o/- a-) /hi,h has remai-e) /i!h yo+ !hro+ho+!. +-,ha-e)
a-) +-,ha-ea'le E
V: No/ !ha! yo+ me-!io- i!. I a)mi! !ha! /he- I +se !he /or) >I>. I ha(e -o par!i,+lar i)ea a'o+!
mysel* a-) I aree !ha! /ha!e(er i)ea I ha(e ha) a'o+! mysel* has 'ee- ,ha-i- o(er !he years.
M: ?ell. !here is some!hi- /hi,h has remai-e) +-,ha-e) all !hese years. /hile e(ery!hi-
else has 'ee- ,ha-i-. A-) !ha! is !he ,o-s!a-! se-se o* presence !he se-se !ha! yo+ exist. This
se-se or *eeli- >I am>. has -e(er ,ha-e). This is yo+r ,o-s!a-! imae. Ko+ are si!!i- i- *ro-! o*
me. Ko+ k-o/ i! 'eyo-) )o+'!. /i!ho+! a-y -ee) o* ,o-*irma!io- *rom a-yo-e else. Similarly yo+
k-o/ !ha! yo+ are !ha! yo+ exist. Tell me. i- !he a'se-,e o* /ha! /o+l) yo+ 'e +-a'le !o se-se
yo+r e1is!e-,eE
V: I* I /ere asleep or +-,o-s,io+s I /o+l) -o! k-o/ !ha! I e1is!.
M: E1a,!ly. 6e! +s pro,ee) *+r!her. I- !he mor-i-. !ile (ery *irs! mome-! /he- yo+ /ake +p
a-) yo+r ,o-s,io+s-ess <+s! !akes o(er. )o yo+ -o! *eel yo+r ,o-s,io+s prese-,e. yo+r e1is!e-,e. >I
am>. -o! as a- i-)i(i)+al perso-. '+! prese-,e as s+,hE
V: Kes. !ha! is rih!. I /o+l) say !ha! my i-)i(i)+al perso-ali!y ,omes i-!o e1is!e-,e /he- I
see my 'o)y a-) o!her o'<e,!s aro+-).
M: ?he- yo+ say !ha! yo+ see a- o'<e,!. /ha! really happe-s is !ha! yo+r se-ses ha(e rea,!e)
!o a s!im+l+s *rom a- o+!si)e so+r,e. /hi,h is. e1!er-al !o yo+r 'o)y appara!+s. A-) /ha! yo+r
se-ses ha(e per,ei(e) a-) yo+r mi-) has i-!erpre!e). is -o!hi- '+! a- appeara-,e i- yo+r
,o-s,io+s-ess. This appeara-,e i- ,o-s,io+s-ess is ,o-s!r+e) as a- e(e-!. e1!e-)e) i- spa,e a-)
)+ra!io-. All ma-i*es!a!io- )epe-)s o- a ,om'i-a!io- o* !he !/o ,losely k-i! me)ia ,alle) spa,e
a-) !ime. I- o!her /or)s. i- !he a'se-,e o* !he spa,e5!ime ,om'i-a!io-. -o ma-i*es!a!io- ,o+l)
possi'ly arise i- ,o-s,io+s-ess. Are yo+ *ollo/i- meE
V: Kes. I +-)ers!a-) /ha! yo+ sai). B+! /here )o I ,ome i-. as a- i-)i(i)+al. i- !his pro,essE
M: This is e1a,!ly /here !he r+' lies. All >e1is!e-,e> is a ,o-!i-+o+s pro,ess o* o'<e,!i*yi-.
?e o-ly e1is! as o-e a-o!her>s o'<e,!s a-). as s+,h. o-ly i- !he ,o-s,io+s-ess !ha! ,o-i=es +s.
?he- o'<e,!i(i=a!io- ,eases. as i- )eep sleep. !he o'<e,!i(e +-i(erse )isappears.
So lo- as o-e imai-es o-esel* as a separa!e e-!i!y. a perso-. o-e ,a--o! see !he !o!al pi,!+re
o* !he imperso-al reali!y. A-) !he i)ea o* a separa!e perso-ali!y is )+e !o !he ill+sio- o* spa,e a-)
!ime. /hi,h 'y !hemsel(es ha(e -o i-)epe-)e-! e1is!e-,e *or !hey are o-ly i-s!r+me-!s. mere me)ia
!o make ma-i*es!a!io- ,o-i=a'le.
A! a-y !ime. o-ly o-e !ho+h! or *eeli- or per,ep!io- ,a- 'e re*le,!e) i- ,o-s,io+s-ess. '+!
!ho+h!s *eeli-s a-) per,ep!io-s mo(e o- i- s+,,essio- i(i- !he ill+sio- o* )+ra!io-. A-)
perso-ali!y ,omes i-!o 'ei- simply 'e,a+se o* memory G i)e-!i*yi- !he prese-! /i!h !he pas! a-)
pro<e,!i- i! i-!o !he *+!+re.
Thin+ of yourself as momentary without a past or future then where is the personality$ Try
!his a-) *i-) o+! *or yo+rsel*. I- memory a-) a-!i,ipa!io-. !ha! is i- !he pas! a-) !he *+!+re. !here is
a ,lear *eeli- !ha! !here is a me-!al s!a!e +-)er o'ser(a!io-. /hereas i- !he a,!+al !he *eeli- is
primarily o* 'ei- a/ake a-) prese-! G here a-) -o/.
V: I !hi-k I +-)ers!a-). I m+s! si! F+ie!ly a-) !ry !o a'sor' !his /holly -e/ /ay o* !hi-ki-.
M: No/ )o yo+ see ho/ spa,e a-) !ime. /hi,h ,ome alo- /i!h ,o-s,io+s-ess a-) make
ma-i*es!a!io- per,ei(a'le. are !he ,+lpri!sE All yo+ ,a- !r+ly say is0 >I am> Hmea-i- what is is,. The
mome-! !here is a !ho+h! o* >me> as a separa!e perso-ali!y. !here is /ha! is !erme) >'o-)ae>. To
reali=e !his is !he e-) o* all seeki-. ?he- yo+ apper,ei(e !ha! /ha!e(er yo+ !hi-k yo+rsel* !o 'e is
o-ly 'ase) o- memory a-) a-!i,ipa!io-. yo+r sear,h e-)s a-) yo+ s!a-) aloo* i- *+ll a/are-ess o*
!he *alse as *alse.
7
;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;
Ho/ a J-a-i Sees !he ?orl)
A la)y (isi!or. !aki- a)(a-!ae o* !he *a,! !ha! i! /as !he las! )ay o* her (isi! !o Bom'ay.
so+h! Mahara<>s permissio- !o ask /ha! she ,alle) a >silly> F+es!io-.
Mahara<@ All !ho+h!s. all )esires. holy or +-holy. ,ome *rom !he sel*. They all )epe-) +po-
!he )esire !o 'e happy a-). !here*ore. are 'ase) o- !he se-se >I am>. Their F+ali!y /ill )epe-) o-
o-e>s psy,he HA-!ahkara-aC a-) o- !he )erees a! /hi,h !he !hree G+-as pre(ail. Tamas pro)+,es
res!rai-! a-) per(ersio-s@ Ra<as pro)+,es e-ery a-) passio-s@ a-) Sa!!(a pro)+,es harmo-y a-)
!he +re !o make o!hers happy. No/. /ha! is yo+r F+es!io-E
Visitor: All !hese )ays G /hi,h ha(e +-*or!+-a!ely *lo/- a/ay all !oo F+i,kly G /hils! yo+
/ere !alki-. a-) yo+r /or)s /ere emeri- as i* 'y !hemsel(es /i!ho+! a-y prepara!io- 'ehi-)
!hem. I ha(e 'ee- /o-)eri- ho/ yo+ look a! !he o'<e,!s /hi,h yo+r eyes see. i-,l+)i- !he
perso-s /ho are si!!i- 'e*ore yo+. As !o)ay is !he las! )ay o* my prese-! (isi!. I !ho+h! I /o+l)
(e-!+re !o ask !his ra!her silly F+es!io-.
M: ?ha! makes yo+ !hi-k !ha! I see yo+ as o'<e,!s a! allE Ko+ ass+me !ha! i! is /i!h a ,er!ai-
spe,ial si-i*i,a-,e !ha! I see !hi-s. a si-i*i,a-,e /hi,h es,apes yo+. B+! !ha! is -o! really yo+r
F+es!io-. Ko+r F+es!io- esse-!ially seems !o 'e0 Ho/ are !hi-s per,ei(e) 'y a J-a-i /ho sees as
seei- sho+l) 'e )o-eE
Please remem'er. objects are really the perceivin# of them. Co-(ersely. !here*ore. !he
per,ei(i- o* !hem is /ha! !he o'<e,!s are. Try !o +-)ers!a-).
?he- a- o'<e,! is see- as a- o'<e,!. !here /o+l) ha(e !o 'e a s+'<e,! o!her !ha- !he o'<e,!. As
!he J-a-i per,ei(es. !here is -ei!her !he s+'<e,! !ha! sees -or !he o'<e,! !ha! is see-@ o-ly !he >seei->.
I- o!her /or)s. !he J-a-i>s per,ep!io- is prior !o a-y i-!erpre!a!io- 'y !he se-sory *a,+l!ies. E(e- i*
!he -ormal pro,ess o* o'<e,!i*i,a!io- has !ake- pla,e. !he J-a-i. i- his perspe,!i(e. has !ake- -o!e o*
!his *a,! a-) see- !he *alse as *alse. The J-a-i i- his +-)i(i)e) (isio-. has per,ei(e) !ha! physi,ally
'o!h !he seer a-) !he see- are o'<e,!s. a-) !ha! !he *+-,!io-i- o* ,o-s,io+s-ess i!sel* merely
pro)+,es e**e,!s i- ,o-s,io+s-ess. Bo!h !he pro)+,i- a-) !he per,ei(i- are )o-e 'y
,o-s,io+s-ess. i- ,o-s,io+s-ess. Try !o +-)ers!a-) !his.
I- shor!. !he J-a-i>s seei- is !he /hole5seei-. or i-5seei-. or i-!+i!i(e seei-. seei- /i!ho+!
a-y o'<e,!i(e F+ali!y G a-) !ha! is *ree)om *rom 'o-)ae. Tha! is /ha! I mea- /he- I say0 DI see.
'+! I )o -o! see.D
A-) !his is !he silly a-s/er !o yo+r silly F+es!io-. NN
8
;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;
The Proo* o* Tr+!h
Ca- !here 'e proo* o* !r+!hE Mahara< some!imes p+!s !his F+es!io-. as i* !o himsel*. Ca- !r+!h
'e raspe) i-!elle,!+allyE
Apar! *rom kee- i-!elle,!. says Mahara<. !he seeker m+s! ha(e *ai!h !o e-a'le him !o rasp !he
'asi, esse-!ials o* !r+!h.
A-) !he *ai!h sho+l) 'e o* !he ki-) !ha! ,a- a,,ep! !he G+r+>s /or) as Go)>s o/- !r+!h. Fai!h is
!he *irs! s!ep. a-) -o *+r!her proress is possi'le +-less !he *irs! s!ep is !ake- *irs!.
There are simple5mi-)e) people. /ho. !ho+h -o! i*!e) /i!h kee- i-!elle,!. ha(e a'+-)a-!
*ai!h. Mahara< i(es !hem a Ma-!ra a-) asks !hem !o ,ha-! i! a-) me)i!a!e !ill !heir psy,he is
p+ri*ie) e-o+h !o re,ei(e k-o/le)e.
?i!h !he i-!elle,!+als Mahara< has !o )eal )i**ere-!ly. The i-!elle,!+al +-)ers!a-)s /ha! !he
(ario+s reliio-s propaa!e. !he e!hi,al a-) moral ,o)es !hey pres,ri'e. also !he me!aphysi,al
,o-,ep!s !hey a)+m'ra!e@ '+! he remai-s +-e-lih!e-e). ?ha! he a,!+ally seeks is !r+!h. !he
,o-s!a-! *a,!or !ha! is -o! s+'<e,! !o a-y ,ha-e. A-). /ha! is more. he /a-!s proo*. '+! is -o! a'le
!o say /ha! ki-) o* proo* /o+l) sa!is*y him. Proo* as s+,h /o+l) i!sel* 'e some!hi- s+'<e,! !o
spa,e a-) !ime. a-) !he i-!elle,!+al is i-!ellie-! e-o+h !o k-o/ !ha!. Tr+!h. i- or)er !o 'e !r+!h.
m+s! 'e !imeless a-) spa,eless. Mahara< says !ha! a-y i-!ellie-! perso- m+s! a)mi! !ha! >I am>. !he
se-se o* ,o-s,io+s prese-,e. o* >'ei->. is !he o-ly !r+!h e(ery se-!ie-! 'ei- k-o/s o*. a-) !ha! is
!he o-ly >proo* o-e ,a- ha(e. A-) ye!. mere e1is!e-,e ,a- -o! 'e eF+a!e) /i!h !r+!h *or !he simple
reaso- !ha! e1is!e-,e i!sel* is -o! !imeless a-) spa,eless. like Reali!y.
Mahara< i- his !alks !hro/s a'+-)a-! lih! o- !his s!alema!e. A 'li-) ma- may say0 Pro(e !o
me !ha! !here are ,olo+rs. o-ly !he- /ill I 'elie(e all yo+r lo(ely )es,rip!io- o* !he rai-'o/.
?he-e(er s+,h F+es!io-s are p+! !o Mahara<. he ,o+-!ers !hem 'y sayi-0 Pro(e !o me !ha! !here is
some!hi- like Bom'ay. or 6o-)o-. or Ne/ KorkB E(ery/here. says he. i! is !he same ear!h. air.
/a!er. *ire a-) sky. I- o!her /or)s. o-e ,a--o! seek !r+!h as a- o'<e,!. -or ,a- !r+!h 'e )es,ri'e). I!
,a- o-ly 'e s+es!e) or i-)i,a!e). '+! -o! e1presse) i- /or)s. 'e,a+se !r+!h ,a--o! 'e ,o-,ei(e).
A-y!hi- ,o-,ei(e) /ill 'e a- o'<e,! a-) !r+!h is -o! a- o'<e,!. As Mahara< p+!s i!0 Ko+ ,a--o!
>shop> *or !r+!h. as some!hi- /hi,h is a+!hori!a!i(ely ,er!i*ie) a-) s!ampe) as >Tr+!h>. A-y a!!emp!
!o *i-) !he proo* o* !r+!h /o+l) i-(ol(e a )i(isio- o* !he mi-) i-!o s+'<e,! a-) o'<e,!. a-) !he- !he
a-s/er ,o+l) -o! 'e !he !r+!h. 'e,a+se !here is -o!hi- o'<e,!i(e a'o+! !r+!h. /hi,h esse-!ially is
p+re s+'<e,!i(i!y.
The /hole pro,ess. says Mahara<. is like a )o ,hasi- i!s o/- !ail. I- seeki- a sol+!io- !o !his
ri))le o-e m+s! a-aly=e !he pro'lem i!sel*. ?ho is i! !ha! /a-!s !he proo* o* Tr+!h or Reali!yE Do
/e ,learly +-)ers!a-) /ha! /e areE All e1is!e-,e is o'<e,!i(e. ?e all >e1is!> as o'<e,!s o-ly. as mere
appeara-,es i- !he ,o-s,io+s-ess !ha! ,o-i=es +s. Is !here really a-y proo* !ha! >/e> H/ho seek
proo* o* Reali!yC o+rsel(es e1is!. o!her !ha- as o'<e,!s o* ,o-i!io- i- someo-e else>s mi-)E
?he- /e seek !he proo* o* !r+!h. /ha! /e are !ryi- !o )o is eF+i(ale-! !o a sha)o/ seeki-
proo* o* !he s+'s!a-,eB Mahara<. !here*ore. +res +s !o see !he *alse as *alse. a-) !he- !here /ill 'e
-o more looki- *or !r+!h. Ha(e yo+ +-)ers!oo) /ha! I mea-E he asks. Do yo+ -o! intuitively *eel
/ha! !he posi!io- isE That which is sou#ht is the see+er himself- Ca- a- eye see i!sel*E Please
+-)ers!a-). he says0 Timeless. spa,eless. -o! ,o-i=a'le se-sorially is /ha! /e are% !emporal. *i-i!e
a-) se-sorially ,o-i=a'le. is /ha! /e appear to be as separa!e o'<e,!s. Co-si)er /ha! yo+ /ere
'e*ore yo+ a,F+ire) !he physi,al *orm. Di) yo+ -ee) a-y proo* a'o+! a-y!hi- !he-E The F+es!io-
o* proo* arises o-ly i- rela!i(e e1is!e-,e. a-) a-y proo* pro(i)e) /i!hi- !he parame!ers o* rela!i(e
e1is!e-,e ,a- o-ly 'e a- +-!r+!hB NN
9
;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;
Ko+ are Rama. I am Rama
Di**ere-! !ypes o* people ,ome !o Mahara< /i!h )i**ere-! mo!i(es. :s+ally he asks a -e/
(isi!or !o !ell him some!hi- a'o+! himsel* G his *amily 'a,kro+-). his '+si-ess or pro*essio-.
le-!h o* !he perio) he has 'ee- i-!eres!e) i- spiri!+al F+es!. !he ki-) o* Sa)ha-a. he has )o-e a-)
!he spe,i*i, reaso-s *or his (isi!. Mahara<>s i-!e-!io-. o'(io+sly. is !o *i-) o+! i- /ha! /ay a-) 'y
/ha! approa,h he ,o+l) help ea,h (isi!or perso-ally. a-). a! !he same !ime. e-s+re !ha! !he )ialo+e
/o+l) also e-lih!e- !he o!her (isi!ors.
Mos! o* !he (isi!ors s!a!e 'rie*ly !he reF+ire) *a,!s a'o+! !hemsel(es. a-) ma-y o* !hem say
!hey ha) rea) his 'ook I Am That a-) ha) e(er si-,e )esire) !o si! a! his *ee! a-) lis!e- !o him. I-
s+,h ,ases. Mahara< /o+l) smile a-) -o) his hea). I* a-yo-e /a-!e) !o ask spe,i*i, F+es!io-s.
Mahara< /o+l) ask him !o si! ,loser so !ha! !he )ialo+e ,o+l) 'e ,arrie) o- more easily. Those /ho
ha) -o F+es!io-s /o+l) 'e e1pe,!e) !o si! *+r!her 'a,k.
O-,e /he- !he sessio- /as a'o+! !o 'ei- !/o mi))le5ae) e-!leme- /alke) i-. pai) !heir
respe,!s !o Mahara<. a-) sa! )o/-. O-e o* !hem !ol) Mahara< !ha! he /as a se-ior Go(er-me-!
O**i,ial a-) !ha! he ha) -o par!i,+lar i-!eres! i- spiri!+al ma!!ers. He ha) ,ome !here o-ly !o
i-!ro)+,e his 'ro!her /ho /as )eeply i-!eres!e). A*!er i-!ro)+,i- his ,ompa-io- as his 'ro!her !he
e-!lema- le*!.
The- !he 'ro!her !ook o(er a-) !ol) Mahara< !ha! he ha) ha) a G+r+ *or ma-y years '+! !ha! he
ha) passe) a/ay. He ha) re,ei(e) *rom !he G+r+a Nama Ma-!ra a-) /as !ol) !ha! i!s repe!i!io-. as
o*!e- as possi'le. /as !he 'es! Sa)ha-a. a-) he /as *ollo/i- his G+r+>s i-s!r+,!io-s. He sai) !ha!
he ha) -o/ rea,he) a s!ae /here he 'elie(e) !ha! e(ery!hi- /as Rama a-) Rama /as i-
e(ery!hi-. a-) !ha! he ha) a!!ai-e) !hro+h !his Sa)ha-a a pea,e a-) <oy -o! possi'le !o 'e
)es,ri'e) i- /or)s. All !his /as s!a!e) 'y him i- a ma--er as i* he /as maki- a rea! re(ela!io-
*or !he 'e-e*i! o* !he a+)ie-,e 'e*ore him. i-,l+)i- Mahara< himsel*. A*!er !his -arra!io- he looke)
ro+-) !o see /ha! e**e,! i! ha) ,rea!e) o- !he lis!e-ers. The-. /i!h a ,ompla,e-! sel*5sa!is*a,!io- he
sa!. eyes ,lose) a-) smili- !o himsel*.
Mahara<. sere-e a-) sile-! !o all appeara-,es. '+! /i!h a sparkli- li-! i- his eyes !ha! !he
re+lar ,allers k-e/ /ell. aske) !his (isi!or poli!ely i* he ,o+l) 'e o* help !o him i- a-y /ay. I-
a-s/er. !he e-!lema-. /a(i- his rih! arm i- a es!+re o* resi-a!io-. sai) !ha! he )i) -o! /a-!
a-y!hi- *rom a-y'o)y a-) !ha! he ha) ,ome !o see Mahara< o-ly 'e,a+se se(eral people ha)
presse) him !o a!!e-) a! leas! o-e sessio- o* his !alks G a-) here he /asB
Mahara< !he- aske) !he (isi!or i* !here /as a-y spe,i*i, p+rpose o* his Sa)ha-a a-) /ha! )i) he
hope !o a,hie(e *rom i!. i* a-y!hi-E
Visitor: ?he- I si! i- me)i!a!io-. I o*!e- e! lo(ely (isio-s o* my 'elo(e) 6or) Rama. a-) I
am e-+l*e) i- 'liss.
Maharaj: A-) /he- yo+ are -o! i- me)i!a!io-E
V: I !hi-k o* !he 6or) a-) see him i- e(eryo-e a-) e(ery!hi-. HMahara< lis!e-e) !o !he a-s/er
/i!h a- e1pressio- o* am+seme-! a-) aai- !here /as !he *amiliar li-! i- his eyes. ?e !he re+lar
(isi!ors k-e/ /ha! /as ,omi-. *or !he li-! o*!e- pre,e)es Mahara<>s (er'al sally he some!imes
makes !o )e*la!e hollo/ pres+mp!io-s a-) )es!roy ill+sio-s. His lips *orme) i-!o a F+es!io-C
M: A-) /ha! )o yo+ mea- 'y >Rama>E
V: I )o->! +-)ers!a-) !he F+es!io-. Rama is Rama.
M: ?he- yo+ see Rama i- me. Rama i- a )o a-) Rama i- a *lo/er. /ha! e1a,!ly )o yo+
mea- 'y RamaE A-) ho/ e1a,!ly )o yo+ see RamaE I- his !ra)i!io-al pose /i!h a s!ri-5'o/ o- his
sho+l)er. a-) arro/s i- his F+i(erE
V: HRa!her ,o-*+se)C Kes. I !hi-k so.
M: A-) !he pea,e a-) <oy !ha! yo+ *eel. /he- yo+ si! i- me)i!a!io- a-) e! (isio-s o* Rama.
/o+l) i! 'e some!hi- like !he pea,e a-) <oy o-e /o+l) *eel /he-. a*!er a lo- a-) !iri- /alk i-
!he s,or,hi- s+-. o-e is a'le !o res! +-)er !he sha)e o* a sprea)i- !ree. e-<oy !he 'ree=e !ha! is
'lo/i- a-) )ri-k some ,ool /a!erE
V: Ko+ ,a--o! really ,ompare !he !/o. 'e,a+se o-e is physi,al a-) !he o!her is. I /o+l) say.
me-!al or psy,hi,.
M: I- a-y ,ase. /o+l) yo+r Sa)ha-a e-a'le yo+ !o ha(e a ,lear +-)ers!a-)i- o* yo+r !r+e
-a!+reE
V: ?ha! is !he +se o* s+,h a )is,+ssio-E Rama is Go) a-) I am o-ly a poor h+ma- /ho has
s+rre-)ere) himsel* !o Rama.
M: S+rre-)er is a (ery oo) a-) e**e,!i(e Sa)ha-a 'y i!sel*. B+! /e m+s! (ery ,learly
+-)ers!a-) /ha! >s+rre-)er> really mea-s. !ho+h !ha! is a separa!e s+'<e,! 'y i!sel*. Are yo+ a/are
!ha! Rama. !ho+h a pri-,e 'y 'ir!h. /as o-ly a- or)i-ary h+ma- 'ei- like yo+. /ho )i) -o!
'e,ome a o) +-!il he /as )+ly i-i!ia!e) a-) i-s!r+,!e) i- k-o/le)e 'y !he sae Iasish!haE A-)
/ha! /as !he !ea,hi- /hi,h Iasish!ha impar!e) !o !he yo+- RamaE ?as i! -o! A!ma5J-a-a. !he
k-o/le)e o* !he sel*. !he k-o/le)e o* o-e>s !r+e -a!+reE
I /o+l) s+es! !ha! yo+ !hro/ a/ay all !he ill+sory ,o-,ep!s yo+ ha(e ,olle,!e) o(er !he
years. a-) 'ei- /i!h yo+r o/- sel*. Thi-k alo- !hese li-es0 ?ha! is my !r+e -a!+reE ?ha! is !he
>,api!al> I am 'or- /i!h. a-) /hi,h has remai-e) G *ai!h*+l a-) +-,ha-e) G /i!h me *rom !he
mome-! I ha) !he k-o/le)e !ha! I e1is!E Ho/ )i) I a,F+ire !his 'o)y5,o-s!r+,! alo- /i!h !he
Pra-a H!he (i!al *or,eC a-) !he ,o-s,io+s-ess /hi,h i(es me !he se-se o* prese-,eE Ho/ lo- /ill
all !his las!E ?ha! /as >I> 'e*ore !his 'o)y ,ame i-!o 'ei-. a-) /ha! /ill >I> 'e a*!er !his 'o)y
)isi-!era!esE ?ho /as really >'or-> a-) /ho /ill >)ie>E ?ha! am >I>E I! /as s+,h k-o/le)e /hi,h
!+r-e) Rama *rom a h+ma- 'ei- i-!o a o).
By !his !ime. !he (isi!or ha) reali=e) !ha! some!hi- /as (ery m+,h /a-!i- i- !he Sa)ha-a. as
he ha) pra,!ise) i!. /i!ho+! e(er i(i- serio+s !ho+h! !o !he +l!ima!e aim o* his spiri!+al F+es!. He
a(e +p his pre!e-!io+s pose o* 'ei- a- e-lih!e-e) perso-. a-) (ery h+m'ly reF+es!e) Mahara<
*or permissio- !o (isi! him aai- )+ri- !he *e/ )ays he /o+l) 'e s!ayi- i- Bom'ay. Mahara<
lo(i-ly !ol) him !ha! !he si-,eri!y a-) kee--ess o* his )esire !o (isi! him /as all !he permissio-
!ha! /as -e,essary.
10
;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;
Imaes i- Imai-a!io-
?ha!e(er 'e !he s+'<e,! o* )is,+ssio- a! a sessio-. Mahara< seems !o see !o i! !ha! !he
,a!e,hism *ollo/s !he ,orre,! li-e o* ar+me-!. A-) /he-e(er some'o)y p+!s a- irrele(a-! F+es!io-
Mahara< *irmly '+! e-!ly r+les i! o+! a-) 'ri-s !he )is,+ssio- 'a,k !o !he orii-al !heme.
O,,asio-ally. ho/e(er. Mahara< has !o lea(e !he room 'rie*ly o- some erra-). a-) )+ri- o-e
s+,h shor! i-!er(al. some o-e s!ar!e) !alki- a'o+! a poli!i,ia- /ho ha) promi-e-!ly *i+re) i- !he
press !ha! mor-i-. He sai) !ha! he k-e/ !he i-)i(i)+al perso-ally a-) !ha! he /as a ,o-,ei!e)
'+lly. Someo-e else imme)ia!ely ,o-!ra)i,!e) !he speaker. sayi- !ha! !he ma- i- F+es!io- /as a
per*e,! e-!lema- a-) i! /as a ,al+m-y !o speak ill o* him. A- ar+me-! 'e!/ee- !hese !/o /as
a'o+! !o s!ar! /he- Mahara< re!+r-e) a-) !hey kep! F+ie!.
Mahara<. ho/e(er. se-se) !he s+))e- sile-,e a-) aske) /ha! /as oi- o-. ?he- he /as !ol)
a'o+! !he ,o-!ra)i,!ory opi-io-s he /as (as!ly am+se). He sa! s!ill *or a *e/ mome-!s a-) !he-
s!ar!e) !alki-. ?hy !his )i**ere-,e i- !he !/o opi-io-sE he aske). Be,a+se !he opi-io-5*ormi-
/as )o-e !hro+h a- i-)i(i)+al (ie/poi-! a-) -o! !hro+h i-!eral per,ep!io-. Bo!h !he imaes o*
!he same perso- arose i- !he imai-a!io- o* !he (ie/ers. 'o!h /ere e-!irely !heir o/- me-!al
,rea!io-s a-) 'asi,ally +-rela!e) !o !he o'<e,! i.e. !he perso- /hose imaes !hese /ere s+ppose) !o
'e. Crea!io- o* s+,h imaes. sai) Mahara<. is )+e !o !he *+-,!io-i- o* )+alis!i, )is,rimi-a!io- G
!he >me> a-) !he >o!her o-e>. This is i-)ee) /ha! may 'e ,alle) !he orii-al si-@ this duality G the
&me& and the &other& G is bonda#e. A-) i* !here is a-y!hi- like li'era!io- Hi- esse-,e !here is -o
i-)i(i)+al !ha! is 'o+-)C. i! is i-)ee) li'era!io- *rom !his ,o-,ep! o* >me> a-) !he >o!her>. ?ha! is
-e,essary. sai) Mahara<. is !o ,ease maki- s-ap ,o-,ep!+al <+)eme-!s o* !hi-s as o'<e,!s. a-) !o
!+r- o-e>s a!!e-!io- 'a,k !o !he s+'<e,!i(e so+r,e. He aske) +s !o >re(erse> o+r a!!e-!io-. !o o 'a,k
!o !he i-*a-! s!a!e. e(e- !o !hi-k o* /ha! /e /ere 'e*ore !his 'o)y5mi-) ,omple1 /as 'or-. so !ha!
/e /o+l) s!op ,o-,ep!+ali=i- a'o+! o!hers all !he !ime a-) e!!i- i-(ol(e) i- mere me-!al
imaes.
A! !his s!ae a (isi!or sai)0 DKes. Mahara<. I ,a- ,learly see /ha! yo+ mea-. B+! ho/ ,a- o-e
e! a/ay *rom !his ,o-!i-+o+s ,o-,ep!+ali=i- /hi,h seems !o 'e !he (ery /arp a-) /oo* o* o-e>s
,o-s,io+s li*eED Mahara< *i1e) his a=e o- !he F+es!io-er a-). almos! 'e*ore !he Mara!hi !ra-sla!io-
o* his F+es!io- ha) 'ee- ,omple!e). he remarke)0 DR+''ishB Ko+ ,o+l) -o! ha(e +-)ers!oo) my
poi-! a! all@ i* yo+ ha). yo+r F+es!io- ,o+l) -o! arise.D
He !he- pro,ee)e) !o e1plai- !he pro,ess o* o'<e,!i*i,a!io-. ?ha!e(er yo+r se-ses per,ei(e a-)
yo+r mi-) i-!erpre!s is a- appeara-,e i- ,o-s,io+s-ess. e1!e-)e) i- spa,e5!ime a-) o'<e,!i(i=e) i-
a /orl) /hi,h. !he ,o-i=i- o'<e,! Hi.e. yo+C ,o-si)ers as separa!e *rom himsel*. A-) !his is /here
!he /hole error lies0 i- !his pro,ess per,ep!io- is -o! !o!al. ?ha! is -e,essary is whole seein# seei-
-o! /i!h !he i-)i(i)+al mi-). /hi,h is a )i(i)e) mi-). '+! seei- *rom /i!hi-. seei- *rom !he
so+r,e G seei- -o! *rom ma-i*es!a!io- as a phe-ome-o- '+! *rom !he so+r,e o* all seei-. The-.
a-) o-ly !he-. /ill !here 'e !o!al per,ep!io- a-) ,orre,! seei- a-) apprehe-)i-.
Mahara< ,o-,l+)e) 'y sayi- !ha! /ha! he ha) sai) /as (i!ally impor!a-! a-) -ee)e) HMa-a-aC
po-)eri- a-) me)i!a!i- o(er i!. -o! mere (er'al )is,+ssio-.
11
;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;
The Play Goes O-
S+rprisi- !ho+h i! may seem. Mahara< is a s+per' a,!or. His *ea!+res are mo'ile a-) he has
lare. e1pressi(e eyes. ?he- -arra!i- a- i-,i)e-! or )is,+ssi- some s+'<e,!. his *ea!+res
spo-!a-eo+sly respo-) !o his /or)s a-) a,!io-s. His spee,h is (ery ar!i,+la!e a-) /he- he !alks he
makes *ree +se o* es!+res. I! is. !here*ore. o-e !hi- !o lis!e- !o a !ape5re,or)i- o* his !alks a-)
F+i!e a-o!her !o hear his (i'ra-! (oi,e a,,ompa-ie) 'y appropria!e es!i,+la!io-s. He is a s!ar
per*ormer i-)ee).
O-e mor-i-. amo- !he lis!e-ers /as a /ell5k-o/- E+ropea- a,!or. Mahara< /as e1plai-i-
ho/ !he imae o-e has a'o+! o-esel* is -o! a *ai!h*+l o-e@ i! keeps o- ,ha-i- *rom !ime !o !ime
a,,or)i- !o !he ,ha-i- ,ir,+ms!a-,es. He /e-! !hro+h !he e-!ire am+! o* !he +s+al li*e spa-.
)es,ri'i- !he imae o-e has o* o-esel* as a- i-*a-!. s+,ki- a -ipple a-) /a-!i- -o!hi- else@
!he- as a !ee-aer '+rs!i- /i!h heal!h a-) s!re-!h a-) /i!h am'i!io-s !o ,o-F+er !he /orl)@ !he- a
lo(e5lor- ma-. *ollo/e) 'y !he /eary 'rea)5ear-er /i!h *amily respo-si'ili!ies. a-) *i-ally o- !o a
si,k ol) ma-. har)ly a'le !o ope- his mo+!h a-) e(e- i-,apa'le o* ,o-!rolli- his 'o)ily *+-,!io-s.
?hi,h is !he real yo+E ?hi,h o* !hese )i**ere-! imaesE he aske).
Mahara<>s -arra!io- /as ali(e /i!h a,!io-s a-) so+-) e**e,!s appropria!e !o !he (ario+s s!aes
o* li*e he )es,ri'e). I! /as sheer )ramaB ?e hear) him i- )+m' a)mira!io- a-) !he pro*essio-al
a,!or /as *la''eras!e). DNe(er 'e*ore ha(e I see- s+,h a 'rillia-! per*orma-,eD. sai) he. !ho+h he
)i) -o! +-)ers!a-) a /or) o* !he la-+ae !ha! Mahara< spoke so e**e,!i(ely. He /as simply spell5
'o+-). ?hile !he a,!or mar(ele). Mahara<. /i!h a mis,hie(o+s li-! i- his eyes. sai) !o him0 DI am a
oo) a,!or. Am I -o!ED He a))e)0 Do yo+ really +-)ers!a-) /ha! I am )ri(i- a!. !ho+hE I k-o/
yo+ ha(e appre,ia!e) !his li!!le per*orma-,e o* mi-e. B+! /ha! yo+ ha(e see- -o/ is -o! e(e- a-
i-*i-i!esimal par! o* /ha! I am ,apa'le o* )oi-. The /hole +-i(erse is my s!ae. I -o! o-ly a,! '+!
I ,o-s!r+,! !he s!ae a-) !he eF+ipme-!@ I /ri!e !he s,rip! a-) )ire,! !he a,!ors. Kes. I am !he o-e
a,!or a,!i- !he roles o* millio-s o* people G a-). /ha! is more. !his sho/ -e(er e-)sB The s,rip! is
'ei- ,o-!i-+o+sly /ri!!e-. -e/ roles are 'ei- ,o-,ei(e). -e/ se!!i-s are proppe) +p *or ma-y
)i**ere-! si!+a!io-s. Am I -o! a /o-)er*+l a,!orO)ire,!orOpro)+,erE
The !r+!h ho/e(er is. he a))e). !ha! e(ery o-e o* yo+ ,a- say !he same !hi- a'o+! himsel*.
B+!. i! is iro-i, i-)ee) !ha! o-,e yo+ are really a'le !o *eel /i!h )eep ,o-(i,!io- !ha! !ha! is so. !he
sho/ is o(er *or yo+B Ca- yo+ per,ei(e !ha! i! is o-ly yo+ !ha! is a,!i- !he role o* e(ery ,hara,!er
i- !he /orl)E Or. /ill yo+ ,o-*i-e yo+rsel* !o !he limi!e) o-e5'i! role !ha! yo+ ha(e assi-e) !o
yo+rsel* a-) li(e a-) )ie i- !ha! pe!!y roleE
12
;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;
Ma-i*es!a!io- is a Dream
N+mero+s ,as+al (isi!ors ,ome !o (isi! Mahara< <+s! *or a Darsha-. perhaps 'e,a+se someo-e
i- !heir ro+p spoke hihly o* him a-). ha(i- -o!hi- 'e!!er !o )o. !hey !ho+h! !hey mih! as /ell
)rop i- a-) see /ha! !he /hole !hi- /as a'o+!. B+! !here are ma-y /ho are )eeply i-!eres!e) i- !he
o-e s+'<e,! a'o+! /hi,h Mahara< !alks. P+i!e a *e/ o* !hem ha(e a!!e-)e) se(eral sessio-s a-) !hey
ho-es!ly 'elie(e !ha! !hey ha(e a *irm rasp o* /ha! Mahara< so ear-es!ly !alks a'o+!. Perhaps i-
a-s/er !o a F+ery *rom Mahara<. i* !hey ha(e +-)ers!oo) /ha! he has 'ee- !ryi- !o ,o-(ey. o-e o*
!hem /o+l) say0 DOh yes. Mahara<. I ha(e ,learly +-)ers!oo) i!. B+!. I ha(e o-ly o-e las!
F+es!io-.......D
The las! F+es!io- o*!e- happe-s !o ,o-,er- ma-i*es!a!io- o* !he -o+me-o- as phe-ome-a. The
F+es!io-er mih! say0 Mahara<. yo+ ha(e sai) !ha! !he A'sol+!e5-o+me-o- is +-a/are o* i!s
a/are-ess +-!il ,o-s,io+s-ess 'ei-s !o s!ir a-) !he *irs! !ho+h! >I am> arises@ a-) !he- !he
/hole-ess is 'roke- +p i-!o )+ali!y a-) ma-i*es!a!io- o* !he +-i(erse !akes pla,e. My F+es!io- is0
?hy )i) !he *irs! !ho+h! arise a-) /hy ma-i*es!a!io- !ook pla,e a! allE
Mahara< /o+l) look a! !he F+es!io-er /i!h a- e1pressio- i-)i,a!i- se(eral rea,!io-s. A
mi1!+re o* ,ompassio-. appre,ia!io- o* !he F+es!io-er>s si-,eri!y. a ,er!ai- amo+-! o* am+seme-! a!
!he ,o-*i)e-,e /i!h /hi,h he !hi-ks he has +-)ers!oo) !he s+'<e,!. '+! G mos! impor!a-! G a
)isappoi-!me-! !ha! !he F+es!io-er ha) -o! +-)ers!oo) !he poi-! a*!er all. A-o!her *ail+reB
Mahara< /o+l) !ha- say. (ery so*!ly0 I am a*rai) yo+ ha(e -o! really raspe) /ha! yo+ ha(e
'ee- heari-. Ko+ ha(e 'ee- heari-. '+! -o! lis!e-i-. Ko+ ha(e 'ee- heari- /ha! I ha(e 'ee-
sayi-. as a ,olle,!io- o* li!!le 'i!s a-) pie,es. -o! lis!e-i- !o !he /hole@ heari- /or)s /i!h !he
)i(i)e) mi-) o* !he i-)i(i)+al i-s!ea) o* lis!e-i- !o !he mea-i- /i!h !he /hole mi-)@ heari- as a
separa!e hearer. -o! lis!e-i- a*!er i-!era!i- yo+rsel* /i!h !he G+r+. A-) I )o -o! mea- !he
physi,al. i-)i(i)+al G+r+ /hi,h yo+ /o+l) ha(e i- mi-) '+! !he Sa)+r+ /i!hi- yo+rsel*.
O!her/ise. !his F+es!io- /o+l) -o! ha(e arise-. B+!. i- a /ay. I mysel* am ra!her *o-) o* s+,h
e-F+iry 'e,a+se i! e1poses !he +s+al /ay o* !hi-ki-@ or ra!her. !he !hi-ki- e1poses i!sel*.
Co-si)er. !o /hom )i) !his F+es!io- o,,+rE ?here )i) i! o,,+rE Di) !he F+es!io- -o! o,,+r !o a
>yo+> /ho ,o-si)ers himsel* a- e-!i!y /i!h a- i-)epe-)e-! e1is!e-,eE A-) )i) i! -o! o,,+r i-
,o-s,io+s-essE There /o+l) 'e -o e-!i!yG!his s+ppose) pse+)o5e-!i!y G i- !he a'se-,e o*
,o-s,io+s-ess. a-) >,o-s,io+s-ess> is o-ly a ,o-,ep! /i!ho+! a-y o'<e,!i(e F+ali!y /ha!soe(er. a-)
as s+,h /i!ho+! a-y phe-ome-al e1is!e-,e.
?ha! /e ha(e arri(e) a!. !he-. is !his0 I- !he a'se-,e o* !he s+'s!ra!+m o* ,o-s,io+s-ess !here
is -o ma-i*es!a!io-. a-). !here*ore. -o separa!e pse+)o5e-!i!ies !o ask a-y F+es!io-s a! allB A-)
,o-s,io+s-ess is o-ly a ,o-,ep!. There*ore. I ,all !he e-!ire ma-i*es!a!io- >!he ,hil) o* a 'arre-
/oma-.> I- !hese ,ir,+ms!a-,es. ,a- !his5/hi,h5is. !his5!ha!5/e5are. e(er 'e +-)ers!oo) 'y !he
!ai-!e) mi-) o* a ,o-,ep!+al pse+)o5e-!i!yE I-)ee). i! is o-ly /he- !his e-!i!y )isappears !ha! !he
mys!ery )issol(es. *or !he simple reaso- !ha! the searcher is what he is searchin# for-
Ko+r F+es!io-. moreo(er. ass+mes !ha! 'asi,ally ma-i*es!a!io- a-) -o-5ma-i*es!a!io- are !/o
)i**ere-! >!hi-s> '+! !hey are -o!. They are esse-!ially !he same s!a!e. like /a(es o- a- e1pa-se o*
/a!er. ?he- ,olo+re) 'y a se-se o* *eei-. i! is ,o-s,io+s-ess i- /hi,h ma-i*es!a!io- appears /i!h
i!s limi!a!io-s@ /he- ,olo+rless a-) limi!less. i! is !he A'sol+!e. +-a/are o* i!s a/are-ess. The
phe-ome-a are o-ly !he mirrorin# o* !he -o+me-o-@ !hey are -o! )i**ere-!. No+me-o- is like Haai-
a ,o-,ep! i- or)er !o make ,omm+-i,a!io- possi'leC !he o-e so+r,e o* ele,!ri,i!y passi- !hro+h a
-+m'er o* >e1hi'i!s> s+,h as lamps. *a-s. mo!ors e!,.. or like !he o-e so+r,e o* lih! re*le,!e) i-
myria) o* mirrors G ,o-s,io+s-ess ma-i*es!i- i!sel* !hro+h millio-s o* se-!ie-! *orms.
No/. )o yo+ see yo+r F+es!io- i- !he ,orre,! perspe,!i(eE A sha)o/ /a-!s !o k-o/ >/hy>E
O-e o* !he ,hara,!ers playe) 'y a si-le a,!or !aki- (ario+s roles i- a o-e5ma- play /a-!s !o k-o/
/hyE The a-s/er ,o+l) /ell 'e0 ?hy -o!E A,!+ally !here ,o+l) -o! 'e a-y F+es!io- G -ei!her /hy
-or /hy -o! G'e,a+se !here really is -o F+es!io-er a! all. o-ly a ,o-,ep!. Ma-i*es!a!io- is like
)ream. ?hy )oes a )ream o,,+rE NN
13
;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;
6o(e a-) Go)
The )ialo+e. o-e e(e-i-. /as s!ar!e) 'y a yo+- Ca-a)ia-. /eari- a 6+-i a-) a !hi-
A+r!a. He sai) he /as !/e-!y5!hree. '+! looke) 'arely o+! o* his !ee-s. He /ore aro+-) his -e,k a-
elea-! li!!le sil(er ,ross o- a )ai-!y ,hai-. He sai) he ha) ,ome a,ross !he 'ook I Am That i- a
'ookshop i- Bom'ay a ,o+ple o* )ays ao. A ,+rsory la-,e a! a *e/ paes impelle) i- him a
)esire !o mee! Mahara< perso-ally. He ha) alrea)y o-e !hro+h !he 'ook rea)i- almos!
,o-!i-+o+sly. !hro+h !he a*!er-oo-. e(e-i- a-) -ih!. a-) ha) *i-ishe) 'o!h !he (ol+mes o-ly a
*e/ ho+rs ao.
Maharaj: Ko+ are so yo+-. I /o-)er si-,e /ha! ae yo+ ha(e 'ee- i-!eres!e) i- !he spiri!+al
F+es!.
Visitor: Sir. e(er si-,e I remem'er I ha(e 'ee- )eeply i-!eres!e) i- 6o(e a-) Go). A-) I
s!ro-ly *el! !ha! !hey are -o! )i**ere-!. ?he- I si! i- me)i!a!io-. I o*!e-.......
M: ?ai! a mome-!. ?ha! e1a,!ly )o yo+ mea- 'y me)i!a!io-E
V: I )o->! really k-o/. All I )o is !o si! ,ross5lee). ,lose my eyes. a-) remai- a'sol+!ely
F+ie!. I *i-) my 'o)y rela1i-. almos! mel!i- a/ay. a-) my mi-). or 'ei- or /ha!e(er meri-
i-!o spa,e. a-) !he !ho+h!5pro,ess e!!i- ra)+ally s+spe-)e).
M: Tha!>s oo). Please pro,ee).
V: P+i!e o*!e-. )+ri- me)i!a!io-. a- o(er/helmi- *eeli- o* e,s!a!i, lo(e arises i- my hear!
!oe!her /i!h a- e**+sio- o* /ell5'ei-. I )o -o! k-o/ /ha! i! is. I! is )+ri- o-e s+,h spell !ha! I
*el! i-spire) !o (isi! I-)ia G a-) here I am.
M: Ho/ lo- /ill yo+ 'e i- Bom'ayE
V: I really )o->! k-o/. I rarely make a-y pla-s. I ha(e s+**i,ie-! mo-ey !o li(e *r+ally *or
a'o+! *i*!ee- )ays. a-) I ha(e my re!+r- !i,ke!.
M: No/ !ell me. /ha! is i! e1a,!ly !ha! yo+ /a-! !o k-o/. Do yo+ ha(e a-y spe,i*i, F+es!io-sE
V: I /as a (ery ,o-*+se) ma- /he- I la-)e) i- Bom'ay. I *el! I /as almos! oi- o+! o* my
mi-). I really )o->! k-o/ /ha! !ook me !o !he 'ookshop 'e,a+se I )o->! )o m+,h rea)i-. The
mome-! I pi,ke) +p !he *irs! (ol+me o* I Am That I e1perie-,e) !he same o(erpo/eri- *eeli-
!ha! I e! )+ri- my me)i!a!io-. As I /e-! o- rea)i- !he 'ook a /eih! seeme) !o li*! o** *rom
/i!hi- me. a-). as I am si!!i- here 'e*ore yo+. I *eel as i* I am !alki- !o mysel*. A-) /ha! I am
sayi- !o mysel* seems like 'lasphemy. I /as ,o-(i-,e) !ha! lo(e is Go). B+! -o/ I !hi-k !ha! lo(e
is s+rely a ,o-,ep! a-) i* lo(e is a ,o-,ep! Go) also m+s! 'e a ,o-,ep!.
M: So. /ha! is /ro- i- i!E
V: H6a+hi-C No/. i* yo+ p+! i! like !ha! I ha(e -o *eeli- o* +il! i- !ra-s*ormi- Go) i-!o a
,o-,ep!.
M: A,!+ally. yo+ sai) lo(e is Go). ?ha! )o yo+ mea- 'y !he /or) >lo(e>. Do yo+ mea- >lo(e>
as !he opposi!e o* >ha!e>E Or. )o yo+ mea- some!hi- else. al!ho+h. o* ,o+rse. -o /or) ,a- 'e
a)eF+a!e !o )es,ri'e >Go)>.
V: No. No. By !he /or) >lo(e> I ,er!ai-ly )o -o! mea- !he opposi!e o* >ha!e>. ?ha! I mea- is
!ha! lo(e is a's!ai-i- *rom )is,rimi-a!io- as >me> a-) !he >o!her>.
M: I- o!her /or)s. +-i!y o* 'ei-E
V: Kes. i-)ee). ?ha! !he- is >Go)> !o /hom l am e1pe,!e) !o prayE
M: 6e! +s !alk a'o+! prayer la!er. No/ !he-. /ha! e1a,!ly is !his >Go)> yo+ are !alki- a'o+!E Is
he -o! !he (ery ,o-s,io+s-essG!he se-se o* >'ei-> !ha! o-e hasG'e,a+se o* /hi,h yo+ are a'le !o
ask F+es!io-sE I am& itself is .od. ?ha! is i! !ha! yo+ lo(e mos!E Is i! -o! !his >I am>. !he ,o-s,io+s
prese-,e /hi,h yo+ /a-! !o preser(e a! a-y ,os!E The seeki- i!sel* is Go). I- seeki- yo+ )is,o(er
!ha! >yo+> are apar! *rom !his 'o)y5mi-) ,omple1. I* yo+ /ere -o! ,o-s,io+s. /o+l) !he /orl) e1is!
*or yo+E ?o+l) !here 'e a-y i)ea o* a Go)E A-). !he ,o-s,io+s-ess i- yo+ a-) !he ,o-s,io+s-ess i-
me G are !hey )i**ere-!E Are !hey -o! separa!e o-ly as ,o-,ep!s. seeki- +-i!y +-,o-,ei(e). a-) is
!ha! -o! lo(eE
V: No/. I +-)ers!a-) /ha! is mea-! 'y >Go) is -earer !o me !ha- I am !o mysel*>.
M: Also remem'er. there can be no proof of *eality other than bein# it. I-)ee) yo+ are i!. a-)
ha(e al/ays 'ee-. Co-s,io+s-ess lea(es /i!h !he e-) o* !he 'o)y Ha-) is !here*ore !ime5'o+-)C a-)
/i!h i! lea(es !he )+ali!y /hi,h is !he 'asis o* ,o-s,io+s-ess a-) ma-i*es!a!io-.
V: ?ha! !he- is prayer. a-) /ha! is i!s p+rposeE
M: Prayer. as i! is e-erally +-)ers!oo). is -o!hi- '+! 'ei- *or some!hi-. A,!+ally. prayer
mea-s ,omm+-io-5+-i!i-5Koa.
V: E(ery!hi- is so ,lear -o/. as i* a rea! )eal o* r+''ish has 'ee- s+))e-ly !hro/- o+! o* my
sys!em. 'lo/- o+! o* e1is!e-,e.
M: Do yo+ mea- !ha! yo+ -o/ seem !o see e(ery!hi- ,learlyE
V: No. NoB No! >seems>. I! is ,lear. so ,lear !ha! I am -o/ ama=e) !ha! i! /as -o! ,lear a! a-y
!ime. Iario+s s!a!eme-!s !ha! I ha) rea) i- !he Bi'le. /hi,h seeme) impor!a-! '+! (a+e 'e*ore. are
-o/ ,rys!al ,learG s!a!eme-!s like0 Be*ore A'raham /as I am@ I a-) my *a!her are o-e@ I am !ha! I
am.
M: Goo). No/ !ha! yo+ k-o/ /ha! i! is all a'o+!. /ha! Sa)ha-a /ill yo+ )o !o o'!ai-
li'era!io- *rom yo+r >'o-)ae>E
V: AhB Mahara<. No/ yo+ are s+rely maki- *+- o* me. Or. are yo+ !es!i- meE S+rely. -o/ I
k-o/ a-) ha(e reali=e) !ha! I am that GI am which I have always been and which I shall always
be. ?ha! is le*! !o 'e )o-eE Or. +-)o-eE A-) /ho is !o )o i!E A-) *or /ha! p+rposeE
M: E1,elle-!B /ust be.
V: I shall. i-)ee).
The-. !he yo+- Ca-a)ia- pros!ra!e) 'e*ore Mahara<. his eyes 'rimmi- /i!h !ears o* ra!i!+)e
a-) <oy. Mahara< aske) him i* he /o+l) 'e ,omi- aai-. a-) !he la) sai)0 DHo-es!ly. I )o->!
k-o/.D ?he- he le*!. Mahara< sa! *or a /hile /i!h his eyes ,lose). !he e-!les! o* smiles o- his lips.
He !he- sai) (ery so*!ly0 DA rare o-eD@ I ,o+l) 'arely ,a!,h !he /or)s.
I -e(er sa/ !he yo+- Ca-a)ia- aai-. a-) I ha(e o*!e- /o-)ere) a'o+! him.
14
;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;
S!a-)poi-! *or Rea)i- !he Gi!a
A! o-e o* !he sessio-s a )is!i-+ishe)5looki- la)y (isi!or /a-!e) !o ask a F+es!io- a'o+! !he
Bhaa(a)i!a. ?hile she /as *rami- her F+es!io- i- proper /or)s. Mahara< s+))e-ly aske) her0
DFrom /ha! s!a-)poi-! )o yo+ rea) !he Gi!aED
Visitor: From !he s!a-)poi-! !ha! !he Gi!a is perhaps !he mos! impor!a-! +i)e *or !he spiri!+al
seeker.
Maharaj: ?hy )o yo+ i(e s+,h a s!+pi) a-s/erE O* ,o+rse i! is a (ery impor!a-! +i)e *or
!he spiri!+al seeker@ i! is -o! a 'ook o* *i,!io-. My F+es!io- is0 ?ha! is !he s!a-)poi-! *rom /hi,h
yo+ rea) !he 'ookE
A-o!her (isi!or0 Sir. I rea) i! as o-e o* !he Ar<+-as i- !he /orl) *or /hose 'e-e*i! !he 6or) /as
ra,io+s e-o+h !o e1po+-) !he Gi!a. ?he- Mahara< looke) aro+-) *or o!her a-s/ers !here /as
o-ly a e-eral m+rm+r i- ,o-*irma!io- o* !his a-s/er.
M: ?hy -o! rea) !he Gi!a *rom !he s!a-)poi-! o* 6or) Arish-aE To !his s+es!io- !here /ere
sim+l!a-eo+sly !/o !ypes o* s!ar!le) rea,!io-s *rom !/o o* !he (isi!ors. O-e /as a sho,ke)
e1,lama!io- /hi,h ,learly mea-! !ha! !he s+es!io- /o+l) !a-!amo+-! !o a sa,rilee. The o!her
/as o-e si-le ,risp ,lap o* ha-)s. a re*le1 a,!io- o'(io+sly )e-o!i- some!hi- like Ar,hime)es>
eure+a. Bo!h !he ,o-,er-e) (isi!ors /ere ra!her em'arrasse) 'y !heir +-/i!!i- ar!i,+la!io- a-) 'y
!he *a,! !ha! !he !/o rea,!io-s /ere !he e1a,! opposi!e o* ea,h o!her. Mahara< a(e !he ,lapper> a
F+i,k look o* appro(al a-) ,o-!i-+e)0
M: Mos! reliio+s 'ooks are s+ppose) !o 'e !he spoke- /or) o* some e-lih!e-e) perso-.
Ho/e(er e-lih!e-e) a perso-. he m+s! speak o- !he 'asis o* ,er!ai- ,o-,ep!s !ha! he *i-)s
a,,ep!a'le. B+! !he remarka'le )is!i-,!io- o* !he Gi!a is !ha! 6or) Arish-a has spoke- *rom !he
s!a-)poi-! !ha! he is !he so+r,e o* all ma-i*es!a!io-. i.e. *rom !he s!a-)poi-! -o! o* !he phe-ome-o-.
'+! o* !he -o+me-o-. *rom !he s!a-)poi-! >!he !o!al ma-i*es!a!io- is mysel*. This is !he +-iF+e-ess
o* !he Gi!a.
No/. sai) Mahara<. ,o-si)er /ha! m+s! ha(e happe-e) 'e*ore a-y a-,ie-! reliio+s !e1! o!
re,or)e). I- e(ery ,ase. !he e-lih!e-e) perso- m+s! ha(e ha) !ho+h!s /hi,h he m+s! ha(e p+! i-!o
/or)s. a-) !he /or)s +se) may -o! ha(e 'ee- F+i!e a)eF+a!e !o ,o-(ey his e1a,! !ho+h!s. The
mas!er>s /or)s /o+l) ha(e 'ee- hear) 'y !he perso- /ho re,or)e) !hem. a-) /ha! he re,or)e)
/o+l) s+rely ha(e 'ee- a,,or)i- !o his o/- +-)ers!a-)i- a-) i-!erpre!a!io-. A*!er !his *irs!
ha-)/ri!!e- re,or). (ario+s ,opies o* i! /o+l) ha(e 'ee- ma)e 'y se(eral perso-s a-) !he ,opies
,o+l) ha(e ,o-!ai-e) -+mero+s errors. I- o!her /or)s. /ha! !he rea)er a! a-y par!i,+lar !ime rea)s
a-) !ries !o assimila!e ,o+l) 'e F+i!e )i**ere-! *rom /ha! /as really i-!e-)e) !o 'e ,o-(eye) 'y !he
orii-al mas!er. A)) !o all !his !he +-/i!!i- or )eli'era!e i-!erpola!io-s 'y (ario+s s,holars i- !he
,o+rse o* ,e-!+ries. a-) yo+ /ill +-)ers!a-) !he pro'lem I am !ryi- !o ,o-(ey !o yo+.
I am !ol) !ha! !he B+))ha himsel* spoke o-ly i- !he Maha)i la-+ae. /hils! his !ea,hi-. as
re,or)e). is i- Pali or i- Sa-skri!. /hi,h ,o+l) ha(e 'ee- )o-e o-ly ma-y ma-y years la!er@ a-)
/ha! /e -o/ ha(e o* his !ea,hi- m+s! ha(e passe) !hro+h -+mero+s ha-)s. Imai-e !he -+m'er
o* al!era!io-s a-) a))i!io-s !ha! m+s! ha(e ,rep! i-!o i! o(er a lo- perio). Is i! !he- a-y /o-)er !ha!
-o/ !here are )i**ere-,es o* opi-io- a-) )isp+!es a'o+! /ha! !he B+))ha a,!+ally )i) say. or
i-!e-)e) !o sayE
I- !hese ,ir,+ms!a-,es. /he- I ask yo+ !o rea) !he Gi!a *rom !he s!a-)poi-! o* 6or) Arish-a. I
ask yo+ !o i(e +p a! o-,e !he i)e-!i!y /i!h !he 'o)y5mi-) ,omple1 /he- rea)i- i!. I ask yo+ !o
rea) i! *rom !he poi-! o* (ie/ !ha! yo+ are !he a-ima!i- ,o-s,io+s-ess G !he Arish-a5
,o-s,io+s-ess G a-) -o! !he phe-ome-al o'<e,! !o /hi,h i! i(es se-!ie-,eG so !ha! !he
k-o/le)e !ha! is !he Gi!a may 'e !r+ly +-*ol)e) !o yo+. Ko+ /ill !he- +-)ers!a-) !ha! i- !he
Iish(a5r+pa5)arsha- /ha! 6or) Arish-a sho/e) Ar<+-a /as -o! o-ly his o/- S(ar+pa. '+! !he
S(ar+pa G !he !r+e i)e-!i!yGo* Ar<+-a himsel*. a-) !h+s. o* all !he rea)ers o* !he Gi!a.
I- shor!. rea) !he Gi!a *rom !he s!a-)poi-! o* 6or) Arish-a. as !he Arish-a5,o-s,io+s-ess@ yo+
/ill !he- reali=e !ha! a phe-ome-o- ,a- -o! 'e >li'era!e)> 'e,a+se i! has -o i-)epe-)e-! e1is!e-,e@ i!
is o-ly a- ill+sio-. a sha)o/. I* !he Gi!a is rea) i- !his spiri!. !he ,o-s,io+s-ess. /hi,h has
mis!ake-ly i)e-!i*ie) i!sel* /i!h !he 'o)y5mi-) ,o-s!r+,!. /ill 'e,ome a/are o* i!s !r+e -a!+re a-)
mere /i!h i!s so+r,e.
15
;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;
Bli-) Ko+!h /i!h Tr+e Iisio-
O-,e. a! !he e-) o* a ra!her lo- )ialo+e5,+m5)is,o+rse sessio-. )+ri- /hi,h Mahara<
repea!e)ly 'ro+h! his lis!e-ers !o !he 'asi, poi-! o* his !ea,hi- H!ha! !he ,o-s,io+s prese-,e. >I
am>. is !he orii-al ,o-,ep! o- /hi,h e(ery!hi- else appears. a-) !ha! !his ,o-,ep! i!sel* is o-ly a-
ill+sio-C he aske) !he F+es!io-0 Ha(e yo+ +-)ers!oo) /ha! I am !ryi- !o sayE
This F+es!io- /as a))resse) !o !he lis!e-ers e-erally. All /ere sile-!. '+! o-e amo- !hem
sai)0 DKes Mahara<. I ha(e +-)ers!oo) yo+r /or)s i-!elle,!+ally. '+!.. . .D Mahara< hear) !he a-s/er
a-) smile) /earily. perhaps 'e,a+se he /as am+se) 'y !he *a,! !ha! !he speaker. !ho+h he sai) he
+-)ers!oo). ha) -o! really +-)ers!oo). He !he- pro,ee)e) *+r!her !o e1plai- !he s+'<e,! l+,i)ly i- a
,a!eori,al ma--er as *ollo/s0
#. The k-o/le)e I am or ,o-s,io+s-ess is !he o-ly D,api!al> a se-!ie-! 'ei- has. I-)ee).
/i!ho+! ,o-s,io+s-ess he /o+l) -o! ha(e a-y se-!ie-,e.
&. ?he- !his I-am-ness is -o! prese-!. as i- )eep sleep. !here is -o 'o)y. -o o+!si)e /orl). a-)
-o >Go)>. I! is e(i)e-! !ha! a !i-y spe,k o* !his ,o-s,io+s-ess ,o-!ai-s !he e-!ire +-i(erse.
2. Ne(er!heless. ,o-s,io+s-ess ,a--o! e1is! /i!ho+! a physi,al 'o)y. a-) e1is!e-,e o* !he 'o)y
'ei- !emporal. ,o-s,io+s-ess also m+s! 'e !emporal.
7. Fi-ally. i* ,o-s,io+s-ess is !ime5'o+-) a-) is -o! e!er-al. a-y k-o/le)e !ha! is a,F+ire)
!hro+h !he me)i+m o* ,o-s,io+s-ess ,a--o! 'e !he !r+!h a-) is. !here*ore. +l!ima!ely !o 'e re<e,!e).
or. as I sai). !o 'e o**ere) !o Brahma- as a- o'la!io-GBrahma- 'ei- ,o-s,io+s-ess. 'ei--ess. I5
am5-ess. or Ish/ara. or Go). or /ha!e(er -ame yo+ i(e i!. I- o!her /or)s. !he i-!er5rela!e)
opposi!es. 'o!h k-o/le)e a-) i-ora-,e. are i- !he area o* !he k-o/- a-). !here*ore. -o! !he !r+!h
G a-) !r+!h is o-ly i- !he +-k-o/-. O-,e !his is ,learly +-)ers!oo). -o!hi- more remai-s !o 'e
)o-e. I-)ee) !here is really -o >e-!i!y> !o )o a-y!hi-.
A*!er +!!eri- !hese /or)s Mahara< 'e,ame sile-! a-) ,lose) his eyes. The li!!le lo*!5room
seeme) !o 'e s+'mere) i-!o a- e**+le-! pea,e. No! a /or) /as spoke- 'y a-y'o)y. ?hy is i!. I
/o-)ere). !ha! mos! o* +s are +-a'le !o see a-) *eel !he )y-ami, ma-i*es!a!io- o* !r+!h prese-!e) 'y
Mahara< !ime a-) aai-. A-) /hy some o* +s G !ho+h (ery *e/ G see i! i- a *lash.
A*!er some !ime. /he- Mahara< ope-e) his eyes a-) /e all re(er!e) !o !he -ormal s!a!e.
someo-e )re/ his a!!e-!io- !o !he poor. 'li-) yo+- ma- /ho ha) re,e-!ly a!!e-)e) his !alks o-ly
!/i,e. i- !he mor-i- a-) aai- !he same e(e-i-. a-) ha) o-e 'a,k >li'era!e)>. A! !he e-) o* !he
sessio-. /he- !his yo+- ma- 'a)e oo)'ye !o Mahara<. he /as aske) /he!her he ha) +-)ers!oo)
/ha! i! /as all a'o+! a-) he ha) sai) ,o-*i)e-!ly0 DKesD. ?he- Mahara< himsel* aske) him /ha! he
ha) +-)ers!oo).. he sa! F+ie!ly *or a *e/ mome-!s. a-) !he- spoke0 Mahara<. I )o -o! ha(e !he rih!
/or)s !o e1press my *eeli-s o* ra!i!+)e !o yo+ *or maki- !he /hole pi,!+re so (ery ,lear !o me.
so simply. a-) so F+i,kly. I ,a- s+mmari=e yo+r !ea,hi-0
#. Ko+ aske) me !o remem'er /ha! I was 'e*ore I ha) !his k-o/le)e >I am> !oe!her /i!h !he
'o)y. i.e.. 'e*ore I /as >'or->@
&. Ko+ !ol) me !ha! !his 'o)y5,+m5,o-s,io+s-ess ha) ,ome +po- me /i!ho+! my k-o/le)e or
,o-,+rre-,e. !here*ore >I> ha) -e(er 'ee- >'or->@
2. This 'o)y5,+m5,o-s,io+s-ess !ha! is >'or-> is !ime5'o+-) a-). /he- i! )isappears a! !he e-)
o* i!s allo!!e) spa-. I shall 'e 'a,k i- my orii-al s!a!e. /hi,h is al/ays prese-!. '+! -o! i-
ma-i*es!a!io-@
7. There*ore. I am -o! ,o-s,io+s-ess. a-) ,er!ai-ly -o! !he physi,al ,o-s!r+,! /hi,h ho+ses !his
,o-s,io+s-ess@
4. Fi-ally. I +-)ers!a-) !ha! !here is o-ly >I> G -ei!her >me>. -or >mi-e>. -or >yo+> G o-ly that
which is. There is -o 'o-)ae o!her !ha- !he ,o-,ep! o* a separa!e >me> a-) >mi-e> i- !his !o!ali!y o*
ma-i*es!a!io- a-) *+-,!io-i-.
A*!er heari- !hese /or)s *rom !he 'li-) yo+!h. +!!ere) /i!h a'sol+!e ,o-(i,!io-. Mahara< ha)
i(e- him a look o* +-)ers!a-)i- a-) lo(e. a-) ha) aske) him0 DNo/ /ha! /ill yo+ 'e )oi-ED
The a-s/er /as0 DSir. I ha(e +-)ers!oo) yo+ !r+ly. I /ill 'e )oi- -o!hi-. >6i(i-> /ill o o-.D He
!he- pai) his respe,!s !o Mahara< /i!h rea! a)ora!io- a-) le*!.
The 'li-) yo+- ma- /as -o! really 'li-). sai) Mahara<. He ha) !he !r+e (isio-. There are *e/
like him.
16
;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;
He Came !o S,o** . . .
?he- o-e par!i,ipa!es i- !he )ialo+es 'e!/ee- Mahara< a-) his (isi!ors o(er a perio). o-e is
as!o-ishe) a! !he ra-e o* F+es!io-s !ha! are aske)Gma-y o* !hem sho,ki-ly -ai(e G a-) !he
spo-!a-ei!y a-) ease /i!h /hi,h !he a-s/ers ,ome *rom Mahara<. Bo!h !he F+es!io-s a-) a-s/ers
are !ra-sla!e) as a,,+ra!ely as possi'le. Mahara<>s a-s/ers i- Mara!hi. /hi,h is !he o-ly la-+ae he
is *l+e-! i-. /o+l) -a!+rally 'e 'ase) o- !he Mara!hi /or)s +se) i- !he !ra-sla!io- o* !he F+es!io-.
I- his a-s/ers. ho/e(er. Mahara< makes (ery ,le(er +se o* !he Mara!hi /or)s +se) i- !he
!ra-sla!io- o* !he F+es!io-. ei!her 'y /ay o* p+-s or 'y a slih! ,ha-e i- !he /or)s !hemsel(es.
pro)+,i- i-!erpre!a!io-s some!imes !o!ally )i**ere-! *rom !heir +s+al mea-i-. The e1a,!
si-i*i,a-,e o* s+,h /or)s ,o+l) -e(er 'e 'ro+h! o+! i- a-y !ra-sla!io-s. Mahara< *ra-kly a)mi!s
!ha! i! is +s+ally i- !he lih!er (ei- !ha! he +ses !he Mara!hi la-+ae i- e1posi- !he me-!al le(el o*
!he F+es!io-er a-) !he i-!e-! a-) !he ,o-)i!io-i- 'ehi-) his F+es!io-. I* !he F+es!io-er !rea!s !he
sessio- as a- e-!er!ai-me-!. al'ei! o* a s+perior ki-). Mahara< is rea)y !o <oi- i- !he *+- i- !he
a'se-,e o* 'e!!er s+'<e,!s a-) 'e!!er ,ompa-yB
Amo- !he (isi!ors. !here is o,,asio-ally a- +-+s+al !ype o* perso- /ho has a (ery kee-
i-!elle,! '+! is arme) /i!h a )e(as!a!i- skep!i,ism. He is ,o,k5s+re !ha! he has a- ope- mi-) a-) a
pe-e!ra!i- i-!elle,!+al ,+riosi!y. He /a-!s !o 'e ,o-(i-,e) a-) -o! merely ,a<ole) 'y (a+e a-)
/oolly /or)s !ha! reliio+s !ea,hers o*!e- )ole o+! i- !heir )is,o+rses. Mahara<. o* ,o+rse. is F+i,k
!o re,o-i=e !his !ype a-) !he- !he ,o-(ersa!io- a! o-,e ass+mes a piF+a-,y !ha! lea(es o-e
s!+--e). The i-!+i!i(e per,ep!io- +-)erlyi- !he /or)s o* Mahara< simply s/eeps a/ay !he
me!aphysi,al F+i''les p+! *or/ar) 'y s+,h a- i-!elle,!+al. O-e /o-)ers ho/ a ma- /ho )i) -o!
ha(e e(e- !he 'e-e*i! o* proper s,hooli- ,a- pro(e more !ha- a ma!,h *or pe)a-!i, s,holars a-)
skep!i,al a-os!i,s /ho 'elie(e !hemsel(es !o 'e i-(+l-era'le. Mahara<>s /or)s are al/ays al(a-i,
a-) s,i-!illa!i-. He -e(er F+o!es a+!hori!ies *rom !he s,rip!+res i- Sa-skri! or a-y o!her la-+ae.
I* o-e o* !he (isi!ors sho+l) F+o!e e(e- a *airly *amiliar (erse *rom !he Gi!a. Mahara< has !o ask *or
a Mara!hi !ra-sla!io- o* i!. His i-!+i!i(e per,ep!io- -ee)s -o s+ppor! 'y /ay o* !he /or)s *rom a-y
o!her a+!hori!y. His o/- i-!er-al reso+r,es are limi!less i-)ee). ?ha!e(er I say. says Mahara<.
s!a-)s 'y i!sel*. i! -ee)s -o s+ppor!.
O-e o* !he +s+al (isi!ors a! !he sessio- ha) 'ro+h! /i!h him a *rie-) a-) i-!ro)+,e) him !o
Mahara< as a ma- /i!h a (ery kee- i-!elle,! /ho /o+l) -o! !ake a-y!hi- *or ra-!e) a-) /ho
/o+l) F+es!io- e(ery!hi- 'e*ore a,,ep!i- i!. Mahara< sai) he /as happy !o mee! s+,h a perso-.
The -e/ (isi!or /as a pro*essor o* ma!hema!i,s.
Mahara< s+es!e) !ha! i! /o+l) perhaps 'e 'es! *or !he !/o o* !hem !o ha(e a )ialo+e /i!ho+!
ass+mp!io-s o* a-y ki-)@ rih! *rom !he 'asi, le(el. ?o+l) he like !ha!E The (isi!or m+s! ha(e 'ee-
mos! pleasa-!ly s+rprise) a! !his o**er. He sai) he /as )elih!e) a! !he s+es!io-.
Maharaj: No/. !ell me. yo+ are si!!i- 'e*ore me here a-) -o/. ?ha! e1a,!ly )o yo+ !hi-k
>yo+> areE
Visitor: I am a male h+ma- 'ei-. *or!y5-i-e years ol). /i!h ,er!ai- physi,al meas+reme-!s
a-) /i!h ,er!ai- hopes a-) aspira!io-s.
M: ?ha! /as yo+r imae a'o+! yo+rsel* !e- years aoE Same as i! is -o/E A-) /he- yo+
/ere !e- years ol)E A-) /he- yo+ /ere a- i-*a-!E A-). e(e- 'e*ore !ha!E Has -o! yo+r imae
a'o+! yo+rsel* ,ha-e) all !he !imeE
V: Kes. /ha! I ,o-si)ere) as my i)e-!i!y has 'ee- ,ha-i- all !he !ime.
M: A-) ye!. is !here -o! some!hi-. /he- yo+ !hi-k a'o+! yo+rsel*G )eep )o/- G !ha! has
-o! ,ha-e)E
V: Kes. !here is. !ho+h I ,a--o! spe,i*y /ha! e1a,!ly i! is.
M: Is i! -o! !he simple se-se of bein# !he se-se o* e1is!i-. !he se-se o* prese-,eE I* yo+ /ere
-o! ,o-s,io+s. /o+l) yo+r 'o)y exist *or yo+E ?o+l) !here 'e a-y /orl) *or yo+ E ?o+l) !here
!he- 'e a-y F+es!io- o* Go) or !he Crea!orE
V: This is ,er!ai-ly some!hi- !o po-)er. B+! !ell me. please. ho/ )o yo+ see yo+rsel*E
M: I am this-I-am or. i* yo+ pre*er. I am that-I-am.
V: I am sorry. '+! I )o->! +-)ers!a-).
M: ?he- yo+ say DI !hi-k I +-)ers!a-)D. i! is all /ro-. ?he- yo+ say DI )o->! +-)ers!a-)D.
!ha! is a'sol+!ely !r+e. 6e! me make i! simpler0 I am !he ,o-s,io+s prese-,e G -o! !his i-)i(i)+al or
!ha!. '+! 0onscious !resence as such.
V: No/. aai- I /as a'o+! !o say. I !hi-k I +-)ers!a-)B B+! yo+ ha(e <+s! sai) !ha! !ha! is
/ro-. Ko+ are -o! )eli'era!ely !ryi- !o e! me ,o-*+se). are yo+E
M: O- !he ,o-!rary. I am !elli- yo+ !he e1a,! posi!io-. O'<e,!i(ely. I am all !ha! appears i-
!he mirror o* ,o-s,io+s-ess. A'sol+!ely. I am that. I am the consciousness in which the world
appears.
V: I am a*rai). I )o->! see !ha!. All I ,a- see is /ha! appears 'e*ore me.
M: ?o+l) yo+ 'e a'le !o see /ha! appears 'e*ore yo+ i* yo+ /ere -o! ,o-s,io+sE No. Is all
e1is!e-,e. !here*ore. -o! p+rely o'<e,!i(e i-asm+,h as yo+ e1is! o-ly i- my ,o-s,io+s-ess. a-) I i-
yo+rsE Is i! -o! ,lear !ha! o+r e1perie-,e o* o-e a-o!her is limi!e) !o a- a,! o* ,o-i!io- i-
,o-s,io+s-essE I- o!her /or)s. /ha! /e ,all o+r e1is!e-,e is merely i- !he mi-) o* some o-e else
a-). !here*ore. o-ly ,o-,ep!+alE Po-)er o(er !his !oo.
V: Are yo+ !ryi- !o !ell me !ha! /e are all mere phe-ome-a i- ,o-s,io+s-ess. pha-!oms i- !he
/orl)E A-) /ha! a'o+! !he /orl) i!sel*E A-) all !he e(e-!s !ha! o,,+rE
M: Po-)er o(er /ha! I ha(e sai). Ca- yo+ *i-) a *la/ i- i!E The physi,al 'o)y. /hi,h o-e
e-erally i)e-!i*ies /i!h o-esel*. is o-ly !he physi,al ,o-s!r+,! *or !he Pra-a H!he li*e5*or,eC a-)
,o-s,io+s-ess. ?i!ho+! !he Pra-a5,o-s,io+s-ess /ha! is !he physi,al 'o)yE O-ly a ,a)a(erB I! is
o-ly 'e,a+se ,o-s,io+s-ess has mis!ake-ly i)e-!i*ie) i!sel* /i!h i!s physi,al ,o(eri- G !he
psy,hosoma!i, appara!+s G !ha! !he i-)i(i)+al ,omes i-!o e1is!e-,e.
V: No/. yo+ a-) I are separa!e i-)i(i)+als /ho ha(e !o li(e a-) /ork i- !his /orl) alo- /i!h
millio-s o* o!hers. o* ,o+rse. Ho/ )o yo+ (ie/ meE
M: I (ie/ yo+ i- !his /orl) e1a,!ly as yo+ (ie/ yo+rsel* i- yo+r )ream. Does !ha! sa!is*y yo+E
I- a )ream /hils! yo+r 'o)y is res!i- i- yo+r 'e). yo+ ha(e ,rea!e) a /hole /orl) G parallel !o
/ha! yo+ ,all !he >real> /orl) G i- /hi,h !here are people. i-,l+)i- yo+rsel*. Ho/ )o yo+ (ie/
yo+rsel* i- yo+r )reamE I- !he /aki- s!a!e. !he /orl) emeres a-) yo+ are !ake- i-!o /ha! I /o+l)
,all a /aki-5)ream s!a!e. ?hile yo+ are )reami-. yo+r )ream5/orl) appears !o yo+ (ery real
i-)ee). )oes i! -o!E Ho/ )o yo+ k-o/ !ha! !his /orl) !ha! yo+ ,all >real> is also -o! a )reamE I! is a
)ream *rom /hi,h yo+ m+s! a/ake- yo+rsel* 'y seei- !he *alse as *alse. !he +-real as +-real. !he
!ra-sie-! as !ra-sie-!@ i! ,a- >e1is!> o-ly i- ,o-,ep!+al spa,e5!ime. A-) !he-. a*!er s+,h a-
>a/ake-i-> yo+ are i- Reali!y. The- yo+ see !he /orl) as >li(i->. as a phe-ome-al )ream /i!hi-
!he periphery o* se-sorial per,ep!io- i- spa,e5!ime /i!h a s+ppose) (oli!io-al *ree)om.
No/. a'o+! /ha! yo+ ,all a- i-)i(i)+al0 ?hy )o->! yo+ e1ami-e !his phe-ome-o- a-aly!i,ally.
o* ,o+rse /i!h a- ope- mi-). a*!er i(i- +p all e1is!i- me-!al ,o-)i!io-i- a-) pre,o-,ei(e)
i)easE I* yo+ )o so. /ha! /ill yo+ *i-)E
The 'o)y is merely a physi,al ,o-s!r+,! *or !he li*e5*or,e HPra-aC a-) ,o-s,io+s-ess. /hi,h
,o-s!i!+!e a sor! o* psy,hosoma!i, appara!+s@ a-) !his >i-)i(i)+al> )oes -o!hi- o!her !ha-
respo-)i- !o o+!si)e s!im+li a-) pro)+,i- ill+sory imaes a-) i-!erpre!a!io-s. A-). *+r!her. !his
i-)i(i)+al se-!ie-! 'ei- ,a- >e1is!> o-ly as a- o'<e,! i- !he ,o-s,io+s-ess !ha! ,o-i=es i!B I! is <+s!
a- hall+,i-a!io-.
V: Do yo+ really mea- !o say !ha! yo+ see -o )i**ere-,e 'e!/ee- a )ream )ream! 'y me a-)
my li(i- i- !his /orl)E
M: Ko+ ha(e ha) F+i!e a lo! alrea)y !o ,oi!a!e a-) me)i!a!e +po-. Are yo+ s+re yo+ /ish me
!o pro,ee)E
V: I am +se) !o lare )oses o* serio+s s!+)y. a-) I ha(e -o )o+'! yo+ !oo are. I /o+l) 'e mos!
ra!e*+l i-)ee) i* /e ,o+l) pro,ee) *+r!her a-) !ake !his !o i!s loi,al ,o-,l+sio-.
M: Iery /ell. ?he- yo+ /ere i- )eep sleep. )i) !he phe-ome-al /orl) e1is! *or yo+E Ca- yo+
-o! i-!+i!i(ely a-) -a!+rally (is+ali=e yo+r pris!i-e s!a!e G yo+r orii-al bein# 1 'e*ore !his 'o)y5
,o-s,io+s-ess ,o-)i!io- i-!r+)e) +po- yo+ +-aske). +-ai)e)E I- !ha! s!a!e. /ere yo+ ,o-s,io+s o*
yo+r >e1is!e-,e>E Cer!ai-ly -o!.
The +-i(ersal ma-i*es!a!io- is o-ly i- ,o-s,io+s-ess. '+! !he >a/ake-e)> o-e has his ,e-!re o*
seei- i- !he A'sol+!e. I- !he orii-al s!a!e o* p+re bein# -o! a/are o* i!s bein#ness. ,o-s,io+s-ess
arises like a /a(e o- a- e1pa-se o* /a!er. a-) i- ,o-s,io+s-ess !he /orl) appears a-) )isappears.
The /a(es rise a-) *all. '+! !he e1pa-se o* /a!er remai-s. 2efore all be#innin#s after all endin#s I
am. )hatever happens &I& must be there to witness it.
I! is -o! !ha! !he /orl) )oes -o! >e1is!>. E1is! i! )oes. '+! merely as a- appeara-,e i-
,o-s,io+s-ess G !he !o!ali!y o* !he k-o/- ma-i*es!e). i- !he i-*i-i!y o* !he +-k-o/-.
+-ma-i*es!e). )hat be#ins must end. )hat appears must disappear. The )+ra!io- o* appeara-,e is
a ma!!er o* rela!i(i!y. '+! !he pri-,iple is !ha! /ha!e(er is s+'<e,! !o !ime a-) )+ra!io- m+s! e-). a-)
is. !here*ore. -o! real.
No/. ,a- yo+ -o! apper,ei(e !ha! i- !his li(i-5)ream yo+ are s!ill asleep. !ha! all !ha! is
,o-i=a'le is ,o-!ai-e) i- !his pha-!asy o* li(i-@ a-) !ha! !he o-e. /ho /hils! ,o-i=i- !his
o'<e,!i*ie) /orl) ,o-si)ers o-esel* a- >e-!i!y> apar! *rom !he !o!ali!y /hi,h is ,o-i=e). is a,!+ally
(ery m+,h a- i-!eral par! o* !he (ery hypo!he!i,al /orl)E
Also. ,o-si)er0 ?e seem !o 'e ,o-(i-,e) !ha! /e li(e a li*e o* o+r o/-. a,,or)i- !o o+r o/-
/ishes a-) hopes a-) am'i!io-s. a,,or)i- !o o+r o/- pla- a-) )esi- !hro+h o+r o/- i-)i(i)+al
e**or!s. B+! is !ha! really soE Or. are /e 'ei- )reame) a-) li(e) /i!ho+! (oli!io-. !o!ally as
p+ppe!s. e1a,!ly as i- a perso-al )reamE Thi-kB Ne(er *ore! !ha! <+s! as !he /orl) e1is!s. al'ei! as
a- appeara-,e. !he )reame) *i+res !oo. i- ei!her )ream. m+s! ha(e a ,o-!e-! G !hey are /ha! !he
)ream5s+'<e,! is. Tha! is /hy I say0 *elatively &I& am not but the manifested universe is myself.
V: I !hi-k I am 'ei--i- !o e! !he /hole i)ea.
M: Is -o! !hi-ki- i!sel* a -o!io- i- !he mi-)E Tho+h! is a'se-! i- seei- !hi-s i-!+i!i(ely.
?he- yo+ !hi-k yo+ +-)ers!a-). yo+ )o->!. ?he- yo+ per,ei(e )ire,!ly. !here is -o !hi-ki-. Ko+
+now that you are alive% you do not &thin+& that you are alive.
V: Goo) hea(e-sB This seems !o 'e a -e/ )ime-sio- !ha! yo+ are prese-!i-.
M: ?ell. I )o->! k-o/ a'o+! a -e/ )ime-sio-. '+! yo+ ha(e e1presse) i! /ell. I! ,o+l) i-)ee)
'e sai) !o 'e a *resh )ire,!io- o* meas+reme-! G a -e/ ,e-!re o* (isio- G i-asm+,h as 'y
a(oi)i- !ho+h! a-) per,ei(i- !hi-s )ire,!ly. ,o-,ep!+ali=i- is a(oi)e). I- o!her /or)s. i-
seei- /i!h !he /hole mi-). i-!+i!i(ely. !he appare-! seer )isappears. a-) !he seei- 'e,omes !he
see-.
The (isi!or !he- o! +p. pai) his respe,!s !o Mahara< /i!h ,o-si)era'ly more )e(o!io- a-)
s+'missio- !ha- /as sho/- 'y him o- his arri(al. He looke) i-!o Mahara<>s eyes a-) smile). ?he-
Mahara< aske) him /hy he /as smili-. he sai) he /as remi-)e) o* a sayi- i- E-lish0 >They
,ame !o s,o**. a-) remai-e) !o prayB>
17
;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;
No+me-o- a-) Phe-ome-a
I! /as o-e o* !hose mor-i-s. perhaps a Mo-)ay. /he- !here /ere o-ly a *e/ o* +s. !he re+lar
>a))i,!s>. Mahara< sa! /i!h his eyes ,lose). s!ill like a s!a!+e. A*!er some !ime he s+))e-ly s!ar!e)
speaki- so*!ly. so so*!ly !ha! /e +-,o-s,io+sly mo(e) -earer !o him. He ,o-!i-+e) !o si! /i!h his
eyes ,lose). a-) /e-! o- speaki-. or ra!her !hi-ki- alo+)0 People !hi-k !ha! I am a J-a-i. They
,ome !o me *rom all o(er !he /orl) G *rom Ca-a)a !o A+s!ralia a-) Ne/ Qeala-). *rom E-la-)
!o Japa-. Mos! o* !hem ha(e rea) I Am That a-) ,ome all !he /ay !o Bom'ay o-ly !o mee! me.
?i!h rea! )i**i,+l!y !hey are a'le !o lo,a!e !his li!!le ol) ho+se o* mi-e i- a )ir!y. -arro/ s!ree!.
They ,lim' +p !he s!airs a-) *i-) a small )ark ma- i- !he simples! o* ,lo!hi-. si!!i- i- a ,or-er.
They !hi-k0 This ma- )oes->! look like a J-a-i@ he )oes -o! )ress impressi(ely. as someo-e k-o/-
as Nisara)a!!a Mahara< ,o+l) 'e e1pe,!e) !o )o. Co+l) he really 'e !he o-eE
?ha! ,a- I say !o !hese peopleE I !ell !hem F+i!e *ra-kly !ha! my e)+,a!io- is +p !o !he le(el
/hi,h ,a- 'arely p+! me i- !he ,a!eory o* !he li!era!e@ I ha(e -o! rea) a-y o* !he rea! !ra)i!io-al
s,rip!+res a-) !he o-ly la-+ae I k-o/ is my -a!i(e Mara!hi. The o-ly e-F+iry I ha(e p+rs+e). '+!
p+rs+e) i! rele-!lessly G like a h+-!er p+rs+es his F+arryG is !his0 >I k-o/ I am a-) I ha(e a 'o)y.
Ho/ ,o+l) !his happe- /i!ho+! my k-o/le)e a-) ,o-se-!E A-) /ha! is !his k-o/le)e I am$&
This has 'ee- my li*e5lo- p+rs+i! a-) I am *+lly sa!is*ie) /i!h !he a-s/ers I ha(e rea,he). This is
my o-ly J-a-a. ye! people 'elie(e I am a J-a-i. My G+r+ !ol) me0 DKo+ are Brahma-. yo+ are all
a-) e(ery!hi-. There is -o!hi- o!her !ha- yo+.D I a,,ep!e) my G+r+>s /or) as !r+!h. a-) -o/. *or
*or!y o)) years I ha(e 'ee- si!!i- i- !his (ery room )oi- -o!hi- e1,ep! !alki- a'o+! i!. ?hy )o
people ,ome !o me *rom )is!a-! la-)sE ?ha! a mira,leB
A*!er p+rs+i- my e-F+iry !o i!s loi,al ,o-,l+sio- /ha! ha(e I arri(e) a!E The /hole !hi- is
really simple. i* o-ly o-e sees !he pi,!+re ,learly. ?ha! is !his >me> !ha! I am ,o-,er-e) /i!hE The
imme)ia!e a-s/er. o* ,o+rse. is G >!his me. !his 'o)y>. B+! !he- !he 'o)y is o-ly a psy,hosoma!i,
appara!+s. ?ha! is !he mos! impor!a-! eleme-! i- !his appara!+s /hi,h F+ali*ies i! !o 'e k-o/- as a
se-!ie-! 'ei-E I! is +-)o+'!e)ly !he ,o-s,io+s-ess /i!ho+! /hi,h !his appara!+s. /hile perhaps
!e,h-i,ally ali(e. /o+l) 'e +seless as *ar i!s *+-,!io-i- is ,o-,er-e). This ,o-s,io+s-ess o'(io+sly
-ee)s a physi,al ,o-s!r+,! i- /hi,h !o ma-i*es! i!sel*. So. ,o-s,io+s-ess )epe-)s +po- !he 'o)y.
B+! /ha! is !he 'o)y ma)e o*E Ho/ )oes !he 'o)y ,ome i-!o e1is!e-,eE The 'o)y is merely a
ro/!h i- !he /oma->s /om' )+ri- a perio) o* a'o+! -i-e mo-!hs. !he ro/!h o* /ha! is
,o-,ei(e) 'y !he +-io- o* !he male a-) *emale se1+al *l+i)s. These *l+i)s are !he esse-,e o* !he
*oo) ,o-s+me) 'y !he pare-!s. Basi,ally. !here*ore. 'o!h ,o-s,io+s-ess a-) !he 'o)y are ma)e o*.
a-) are s+s!ai-e) 'y *oo). I-)ee). !he 'o)y i!sel* is *oo) G o-e 'o)y 'ei- !he *oo) o* some o!her
'o)y. ?he- !he *oo)5esse-,e. !he (i!al se1+al *l+i)s. ro/s *rom ,o-,ep!io- i-!o a !i-y 'o)y a-) is
)eli(ere) o+! o* !he mo!her>s /om'. i! is ,alle) >'ir!h>. A-) /he- !his *oo) esse-,e e!s )e,aye) )+e
!o ae or ill-ess a-) !he psy,hosoma!i, appara!+s happe-s !o e! )es!roye). i! is ,alle) >)ea!h>. This
is /ha! happe-s all !he !ime G !he o'<e,!i(e +-i(erse pro<e,!i- a-) )issol(i- i--+mera'le *orms@
!he pi,!+re keeps o- ,ha-i- all !he !ime. B+! ho/ am >I> ,o-,er-e) /i!h !hisE I am merely !he
/i!-ess !o all !his happe-i-. ?ha!e(er happe-s )+ri- !he perio) o* !he happe-i-. i- ea,h ,ase.
a**e,!s o-ly !he psy,hosoma!i, appara!+s. -o! !he >I> !ha! I am.
This is !he e1!e-! o* my >k-o/le)e>. 'asi,ally. O-,e i! is ,lear !ha! /ha!e(er happe-s i- !he
ma-i*es!e) /orl) is some!hi- apar! *rom me. as the &I& all o!her F+es!io-s resol(e !hemsel(es.
A! /ha! s!ae e1a,!ly )i) I ,ome !o ha(e !he k-o/le)e o* my >e1is!e-,e>E ?ha! /as I 'e*ore
!his k-o/le)e >I am> ,ame !o meE This k-o/le)e >I am> has 'ee- /i!h me e(er si-,e I ,a-
remem'er. perhaps a *e/ mo-!hs a*!er !his 'o)y /as 'or-. There*ore. memory i!sel* m+s! ha(e
,ome /i!h !his k-o/le)e >I am>. !his ,o-s,io+s-ess. ?ha! /as !he posi!io- 'e*ore !ha!E The a-s/er
is0 I do not +now. There*ore. /ha!e(er I k-o/ o* a-y!hi- has i!s 'ei--i- i- ,o-s,io+s-ess.
i-,l+)i- pai- a-) pleas+re. )ay a-) -ih!. /aki- a-) sleepi- G i-)ee) !he e-!ire am+! o*
)+ali!ies a-) opposi!es i- /hi,h o-e ,a--o! e1is! /i!ho+! !he o!her. Aai-. /ha! /as !he posi!io-
'e*ore ,o-s,io+s-ess aroseE These i-!errela!e) opposi!es i-e(i!a'ly m+s! ha(e e1is!e) '+! o-ly i-
-ea!io-. i- +-i,i!y. i- /hole-ess. This m+s! !he- 'e !he a-s/er. This +-i,i!y is /ha! I am. B+! !his
+-i,i!y. !his i)e-!i!y. !his /hole-ess ,a--o! k-o/ i!sel* 'e,a+se i- i! !here e1is!s -o s+'<e,! as
separa!e *rom a- o'<e,!Ga posi!io- !ha! is -e,essary *or !he pro,ess o* seei-. or k-o/i-. or
,o-i=i-. I- o!her /or)s. i- !he orii-al s!a!e o* +-i,i!y. or /hole-ess. -o me)i+m or i-s!r+me-!
e1is!s !hro+h /hi,h >k-o/i-> may !ake pla,e.
Mi-) ,a--o! 'e +se) !o !ra-s,e-) !he mi-). The eye ,a--o! see i!sel*@ !as!e ,a--o! !as!e i!sel*@
so+-) ,a--o! hear i!sel*. >Phe-ome-a> ,a--o! 'e phe-ome-a /i!ho+! >-o+me-o->. The limi! o*
possi'le ,o-,ep!+ali=a!io- G !he a's!ra,! o* mi-) G is -o+me-o-. !he i-*i-i!y o* !he +-k-o/-.
No+me-o-. !he o-ly s+'<e,!. o'<e,!i*ies i!sel* a-) per,ei(es !he +-i(erse. ma-i*es!i- phe-ome-ally
/i!hi- i!sel*. '+! appare-!ly o+!si)e. i- or)er !o 'e a per,ei(a'le o'<e,!. For !he -o+me-o- !o
ma-i*es! i!sel* o'<e,!i(ely as !he phe-ome-al +-i(erse. !he ,o-,ep! o* spa,e5!ime ,omes i-!o
opera!io- 'e,a+se o'<e,!s. i- or)er !o 'e ,o-i=a'le. ha(e !o 'e e1!e-)e) i- spa,e 'y i(i- !hem
(ol+me a-) m+s! 'e s!re!,he) i- )+ra!io- or !ime 'e,a+se o!her/ise !hey ,o+l) -o! 'e per,ei(e).
So. -o/ I ha(e !he /hole pi,!+re0 The se-!ie-! 'ei- is o-ly a (ery small par! /i!hi- !he
pro,ess o* !he appare-! mirrori=a!io- o* !he -o+me-o- i-!o !he phe-ome-al +-i(erse. I! is o-ly o-e
o'<e,! i- !he !o!al o'<e,!i(i=a!io- a-). as s+,h. >/e> ,a- ha(e -o -a!+re o* o+r o/-. A-) ye! G a-)
!his is impor!a-!G phe-ome-a are -o! some!hi- separa!ely ,rea!e). or e(e- pro<e,!e). '+! are
i-)ee) -o+me-o- ,o-,ep!+ali=e) or o'<e,!i(i=e). I- o!her /or)s. !he )i**ere-,e is p+rely -o!io-al.
?i!ho+! !he -o!io-. !hey are e(er i-separa'le. a-) !here is -o real )+ali!y 'e!/ee- -o+me-o- a-)
phe-ome-a.
This i)e-!i!y G !his i-separa'le-ess G is !he key !o !he +-)ers!a-)i-. or ra!her !he
apper,ei(i- o* o+r !r+e -a!+re. 'e,a+se i* !his 'asi, +-i!y 'e!/ee- !he -o+me-o- a-) !he
phe-ome-o- is los! sih! o*. /e /o+l) e! 'oe) )o/- i- !he F+amire o* o'<e,!i(i=a!io- a-)
,o-,ep!s. O-,e i! is +-)ers!oo) !ha! !he noumenon is all that we are a-) !ha! !he phenomena are
what we appear to be as separate objects i! /ill also 'e +-)ers!oo) !ha! -o e-!i!y ,a- 'e i-(ol(e)
i- /ha! /e are a-) !here*ore. !he ,o-,ep! o* a- e-!i!y -ee)i- >li'era!io-> /ill 'e see- as -o-se-se@
a-) >li'era!io->. i* a-y. /ill 'e see- as li'era!io- *rom !he (ery ,o-,ep! o* 'o-)ae a-) li'era!io-.
?he- I !hi-k a'o+! /ha! I /as 'e*ore I /as >'or->. I k-o/ !ha! !his ,o-,ep! o* >I am> /as -o!
!here. I- !he a'se-,e o* ,o-s,io+s-ess. !here is -o ,o-,ep!+ali=i-@ a-) /ha!e(er seei- !akes pla,e
is -o! /ha! o-e G a- e-!i!y G sees as a s+'<e,!Oo'<e,!. '+! is seei- *rom /i!hi-. *rom !he so+r,e
o* all seei-. A-) !he-. !hro+h !his >a/ake-i->. I reali=e !ha! !he all5e-(elopi- /hole-ess o* !he
A'sol+!e ,a- -o! ha(e e(e- a !o+,h o* !he rela!i(e imper*e,!io-@ a-) so I m+s!. rela!i(ely. li(e
!hro+h !he allo!!e) spa- o* li*e +-!il a! !he e-) o* i!. !his rela!i(e >k-o/le)e> meres i- !he -o5
k-o/i- s!a!e o* !he A'sol+!e. This !emporary ,o-)i!io- o* >I5k-o/> a-) >I5k-o/5!ha!5I5k-o/> !he-
meres i-!o !ha! e!er-al s!a!e o* >I5)o5-o!5k-o/> a-) >I5)o5-o!5k-o/> !ha! >I5)o5-o!5k-o/.
18
;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;
6e! +s :-)ers!a-) Basi, Fa,!s
Almos! all !he (isi!ors *rom a'roa) ,ome !o Mahara< a*!er ha(i- rea) his 'ook I Am That.
They say !ha! o- rea)i- i!. !hey *el! a ,omp+lsi(e )esire !o mee! Mahara< perso-ally. P+i!e a *e/ o*
!hem also say !ha! !hey ha) 'ee- i-!eres!e) i- !he spiri!+al F+es! *or ma-y years.
6e! +s !ake !he ,ase o* a- a(erae *orei- (isi!or. His *irs! (isi! almos! i-(aria'ly raises a
,er!ai- amo+-! o* )o+'! i- his mi-). /he!her he ha) )o-e !he rih! !hi- i- spe-)i- so m+,h
mo-ey a-) his har)5ear-e) a--+al lea(e i- ,omi- here. The )ir!y s+rro+-)i-s o* Mahara<>s ho+se.
!he simpli,i!y o* his !i-y lo*!5room. his +-impressi(e physi,al appeara-,e a-) his plai- a!!ire G all
!hese ,o-!ri'+!e !o !he i-i!ial )o+'!. O* ,o+rse. a*!er a!!e-)i- a ,o+ple o* sessio-s a-) ,er!ai-ly 'y
!he !ime he lea(es. !he *orei- (isi!or. is alrea)y looki- *or/ar) !o his -e1! (isi!B
There is also o-e o!her *a,!or /hi,h i-i!ially keeps pri,ki- !he *orei- (isi!or>s mi-).
Mahara<>s 'eha(io+r is -o! +-like !ha! o* a-y o!her ,ommo- ma- o- !he s!ree!. A-) i! oes aai-s!
his ,o-,ep! o* ho/ a sae. or J-a-i. sho+l) 'eha(e. !ho+h !his ,o-,ep! i!sel* may 'e e1,ee)i-ly
(a+e. He *i-)s !he /alls o* Mahara<>s small room ,l+!!ere) /i!h pi,!+res o* -+mero+s o)s a-)
sai-!s. He sees him par!i,ipa!i- i- !he ,ha-!i- o* Bha<a-s *o+r !imes a )ay. He *i-)s him smoki-
,heap ,o+-!ry5ma)e ,iare!!es all !he !ime. a-) some!imes !alki- o- !ri(ial ma!!ers i- a lih!5
hear!e) ma--er. He *i-)s all !his (ery ,o-*+si-. His pre5,o-,ei(e) -o!io- a'o+! Mahara< /as
perhaps !ha! o* a sa**ro-5ro'e) pa!riar,hal *i+re. ,o-(ersi- ra(ely *rom a- ele(a!e) sea! some
)is!a-,e a/ay *rom !he (isi!ors. o,,asio-ally 'ri-i- a'o+! a mira,le or !/o i- a ,o-)es,e-)i-
ma--er. I-s!ea). he *i-)s a- +!!erly or)i-ary ma-B
I! is. !here*ore. -o! s+rprisi- !ha! 'e*ore !he e-) o* !he (ery *irs! sessio-. o+r (isi!or ,a--o!
resis! !he !emp!a!io- o* aski- /hy Mahara<. i-spi!e o* 'ei- a J-a-i. si-s Bha<a-s *o+r !imes a
)ay. Or. perhaps. !he F+es!io- ,o+l) 'e0 ?hy )oes Mahara< *i-) i! -e,essary !o smokeE Mahara<>s
+s+al a-s/er i- s+,h ,ases is simple0 ?hy -o!E I ha(e 'ee- asso,ia!e) /i!h !his 'o)y *or eih!y5o))
years@ /hy sho+l) i! -o! re,ei(e !he *e/ ,r+m's /hi,h i! has o! +se) !oE As *or Bha<a-s *o+r !imes
a )ay. i! is a pra,!i,e *rom !he !imes o* my G+r+. I* si-,e !he- I ha(e ha) /ha! is +s+ally ,alle)
>a/ake-i->. sho+l) I *eel ,ompelle) !o i(e +p !his ol) a-) harmless ro+!i-eE O-e m+s! o !hro+h
o-e>s allo!!e) spa- o* !ime. Does i! ma!!er /ha! o-e )oes. so lo- as o-e )oes -o! k-o/i-ly h+r!
a-y o-e elseE I! is as simple as !ha!.
Mahara< ,o-!i-+es /i!h !his !heme some/ha! as +-)er0 I* o-e sees G apper,ei(es G !hi-s as
!hey are. i* o-e apprehe-)s !he !o!al ma-i*es!a!io- /i!h !he /hole mi-) a-) -o! /i!h !he
)i,ho!omi=e) mi-) o* a- i-)i(i)+al. o-e is -o! *ar a/ay *rom !he rea! a/ake-i-. a-) !he-
/ha!e(er o-e )oes is o* -o impor!a-,e. I-)ee). !o !hi-k !ha! a- i-)i(i)+al 'ei- ,a- a,!
i-)epe-)e-!ly is i!sel* a mis!ake. ?ha! /e are is !he ,o-s,io+s prese-,e. a-) -o! !he o+!si)e ,asi-
o* ,o-s,io+s-ess@ -o! !he 'o)y /hi,h is o-ly a psy,hosoma!i, appara!+s +se) *or ,o-i=i- !he
ma-i*es!a!io-. This appara!+s is o-ly a spa,io5!emporal ,o-,ep! a-) as s+,h has -o i-)epe-)e-!
e1is!e-,e a-). !here*ore. ,a--o! a,! i-)epe-)e-!ly. )espi!e all appeara-,es !o !he ,o-!rary. 6e! +s
+-)ers!a-) !his 'asi, *a,!.
?ha! !he- is li*eE 6i*e i- !his +-i(erse is -o!hi- o!her !ha- !he >*+-,!io-i- o* ma-i*es!a!io-R.
)espi!e /ha! ea,h i-)i(i)+al mih! !hi-k. Iie/e) i- !his perspe,!i(e. !he (ario+s )es!r+,!i(e
ma-i*es!a!io-s like *loo)s a-) ear!hF+akes lose !heir s!i-. Ea,h 'o)y is -o!hi- '+! *oo) *or some
o-e else G mo+se *or a ,a!. ma- or 'eas! *or a lio-. lam' or ,hi,ke- *or ma- a-) so o-. So /ha! is
oo) *or o-e is e(il *or a-o!her@ i-)ee) /ha!e(er e(e-!s seem !o happe- ,o-s!i!+!e -o!hi- '+! !he
*+-,!io-i- o* ma-i*es!a!io-. To ea,h i-)i(i)+al i! all appears !o 'e his o/- )oi- a-)
e1perie-,i-. '+! !he *+-)ame-!al *a,! is !ha! -o phe-ome-al o'<e,! Ha-) !ha! is all !ha! a se-!ie-!
'ei-. rela!i(ely. isC ,a- ha(e a-y i-)epe-)e-! e1is!e-,e o* i!s o/-. O-,e !his is ,learly ap5
prehe-)e). i! /ill a+!oma!i,ally *ollo/ !ha! all respo-si'ili!y a-) +il! are also imai-ary ,o-,ep!s.
'ase) +po- !he mis!ake- -o!io- !ha! a se-!ie-! 'ei- has i-)epe-)e-! e1is!e-,e. a+!o-omy a-)
,hoi,e o* a,!io-.
The-. /ha! a'o+! all !he emi-e-! e1amplars i- !he (ario+s spheres o* h+ma- a,!i(i!y G !he
ar!s. s,ie-,es. a!hle!i,s G !he rea!es! !hi-kersE ?e m+s! a)mire !he /ork )o-e 'y ,o-s,io+s-ess
>!hro+h> !hese (ario+s physi,al *orms. '+! -o! !he i-)i(i)+al perso-s /ho are -o!hi- more !ha-
,o-,ep!+al phe-ome-a. 6e! +s +-)ers!a-) a-) 'e ,lear a'o+! /ha! really happe-s. The F+es!io- !ha!
/o+l) *ollo/ is0 I* !he i-)i(i)+al perso-s )o -o! a,hie(e /ha!e(er has 'ee- a,hie(e). /ho )oesE
The a-s/er is0 No o-e i-)i(i)+ally. The >*+-,!io-i-> o* !he ma-i*es!a!io- !akes pla,e i- ,o-s5
,io+s-ess !hro+h Pra<-a !ha! 'rillia-! a,!orOpro)+,er o* !his !o!al )ream5sho/. /ho ass+mes all !he
roles i- !he rea! )ream5)rama !ha! !his ma-i*es!a!io- is. A-) !he so+r,e o* !his ,o-s,io+s prese-,e
is !he -o+me-o-. Se-!ie-! 'ei-s appear !o a,! a-) rea,!. '+! !he real *+-,!io-i- happe-s i-
,o-s,io+s-ess.
6e! +s. says Mahara<. a)mire !he a=+re sky. !he lo(ely moo- a-) !he !/i-kli- s!ars@ le! +s
/ri!e poems a'o+! !he 'ea+!y o* -a!+re@ le! +s lo(e !he ma-y A(a!aras !ha! ha(e )es,e-)e) +po- !he
ear!h !hro+h !he aes. le! +s si- Bha<a-s *o+r !imes a )ay '+!. le! +s a! leas! +-)ers!a-) !he !r+e
posi!io-B I. noumenon am all the &functionin#& in consciousness-
Fi-ally. /e may ask o+rsel(es0 ?ha! !he- are /e )oi- all )ayE Are /e -o! li(i- o+r li(es. /e
!he millio-s o* people i- !he /orl)E I* /e ,o+l) !hi-k )eeply a-) ra!io-ally a'o+! /ha! /e k-o/ as
li*e. /e /o+l) easily ,ome !o !he ,o-,l+sio- !ha! all !ha! /e )o. !hro+ho+! !he )ay a-) )ay a*!er
)ay. is -o!hi- '+! o'<e,!i*yi-. I-)ee). ma-i*es!a!io- is i!sel* -o!hi- '+! ,o-!i-+o+s
o'<e,!i(i=a!io-. 'e,a+se. /he- i- )eep sleep ,o-s,io+s-ess res!s o'<e,!i(i=a!io- -e,essarily ,eases@
so )oes !he o'<e,!i*ie) +-i(erse. I- )eep sleep. !here is -o sel*. -o /orl). -o Go).
?ha! /e !hi-k as >)oi-> is -o!hi- '+! o'<e,!i(i=a!io-@ *+-,!io-i- o* ma-i*es!a!io- !akes
pla,e so lo- as !here is ,o-s,io+s-ess. By +--e,essarily i)e-!i*yi- o-esel* as !he )oer o-e a!!ra,!s
respo-si'ili!y a-) +il!. ?he- !he mi-). /hi,h is !he ,o-!e-! o* ,o-s,io+s-ess. is 'la-k G /he- i!
>*as!s> or res!s G !he spi--i- a-) /ea(i- o* !he mi-) ,eases. a-) i! ,alms )o/-. )hen the mind
stops &doin#& it merely is. I- !he a'se-,e o* o'<e,!i(i=a!io-. o+r a'sol+!e prese-,e is. !he ma-i*es!e)
+-i(erse is not G /e are. Or. ra!her. >I am&. 6e! +s a! leas! +-)ers!a-) !hese 'asi, *a,!s. NN
19
;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;
Sel*5k-o/le)e a-) Pro'lems o* 6i*e
O-e mor-i-. !he sessio- /as e-li(e-e) 'y !he (isi! o* a /ell5k-o/- so,ial a-) poli!i,al
*i+re. a re!ire) I-)ia- )iploma!. /hose prese-,e e-erally makes *or a oo)5h+mo+re) a-) li(ely
)is,+ssio-. This mor-i- !he s+'<e,! /as /he!her sel*5k-o/le)e a-) !he pra,!i,al li*e i- !he /orl)
,o+l) o !oe!her. ?ere !hey ,ompleme-!ary. or /ere !hey ,o-!rary !o ea,h o!her.
This (isi!or is -o! o-ly -o! +-*amiliar /i!h Mahara<>s !ea,hi- '+! has im'i'e) i! si-,erely.
!ho+h i! /o+l) seem !ha! o-,e i- a /hile his 'asi, pro,li(i!ies !o/ar)s so,ial a-) poli!i,al ,a!harsis
/o+l) i(e him a *eeli- o* spiri!+al i-s!a'ili!y. +-)erli-i- !he -ee) *or a F+i,k re*resher ,o+rse.
Apar! *rom !his. he lo(es Mahara< rea!ly a-) )oes -o! mi-) )ri(i- )o/- !he )is!a-,e o* a'o+! #88
miles !o Bom'ay o-ly !o see him.
His 'asi, F+es!io- /as0 Ca- a ma- ho-es!ly a**or) !o spe-) his !ime a'sor'e) i- me)i!a!io- o-
!he sel*. !o !he e1,l+sio- o* !he ma-y so,ial a-) poli!i,al pro'lems i- !he ,o+-!ry a-) !he /orl)E
The mos! re*reshi- par! o* Mahara<>s !alks is his +-iF+e approa,h !o pro'lems re*erre) !o him.
He says !ha! /e sho+l) *ore! !he ,o-,ep!+al <+-le !ha! ro/s F+i,kly aro+-) a-y !heme as /ell as
!he )ire,!i(es o* !he !ra)i!io-al s,rip!+res a-) sho+l) e! )o/- !o !he *+-)ame-!als. Mahara< !a,kle)
!he F+es!io- o* !his )is!i-+ishe) (isi!or /i!h his ,+s!omary elan.
6e! +s )eal /i!h !he ma!!er. he sai) G yo+ a-) I G -o/. There ha(e 'ee- -+mero+s rea!
perso-ali!ies a-) A(a!aras i- !he /orl) )+ri- !he pas! !/o !o !hree !ho+sa-) years. Ea,h o-e o*
!hem ha) lai) )o/- his o/- lis! o* >)o>s a-) >)o->!>s. )epe-)i- o- his o/- ,o-,ep! o* !he rih! a-)
/ro- a-) !he -ee)s o* !he !imes as he sa/ !hem. So *ar so oo). 6e! +s -o/ also ask o+rsel(es0
?ha! ha(e all !hese rea! me- a-) A(a!aras a,hie(e)E Ha(e !hey 'ee- a'le !o make !he slih!es!
,ha-e i- !he 'eha(io+r o* ma- or -a!+reE There m+s! 'e some reaso- G some *+-)ame-!al reaso-
G /hy !hey ha) -o! 'ee- s+,,ess*+l. Co+l) i! 'e !ha! !he pro'lem i!sel* ha) 'ee- mis,o-,ei(e). or
misper,ei(e)E Co+l) i! 'e !ha! a!!a,ki- !he pro'lem )ire,!ly /as like a!!a,ki- !he hea)s o* a
Hy)ra /hi,h /he- ,+! o** are repla,e) i-s!a-!ly 'y o!hersE A-) !ha! !he o-ly /ay !o )e,ima!e !he
Hy)ra /as !o lo,a!e i!s hear! a-) s!rike !hereE
No/. sai) Mahara<. /ha! are !he 'asi, i-re)ie-!s o* a-y so,ial. poli!i,al. e,o-omi, or a-y
o!her pro'lemE ?he- /e re)+,e !he pro'lem !o i!s 'asi, esse-!ials. /ha! )o /e *i-)E The esse-!ials
are0 I. yo+ Hreprese-!i- !he millio-s o* peopleC a-) !he physi,al /orl). O- a-aly=i- !hese 'asi,
esse-!ials /ha! )o /e *i-)E All me&s and you&s and the earth the s+y the moon and the stars G are
they not mere conceptual ima#es in consciousness$ All e1is!e-,e is o'<e,!i(e. All me>s a-) yo+>s
e1is! as o-e a-o!her>s o'<e,!s i- !he ,o-s,io+s-ess !ha! ,o-i=es !hem. A-) so *ar as !he >/orl)>. or
>+-i(erse> is ,o-,er-e). is i! i- esse-,e a-y )i**ere-! *rom !he /orl) /hi,h yo+ ,rea!e i- yo+r )ream
Hor. more a,,+ra!ely. !he /orl) !ha! #ets created i- yo+r )ream5,o-s,io+s-essC a-) /hi,h is ma)e
o* !he same i-re)ie-!s a-) i-ha'i!e) 'y !he same ki-) o* people. i-,l+)i- yo+rsel*. as i- /ha! yo+
,all !he >real> /orl)E Ko+r >real> /orl). yo+ mih! say. ha) 'ee- e1is!i- lo- 'e*ore yo+ /ere 'or-.
?ell. i- yo+r )ream5/orl) also !here are seas a-) mo+-!ai-s a-) '+il)i-s a-) people /hi,h ha(e
o'(io+sly 'ee- e1is!i- *or a lo-. lo- !ime. Are yo+ oi- !o sol(e !he ma-y so,ial a-) poli!i,al
pro'lems o* !he people i- yo+r perso-al )reamE
Is i! -o! !here*ore !r+e. ,o-!i-+e) Mahara<. !ha! !he hear! o* !he Hy)ra G !he roo! o* !he
pro'lem G is ,o-s,io+s-ess i- /hi,h !he e-!ire ma-i*es!e) +-i(erse appearsE I-)ee). is -o!
,o-s,io+s-ess !he Hy)ra i!sel*B A-) is i! -o! ,o-s,io+s-ess o- /hi,h !he e-!ire a!!e-!io- sho+l) 'e
)ire,!e)E I!s -a!+re. !he ,a+se o* i!s appeara-,e. a-) o!her rele(a-! *a,!orsE Si-,e i! is ,o-s,io+s-ess
i- /hi,h !he e-!ire phe-ome-al /orl) appears. i! -e,essarily *ollo/s !ha! all ma-i*es!a!io- /ill
'e,ome se-sorially per,ep!i'le o-ly i* i! is e1!e-)e) spa!ially a-) *or a ,er!ai- )+ra!io- o* !ime. O-e
m+s!. !here*ore. -e,essarily a,,ep! !he p+rely ,o-,ep!+al e1is!e-,e o* !he psy,hi, appara!+s o*
spa,e5!ime as a prereF+isi!e *or !he per,ep!io- o* !he ma-i*es!e) +-i(erse.
This lea)s +s !o !he *ollo/i- ,o-,l+sio-s0
#. ?i!ho+! !he ,o-,ep! o* spa,e5!ime !he ma-i*es!e) +-i(erse /o+l) -o! 'e se-sorially
per,ep!i'le@ a-). !here*ore. all e(e-!s 'ase) o- ,a+se a-) e**e,! a-) e1!e-)e) i- spa,e5!ime m+s!
also 'e o-ly ,o-,ep!+al@
&. I* !he ma-i*es!e) +-i(erse is o-ly a- appeara-,e Hi- !he a'se-,e o* ,o-s,io+s-ess !he
+-i(erse ,a--o! e1is! o- i!s o/-C !he- !he ma-i*es!e) +-i(erse is !he re*le,!io- o* some!hi- !ha! is
prese-! i- i!s o/- rih!@
2. Phe-ome-a. !he-. are !he o'<e,!i(e aspe,! o* !he -o+me-o-. !he !o!al po!e-!iali!y G !he
!o!ali!y o* !he k-o/- i- !he i-*i-i!y o* !he +-k-o/-. Co-s,io+s-ess ,a--o! 'e +se) !o !ra-s,e-)
,o-s,io+s-ess. a-). !here*ore. -o+me-o- represe-!s !he o+!si)e parame!er o* ,o-i!io-@
7. No+me-o- G that-which-is G ,a- o-ly be a-) i! ,a- be o-ly -o/. I- !he a'se-,e o* !he
,o-,ep!+al spa,e5!ime. !here ,a- 'e a'sol+!ely -o >/here>. or >/he-> *or a-y >!hi-> !o be. No/ !ha!
/e see !ha! !he >/orl)> Hpro'lems /herei- are !o 'e sol(e)C is o-ly a- appeara-,e. le! +s e! 'a,k !o
!he me>s a-) yo+>s. /ho are s+ppose) !o sol(e !he /orl)>s pro'lems. Be*ore /e s!ar! !o i)e-!i*y !he
/orl)>s pro'lems a-) pro,ee) !o sol(e !hem. sho+l) /e -o! i)e-!i*y o+rsel(esE
?e are. rela!i(ely. se-!ie-! 'ei-s a-) /e /a-! !o >)o> some!hi- !o sol(e !he pro'lems i- !he
/orl). Is i! possi'le *or a se-!ie-! 'ei-. /ho is i!sel* ,o-,ep!+al. !o )o a-y!hi- !ha! is o!her !ha-
,o-,ep!+alE ?ha! )o /e )o *rom mor-i- !hro+h -ih! He1,ep! )+ri- )eep sleepC o!her !ha-
,o-!i-+o+sly o'<e,!i(i=i-E A-) is !he h+ma- 'o)y. /hi,h is a,!+ally -o!hi- '+! a psy,hosoma!i,
appara!+s. ,apa'le o* >)oi-> a-y!hi- o!her !ha- pro)+,i- ill+sory imaes a-) i-!erpre!a!io-sE
?ha!e(er /e may !hi-k o* o+rsel(es Ha-) !his imae keeps o- ,ha-i- *rom !ime !o !ime a-) !here
is -o!hi- s!a'le a'o+! i!C >/e> ,a--o! '+! 'e a- i-!eral par! o* !he !o!al ma-i*es!a!io- a-) !he !o!al
*+-,!io-i-. a-) ,a--o! i- a-y ma--er 'e apar! *rom i!. ?e are 'e!!er a'le !o ,omprehe-) !his i- !he
,ase o* a perso-al )ream /hi,h /e ,a- re(ie/ a*!er /aki- +p. ?ha! appears as o-esel* i- !he
)ream. /i!h a- i-)epe-)e-! i)e-!i!y. is ,learly see- Ho- a re(ie/ a*!er /aki-C !o 'e !o!ally )e(oi)
o* a-y i-)epe-)e-! s+'s!a-,e. a mere p+ppe! 'ei- ma-ip+la!e). Is i! really a-y )i**ere-! i- !he
/orl) !ha! /e !hi-k o* as >real>E Po-)er o(er !his. Co+l) i! -o! 'e !ha! /e )ream !ha! /e are a/ake.
/e )ream !ha! /e are asleep. ari) all !he !ime li*e is 'ei- li(e)@ all a pro)+,! o* !he )reami- mi-)
G o'<e,!i(i=a!io- oi- o- i- ,o-s,io+s-ess. A-) /ha! is ,o-s,io+s-ess i!sel* '+! o-ly a ,o-,ep!
/hi,h ,omes like a- e,lipse o- !he -o+me-o- *or a ,er!ai- le-!h o* !imeE
I* !his posi!io- is per,ei(e) )ire,!ly. i-!+i!i(ely. !he- /e k-o/ !ha! i- rela!i(i!y we are the
conscious presence !he a-ima!i- ,o-s,io+s-ess a-) -o! !he phe-ome-al o'<e,! !o /hi,h i! i(es
se-!ie-,e. ?he- /e see !he *alse as *alse. !he pro'lem resol(es i!sel*. )e are the content of this
livin#-dream a,!ors i- !his li(i-5)rama. A-) a,!ors ,a- o-ly play !heir roles. -o!hi- more.
The )is!i-+ishe) (isi!or hear) Mahara< i- 'a**le) sile-,e. He ha) -o /or)s !o e1press /ha! he
!ho+h! or *el!.
20
;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;
G+r+>s Gra,e is All I Nee)
To !he +s+al F+ery *rom Mahara<. !he (isi!or *rom Cal,+!!a a(e !he rele(a-! i-*orma!io- a'o+!
himsel*. He sai) !ha! he ha) 'ee- i-!eres!e) i- sel*5k-o/le)e *or !he pas! ma-y years. He ha) me!
almos! e(ery /ell5k-o/- sai-! i- !he -or!her- I-)ia a-) ma-y o!hers -o! so /ell5k-o/- HMahara<
smile) /he- !his /as !ra-sla!e) !o himC. He a))e) !ha! he ha) s!+)ie) all !he pri-,ipal :pa-isha)s.
(ario+s ,omme-!aries o- !he Gi!a i- E-lish a-) Be-ali 'y )i**ere-! s,holars. He /as F+i!e /ell5
(erse) i- !he Sa-skri! la-+ae also a-) ha) s!+)ie) mos! o* !he !ra)i!io-al s,rip!+res i- !he
orii-al. He *el! !ha! all he -ee)e) -o/ /as !he G+r+>s ra,e. He also sai) !ha! he ha) rea) I Am
That a-) /as so )eeply impresse) /i!h i! !ha! he ha) sele,!e) Mahara< as his *i-al G+r+ a-) he
/o+l) -o! lea(e Bom'ay /i!ho+! re,ei(i- his ra,e. Also. !ha! !here /as a !ime limi! /i!hi- /hi,h
Mahara< m+s! 'es!o/ !ha! ra,e 'e,a+se his lea(e /o+l) e1pire o- a par!i,+lar )a!e a-) he ha)
alrea)y 'ooke) his re!+r- !i,ke! *or Cal,+!!a o- a ,er!ai- )ayB By -o/ Mahara< ,o+l) -o! res!rai- a
(ery 'roa) smile.
Maharaj: I /o+l) like !o ask yo+ some!hi-.
Visitor: Kes sir. HHe p+she) o+! his ,hes! a-) spoke /i!h !he ,o-*i)e-,e o* a /ell5prepare)
,a-)i)a!e appeari- *or aviva voce e1ami-a!io-.C
M: Ko+ ha(e rea) ma-y 'ooks a-) me! ma-y J-a-is@ so yo+ m+s! ha(e 'y -o/ *o+-) yo+r
o/- !r+e i)e-!i!y. Tell me. /ha! is yo+r !r+e i)e-!i!y as *ar as yo+ yo+rsel* are ,o-,er-e)E
V: Sir. I am a- h+m'le seeker seeki- e-lih!e-me-! a-) ha(e ,ome !o yo+ /i!h !he ,o-*i)e-!
hope !ha! yo+ /ill -o! re*+se me yo+r ra,e.
M: Ko+ s!ill ha(e F+i!e a *e/ )ays here. so !here is ple-!y o* !ime *or ra,e. or e-lih!e-me-!B
6e! +s *irs! *i-) o+! /ho i! is !ha! /a-!s e-lih!e-me-!. I-)ee). le! +s *i-) o+! /he!her !here is a-y
-ee) a! all *or e-lih!e-me-! or *ree)om. or Moksha. or /ha!e(er. No/ le! me ha(e yo+r a-s/er !o
my F+es!io-0 Ha(e yo+ ,ome !o k-o/ yo+r o/- !r+e i)e-!i!yE Fore! *or !he mome-! !he /orl) a-)
!he G+r+ a-) Go).
V: This is a (ery a/k/ar) F+es!io-. sir. All I /a-! is ra,e o* !he G+r+. /i!ho+! /hi,h !he
)oor /ill -o! ope- !o me.
M: B+! sho+l) /e -o! *i-) o+! *irs! /he!her !here is a! all a ,lose) )oor 'arri- yo+r e-!ryE
E-!ry i-!o /ha!E Ko+ keep !alki- o* !he G+r+. ?ha! is yo+r i)ea o* a G+r+E Ko+ see. +-less !hese
'asi, F+es!io-s are *irs! a-s/ere) !o yo+r o/- sa!is*a,!io-. ho/ ,a- /e pro,ee)E There*ore. I
repea!0 A*!er so ma-y years o* s!+)y. ha(e yo+ 'ee- a'le !o *i-) o+! yo+r !r+e i-)e-!i!y@ !his >yo+>
/ho is seeki- !he G+r+>s ra,e i- or)er !o a!!ai- e-lih!e-me-!E
V: Sir. I am sorry !o say !ha! yo+ are maki- me (ery ,o-*+se). All I ,a- say i- a-s/er !o yo+r
F+es!io- is0 I )o->! k-o/.
M: AhB -o/ /e are e!!i- some/hereGDI )o->! k-o/.D No o-e has e(er spoke- /or)s !r+er
!ha- !hese. I-)ee) !ha! is !he o-ly !r+!h a-) e(ery!hi- else is *alse.
V: Sir. I /o+l) ha(e !ho+h! !ha! yo+ /ere maki- *+- o* me. B+! !he look o- yo+r *a,e
s+es!s !ha! yo+ ,o+l) har)ly 'e more serio+s.
M: No/. please !ry !o +-)ers!a-). Ko+ ha(e )o-e F+i!e a 'i! o* rea)i- a-) yo+ sho+l) 'e a'le
!o apprehe-) /ha! I am sayi-. Try. a-) *or a mome-! *ore! all !ha! yo+ ha(e a,,+m+la!e) 'y /ay
o* k-o/le)e. a-) rasp /i!h a- emp!y mi-) /ha! I !ell yo+ G remem'er. a- emp!y mi-). emp!y.
'+! kee-@ -o! <+s! (oi) a-) i-er!.
)hatever the state is when we did not +now anythin# that is our true state that is *eality. I-
!ha! s!a!e. /e )i) -o! e(e- k-o/ o+r o/- e1is!e-,e. The-. spo-!a-eo+sly. ,ame !he messae or
!ho+h!. or !he k-o/le)e >I am>. This k-o/le)e >I am> s!ar!e) !he se-se o* )+ali!y G s+'<e,! a-)
o'<e,!. si- a-) meri! a-) !he e-!ire am+! o* i-!er5rela!e) opposi!es. )hatever was before the
+nowled#e &I am& is truth% whatever is subse3uent to the +nowled#e or consciousness of &I am& is
false. :-)ers!a-) !his 'asi, *a,!. I5am5-ess. !he se-se o* prese-,e has 'ee- i(e- (ario+s la+)a!ory
-ames like Maya. Prakri!i. Ish/ara e!,.. '+! -e(er!heless i! is a- ill+sio-. p+re i-ora-,e. I! is
Prakri!i !ha!. /i!h !he ,o5opera!io- o* ,o-,ep!+al P+r+sha H'o!h ,o-s!i!+!i- !he pare-!hoo)
pri-,ipleC ,rea!es !he /orl) a-) peoples i! /i!h i--+mera'le physi,al *orms. I! is Maya i- a,!io-
!ha! makes ,o-s,io+s-ess H/hi,h i(es se-!ie-,e !o !he se-!ie-! 'ei-C mis!ake-ly 'elie(e !ha! i! is
!he par!i,+lar *orm i!sel*. Co-s,io+s-ess !h+s ass+mes !he i)e-!i!y o* !he par!i,+lar *orm. a-)
*ore!s i!s !r+e -a!+re. Are yo+ /i!h me so *arE A-y F+es!io-sE
V: Sir. I am *ollo/i- yo+ si-le5mi-)e)ly. No F+es!io-s.
M: Goo). So *ar i- !his pro,ess. yo+ /ill ha(e -o!i,e). !here is -o F+es!io- o* a- >e-!i!y> /i!h
i-)epe-)e-! e1is!e-,e. 4ou are that which is prior to the arrival of I-am-ness. ?ha! has ,ome +po-
yo+r !r+e -a!+re is like a- ill-ess. or a- e,lipse *or a ,er!ai- )+ra!io-. a! !he e-) o* /hi,h !he
physi,al *orm /ill >)ie> a-) /ill 'e '+rie) or ,rema!e) a-) /ill !herea*!er mi-le /i!h !he *i(e
eleme-!s o* /hi,h i! /as ma)e. The li*e5*or,e o* 'rea!h /ill )isappear a-) mi-le /i!h !he air
o+!si)e !he 'o)y@ ,o-s,io+s-ess /ill 'e *ree) o* !he limi!a!io- o* !he 'o)y a-) !he !hree G+-as. I-
o!her /or)s. !he pro,ess /ill ha(e rea,he) i!s allo!!e) e-). No/. le! +s ,ome 'a,k !o yo+r pro'lem0
?ho is i! !ha! -ee)s !he G+r+>s ra,e i- or)er !o a!!ai- >li'era!io->E A-) li'era!io- *rom /hi,h
>'o-)ae>E
V: Mahara<. yo+ ha(e !+r-e) !he pro'lem aro+-) #%8 )erees. Ko+ ha(e re)+,e) all my la'o+r
o* *or!y years !o =ero a-) yo+ ha(e -+lli*ie) my (ery e1is!e-,e. Ko+ ha(e liF+i)a!e) meB ?ha! ,a-
I sayE The o-ly !hi- is !ha! i- liF+i)a!i- me yo+ ha(e also liF+i)a!e) !he G+r+B
M: No! F+i!e. al!ho+h !ha! is -o! a 'a) rea,!io-. No/ lis!e- *+r!her. The !ro+'le is !ha! yo+
look +po- yo+rsel* as a- i-)i(i)+al e-!i!y /i!h a physi,al *orm@ a-) yo+ also look +po- !he G+r+ as
a-o!her i-)i(i)+al e-!i!y /i!h a-o!her *orm. al'ei! /i!h some!hi- i- his hea) or hear! or
some/here. /hi,h makes him a- >e-lih!e-e)> perso- '+! -e(er!heless a >perso-> all !he same. This
is !he real mis!ake. The G+r+ ho/e(er has reali=e) !ha! he is !he :l!ima!e Reali!y@ he sees e(ery
'ei- as he sees himsel*. i.e. -o! as a >perso->. -or as a mere >*orm>. or >!hi->.
The o!her mis!ake is !ha! !he seeker. !he )is,iple. as a- e-!i!y. e1pe,!s !o lear- a-) +-)ers!a-)
>some!hi->. B+! ho/ ,a- a mere ,o-,ep!+al o'<e,! +-)ers!a-) a-y!hi-E ?ha! a,!+ally happe-s is
!ha! the understandin# as such ma+es the see+er 5the Sadha+a, disappear. The i-)i(i)+ali!y o* !he
seeker ra)+ally )isappears. '+!. i- !he pro,ess. !he G+r+>s ra,e. /hi,h is al/ays prese-! like !he
shi-i- s+-. 'e,omes o-e /i!h ,o-s,io+s-ess. The soo-er !he i)e-!i*i,a!io- /i!h !he 'o)y as a
separa!e e-!i!y is los! !he soo-er /ill !he G+r+>s ra,e 'loom i- !he ,o-s,io+s-ess o* !he )is,iple.
A-) !he- he /ill reali=e !ha! !he G+r+ is -o-e o!her !ha- !he ,o-s,io+s-ess /i!hi-. a-) i! is
,o-s,io+s-ess /hi,h. please) /i!h !he *ai!h a-) lo(e o* !he )is,iple. /ill a,! as !he Sa)+r+ a-)
+-*ol) all !he k-o/le)e !ha! is -e,essary. Ho/e(er. !here ,a--o! 'e a-y proress H!ho+h
>proress> i!sel* is a- erro-eo+s ,o-,ep!C i* yo+ ,o-!i-+e !o rear) yo+rsel* as a- e-!i!y a-) e1pe,!
!he G+r+. as a-o!her e-!i!y. !o i(e yo+ some home/ork !o )o. a-) /he- !ha! is )+ly ,omple!e). !o
a/ar) yo+ a sor! o* ,er!i*i,a!e. or some!hi-. o- a pla!!er as >li'era!io->. This /hole ,o-,ep! is
mis,o-,ei(e). Ko+ m+s! reali=e !he !r+e si-i*i,a-,e o* !he G+r+ a-) his ra,e 'e*ore !he e(er5
prese-! G+r+>s ra,e ,a- smoo!hly a-) -a!+rally *lo/ !o/ar)s yo+.
The (isi!or sa! )+m'*o+-)e) *or a *e/ mome-!s. ?he- he ,o+l) *i-) /or)s. he sai)0 DSir. yo+
ha(e ope-e) my eyes a-) ma)e me see !he *alsi!y a-) *+!ili!y o* /ha! I ,o-si)ere) !o 'e k-o/le)e
a-) Sa)ha-a. I ha(e -o /or)s !o e1press my ra!e*+l-ess !o yo+.D He pros!ra!e) 'e*ore Mahara< a-)
le*! G a- h+m'ler a-) a /iser ma-.
21
;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;
The See) o* Co-s,io+s-ess
He looke) *i)e!y a-) ai!a!e). His mo(eme-!s /ere <erky. a-) he /as o'(io+sly '+rs!i-
/i!h impa!ie-,e. This /as a mi))le5ae) E+ropea-. slim a-) physi,ally (ery *i!. I! /as his *irs! (isi!
!o Mahara<. His res!less-ess )re/ e(ery'o)y>s a!!e-!io- !o him.
As Mahara< looke) a! him !ears s+))e-ly /elle) +p i- his eyes. A ,ompassio-a!e la-,e *rom
Mahara< seeme) !o ,ompose him a li!!le a-) he a(e !he +s+al prelimi-ary i-*orma!io- a'o+!
himsel* i- a *e/ /or)s. He sai) he ha) 'ee- a s!+)e-! o* Ie)a-!a *or a! leas! !/e-!y years. '+! his
sear,h *or !r+!h ha) pro(e) a'or!i(e. He /as )eeply )espo-)e-! a-) )isill+sio-e) a-) he ,o+l) -o!
,o-!i-+e !he *r+s!ra!i- p+rs+i! a-y lo-er. A *lash o* hope ha) ,ome !o him /he- he rea)
Mahara<>s 'ook I Am That a-) he k-e/ !ha! he ha) *o+-) !he a-s/er. Imme)ia!ely he ha) o!
!oe!her !he mi-im+m amo+-! o* ,ash -ee)e) *or !he <o+r-ey !o I-)ia a-) he ha) <+s! arri(e) i-
Bom'ay. I- a ,hoke) (oi,e he sai) DI ha(e -o/ arri(e). My sear,h is o(er.D Tears /ere *lo/i-
*reely *rom his eyes a-) he ,o+l) har)ly ,o-!rol himsel*.
Mahara< lis!e-e) !o him ra(ely a-) sa! s!ill *or a *e/ mi-+!es /i!h his eyes ,lose). perhaps !o
i(e him !ime !o ,ompose himsel*. The- he aske) him /he!her he /as *irmly ,o-(i-,e) !ha! he /as
-o! !he 'o)y. The (isi!or ,o-*irme) !ha! i! /as F+i!e ,lear !o him !ha! he /as -o! merely !he 'o)y
'+! some!hi- o!her !ha- !he 'o)y. a-). as /as ,learly e1plai-e) i- !he 'ook. !ha! some!hi- m+s!
'e !he k-o/le)e >I am>. !he se-se o* 'ei-. B+!. he a))e). he ,o+l) -o! +-)ers!a-) /ha! /as mea-!
'y !he s+es!io- !ha! he sho+l) remai- ,o-!i-+o+sly /i!h !his k-o/le)e >I am>. ?ha! e1a,!ly /as
he s+ppose) !o )oE DPlease sir.D he !ol) Mahara< DI am -o/ +-'eara'ly !ire) o* /or)s. I ha(e rea)
a-) hear) !hem i- millio-s a-) ha(e -o! ai-e) a-y!hi-. Gi(e me !he s+'s!a-,e -o/. -o! mere
/or)s. I shall 'e e!er-ally ra!e*+l !o yo+.D
DIery /ellD. sai) Mahara<. DKo+ /ill ha(e !he s+'s!a-,e -o/. O* ,o+rse. I /ill ha(e !o +se
/or)s !o ,o-(ey i! !o yo+.D Mahara< !he- pro,ee)e)0 I* I say. reverse and #o bac+ to the source of
your bein#ness /ill i! make a-y se-se !o yo+E
I- reply. !he (isi!or sai) !ha! his hear! i-!+i!i(ely a,,ep!e) !he !r+!h o* Mahara<>s s!a!eme-!. '+!
he /o+l) ha(e !o o )eeper i-!o !he ma!!er.
Mahara< !he- !ol) him !ha! he m+s! +-)ers!a-) !he /hole posi!io- ,learly a-) i-s!a-!ly@ !his he
,o+l) )o o-ly i* he /e-! !o !he roo! o* !he ma!!er. He m+s! *i-) o+! ho/ !he k-o/le)e >I am> *irs!
appeare). The see) is !he !hi-. sai) Mahara<. Fi-) o+! !he see) o* !his 'ei--ess. a-) yo+ /ill
k-o/ !he see) o* !he e-!ire +-i(erse.
Mahara< /e-! o-0 As yo+ k-o/. yo+ ha(e !he 'o)y a-) i- !he 'o)y is !he Pra-a. or !he li*e5
*or,e. a-) ,o-s,io+s-ess Hor !he 'ei--ess. or !he k-o/le)e >I am>C. No/. !his !o!al phe-ome-o- o*
!he h+ma- 'ei-. is i! a-y )i**ere-! *rom !ha! o* !he o!her ,rea!+res. or e(e- !he rass /hi,h spro+!s
+p *rom !he ear!hE Thi-k o(er i! )eeply. S+ppose a li!!le /a!er a,,+m+la!es i- yo+r 'a,kyar)@ a*!er a
!ime. !he 'o)y o* a- i-se,! *orms i!sel* !here@ i! 'ei-s !o mo(e. a-) i! k-o/s !ha! i! e1is!s. The-
aai-. s+ppose a pie,e o* s!ale 'rea) is le*! i- a ,or-er *or some )ays@ a /orm makes i!s appeara-,e
i- i! a-) 'ei-s !o mo(e. a-) i! k-o/s !ha! i! e1is!s. The e o* a *o/l. a*!er 'ei- ha!,he) *or
,er!ai- le-!h o* !ime. s+))e-ly 'reaks ope- a-) a li!!le ,hi,k appears@ i! 'ei-s !o mo(e a'o+!. a-)
i! k-o/s !ha! i! e1is!s. The sperm o* ma- ermi-a!e) i- !he /om' o* /oma-. a*!er !he -i-e5mo-!h
perio). is )eli(ere) as a 'a'y. The sperm. )e(elope) i-!o !he *orm o* a *+ll5ro/- i-*a-!. oes
!hro+h !he s!a!es o* sleepi- a-) /aki-. ,arries o+! i!s +s+al physi,al *+-,!io-s. a-) k-o/s !ha! i!
e1is!s.
I- all !hese ,ases G !he i-se,!. !he /orm. !he ,hi,ke- a-) !he h+ma- 'ei- G /ha! is i! !ha! is
really 'or-E ?ha! is i! !ha! has >s+per(ise)> !he pro,ess *rom ,o-,ep!io- !o )eli(eryE Is i! -o! !he
k-o/le)e >I am> !ha! has remai-e) la!e-! *rom ,o-,ep!io- !o )eli(ery. a-) i- )+e ,o+rse. is >'or->E
This 'ei--ess or ,o-s,io+s-ess. i)e-!i,al i- all !he *o+r ,ases. *i-)i- i!sel* /i!ho+! a-y ki-) o*
>s+ppor!>. mis!ake-ly i)e-!i*ies i!sel* /i!h !he par!i,+lar *orm i! has ass+me). I- o!her /or)s. /ha! is
really /i!ho+! a-y shape or *orm. !he k-o/le)e >I am>. <+s! !he se-se o* 'ei--ess H-o! 'ei- !his.
or 'ei- !ha!. '+! ,o-s,io+s-ess e-erallyC. limi!s i!sel* !o o-ly o-e par!i,+lar *orm a-) !here'y
a,,ep!s i!s o/- >'ir!h>. a-) !herea*!er li(es i- !he ,o-s!a-! sha)o/ o* !he !error o* >)ea!h>. Th+s is
'or- !he -o!io- o* a- i-)i(i)+al perso-ali!y. or i)e-!i!y. or eo.
No/. )o yo+ see !he so+r,e o* I5am5-essE Is i! -o! )epe-)e-! o- !he 'o)y *or i!s i-)i(i)+al
e1is!e-,eE A-) is -o! !he 'o)y merely !he ermi-a!e) sperm /hi,h has )e(elope) i!sel*E A-).
impor!a-!ly. is !he sperm a-y!hi- o!her !ha- !he esse-,e o* !he *oo) ,o-s+me) 'y !he *a!her o* !he
,hil)E A-). *i-ally. is -o! !he *oo) some!hi- !hro/- +p 'y !he *o+r eleme-!s He!her. air. *ire a-)
/a!erC !hro+h !he me)i+m o* !he *i*!h eleme-!. !he ear!hE
The see) o* ,o-s,io+s-ess is !h+s !ra,e) !o -o!hi- '+! *oo) a-) !he 'o)y is !he >*oo)> o*
,o-s,io+s-ess@ as soo- as !he 'o)y )ies ,o-s,io+s-ess also )isappears. A-) ye!. ,o-s,io+s-ess is
!he >see)> o* !he e-!ire +-i(erseB E(ery si-le i-)i(i)+al. /he-e(er he )reams. has i)e-!i,al
e1perie-,e o* a /orl) 'ei- ,rea!e) i- ,o-s,io+s-ess. ?he- a perso- is -o! F+i!e a/ake a-)
,o-s,io+s-ess is <+s! s!irri-. he )reams@ a-) i- his )ream. i- !ha! mi-imal spo! o* ,o-s,io+s-ess. is
,rea!e) a- e-!ire )ream5/orl). similar !o !he >real> /orl) o+!si)e G all i- a spli!5se,o-) G a-) i-
!ha! /orl) are see- !he s+-. !he ear!h. /i!h hills a-) ri(ers. '+il)i-s. a-) people Hi-,l+)i- !he
)reamer himsel*C. 'eha(i- e1a,!ly like !he people i- !he >real> /orl). ?hils! !he )ream las!s. !he
)ream5/orl) is (ery real i-)ee). a-) !he e1perie-,es o* !he people i- !he )ream. i-,l+)i- !he
)reamer himsel*. appear !o 'e !r+e. !a-i'le a-) a+!he-!i,. perhaps e(e- more so !ha- !hose o* !he
Dreal> /orl). B+! o-,e !he )reamer /akes +p. !he e-!ire )ream5/orl) /i!h all i!s >reali!ies> !ha! !he-
e1is!e). ,ollapses i-!o !he ,o-s,io+s-ess i- /hi,h i! /as ,rea!e). I- !he /aki- s!a!e. !he /orl)
emeres 'e,a+se o* !he see) o* i-ora-,e HMaya. ,o-s,io+s-ess. 'ei--ess. Prakri!i. Ish/ara e!,.C
a-) !akes yo+ i-!o a /aki-5)ream5s!a!eB Bo!h sleep a-) /aki- are ,o-,ep!+al s!a!es i- !he li(i-5
)ream. 4ou dream that you are awa+e% you dream that you are asleep Gand you do not reali6e that
you are dreamin# because you are still in the dream. I-)ee). /he- yo+ )o reali=e !ha! !his is all a
)ream. yo+ /ill ha(e alrea)y >a/ake-e)>B O-ly !he J-a-i k-o/s !r+e /aki- a-) !r+e sleep.
A! !his s!ae. /he- !he (isi!or /as aske) 'y Mahara< i* he ha) a-y F+es!io-s o- /ha! he ha)
hear) so *ar. he promp!ly aske)0 D?ha! is !he pri-,iple. or !he ,o-,ep!+al me,ha-ism 'ehi-) !he
,rea!io- o* !he /orl)ED
Mahara< /as please) !ha! !he (isi!or ha) ,orre,!ly +se) !he /or)s >,o-,ep!+al me,ha-ism>.
'e,a+se he o*!e- remi-)s +s !ha! !he e-!ire ,rea!io- o* !he /orl) is ,o-,ep!+al. a-) !ha! i! is mos!
impor!a-! !o remem'er !his *a,! a-) -o! !o *ore! i! i- !he mi)s! o* all !he pro*+sio- o* /or)s a-)
,o-,ep!s. Mahara< !he- ,o-!i-+e)0 The orii-al s!a!e G !he Para'rahma- G is +-,o-)i!io-e).
/i!ho+! a!!ri'+!es. /i!ho+! *orm. /i!ho+! i)e-!i!y. I-)ee). !ha! s!a!e is -o!hi- '+! *+ll-ess H-o! a-
emp!y >(oi)>. '+! ple-+mC so !ha! i! is impossi'le !o i(e i! a-y a)eF+a!e -ame. For !he sake o*
,omm+-i,a!io-. ho/e(er. a -+m'er o* /or)s ha(e 'ee- +se) !o >i-)i,a!e> !ha! s!a!e. I- !ha! orii-al
s!a!e. prior !o a-y ,o-,ep!. ,o-s,io+s-ess G !he !ho+h! >I am> G spo-!a-eo+sly s!irs i-!o e1is!e-,e.
Ho/E ?hyE For -o appare-! reaso- G like a e-!le /a(e o- a- e1pa-se o* /a!erB
The !ho+h! >I am> is !he see) o* !he so+-) A+m. !he primor)ial so+-) or Na)a a! !he s!ar! o*
!he ,rea!io- o* +-i(erse. I! ,o-sis!s o* !hree so+-)s0 a u a-) m. These !hree so+-)s represe-! !he
!hree a!!ri'+!es G Sa!!(a. Ra<as. Tamas. /hi,h ha(e pro)+,e) !he !hree s!a!es o* /aki-. )reami-
a-) )eep sleep Halso -ame) ,o-s,io+s-ess or harmo-y. a,!i(i!y a-) res!C. I! is i- ,o-s,io+s-ess !ha!
!he /orl) has emere). I-)ee). !he (ery *irs! !ho+h! >I am> has ,rea!e) !he se-se o* )+ali!y i- !he
orii-al s!a!e o* +-i,i!y. No ,rea!io- ,a- !ake pla,e /i!ho+! !he )+ali!y o* pare-!hoo) pri-,ipleG
male a-) *emale. P+r+sha a-) Prakri!i.
Crea!io- o* !he /orl). as a- appeara-,e i- ,o-s,io+s-ess. has a !e-5*ol) aspe,! G !he pare-!
pri-,iple o* )+ali!y@ !he physi,al a-) ,hemi,al ma!erial. 'ei- !he esse-,e o* !he *i(e eleme-!s
He!her. air. *ire. /a!er a-) ear!hC +-)er m+!+al *ri,!io-@ a-) !he !hree a!!ri'+!es o* Sa!!(a. Ra<as a-)
Tamas. A- i-)i(i)+al may !hi-k !ha! i! is he /ho a,!s. '+! i! is !r+ly !he esse-,e o* !he *i(e
eleme-!s. !he Pra-a. !he li*e5*or,e. /hi,h a,!s !hro+h !he par!i,+lar ,om'i-a!io- o* !he !hree
a!!ri'+!es i- a par!i,+lar physi,al *orm.
?he- ,rea!io- o* !he /orl) is (ie/e) i- !his perspe,!i(e. i! is easy !o +-)ers!a-) /hy !he
!ho+h!s a-) a,!io-s o* o-e i-)i(i)+al H/hi,h is a,!+ally -o!hi- '+! a psy,hosoma!i, appara!+sC
)i**er so m+,h i- F+ali!y a-) )eree *rom !hose o* !he millio-s o* o!hers. ?hy !here are Maha!ma
Ga-)his a! o-e e-) a-) Hi!lers a! !he o!her. I! is a /ell5es!a'lishe) *a,! !ha! *i-erpri-!s o* o-e
perso- are -e(er e1a,!ly similar !o !hose o* a-y o!her perso-@ lea(es o* !he same !ree are *o+-)
)i**ere-! *rom o-e a-o!her i- mi-+!e )e!ails. The reaso- is !ha! !he perm+!a!io-s a-) ,om'i-a!io-s
o* !he *i(e eleme-!s. pl+s !he !hree a!!ri'+!es i- !heir millio-s o* sha)es. /o+l) o i-!o 'illio-s a-)
!rillio-s. 6e! +s 'y all mea-s a)mire /ha! /e !hi-k is a)mira'le a-) lo(e /ha! /e !hi-k is lo(a'le.
'+! le! +s +-)ers!a-) /ha! i! is !ha! /e really lo(e a-) a)mire G -o! !he ,o-,ep!+al i-)i(i)+al '+!
!he /o-)er*+l a,!i- a'ili!y o* ,o-s,io+s-ess /hi,h is a'le !o play sim+l!a-eo+sly millio-s o* roles
i- !his )ream5play !ha! !he /orl) isB
To a(oi) 'ei- los! i- !he 'e/il)eri- )i(ersi!y o* !he play o* Maya H6ilaC. sai) Mahara<. i! is
-e,essary a! !his s!ae -o! !o *ore! !he esse-!ial +-i!y 'e!/ee- !he A'sol+!e. a-) !he rela!i(e.
'e!/ee- !he -o-5ma-i*es! a-) !he ma-i*es!. Ma-i*es!a!io- ,omes i-!o e1is!e-,e o-ly /i!h !he 'asi,
,o-,ep!. >I am>. The s+'s!ra!+m is !he -o+me-o-. /hi,h is !o!al po!e-!iali!y. ?i!h !he arisi- o* >I5
am5-ess> i! mirrors i!sel* i-!o !he phe-ome-al +-i(erse /hi,h o-ly appears !o 'e e1!erior !o !he
-o+me-o-. I- or)er !o see i!sel*. -o+me-o- o'<e,!i*ies i!sel* i-!o phe-ome-o- a-) *or !his
o'<e,!i(i=a!io- !o !ake pla,e. spa,e a-) !ime are !he -e,essary ,o-,ep!s Hi- /hi,h !he phe-ome-a
are e1!e-)e) i- (ol+me a-) )+ra!io-C. Phe-ome-o-. !here*ore. is -o! some!hi- )i**ere-! *rom
-o+me-o-. '+! i! is -o+me-o- i!sel* /he- o'<e,!i(i=e). I! is -e,essary !o +-)ers!a-)Ga-) -e(er !o
*ore!G!his esse-!ial i)e-!i!y. O-,e !he ,o-,ep! >I am> arises. !he *+-)ame-!al +-i!y e!s -o!io-ally
separa!e). as s+'<e,! a-) o'<e,!. i- )+ali!y.
?he- imperso-al ,o-s,io+s-ess ma-i*es!s i!sel* a-) i)e-!i*ies i!sel* /i!h ea,h physi,al *orm
!he I5-o!io- arises. a-) !his I5-o!io-. *ore!!i- !ha! i! has -o i-)epe-)e-! e-!i!y. ,o-(er!s i!s
orii-al s+'<e,!i(i!y i-!o a- o'<e,! /i!h i-!e-!io-s. /a-!s a-) )esires. a-) is. !here*ore. (+l-era'le
!o s+**eri-. This mis!ake- i)e-!i!y is pre,isely !he >'o-)ae> *rom /hi,h li'era!io- is !o 'e so+h!.
A-) /ha! is >li'era!io->E 6i'era!io-. e-lih!e-me-!. or a/ake-i-. is -o!hi- o!her !ha-
+-)ers!a-)i- pro*o+-)ly. apperceivin# G HaC !ha! !he see) o* all ma-i*es!a!io- is !he imperso-al
,o-s,io+s-ess. H'C !ha! /ha! is 'ei- so+h! is !he +-ma-i*es!e) aspe,! o* ma-i*es!a!io- a-) H,C
!ha!. !here*ore. !he seeker himsel* is !he so+h!B
S+mmari=i- !he )is,o+rse Mahara< sai)0 6e! +s e! i! all !oe!her o-,e aai-.
#. I- !he orii-al s!a!e pre(ails I am /i!ho+! a-y k-o/le)e or ,o-)i!io-i-. /i!ho+!
a!!ri'+!es. /i!ho+! *orm or i)e-!i!y.
&. The-. *or -o appare-! reaso- Ho!her !ha- !ha! i! is i!s -a!+re !o )o soC. arises !he !ho+h! or
,o-,ep! I am !he Imperso-al Co-s,io+s-ess. o- /hi,h !he /orl) appears as a li(i-5)ream.
2. Co-s,io+s-ess. i- or)er !o ma-i*es! i!sel*. -ee)s a *orm. a physi,al 'o)y. /i!h /hi,h i!
i)e-!i*ies i!sel* a-) !h+s s!ar!s !he ,o-,ep! o* >'o-)ae>. /i!h a- imai-ary o'<e,!i(i=a!io- o* >I>.
?he-e(er o-e !hi-ks a-) a,!s *rom !he s!a-)poi-! o* !his sel*5i)e-!i*i,a!io-. o-e ,o+l) 'e sai) !o
ha(e ,ommi!!e) !he >orii-al si-> o* !+r-i- p+re s+'<e,!i(i!y H!he limi!less po!e-!ialC i-!o a- o'<e,!.
a limi!e) a,!+ali!y.
7. No o'<e,! has a- i-)epe-)e-! e1is!e-,e o* i!s o/-. a-). !here*ore. a- o'<e,! ,a--o! a/ake-
i!sel* *rom !he li(i-5)ream@ ye! G a-) !his is !he <oke G !he pha-!om i-)i(i)+al Ha- o'<e,!C seeks
some o!her o'<e,!. as !he >A'sol+!e> or >Reali!y> or /ha!e(er.
4. I* !his is ,lear. o-e m+s! re(erse a-) o 'a,k !o *i-) o+! /ha! o-e orii-ally /as Ha-) al/ays
has 'ee-C 'e*ore ,o-s,io+s-ess arose.
9. A! !his s!ae ,omes !he >a/ake-i-> !ha! o-e is -ei!her !he 'o)y -or e(e- !he ,o-s,io+s-ess.
'+! !he +--amea'le s!a!e o* !o!al po!e-!iali!y. prior !o !he arri(al o* ,o-s,io+s-ess Hi- ,o-s,io+s-ess.
!ha! s!a!e. /i!h /ha!e(er -ame. ,a- o-ly 'e a ,o-,ep!C.
3. A-) so !he ,ir,le is ,omple!e@ the see+er is the sou#ht.
I- ,o-,l+sio-. sai) Mahara<. +-)ers!a-) pro*o+-)ly !ha!. as >I>. o-e is -o+me-al. The ,+rre-!
,o-)i!io- o* phe-ome-o-ali!y H!he see) o* /hi,h is ,o-s,io+s-essC is a !emporary o-e. like a
)isease or a- e,lipse o- o-e>s orii-al ,ha-eless ,o-)i!io- o* -o+me-ali!y. a-) all !ha! o-e ,a- )o
is !o o !hro+h o-e>s allo!!e) spa- o* li(i-. a! !he e-) o* /hi,h !he e,lipse o* phe-ome-ali!y is
o(er a-) -o+me-ali!y pre(ails aai- i- i!s p+re +-i,i!y. !o!ally +-a/are o* i!s a/are-ess.
Thro+h all !his e1posi!io- !he (isi!or sa! s!ill. as i* +-)er a spell. He ma)e a- +-s+,,ess*+l
e**or! or !/o !o !alk. '+! Mahara< F+i,kly s!oppe) him /i!h a *irm es!+re. a-) he sa! !here i-
per*e,! pea,e +-!il a*!er o!her (isi!ors ha) pai) !heir respe,!s !o Mahara< a-) le*!. o-e 'y o-e.
22
;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;
Sel*5reali=a!io- is E**or!less
I! is !he pra,!i,e o* Mahara< !o e1po+-) a par!i,+lar poi-! i- )ep!h /i!h rea! pa!ie-,e. i(i-
ap! e1amples a-) similies. A*!er !ha! /he- he asks *or F+es!io-s o- /ha! has 'ee- sai). !he F+eries
o*!e- !e-) !o 'e 'ase) -o! o- !he poi-! /hi,h he has 'ee- a! s+,h pai-s !o e1po+-) '+! o- !he
e1amples /hi,h he ha) i(e- merely !o ill+s!ra!e a par!i,+lar aspe,! o* !he s+'<e,! +-)er )is,+ssio-.
S+,h F+es!io-s ,learly sho/ !ha! !he F+es!io-ers ha(e misse) !he mai- poi-! al!oe!her. Mahara<.
!here*ore. o*!e- e1hor!s !he (isi!ors0 Ko+ may ask F+es!io-s o- /ha! has 'ee- sai) '+! )o so /i!ho+!
i)e-!i*yi- yo+rsel* /i!h !he 'o)y.
Ma-y (isi!ors *eel re'+**e) /he- !he i-(i!a!io- !o ask F+es!io-s is !h+s ma)e s+'<e,! !o a
,o-)i!io- /hi,h appears !o !hem ra!her o-ero+s. e(e- +-*air. ?hy )oes Mahara< i-sis! !ha! !he
F+es!io-er sho+l) )is5i)e-!i*y himsel* *rom !he 'o)yE The )ire,! a-s/er /o+l) 'e0 Be,a+se a-
o'<e,! ,a--o! pres+me !o +-)ers!a-) i!s s+'<e,!@ i! is impossi'le *or a sha)o/ !o +-)ers!a-) !he
s+'s!a-,e o* /hi,h i! is a sha)o/.
So lo- as !here is a ,o-,ep!+al >i-)i(i)+al> i)e-!i*yi- himsel* /i!h !he 'o)y H/hi,h is merely
a psy,hosoma!i, appara!+s. a- >o'<e,!>C as a- a+!o-omo+s e-!i!y. ,a- i! 'e possi'le *or him !o
+-)ers!a-) a-y!hi- a! all a'o+! !he A'sol+!e. /hi,h is !o!ally +-!o+,he) 'y !he o'<e,!i(eE A-)
*+r!her. ,a- a-y F+eries *rom someo-e. !hi-ki- a-) speaki- as a s+ppose)ly a+!o-omo+s e-!i!y.
'e a-y!hi- '+! arra-! a's+r)i!yE I!. ho/e(er. )oes -o! imply !ha! F+es!io-s ,o+l) arise o-ly *rom a
*+lly reali=e) 'ei-. A reali=e) 'ei-. a J-a-i. /o+l) ha(e -o F+es!io-s a! allB
?ha! Mahara< /o+l) seem !o e1pe,! o* his lis!e-ers is some!hi- mi)/ay 'e!/ee- !hese !/o
e1!remes. As he o*!e- says. he ass+mes !ha! !hose /ho ,ome !o him /o+l) -o! 'e <+s! !yros '+! /ill
ha(e alrea)y )o-e a *air amo+-! o* home/ork o- !he s+'<e,!. -o! M+m+ksh+s '+! Sa)hakas. I-
o!her /or)s. Mahara< /a-!s !he lis!e-er -o! !o *ore! !ha! he is !he imperso-al ,o-s,io+s-ess. a-)
-o! !he physi,al appara!+s i- /hi,h ,o-s,io+s-ess has ma-i*es!e) i!sel*. He e1pe,!s !ha! lis!e-i- !o
him sho+l) 'e o- !he 'asis o* )ire,! apper,ei(i-. /i!ho+! a-y i-!er(e-!io- 'y !he ,o-,ep!+al
i-)i(i)+al. a-) /i!h a ,lear +-)ers!a-)i- o* /ha! is *+-,!io-i- )+ri- !he pro,ess o* !alki- a-)
lis!e-i-. I- !his ,o-!e1!. Mahara< says0 I- or)er !o 'e e**e,!i(e. !he re,ep!i(i!y *or my /or)s m+s!
'e s+,h !ha! !hey pe-e!ra!e like a- arro/. I speak !o ,o-s,io+s-ess a-) -o! !o a-y i-)i(i)+al.
Mahara<>s a)(i,e !o lis!e-ers is >!o apper,ei(e )ire,!ly a-) *ore! imme)ia!ely>@ -o! !o +se his
/or)s as a pla!*orm *rom /hi,h !o la+-,h !heir o/- ,o-,ep!s. Co-,ep!s. he says. arise *rom
!ho+h!s. a-) all !hese !oe!her *orm a '+-)le !ha! is k-o/- as mi-). >Thi-ki-> mea-s
>,o-,ep!+ali=i->. ,rea!i- o'<e,!s i- mi-). a-) !his is >'o-)ae>. ?or)s. 'asi,ally )+alis!i, a-)
,o-,ep!+al. are a- o's!r+,!io- !o e-lih!e-me-!. They ,a- o-ly ser(e !he !emporary p+rpose o*
,omm+-i,a!io-. '+! !herea*!er !hey are a 'o-)ae. Ge!!i- ri) o* ,o-,ep!+al !hi-ki- mea-s
e-lih!e-me-!. a/ake-i-. /hi,h ,a--o! 'e o!her/ise >a!!ai-e)>. or >o'!ai-e)> 'y a-y o-e.
E-lih!e-me-! is -o! a >!hi->. !o 'e a,F+ire) 'y a-y o-e. a! a-y !ime. a! a-y pla,e. Pe-e!ra!io- o*
Mahara<>s /or)s like a- arro/ 'ri-s a'o+! !his apper,ep!io- a-) !ha! is e-lih!e-me-!B
To !his !he (isi!ors> spo-!a-eo+s rea,!io- is0 I* !here is -o >o-e> !o a,F+ire a-y >!hi->. /ha! are
/e e1pe,!e) !o )oE Mahara<>s eF+ally F+i,k ,o+-!er5F+es!io- is0 ?ho is >/e>E The a-s/er +s+ally
,omes G i* i! ,omes G !ar)ily. hesi!a-!ly0 Ko+ mea- >/e> i!sel* is par! o* !he ,o-,ep!+al !hi-ki-E
To!ally ill+soryE
A! !his s!ae Mahara< repea!s /ha! he has al/ays 'ee- sayi-0 All +nowled#e is conceptual
therefore untrue. Apper,ei(e )ire,!ly a-) i(e +p !he sear,h *or k-o/le)e. B+! ho/ ma-y o* yo+
/ill )o soE Ho/ ma-y o* yo+ +-)ers!a-) /ha! I am !ryi- !o ,o-(ey !o yo+E ?ha! is !he p+rpose o*
all my !alksE asks Mahara<. I! is !o make yo+ +-)ers!a-). !o see. !o apper,ei(e yo+r !r+e -a!+re. B+!
*irs! !here is a hi-)ra-,e !o 'e remo(e)@ or ra!her. a hi-)ra-,e !ha! m+s! )isappear 'e*ore yo+ ,a-
see a-) be !he what-is. All >!hi-ki->. >,o-,ep!+ali=i->. >o'<e,!i(i=i-> m+s! ,ease. ?hyE Be,a+se
what-is )oes -o! ha(e !he slih!es! !o+,h o* o'<e,!i(i!y. I! is !he s+'<e,! o* all o'<e,!s. a-) -o! 'ei-
a- o'<e,! i! ,a--o! 'e o'ser(e). The eye sees e(ery!hi- else. '+! ,a--o! see i!sel*.
To !he F+es!io- >/ha! )oes o-e ha(e !o )o. /ha! e**or!s m+s! o-e make !o s!op
,o-,ep!+ali=i->. Mahara<>s a-s/er is0 No!hi-@ -o e**or!s. ?ho is !o make !he e**or!E ?ha! e**or!
)i) yo+ make !o ro/ *rom a !i-y sperm ,ell !o a *+ll ro/- 'a'y i- yo+r mo!her>s /om'E A-)
!herea*!er. *or se(eral mo-!hs /he- yo+ re/ *rom !he helpless 'a'y !o a- i-*a-!. /ha! e**or!s )i)
yo+ make !o se-se yo+r prese-,eE A-) -o/ yo+ !alk o* >e**or!s>. /hi,h >yo+> m+s! makeB ?ha!
e**or!s ,a- a- ill+sory. ,o-,ep!+al >I> make !o k-o/ i!s !r+e -a!+reE ?ha! e**or!s ,a- a sha)o/ make
!o k-o/ i!s s+'s!a-,eE Reali=i- o-e>s !r+e -a!+re reF+ires -o phe-ome-al e**or!. Enli#htenment
cannot be attained nor forced. It can only happen /he- i! is i(e- !he oppor!+-i!y !o )o so. /he-
o's!r+,!io- 'y ,o-,ep!s ,eases. It can appear only when it is #iven a vacant space to appear in. I*
someo-e else is !o o,,+py !his ho+se. says Mahara<. I m+s! *irs! (a,a!e i!. I* !he ,o-,ep!+al >I> is
alrea)y i- o,,+pa!io-. ho/ ,a- e-lih!e-me-! e-!erE 6e! !he ,o-,ep!+al >I> (a,a!e a-) i(e
e-lih!e-me-! a ,ha-,e !o e-!er. E(e- maki- a posi!i(e e**or! !o s!op !hi-ki- as a me!ho) o*
e!!i- ri) o* ,o-,ep!+ali=i-. is a- e1er,ise i- *+!ili!y. a-) so is a-y o!her ki-) o* >e**or!>B
The o-ly e**e,!i(e e**or! is i-s!a-! apper,ei(i- o* !r+!h.
See the false as false and what remains is true. ?ha! is a'se-! -o/ /ill appear /he- /ha! is
-o/ prese-! )isappears. I! is as simple as !ha!. Nea!io- is !he o-ly a-s/er.
23
;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;
Chil) o* a Barre- ?oma-
Mahara< is e1!remely aler! !o e-s+re !ha!. i- respo-se !o his i-(i!a!io- !o ask F+es!io-s. !he
(isi!ors )o -o! s!ar! a )is,+ssio- amo-s! !hemsel(es a-) !h+s e! e-!a-le) i-!o a- i-!ri,a!e /e' o*
!heir respe,!i(e ,o-,ep!s. !o !he e1,l+sio- o* !he s+'<e,! /hi,h he ha) 'ee- e1po+-)i-. ?he-
!here are si-s o* !his happe-i-. he is so (ery am+se) !ha! he is /o-! !o remark0 DAh. -o/ /e are
)is,+ssi- )e!ails o* !he /e))i- ,eremo-y o* !he ,hil) o* a 'arre- /oma-BD
Mahara< +ses !his simile o* >!he ,hil) o* a 'arre- /oma-> *airly *reF+e-!ly. O-e mor-i-. a
(isi!or. /ho ha) perhaps hear) i! *or !he *irs! !ime. /as F+i!e i-!ri+e) a-) reF+es!e) him !o
ill+s!ra!e i! 'y a- e1ample. For a /hile. Mahara< remai-e) sile-! /i!h his eyes ,lose). /i!ho+! !he
leas! mo(eme-!. his 'rea!hi- as shallo/ as ,o+l) 'e. a-) /e !ho+h! he /o+l) o i-!o a Sama)hi.
B+! !he- he s!ar!e) !alki- i- a lo/ (oi,e0 6ook. +-)ers!a-) /ha! !ime is. :-less yo+ k-o/ !he
-a!+re o* !ime. yo+ /ill -o! +-)ers!a-) !he -a!+re o* phe-ome-a. ?ha! happe-s is !ha! o-e !akes
!ime *or ra-!e) a-) !he- pro,ee)s !o '+il) all ki-)s o* ,o-,ep!s.
I* yo+ are oi- !o '+il). sho+l) yo+ -o! *irs! see /ha! yo+r *o+-)a!io- is likeE
Time a-) spa,e o !oe!her. ?hy are yo+ a'le !o ,o-i=e !hi-sE Be,a+se yo+ see !hem.
?o+l) yo+ ha(e 'ee- a'le !o see !hi-s i* !hey ha) -o *ormE Ko+ see !hi-s 'e,a+se !hey ha(e
*orm. (ol+me. 'e,a+se !hey are e1!e-)e) i-!o spa,e. 6e! +s o a s!ep *+r!her0 I* !hi-s /ere see- i-
spa,e *or a spli!5se,o-) o-ly. /o+l) yo+ 'e a'le !o per,ei(e !hemE Ko+ per,ei(e !hi-s. o-ly
'e,a+se !hey are e1!e-)e) i-!o spa,e *or a ,er!ai- )+ra!io- H!imeC. a-) !he *orms remai- lo-
e-o+h 'e*ore yo+ !o e-a'le yo+ !o per,ei(e !hem.
I* !here /ere -o ,o-,ep!s o* !ime a-) spa,e H!ime a-) spa,e !hemsel(es are o'(io+sly -o!
o'<e,!sC. >!hi-s> /o+l) -o! 'e per,ep!i'le a-) !hi-s /o+l) -o! 'e >!hi-s>. I* !here /ere -o spa,e5
!ime H-o pas!. prese-!. a-) *+!+reC. ho/ ,o+l) !here ha(e 'ee- a-y phe-ome-a. a-y e(e-!sE Please
!ry !o +-)ers!a-) !ha! 'o!h phe-ome-a a-) !ime are merely ,o-,ep!s a-) ha(e -o e1is!e-,e o* !heir
o/-0 ?ha!e(er !hi-s are see-. or !ho+h! o*. are merely imaes ,o-,ei(e) i- ,o-s,io+s-ess. !he
s+ppose) a,!+ali!y o* /hi,h is as >real> as a )ream or a mirae. No/ )o yo+ +-)ers!a-) /ha! I mea-
/he- I say !ha! all phe-ome-ali!y is !he ,hil) o* a 'arre- /oma-E
This poi-! a'o+! spa,e5!ime. sai) Mahara<. is so )i**i,+l! !o rasp !ha! e(e- hihly i-!ellie-!
people are 'a**le) a-) ,o-*o+-)e) a! i!s ,omple1i!y a-) are +-a'le !o ,omprehe-) i!s !r+e
si-i*i,a-,e. A! !his s!ae he a))resse) a F+es!io- !o !he (isi!ors e-erally0 DHa(e !he s,ie-!is!s e(er
o-e )eeply i-!o !he pro'lem o* !he -a!+re o* spa,e5!imeED
There /ere (ario+s ,omme-!s. '+! !he ,o-se-s+s /as !ha! -o s,ie-!is!s ha) really ma)e a )eep
s!+)y o* !his pro'lem. '+! !ha! some o* !he !opmos! amo- !hem. i-,l+)i- Ei-s!ei-. ha) ,ome !o
!he ,o-,l+sio- !ha! !he e-!ire +-i(erse is >o* !he -a!+re o* !ho+h!>. a-) !hey hel) !ha! !he -a!+re o*
spa,e5!ime is really i-,omprehe-si'le si-,e i! ,rosses !he 'or)ers o* !he mi-) a-) all h+ma-
k-o/le)e a,F+ire) so *ar.
Mahara< la+he) a-) sai)0 Ho/ ,a- !he s,ie-!is!s )o i! /i!h !heir p+-y mi-)sE They may
,o-,ei(e >+-limi!e) spa,e> a-) >+-limi!e) !ime>. '+! ,a- !hey ,o-,ei(e !he (ery absence o* spa,e a-)
!imeE I! is impossi'le 'e,a+se !ha! /hi,h ,o-,ei(es. i- i!s ,o-,ep!io-. ,a--o! ,o-,ei(e !he
,o-,ei(i-. ?o+l) i! 'e possi'le *or !he eye !o see i!s o/- seei-E Ca- !he *ire '+r- i!sel*E Ca-
/a!er +-)ers!a-) !hirs!E
I* yo+ ,a- rasp !he si-i*i,a-,e o* /ha! I ha(e sai). yo+ /ill ,ease looki- a! >!hi-s> aai-s!
!he *i1e) 'a,kro+-) o* !ime@ yo+ /ill ,ease sear,hi- *or !r+!h !hro+h !he me)i+m o* yo+r pro+)
i-!elle,!. I-)ee). yo+ /ill reali=e !ha! !he (ery e**or! o* sear,hi- is a- o's!r+,!io- 'e,a+se !he
i-s!r+me-! /i!h /hi,h yo+ /ill 'e sear,hi- is a )i(i)e) mi-) G a ,o-,ep!+al s+'<e,! seeki- a
,o-,ep!+al o'<e,!. ?he- yo+ reali=e !his. yo+ /ill s!op sear,hi- a-) le! !he imperso-al
,o-s,io+s-ess !ake o(er. A-) !he-. /he- !he imperso-al ,o-s,io+s-ess le!s yo+ i- o- !he mys!ery
o* i!s o/- so+r,e. you will +now that there is no &you& or &me& but only &I& !he esse-!ial s+'<e,!i(i!y@
!ha! >!hi-s> ha(e -o s+'s!a-,e a-). !here*ore. a phe-ome-o- is !he ,hil) o* a 'arre- /oma-@ a-).
*i-ally. !ha! >I> am i-!emporali!y. i-*i-i!yB
24
;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;
A Re(ie/ o* !he F+-)ame-!als
A *orei- (isi!or /ho ,o+l) spe-) o-ly !hree )ays i- Bom'ay a!!e-)e) 'o!h !he mor-i- a-)
e(e-i- sessio-s e(ery )ay. A! !he *i-al sessio-. he sai) !ha! )+ri- !he !hree )ays he ha) a'sor'e)
so m+,h !ha! he /as -o! a'le !o sor! o+! !he priori!ies a-) )i) -o! k-o/ /ha! !o )o *irs! a-) /ha!
,o+l) 'e pos!po-e). He ear-es!ly reF+es!e) Mahara< !o re(ie/ !he *+-)ame-!als so !ha! he ,o+l)
re!ai- !hem i- his mi-) i- a- or)erly ma--er.
Mahara< la+he) a-) aske) him i* !here /as a-y ,o-*+sio- i- his mi-) a'o+! his 'ei- a male
h+ma- 'ei-. a'o+! 'ei- !he so- o* his pare-!s. or a'o+! his pro*essio-B I* -o!. !he- /hy sho+l)
!here 'e a-y ,o-*+sio- a'o+! his !r+e -a!+reB
A-y/ay. sai) Mahara<. le! +s !ake +p /ha! yo+ ha(e aske) *or. ?ha! yo+ really /a-! is !o
rea,h a- a,,ep!a'le +-)ers!a-)i- o* yo+r sel* H/hi,h yo+ ha(e 'ee- ,o-)i!io-e) !o rear) as a
'o)y5mi-) e-!i!y /i!h ,omple!e ,o-!rol o(er i!s a,!io-sC a-) yo+r rela!io-ship /i!h !he /orl) i-
/hi,h yo+ li(e G yo+ o- !he o-e ha-) a-) !he /orl) o- !he o!her.
No/. /ha! yo+ !hi-k yo+ are. is -o!hi- '+! !he >ma!erial> esse-,e o* yo+r *a!her>s 'o)y /hi,h
/as ,o-,ei(e) i- yo+r mo!her>s /om'. a-) /hi,h la!er re/ spo-!a-eo+sly i-!o !he shape o* a 'a'y
/i!h 'o-es. *lesh. 'loo) e!,. I-)ee). yo+ /ere -o! e(e- ,o-s+l!e) a'o+! yo+r >'ir!h>. A h+ma- *orm
/as ,rea!e) /hi,h re/ *rom a 'a'y !o a- i-*a-! a-) a! a ,er!ai- !ime. perhaps i- !he se,o-) year o*
yo+r li*e. yo+ /ere !ol) !ha! >yo+> /ere 'or-. !ha! >yo+> ha(e 'o!h a -ame a-) a *orm. Therea*!er.
yo+ ha) !he k-o/le)e o* yo+r >'ei--ess> a-) >yo+> 'ea- !o ,o-si)er yo+rsel* as a separa!e
i-)i(i)+al. /i!h a- i-)epe-)e-! e-!i!y. apar! *rom !he res! o* !he /orl). No/ ,o-si)er0 HiC Di) yo+r
pare-!s spe,ially a-) )eli'era!ely ,rea!e >yo+E HiiC Di) yo+r pare-!s k-o/ !he mome-! /he-
,o-,ep!io- !ook pla,eE HiiiC Di) >yo+> spe,i*i,ally a-) )eli'era!ely sele,! a par!i,+lar ,o+ple as yo+r
pare-!sE a-) Hi(C Di) yo+ ,hoose !o e! 'or->E
From !he a-s/ers !o !hese F+es!io-s i! /o+l) 'e ,lear !ha! a *orm i- !he shape o* a h+ma-
'ei- o! ,rea!e) almos! a,,i)e-!ally H/i!ho+! a-y ,o-,+rre-,e or sele,!io- o- a-y o-e>s par!C.
/hi,h yo+ s+'seF+e-!ly a,,ep!e) as yo+r sel*. There*ore. >yo+> as s+,h )o -o! e1is! ei!her as a >*a,!>.
or as a- e-!i!y. This is !he *irs! *+-)ame-!al. A *orm o! ,rea!e) !hro+h a -a!+ral pro,ess.
The-. !he F+es!io- is /ha! are >/e>Gall o* +sE Ea,h o-e o* +s. as a phe-ome-o-. is merely a-
appeara-,e i- !he ,o-s,io+s-ess o* !hose /ho per,ei(e +s. a-). !here*ore. what we appear to be is a
phenomenon G temporal finite and perceptible to the senses% whereas what we are what we have
always been and what we shall always be without name and form is the noumenon G timeless
spaceless imperceptible bein#.
Ho/e(er ,o-(i-,i-ly yo+ may !hi-k yo+ ha(e >+-)ers!oo)> !his 'asi, *a,!. yo+ /ill *i-) i!
almos! impossi'le !o )is5asso,ia!e yo+rsel* *rom !he i)e-!i*i,a!io- /i!h yo+r -ame a-) *orm as a-
e-!i!y. This ,a- happe- o-ly /he- !ha! /hi,h yo+ ha(e 'ee- !hi-ki- o* as a separa!e e-!i!y has
'ee- !o!ally a--ihila!e). This is !he se,o-) *+-)ame-!al. !he po/er o* Maya. ?ha! is merely a
phe-ome-o-. /i!ho+! a-y i-)epe-)e-! e1is!e-,e o* i!s o/-. is ,o-si)ere) !o 'e >real>. a-) e**or!s are
ma)e 'y !his pha-!om !o >'e,ome> some!hi- G a sha)o/ ,hasi- i!s s+'s!a-,e. ?hereas a,!+ally
yo+ ha(e all alo- 'ee- !he s+'s!a-,e a-) -e(er !he sha)o/ i- 'o-)ae /a-!i- li'era!io-. Ho/
(ery am+si-. '+! !he- !ha! is MayaB
No/ !he !hir) *+-)ame-!al0 ?o+l) yo+ ha(e 'ee- a'le !o ,o-,ei(e a-y aspe,! o* !he
ma-i*es!e) /orl) i* !here /ere -o >spa,e5!ime>E I* phe-ome-a /ere -o! e1!e-)e) i-!o spa,e a-)
i(e- a !hree5)ime-sio-al >(ol+me>. a-) i* !hey /ere -o! meas+re) i- )+ra!io-. yo+ ,o+l) -o! ha(e
,o-,ei(e). le! alo-e per,ei(e). a-y!hi- o* !he appare-! +-i(erse. Please -o!e !ha! all phe-ome-a
are mere appeara-,es i- spa,e5!ime. ,o-,ei(e) a-) per,ei(e) i- ,o-s,io+s-ess. A-) e(e- !he (ery
i)ea o* !he /hole-ess o* !he A'sol+!e ,a- o-ly 'e a ,o-,ep! i- ,o-s,io+s-essB ?he- ,o-s,io+s-ess
meres i- !he A'sol+!e. /ho or /ha! ,a- !here 'e !o /a-! !o k-o/ a-y!hi-. or !o e1perie-,e
a-y!hi-E
A-) -o/ !he *i-al *+-)ame-!al0 I* /ha! I ha(e sai) so *ar is ,learly +-)ers!oo). sho+l) i! -o! 'e
possi'le *or yo+ !o apper,ei(e yo+r !r+e s!a!e. !he s!a!e 'e*ore >yo+> /ere >'or->E Co+l) yo+ o 'a,k
!o !ha! primal s!a!e. 'e*ore ,o-s,io+s-ess spo-!a-eo+sly arose a-) 'ro+h! o- !he se-se o*
prese-,eE This la!!er s!a!e o* !he >se-se o* prese-,e> is !r+e so lo- as !he 'o)y e1is!s. ?he- !he li*e
spa- o* !he 'o)y is o(er. !his ,o-s,io+s prese-,e meres i-!o !he orii-al s!a!e /here !here is -o
,o-s,io+s-ess o* 'ei- prese-!. "o one is born no one dies. There is merely !he 'ei--i-. !he
)+ra!io- a-) !he e-) o* a- e(e-!. o'<e,!i*ie) as a li*e5!ime i- spa,e5!ime. As phenomenon there is
no entity that is bound a-) as noumenon there can be no entity that needs to be liberated. This is
/ha! is !o 'e apper,ei(e)0 The )ream5/orl) o* phe-ome-a is some!hi- !o 'e merely /i!-esse).
The (isi!or 'o/e) 'e*ore Mahara< a-) sai) !ha! he ha) re,ei(e) !he hihes! k-o/le)e i- !he
*e/es! /or)s. DHa(i- lear-! a'o+! my !r+e i)e-!i!y. I ha(e -o!hi- else !o lear- -o/.D he a))e).
25
;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;
?ha! are ?e. ReallyE
The -ormal pra,!i,e a! !he sessio-s o* Mahara<>s !alks is !o /ai! pa!ie-!ly *or him !o s!ar! !he
)is,+ssio-. Some!imes he /o+l) 'ei- 'y !alki- o- a )e*i-i!e s+'<e,!@ a! o!her !imes he /o+l) si!
sile-!ly /i!h his eyes ,lose) *or a /hile a-) !he- 'ei- !o m+m'le so*!ly. perhaps !hi-ki- alo+).
The- aai-. he mih! a! !he (ery 'ei--i- ask !he (isi!ors i* a-y o* !hem ha) a-y F+es!io-s.
Some!imes. -o! !oo o*!e-. i! happe-s !ha! !here is a (isi!or /ho is e1!remely kee- !o ask a par!i,+lar
F+es!io- ,o-,er-i- a spe,i*i, pro'lem. Mahara< seems !o se-se !he eaer-ess o* s+,h a (isi!or.
looks )ire,!ly a! him e(e- i* he happe-s !o 'e si!!i- i- !he las! ro/. a-) asks him i* he has a-y
F+es!io-s.
O-e mor-i-. /he- Mahara< aske) i* !here /ere a-y F+es!io-s. o-e (isi!or p+! his ha-) +p a-)
s!ar!e) speaki-. He sai)0 Mahara<. I ha(e a F+es!io- /hi,h has 'a**le) me so m+,h !ha! I am a! !he
e-) o* my !e!her. I ha(e )o-e a *air amo+-! o* rea)i- o- !he philosophy o* A)(ai!a. a-) i!s 'asi,
!e-e!s ha(e impresse) me )eeply i-)ee). I ha(e 'ee- !ol) repea!e)ly 'y )i**ere-! mas!ers !ha! +-less
I i(e +p !he ,o-,ep! o* my separa!e e-!i!y li'era!io- ,a--o! 'e a!!ai-e). I )o /holehear!e)ly a,,ep!
!ha! o-e /ho 'elie(es i- !he ,o-,ep! o* )+ali!yGsel* a-) !he o!herGis !he o-e /ho is i- >'o-)ae>.
B+! I am also !ol) !ha! !here ,a- -o! 'e >'o-)ae> *or a-y'o)y. 'e,a+se e(eryo-e has al/ays 'ee-
*reeB This ,o-!ra)i,!ory posi!io- is )i**i,+l! *or me !o +-)ers!a-). I ,a--o! >)o> a-y!hi- 'e,a+se -o
>e-!i!y> is s+ppose) !o e1is!. Ho/ )o I !he- ,arry o- i- !his /orl)E Please. Mahara<. !his is -o! a-
i)le. a,a)emi, F+es!io-. I am )eeply ,o-,er-e). a-) !he pro'lem is )ri(i- me ma). )hat are we
really$
Mahara< *i1e) his l+mi-o+s a=e o- !he (isi!or>s eyes. /hi,h. 'y !he-. /ere 'rimmi- /i!h
!ears. He !ook a )eep 'rea!h. sa! *or a /hile /i!h his eyes ,lose). a pos!+re /hi,h m+s! ha(e
i-)+,e) a se-se o* pea,e /i!hi- !he hear! o* !he F+es!io-er. ?he- Mahara< ope-e) his eyes he
*o+-) !he (isi!or si!!i- s!ill. his eyes ,lose). A*!er a *e/ mome-!s. /he- he ope-e) his eyes he
*o+-) Mahara< smili- a! him.
?ell. sai) Mahara<. /ha! /ere yo+ !hi-ki- a'o+! )+ri- !he las! *e/ mome-!sE The a-s/er
/as0 No!hi-. Tha!. sai) Mahara<. is !he a-s/erG >-o!hi->. ?he- yo+ sai) >-o!hi-> /ha! e1a,!ly
)i) yo+ mea-E Di) yo+ -o! mea- !ha! ,o-,ep!+ali=a!io-. /hi,h oes o- i- ,o-s,io+s-ess all !he
!ime. ha) ,ease) !emporarily. as i! )oes /he- yo+ are i- )eep sleepE Does i! -o! s!rike yo+ !ha! !he
,+lpri-! is ,o-s,io+s-ess. !he so+r,e o* all ,o-,ep!+ali=a!io-E Does i! -o! s!rike yo+ !ha! !he
pro'lem has 'ee- ,rea!e) i- ,o-s,io+s-ess a-) ,o-i=e) i- ,o-s,io+s-ess. a-) !ha! i! is !his
,o-s,io+s-ess i!sel* /hi,h is !ryi- !o +-)ers!a-) i!s o/- -a!+reE Does i! -o! s!rike yo+. !here*ore.
!ha! i! /o+l) 'e (ir!+ally impossi'le *or yo+ !o +-)ers!a-) conceptually /ha! yo+ really areE
No/ !he-. le! +s pro,ee). Ko+ +se) !he /o+l) >really>@ /ha! are /e >really>E The a(erae perso-
/o+l) +se !he /or) >real> !o mea- some!hi- !ha! is per,ep!i'le !o !he se-ses. The 'o)y is
per,ep!i'le !o !he se-ses '+! /o+l) !he 'o)y 'e >really> yo+E ?e m+s! +se !he /or)s ,orre,!ly. i-
spi!e o* all !heir limi!a!io-s. ?e ,o-si)er as >real> a-y!hi- !ha! is per,ep!i'le !o !he se-ses. a-) ye!
e(ery imai-a'le >!hi-> !ha! is se-sorially per,ep!i'le m+s! pass !hro+h a- i-!erpre!a!io- 'y !he
mi-) 'e*ore i! is ,o-i=e). A-) a-y!hi- !ha! is !h+s ,o-i=e) is o'(io+sly o-ly a- appeara-,e i-
!he ,o-s,io+s-ess o* !he ,o-i=er. I* /ha!e(er is se-sorially per,ep!i'le is o-ly a- appeara-,e.
/here !he- is !he reali!y o* !he physi,al *orm /hi,h seems so (ery >real> a-) !a-i'leE
Sho+l) /e -o! !he- o *+r!her 'a,kGa! leas! ,o-,ep!+ally G !o !he s!a!e !ha! pre(aile) prior !o
!he appeara-,e o* !his physi,al *orm. !his psy,hosoma!i, appara!+s@ prior e(e- !o !he ,o-,ep!io- o*
!his *ormE I* I /ere !o ask yo+ !o !ell me some!hi- a'o+! yo+r s!a!e 'e*ore yo+ /ere ,o-,ei(e) i-
yo+r mo!her>s /om'. yo+r a-s/er m+s! -e,essarily 'e DI )o->! k-o/.D This >I> /ho )oes -o! k-o/
!ha! s!a!e Hi- *a,! !he >I> /ho k-e/ -o!hi- +-!il ,o-s,io+s-ess appeare)C. is /ha! /e really are G
!he A'sol+!e. !he -o+me-o-. spa,eless. !imeless. imper,ep!i'le 'ei-@ /hereas. rela!i(ely.
phe-ome-ally. *i-i!e. !ime5'o+-). per,ep!i'le !o !he se-ses. is /ha! /e appear !o 'e as separa!e
o'<e,!s.
The s!a!e o* -o-5ma-i*es!a!io-. !he -o+me-o-. is o-e /here /e Hs!ri,!ly. !he /or) sho+l) 'e
-o! >/e> '+! >I>C )o -o! e(e- k-o/ o* o+r bein#-ness. ?he- /e 'e,ome ,o-s,io+s o* o+r 'ei--ess.
!he s!a!e o* +-i,i!y -o lo-er pre(ails. 'e,a+se )+ali!y is !he (ery esse-,e o* ,o-s,io+s-ess. The
ma-i*es!a!io- o* !ha!5/hi,h5/e5are as phe-ome-a e-!ails a pro,ess o* o'<e,!i(i=a!io-. /hi,h is
-e,essarily 'ase) o- a )i(isio- i-!o a s+'<e,! /hi,h is !he per,ei(er or !he ,o-i=er. a-) a- o'<e,!
/hi,h is !he per,ei(e) or !he ,o-i=e).
The i-!eres!i- poi-! a'o+! !his pro,ess o* o'<e,!i(i=a!io- is !ha! i! )oes -e,essarily !ake pla,e
i- ,o-s,io+s-ess. /hi,h is !he so+r,e o* all ,o-,ep!+ali=i-. a-). !here*ore. i- e**e,!. !he so5!erme)
,o-i=er5s+'<e,! a-) ,o-i=e)5o'<e,! are both o'<e,!s phe-ome-ali=e) i- ,o-s,io+s-ess like )ream5
*i+res. B+!. !ha! ,o-i=er5o'<e,! H/hi,h ,o-i=es !he ,o-i=e)5o'<e,!C ass+mes !he i)e-!i!y o* !he
s+'<e,! as a separa!e e-!i!y G a >sel*> G a-) i(es !he ,o-i=e) o'<e,! a- i)e-!i!y as !he >o!her>.
Th+s is 'or- !he ,o-,ep! o* !he >i-)i(i)+al> !hro+h ill+sio-. !he po/er o* !he Maya. or /ha!e(er.
O-,e !his i)e-!i*i,a!io- /i!h a s+ppose) separa!e e-!i!y !akes pla,e. !he ,o-,ep! o* )+ali!y e!s
'roa)e-e) a-) !he ,o-)i!io-i- 'e,omes s!ro-er. The separa!e s+'<e,!5e-!i!y !he- se!s i!sel* +p as
a- ar'i!er !o a-aly=e a-) ,ri!i,i=e (ario+s o'<e,!s. a-) !he e-!ire s,heme o* i-!er5rela!e) opposi!es
,omes i-!o e1is!e-,e G oo) a-) 'a). 'i a-) small. *ar a-) -earG pro(i)i- s,ope *or
,o-)em-a!io- a-) appro'a!io-.
The s+'5s!ra!+m o* !he e-!ire ,rea!io- o* !his phe-ome-al +-i(erse is. o* ,o+rse. !he ,o-,ep! o*
spa,e5!ime. Spa,e is -ee)e) *or o'<e,!i(i=a!io- a-) !ime !o meas+re !he )+ra!io- o* !his e1!e-sio- i-
spa,e. ?i!ho+! spa,e ho/ ,o+l) o'<e,!s ha(e 'ee- i(e- *orms !o 'e,ome (isi'le. a-) /i!ho+! !ime
H)+ra!io- *or !he appeara-,eC ho/ ,o+l) !hey ha(e 'ee- per,ei(e)E
No/. Mahara< aske) !he (isi!or. ha(e yo+ o! !he a-s/er !o yo+r F+es!io-E
The (isi!or. /ho /as lis!e-i- /i!h rap! a!!e-!io-. as i* mesmeri=e). s+))e-ly reali=e) !ha!
Mahara< ha) aske) him a F+es!io-. He /as so o(er/helme) 'y /ha! ha) 'ee- impar!e) !o him. !ha!.
*or F+i!e some !ime he ,o+l) -o! +!!er a /or). *or he seeme) !o 'e e-(elope) i- p+re lis!e-i-
/hi,h el+)es /or)s. He /as en rapport /i!h Mahara<.
Mahara< ,o-!i-+e)0 I* yo+ ha(e apper,ei(e) /ha! I ha(e sai). yo+ sho+l) 'e a'le !o say e1a,!ly
ho/ a-) /here !he so5,alle) 'o-)ae arises. a-) /hom i! h+r!s. :-)ers!a-) !his (ery ,learly.
Ma-i*es!a!io- o* phe-ome-a is -o!hi- '+! !he pro,ess o* !he *+-,!io-i- o* ,o-s,io+s-ess. /here
!here is no 3uestion of an individual entity. All are o'<e,!s. )ream5*i+res *+-,!io-i- i- !heir
respe,!i(e roles. O+r miseries arise solely !hro+h a,,ep!i- respo-si'ili!y 'y >!aki- )eli(ery> o*
o+r respe,!i(e )ream5roles as o+rsel(es. 'y i)e-!i*yi- /ha!5/e5are /i!h !he s+'<e,!5,o-i=er
eleme-! i- !he pro,ess o* o'<e,!i*i,a!io-. I! is !his ill+sory a-) !o!ally +--e,essary i)e-!i*i,a!io-
/hi,h ,a+ses !he >'o-)ae> a-) all !he res+l!i- misery !o !he ill+sory i-)i(i)+al.
O-,e aai- -o/0 )hat-we-are-not is only a concept and this concept is see+in# what-we-are.
The ,o-)i!io-i-G!he mis+-)ers!a-)i- G ,a- o-ly 'e o! ri) o* 'y a proper +-)ers!a-)i- o*
/ha!5/e5are a-) /ha!5/e5are5-o!. I! /ill !he- 'e ,lear !ha! !he >'o-)ae>. a-) !he >i-)i(i)+al> /ho
s+**ers !here'y. are 'o!h mere ,o-,ep!s. a-) !ha! /ha!5/e5are. !he -o+me-o-. ,a- ma-i*es! i!sel*
o-ly as !o!al phe-ome-a. Ko+ /ill *i-) pea,e G or. ra!her. pea,e /ill *i-) i!sel* G /he- !here is
apper,ep!io- !ha! /ha! /e are sear,hi- *or ,a--o! 'e *o+-) *or !he (ery simple reaso- !ha! !ha!
/hi,h is sear,hi- a-) !ha! /hi,h is so+h! are -o! )i**ere-!B
The (isi!or ,o-!i-+e) !o si! /i!h ha-)s *ol)e). eyes ,lose). !ears *lo/i- )o/- his ,heeks. He
/as i- a s!a!e o* a rap!+ro+s sile-,e more eloF+e-! !ha- /or)s.
26
;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;
6i*e. a Slaps!i,k Come)y
O-e e(e-i- a (isi!or s!ar!e) !he !alk /i!h !hese /or)s0 Mahara< some!imes says !ha! !he e-!ire
ma-i*es!a!io- is a- ill+sio-. like a mo(ie. or a s!ae play. a-) !ha!...
Mahara< i-!err+p!e) him /i!h a la+h a-) sai)0 B+!. i! is -o! !he +s+al p+rpose*+l mo(ie@ i! is a
hell o* a ,ome)y. a real slaps!i,k. i* yo+ /o+l) o-ly ,learly see !he /hole !hi- as i! really is. 6ook.
here I am. i- my home. 'o!heri- -o o-e. )oi- /ha! ,omes !o me -a!+rally. S+ppose. o-e )ay a
poli,ema- s+))e-ly appears a! my )oors!ep a-) ,hares me /i!h assa+l! a-) ro''ery i- Cal,+!!a o-
s+,h a-) s+,h a )ay. I !ell him !ha! I ha(e -e(er 'ee- o+! o* my home !o/-. le! alo-e 'ei- i-
Cal,+!!a a-) !aki- par! i- a- assa+l! a-) ro''ery. The ,o-(i,!io- /i!h /hi,h I !ell !his !o !he
poli,ema- makes him a 'i! )i**i)e-!. He ,o-)+,!s *+r!her i-F+iries a-) *i-)s !ha! /ha! I sai). /as
!r+e. He !he- apoloi=es !o me a-) lea(es me alo-e. This is as i! sho+l) 'e.
B+! here ,omes !he ,omi, par!. Ko+ also *a,e a similar ,hare@ yo+ also ha(e -e(er 'ee- !o
Cal,+!!a. '+! yo+ are so m+,h o(era/e) 'y !he prese-,e o* !he poli,ema- !ha! yo+ are +-a'le !o
speak i- yo+r )e*e-se a-) yo+ allo/ him !o arres! yo+. 6a!er. /he- yo+ are 'ehi-) !he 'ars. yo+
lame-! a'o+! yo+r 'o-)ae a-) ,ry *or li'era!io-B Is !his -o! ri)i,+lo+sE
I- my orii-al s!a!e o* +-i,i!y a-) /hole-ess. I )i)->! e(e- k-o/ !ha! I e1is!e). A-) !he- o-e
)ay I /as !ol) !ha! I /as >'or->. !ha! a par!i,+lar 'o)y /as >me>. !ha! a par!i,+lar ,o+ple /ere my
pare-!s. Therea*!er. I 'ea- a,,ep!i- *+r!her i-*orma!io- a'o+! >me>. )ay a*!er )ay. a-) !h+s '+il!
+p a /hole pse+)o5perso-ali!y o-ly 'e,a+se I ha) a,,ep!e) !he ,hare o* 'ei- 'or- al!ho+h I /as
*+lly a/are !ha! I ha) -o e1perie-,e o* 'ei- 'or-. !ha! I ha) -e(er aree) !o 'e 'or-. a-) !ha! my
'o)y /as 'ei- !hr+s! o- me. Gra)+ally. !he ,o-)i!io-i- 'e,ame s!ro-er a-) s!ro-er a-) re/ !o
s+,h a- e1!e-! !ha! -o! o-ly )i) I a,,ep! !he ,hare !ha! I /as 'or- as a par!i,+lar 'o)y. '+! !ha! I
/o+l). a! some *+!+re )a!e. >)ie> a-) !he (ery /or) >)ea!h> 'e,ame a )rea)e) /or) !o me si-i*yi-
a !ra+ma!i, e(e-!. Ca- a-y!hi- 'e more ri)i,+lo+sE By my G+r+>s ra,e. I reali=e) my !r+e -a!+re.
a-) also reali=e) /ha! a h+e <oke ha) 'ee- playe) o- me.
The more s!ar!li- ill+sio-. !here*ore. is -o! so m+,h !he happe-i- o* a- e(e-! k-o/- as 'ir!h5
li*e5)ea!h o(er a perio) o* /ha! is k-o/- as >!ime>. as is !he a,,ep!a-,e o* a- o'<e,!i(e e-!i!y /hi,h
is s+ppose) !o +-)ero !he e1perie-,e o* !his ,o-,ep!+al e(e-!. A-) !he 'asi, ill+sio-. /hi,h makes
!his ill+sio- possi'le. is !he ,o-,ep! o* spa,e i- /hi,h o'<e,!s ,o+l) 'e e1!e-)e). a-) !he ,o-,ep! o*
!ime H)+ra!io-C i- /hi,h !he spa!ially e1!e-)e) o'<e,!s ,o+l) 'e per,ei(e).
No/. )o yo+ +-)ers!a-) /hy I sai) !ha! li*e is a slaps!i,k ,ome)y. a *ar,eE Go a s!ep *+r!her
a-) see !he e1!e-! !o /hi,h yo+r ,o-,ep!+al e-!i!y e!s i!sel* i-(ol(e) i- !his *ar,e. Ko+ -o! o-ly
*ail !o see !ha! yo+ are merely a- a,!or playi- a role i- !his *ar,e. '+! o o- !o ass+me !ha! yo+
ha(e a ,hoi,e o* )e,isio- a-) a,!io- i- !he play H,alle) >li*e>C. /hi,h m+s! o'(io+sly +-*ol) s!ri,!ly
a,,or)i- !o !he pre5/ri!!e- s,rip!. A-) /he- e(e-!s !h+s !ake pla,e -a!+rally i- !he or)i-ary
,o+rse. !his ,o-,ep!+al e-!i!y !ha! ma- is. le!s himsel* e! a**e,!e) 'y !hem. a-) s+**ers. A-) !he-
he !hi-ks o* >'o-)ae> a-) >li'era!io->.
6i'era!io- is seei- !he li*e as a *ar,e. a-) per,ei(i- !ha! yo+ H!he >I> /i!ho+! !he slih!es!
!o+,h o* o'<e,!i(i!yC ,a- -o! 'e a- e-!i!y o* a-y shape. -ame or ki-). 6i'era!io- is apper,ei(i- !ha!
se-!ie-! o'<e,!s are par! o* !he ma-i*es!a!io- o* !he !o!al phe-ome-a. /i!ho+! separa!e i)e-!i!ies. !ha!
/ha! >I> am is !he se-!ie-,e i- all se-!ie-! o'<e,!s. !he ,o-s,io+s prese-,e as m+,h. 6i'era!io- is
apper,ei(i- !ha! I. !he A'sol+!e. i- my phe-ome-al e1pressio-. am !he *+-,!io-i- Hseei-.
heari-. *eeli-. !as!i-. smelli-. !hi-ki-C /i!ho+! !he prese-,e o* a-y o!her i-)i(i)+al a,!ors.
No/. )o yo+ +-)ers!a-) /hy yo+ >s+**er>E Be,a+se yo+ are a ,ase o* mis!ake- i)e-!i!y@ or
ra!her 'e,a+se yo+ ha(e a,,ep!e) /ha! is o'(io+sly a mis!ake- i)e-!i!yB
27
;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;
Mis5i)e-!i*i,a!io- is >Bo-)ae>
O-e o* !he (isi!ors p+! a F+es!io- !o Mahara< ra!her hesi!a-!ly. Bei- -o! !oo s+re ho/
eleme-!ary his F+es!io- mih! so+-). he sai) !ha! i* !he pro'lem o* >'o-)ae> a-) >li'era!io-> really
res+l!e) *rom !he se-se o* i)e-!i*i,a!io- /i!h !he 'o)y. ho/ a-) /hy )i) !his i)e-!i*i,a!io- ,ome
a'o+!. He *+r!her a))e) Hperhaps )e,i)i- !ha! si-,e he /as oi- !o 'e >i- *or a pe--y> he mih! as
/ell 'e >i- *or a po+-)>C !ha! he ,o+l) -o! +-)ers!a-) /hy o-e sho+l) ha(e spiri!+al k-o/le)e a!
all. i* a! !he e-) o* o-e>s li*e !he res+l! is !he same i- !he ,ase o* 'o!h !he J-a-i a-) !he i-ora-!@ !he
'o)y oes 'a,k !o !he *i(e eleme-!s a-) ,o-s,io+s-ess 'e,omes Nir+-a.
Some!imes Mahara< lis!e-s !o !he F+es!io-er /i!h his eyes ,lose). par!i,+larly i* he is speaki-
i- Mara!hi. Mahara< lis!e-e) !o !his (isi!or also /i!h eyes ,lose). '+! as he lis!e-e) e1pressio-s o-
his *a,e kep! ,ha-i-. He looke) s!er- a-) I !ho+h! !ha! he /o+l) s-ap 'a,k a-) say0 D?ha! ki-)
o* a F+es!io- is !hisED B+! soo- !he s!er--ess ,ha-e) i-!o s/ee! reaso-a'le-ess a-) Mahara<
smile).
He !he- s!ar!e) speaki- so*!ly. eyes s!ill ,lose)0 6e! +s *irs! )eal /i!h !he *+-)ame-!als. he
sai). The e-!ire ma-i*es!e) +-i(erse is a- appeara-,e i- ,o-s,io+s-ess. I* yo+ are -o! ,o-s,io+s. !he
/orl) )oes -o! e1is! *or yo+. si-,e yo+ ,a- -o! ,o-i=e a-y!hi-. This ,o-s,io+s-ess Hi- /hi,h o-e
,o-i=es !he phe-ome-al +-i(erseC. is all !ha! /e are. As lo- as /e are i- !he phe-ome-al /orl).
/e ,a- per,ei(e o-ly !ha!@ we cannot be that-which-we-are until we wa+e up from the dream of
phenomenality +-)ers!a-) !he )ream as s+,h. a-) s!op ,o-,ep!+ali=i- a-) o'<e,!i(i=i-. This is
!he 'asi, esse-!ial0 "oumenon is the substance the phenomenon is mere reflection G !hey are not
)i**ere-!.
The -e1! poi-! !o +-)ers!a-) is !his0 I- !he phe-ome-al /orl) /he- >yo+> see >him>. 'o!h are
o'<e,!s see- 'y ea,h o!her as appeara-,es i- ,o-s,io+s-ess. B+!. )o +-)ers!a-) !his. !here is -o
s+'<e,! !ha! sees !he o!her as a- o'<e,!. There is o-ly seein# /hi,h is *+-,!io-i- as a- aspe,! o* !he
-o+me-al po!e-!ial. This applies !o e(ery!hi- else G heari-. !o+,hi-. !as!i- e!,. All is
esse-!ially >*+-,!io-i->.
No/. le! +s pro,ee) *+r!her0 This >*+-,!io-i-> !akes pla,e !hro+h !he me)i+m o* !he physi,al
*orm. !he psy,hosoma!i, appara!+s /hi,h as a phe-ome-o- is i!sel* o-ly a ma-i*es!a!io- a-).
!here*ore. also a- aspe,! o* -o+me-o-. as sha)o/ is o* !he s+'s!a-,e. So lo- as !here is -o
F+es!io- o* a- i-)i(i)+al e-!i!y ass+mi- ,hoi,e o* a,!io-. all phe-ome-al *+-,!io-i- !akes pla,e
spo-!a-eo+sly a-) !he F+es!io- o* >'o-)ae> a-) >li'era!io-> )oes -o! arise.
B+!. /ha! happe-s is !ha! !he *+-,!io-al ,ore o* a psy,hosoma!i, *orm H/e mih! ,all i! !he
>perso-al> ,o-s,io+s-ess *or o+r a-alysis. al!ho+h ,o-s,io+s-ess ,a--o! 'e )i(i)e) as s+,hC e!s
'es!o/e) /i!h a sp+rio+s s+'<e,!i(i!y as a separa!e e-!i!y. al!ho+h i! is i!sel* o-ly a- o'<e,! /i!h
!he -o+me-o- as !he o-ly s+'<e,!. Th+s is ,rea!e) !he pse+)o5e-!i!y !ha! is s+ppose) !o 'e 'or-. !o
li(e a-) )ie. This pse+)o5e-!i!y is also s+ppose) !o ha(e i-)epe-)e-! a+!hori!y !o ,hoose a-)
)e,i)e@ a-). /i!h !his ass+me) i-)epe-)e-! a+!hori!y is also ass+me) !he respo-si'ili!y *or all !ha!
/o+l) happe- i- !he *+-,!io-i- o* !he ma-i*es!e) /orl) i.e. !he s+**eri- i- !his /orl). !he
a-!i,ipa!e) si-s a-) meri!s. a-) !he ,o-seF+e-!ial >'o-)ae> a-) !he -ee) *or >li'era!io->.
Is !he posi!io- -o/ ,learE )hat-we-are mista+enly identifies itself in relativity with what-we-
are-not !he la!!er 'ei- !he pse+)o5e-!i!y. >Bo-)ae> arises *rom !his i)e-!i*i,a!io-. I! is !his
pse+)o5e-!i!y !ha! s+**ers +il! a-) 'o-)ae a-) seeks li'era!io-. >I> ,a--o! possi'ly s+**er 'e,a+se
>I> is -o! eF+ippe) /i!h a-y i-s!r+me-! /i!h /hi,h se-sa!io- ,o+l) 'e e1perie-,e). A-y e1perie-,e.
pleasa-! or +-pleasa-!. ,o+l) o-ly 'e e1perie-,e) 'y !he mis5i)e-!i*ie) pha-!om o'<e,! ,alle) >me>.
No/. *i-ally. +-)ers!a-) /ha! happe-s i- !he ,ase o* !he J-a-i. The J-a-i has apper,ei(e) !he
'asi, ill+sio- o* !he ma-i*es!e) +-i(erse as /ell as his apparent role as a phe-ome-o- i- !he
spo-!a-eo+s *+-,!io-i- o* !he ma-i*es!a!io-. He has a)ap!e) himsel* smoo!hly !o /ha!e(er may
happe- !o !he phe-ome-o- as i! oes !hro+h i!s allo!!e) <o+r-ey o* li*e. a-) !herea*!er >re!+r-s
home>. He seems !o 'e li(i- his li*e like a-y o!her ma-. '+! !he si-i*i,a-! )i**ere-,e is !ha! he has
)is5i)e-!i*ie) himsel* *rom !he pse+)o5e-!i!y. a-). !here*ore. )oes -o! e1perie-,e s+**eri-.
I- ,ase o* !he i-ora-! perso- !he pse+)o5e-!i!y Hi!sel* a- ill+sio-C ,o-!i-+es !o o !hro+h !he
)ream5/orl). !ha! ma-i*es!a!io- is. as a- i-)epe-)e-! e-!i!y /i!h appare-! (oli!io-. A-) i! s+**ers
'e,a+se i! i-(ol(es i!sel* i- !he -o!io- o* ,a+sali!y. k-o/- as Aarma. i-,l+)i- !he ,o-,ep! o* re5
'ir!h.
The A'sol+!e No+me-ali!y ma-i*es!s i!sel* !hro+h millio-s o* *orms /hi,h are ,rea!e) a-)
)es!roye) e(ery mome-!. a-) i- !his spo-!a-eo+s *+-,!io-i- !here is -o pla,e a! all *or !he -o!io-
o* a-y e-!i!y. There*ore. a-y a,!io- G posi!i(e or -ea!i(e G 'ase) o- !he -o!io- o* a-
a+!o-omo+s. i-)epe-)e-! e-!i!y implies a *+-)ame-!al *ail+re !o rasp !he esse-!ials o* A)(ai!a. So
lo- as !here is a pse+)o5e-!i!y ,o-si)eri- i!sel* a seeker a-) /orki- !o/ar)s >li'era!io->. i! /ill
,o-!i-+e !o remai- i- >'o-)ae>. I! m+s! 'e )eeply. i-!+i!i(ely per,ei(e) !ha! !he seeker is !he
so+h!. ?he- !his happe-s. !he seeker )isappears. NN
28
;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;
Ko+ are Timeless
O-e mor-i- as Mahara< ,lim'e) +p !he s!airs !o his lo*!5room. he s!ar!e) !alki- e(e- as he
/as !aki- his sea!. A *e/ (isi!ors ha) alrea)y a!here) '+! he )i) -o! seem !o !ake -o!i,e o* !hem.
Someo-e i- !he ho+sehol) ha) appare-!ly ,omplai-e) !o Mahara< a'o+! !he +-p+-,!+ali!y o*
some'o)y /ho ha) *aile) !o )o some!hi- o- !ime. So. !ime 'e,ame !he s+'<e,! o* his !alk. He
'ea- a'r+p!ly 'y o'ser(i- !ha! ma-y people !ake !ime !o 'e a >!hi-> G some!hi- apar! *rom
!hemsel(es. some!hi- !hro+h /hi,h !hey. as i-)i(i)+al e-!i!ies. m+s! pass. This i)ea is !o!ally
erro-eo+s.
A))ressi- !he people prese-!. he sai)0 Ko+r /hole i)ea o* !ime is !ha! yo+ /ere 'or- i- !he
pas!. !ha! yo+ are -o/ i- !he prese-! Hal!ho+h. s!ri,!ly speaki-. !here is -o >prese-!> as s+,h.
'e,a+se !he >prese-!> -e(er s!ays s!illBC a-) !ha! yo+ are ro/i- ol)er i-!o !he +-k-o/- *+!+re.
Ha(e yo+ e(er !ho+h! ho/ *alla,io+s !his ,o-,ep! isE Is !here really a-y pas!5prese-!5*+!+re i- !he
o'<e,!i(e se-seE The >pas!> has o-e 'eyo-) re,all a-) !he >*+!+re> yo+ ,a- k-o/ o-ly /he- i! has
'e,ome prese-!5pas! a-) *a)e) i-!o a memory. I! sho+l) 'e ,lear. !here*ore. !ha! >!ime> )oes -o! ha(e
a- o'<e,!i(e e1is!e-,e i- yo+r li(es a-) !ha!. !here*ore. i! ,a--o! 'e physi,ally a-aly=e)B
Mahara< ,o-!i-+e)0 Ho/ !he- are yo+ ,o-,er-e) /i!h !imeE Ko+ are ,o-,er-e) /i!h !ime o-ly
i- so *ar as i! )e-o!es )+ra!io-. a spa- o* meas+reme-!. a ,o-,ep!. D+ra!io- si-i*ies !emporali!y.
/hi,h is !he sine 3ua non o* all phe-ome-a. i-,l+)i- all yo+>s a-) me>s. Th+s. what you appear to
be what you are conditioned to thin+ you are but are not is temporal. B+! /ha! yo+ are as
Co-s,io+s Prese-,e Ha-) !he k-o/er o* !his ,o-s,io+s-essC is i-!emporali!y. The >pas!> is o-ly a
memory a-) !he >*+!+re> o-ly a hope. It is only the &present& the now that means anythin# to us as
presence is what we are as intemporality.
I /o-)er. Mahara< sai). i* yo+ +-)ers!a-) /ha! I am sayi-. Do yo+ rasp !he si-i*i,a-,e o*
/ha! I ha(e sai)E I- e**e,! /ha! I ha(e sai) is !ha! yo+ are !ime0 )hat you thin+ you are is
duration time% what you subjectively are is timeless. Does i! s!ar!le yo+ !o 'e !ol) !ha! /ha! yo+
!hi-k yo+ are is !imeE As a phe-ome-al o'<e,!. are >yo+> -o! !imeG !he ri(er o* !ime *lo/i- *rom
i-*a-,y !o ol) ae. *rom 'ir!h !o )ea!h. *rom ,rea!io- !o )es!r+,!io-. like a-y o!her ma-i*es!e)
phe-ome-o-E ?ha! yo+ !hi-k yo+ are H!he psy,hosoma!i, appara!+sC is al/ays i- mo(eme-!. e(e-
i- sleep mo(i- !o/ar)s /aki-. *or !he simple reaso- !ha! ,o-s,io+s-ess. !he -a!+re o* /hi,h is
mo(eme-!. /ill -o! le! yo+ 'e s!ill. This ,o-s!a-! >)oi-> 'e,omes !he i-*amo+s Aarma o-ly 'e,a+se
o* !he i)e-!i*i,a!io- /i!h !he physi,al *orm /here'y yo+ ass+me !he respo-si'ili!y *or appare-!
a,!io- a-). o* ,o+rse. *or !he ,o-seF+e-,es also. Ea,h s+,h appare-! a,!io- e!s e1!e-)e) i-
spa,eO!ime i- or)er !o 'e,ome per,ep!i'le i- ma-i*es!a!io- a-) !here'y 'e,omes a- >e(e-!>. The
e-!ire phe-ome-al /orl) represe-!s millio-s o* yo+>s. A-) !he !o!ali!y o* all s+,h a,!io-5e(e-!s o*
all !he yo+>s prese-!s !he /orl) i- a,!io-. The /or) >'ir!h> sho+l) really re*er !o !ime 'e,a+se i*
)+ra!io- /ere -o! 'or- Hi-separa'le /i!h >spa,e>C. ma-i*es!a!io- a-) per,ep!io- ,o+l) -o! ha(e !ake-
pla,e. 4ou thin+ you were born but what was born was duration in which you as an object have
become perceptible.
A! !he rela!i(e le(el. e(ery!hi- has !o ha(e a- i-!er5rela!e) ,o+-!erpar! i- or)er !o ha(e e(e- a
,o-,ep!+al Hi* -o! o'<e,!i(eC e1is!e-,e. '+! all s+,h i-!er5rela!e) ,o+-!erpar!s like lih! a-)
)ark-ess. k-o/le)e a-) i-ora-,e. oo) a-) 'a) e!,.. e!er-ally separa!e i- ,o-,ep!io-. 'e,ome
i-separa'ly re5+-i!e) /he- s+perimpose) i- m+!+al -ea!io-. Also. !he phe-ome-ally ,o-,ei(e)
opposi!es. Time a-) I-!emporali!y. 'e,ome re5+-i!e) i- !he m+!+al -ea!io- o* !he rela!i(e. i.e.
/hole-ess. /hole Hso+-)-essBC. I! is !his 'asi,. esse-!ial +-i!y /hi,h is !he !r+e perspe,!i(e. 6ose
!his perspe,!i(e a-) yo+ lose yo+r 'ala-,e a-) *all i-!o !he a'yss o* Maya.
?ha!e(er /e may !hi-k or say a'o+! !he I-!emporal A'sol+!e. ,o-,l+)e) Mahara<. ,o+l) o-ly
'e ,o-,ep!+al. merely a- i-)i,a!io-. a poi-!er. /hi,h ,o+l) -e(er possi'ly re(eal !o +s /ha!
i-!emporali!y is. 'e,a+se !ha! is /ha! /e are. All /e ,a- say is0 I am here a-) now >here> 'ei- i-
!he a'se-,e o* spa,e a-) >-o/> 'ei- i- !he a'se-,e o* !ime. E(e- sayi- !his is perhaps sayi- !oo
m+,h. I! is -o! !he sayi- -or !he heari- !ha! ma!!ers. )hat matters is the instant apperception of
the fact.
29
;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;
No S+,h Thi- as >E-lih!e-me-!>
Mahara< o*!e- says !ha! (ery *e/ o* !hose /ho ,ome !o him are -o(i,es i- spiri!+al k-o/le)e.
Ge-erally !hey are !hose /ho ha(e !ra(elle) *ar a-) /i)e i- F+es! o* k-o/le)e. rea) ma-y 'ooks.
me! ma-y G+r+s a-) ha(e a ,er!ai- i)ea o* /ha! i! is all a'o+!. '+! rarely a ,lear (isio- o* /ha! !hey
ha(e 'ee- seeki-. Ma-y o* !hem )o -o! hesi!a!e !o a,k-o/le)e !ha! all !heir e**or!s pro(e)
+-re/ar)i- a-) !hey *el! *r+s!ra!e) a-) )isappoi-!e). A-) !here are some /ho e(e- /o-)er i* !hey
ha(e 'ee- ,hasi- a mere /ill5o>5!he5/isp. Ho/e(er. i- spi!e o* all !heir *r+s!ra!io- a-) )e<e,!io-.
!hey )o seem !o k-o/ !ha! li*e )oes ha(e a- +l!ima!e mea-i-. Mahara< *eels )eeply ,o-,er-e) *or
s+,h (isi!ors a-) !akes perso-al i-!eres! i- !hem. B+! he !o!ally i-ores !hose /ho ,ome !o him o+!
o* a- i)le ,+riosi!y. or /i!h !he o'<e,! o* !alki- a'o+! him a! a /eeke-) par!y /i!h a holier5!ha-5
!ho+ a!!i!+)e or perhaps /i!h ,o-)es,e-sio-.
The-. !here is a ,lass o* people G !he hal*5'ake) i-!elle,!+als G /ho ,ome !o Mahara< !o !es!
!heir o/- a,,+m+la!e) >k-o/le)e>. A-) /he- a-s/eri- Mahara<>s +s+al F+ery a'o+! !heir
spiri!+al 'a,kro+-). s+,h perso-s sel)om *ail !o me-!io- /i!h a se-se o* pri)e !he lo- lis! o*
'ooks !hey ha(e s!+)ie) a-) !he saes a-) sai-!s !hey ha(e me!. Mahara< re,ei(es s+,h i-*orma!io-
/i!h a- impish ,h+,kle a-) mih! say some!hi- !ha! /o+l) i-*la!e !heir eos e(e- *+r!her. For
e1ample. he mih! say0 ?ell !he-. /e sho+l) ha(e a- +-+s+ally oo) ,o-(ersa!io- !o)ay. Or. he
mih! say0 ?ell. I m+s! say /e are all ho-o+re) !o)ay 'y yo+r prese-,e a-) /e sho+l) 'e a'le !o
lear- some!hi- -e/. Or. he mih! say0 I ha(e o-ly s!+)ie) +p !o !he *o+r!h s!a-)ar) i- a primary
s,hool. a-) here yo+ are. a Ph.D i- philosophy. /i!h all !he :pa-isha)s a! yo+r *i-er!ips@ ho/
ra!i*yi-B
Dis,+ssio-s. as !hey pro,ee)e). /o+l) ha(e a /i)e ra-e o* rea,!io-s *rom !hese /or!hy
l+mi-aries. Some o* !hem /o+l) s!ar! *rom !he s!a-)poi-! !ha! !hey ,o-si)ere) !hemsel(es !o 'e
more or less o- !he same le(el as Mahara< himsel*. The-. /i!hi- a *e/ mi-+!es. !he e-ormo+s
)i**ere-,e /o+l) 'e so palpa'ly o'(io+s !ha! !hey /o+l) a)op! a- a!!i!+)e o* h+mili!y a-) lis!e-
ra!her !ha- !alk. They /o+l) soo- reali=e !he hollo/-ess o* !heir pe)a-!ry a-) spe,io+s-ess o* !heir
pe! !heories a-) ,o-,ep!s.
O-e mor-i-. a E+ropea- la)y ,ame !o Mahara<. She e**+si(ely praise) !he 'ook I Am That
a-) sai) !ha! i! /as her rea! oo) *or!+-e !ha! she /as a'le !o pay her respe,!s !o Mahara< i-
perso-. She ha) !ra(elle) *ar a-) /i)e a-) me! ma-y spiri!+al !ea,hers. '+! ha) -e(er *el! !ha! she
ha) *o+-) /ha! she /as looki- *or. a-) !ha! she /as -o/ s+re her sear,h ha) *i-ally e-)e) a!
Mahara<>s *ee!. Appare-!ly she ha) ha) a *e/ >e1perie-,es> /hi,h o!her G+r+s ha) pro'a'ly
,er!i*ie) as proo* o* her spiri!+al >proress>. She 'ea- -arra!i- !hese e1perie-,es !o Mahara< i-
rea! )e!ail.
Mahara< lis!e-e) !o /ha! she /as sayi- *or a *e/ mi-+!es a-) !he- i-!err+p!e) her 'y aski-0
Tell me. /ho ha) !hese e1perie-,esE ?ho *el! please) 'y !hese e1perie-,esE I- !he a'se-,e o*
/ha!. /o+l) !hese e1perie-,es -o! ha(e arise- a! allE E1a,!ly /here )o you *i+re i- !hese
e1perie-,esE O(er !his *airly lo- perio) o* spiri!+al !rai-i-. /ha! is !he i)e-!i!y yo+ ha(e 'ee-
a'le !o )is,o(er as you$
Do -o! please *eel *or a mome-!. sai) Mahara<. !ha! I i-!e-) !o i-s+l! yo+. '+! yo+ really m+s!
e! ,lear a-s/ers !o !hese F+es!io-s 'e*ore yo+ ,a- )e,i)e /he!her yo+ are pro,ee)i- alo- !he
rih! li-es. A! !he prese-! <+-,!+re yo+ are like a *i(e year ol) ,hil) /ho has 'ee- )e,ke) i- *i-e
,lo!hes a-) lo(ely or-ame-!s. The same ,hil) !hree years earlier /o+l) ha(e ei!her i-ore) !he *i-e
,lo!hes a-) or-ame-!s. or /o+l) ha(e a,,ep!e) !hem as a -+isa-,e *or,e) o- her 'y her )o!i-
pare-!s. B+! -o/. a*!er !he ,o-)i!io-i- !ha! she has re,ei(e) i- !he mea-!ime. !he ,hil) ,a--o! /ai!
+-!il she ,a- o o+! a-) loa! o(er !he e-(y o* her li!!le *rie-)s /ho )o->! possess s+,h *i-eries.
?ha! has happe-e) 'e!/ee- i-*a-,y a-) ,hil)hoo) is e1a,!ly !ha! /hi,h is !he o's!a,le !o yo+r
seei- yo+r !r+e -a!+re. The i-*a-!. +-like !he ,hil). s!ill re!ai-s i!s s+'<e,!i(e perso-ali!y a-)
i)e-!i!y. Be*ore !he ,o-)i!io-i- i! re*ers !o i!sel* 'y i!s -ame. !rea!s i!sel* as merely a- >o'<e,!>. -o!
as >me>. !he ,o-i=erOs+'<e,!. Thi-k )eeply o- /ha! I ha(e sai). !ersonal &entity& and enli#htenment
can not #o to#ether.
I*. a*!er /ha! I ha(e !ol) yo+. yo+ s!ill )e,i)e !o ,o-!i-+e !o (isi! me. I m+s! /ar- yo+. Mahara<
sai) <o,+larly. yo+ /ill -o! o-ly -o! a,F+ire a-y!hi-. '+! yo+ /ill lose /ha!e(er yo+ ha(e
>a,F+ire)> /i!h so m+,h e**or! o(er !he pas! ma-y years. ?ha! is more. yo+ /ill e(e- lose yo+r sel*B
So 'e /ar-e)B Ko+ /ill. i* yo+ ,o-!i-+e !o (isi! me. ,ome !o !he ,o-,l+sio- !ha! !here is -o >me> or
>yo+> !o seek e-lih!e-me-!. indeed that there is no such thin# as &enli#htenment&. The apperception
of this fact is itself enli#htenment-
The la)y sa! los! i- !ho+h!. The s+pers!r+,!+re o* make5'elie(e !ha! she ha) '+il! so
assi)+o+sly o(er !he years /as shake- !o i!s *o+-)a!io-s. She *ol)e) her ha-)s i- o'eisa-,e !o
Mahara< a-) so+h! his permissio- !o (isi! him )aily as lo- as she /as i- Bom'ay.
Ko+ are /el,ome. sai) Mahara<.
30
?ha! /ere Ko+ 'e*ore yo+r >Bir!h>E
O-e o* !he -e/ (isi!ors !o Mahara< /as a- Ameri,a-. -o! more !ha- !/e-!y *i(e or so. /i!h his
hea) sha(e- G a s!rappi- !all yo+- ma-. /ell o(er si1 *ee! a-) propor!io-a!ely 'roa) o* *rame. a
!hi- lo-ish *a,e /i!h ,hiselle) *ea!+res a-) /eari- !he o,hre ro'es o* o-e o* !he ma-y reliio+s
se,!s i- I-)ia.
He sai) !ha! he /as a /a-)eri- mo-k a-) ha) !ra(elle) /i)ely o(er mos! o* !he -or!her-
I-)ia )+ri- !he las! year or !/o. He ha) ha) !he +s+al )is,ipli-ary !rai-i- earlier *or a'o+! !hree
years. I- a-s/er !o a F+ery 'y Mahara< /he!her he ha) *o+-) /ha! he /as looki- *or. he la+he)
a-) sai) !ha! he ha) s!ar!e) ha(i- )o+'!s i* he ,o+l) e(er *i-) i! 'y merely /a-)eri- a'o+!. a-)
i-)ee) !ha! he -o/ /o-)ere) i* he ha) -o! 'ee- /alki- a/ay *rom it.
He !he- sai) !ha! he ha) ,ome a,ross a ,opy o* I Am That re,e-!ly. a-) a*!er rea)i- i!. ha) ha)
a- +-+s+ally sharp se-sa!io- o* ha(i- >arri(e)>@ espe,ially /he- he sa/ !he *ro-!ispie,e pi,!+re o*
Mahara<. ?he- he ha) looke) i-!o !he eyes o* Mahara<. he a))e). he ,o+l)->! !ake his a=e o** !he
por!rai! *or a lo- !ime. He *el! he ha) !o (isi! him. pay his respe,!s. a-) si! a! his *ee!.
Maharaj: ?ha! is i! !ha! yo+ really /a-!E Are yo+ ,lear a'o+! i!E Are yo+ looki- *or Go)E
?ha! e1a,!ly are yo+ looki- *orE
Visitor: Someho/. I ha(e al/ays k-o/- a-) *el! )eeply !ha! -o!hi- !ha! li*e i- !his /orl)
,o+l) o**er /o+l) sa!is*y me 'e,a+se i! /as all so !ra-si!ory. ?ha! e1a,!ly )o I /a-!E ?ell. I /a-!
!o rea,h reali!y. Tha! is /ha! I /a-!.
M: HShaki- /i!h sile-! la+h!erC I* yo+ ,o+l) o-ly reali=e ho/ *+--y !ha! is G DI /a-! !o
rea,h reali!y.D ?ho is !his >I> /ho /a-!s !o rea,h reali!yE Is i! !his 'o)y5,omple1. !his
psy,hosoma!i, appara!+s !ha! /a-!s !o rea,h reali!yE A-) is he s+re !ha! >reali!y> is areea'le !o
a,,ep! himE Also. ho/ /ill !his >I> >rea,h> reali!yE By !aki- a hih <+mp or a lo- <+mpE Or.
perhaps 'y a ro,ke!E Or. is i! !hro+h a me-!al leap !ha! !his reali!y is !o 'e rea,he)E A-). *i-ally.
/ha! e1a,!ly )o yo+ mea- 'y !he >reali!y> !ha! yo+ /a-! !o rea,hE
V: H6a+hi-C No/ !ha! yo+ p+! i! !his /ay. i! )oes seem *+--y. or. sho+l) I perhaps say
!rai,.
M: ?ho is i! !ha! lis!e-s !o !hese /or)s. /he!her *+--y or !rai,E
V: Me. I. !he o-e /ho is si!!i- here@ I am lis!e-i- !o !hese /or)s a-) also speaki- !o yo+.
M: The respe,!i(e se-ses. /i!h !he ai) o* !he Pra-a. !he li*e5*or,e. )o !he a,!+al /ork. B+! is
!here -o! some!hi- G ,all i! yo+r se-se o* prese-,e G /i!ho+! /hi,h -o-e o* yo+r se-ses /o+l)
'e a'le !o ,o-i=e a-y!hi-E ?ha! is i! !ha! i(es se-!ie-,e !o a se-!ie-! 'ei-E
V: Kes. I* I /ere -o! ,o-s,io+s. my se-ses /o+l) -o! /ork.
M: :-)ers!a-) !he-. !ha! it is this conscious presence that you are so lon# as the body is
there. O-,e yo+r 'o)y is o-e. alo- /i!h !he (i!al 'rea!h. ,o-s,io+s-ess also /ill lea(e. O-ly that
which was prior to the appearance of this body-cum-consciousness the Absolute the ever-present
is your true identity. Tha! is /ha! /e all really are. Tha! is reali!y. I! is here a-) -o/. ?here is !he
F+es!io- o* a-yo-e rea,hi- *or i!E
?ha! /ere yo+ 'e*ore yo+r >'ir!h>E I- !ha! s!a!e /ere !here a-y -ee)s /a-!s. )esires G e(e- !he
)esire *or reali!y or *ree)om. or li'era!io-E I- *a,!. !ha! is yo+r orii-al. !r+e s!a!e or !r+e -a!+reGa
s!a!e o* /hole-ess. o* holi-ess. o* a'sol+!e prese-,e a-) rela!i(e a'se-,e. A re*le,!io- o* !ha! s!a!e
is ,o-s,io+s-ess. or I5am5-ess. or 'ei-. '+! !he re*le,!io- o* s+- is -o! !he s+-. This Co-s,io+s
Prese-,e is /ha! yo+ are. -o! !he 'o)y /hi,h is merely !he ha'i!a!io- *or ,o-s,io+s-ess i- i!s
ma-i*es!a!io-. ?he- !he 'o)y >)ies>. ,o-s,io+s-ess is release) o+! o* !he 'o)y a-) yo+ are -o
lo-er e(e- !he ,o-s,io+s prese-,e. 'e,a+se !he- !here -o lo-er is a-y rela!i(e prese-,e. Ko+ are
!he- i- !he orii-al A'sol+!e A/are-ess. *elative absence means Absolute !resence /i!ho+!
,o-s,io+s-ess o* 'ei- prese-!.
The )esire *or *ree)om. /hi,h arises i- !he hear! o* !he seeker i- !he i-i!ial s!aes. ra)+ally
)isappears /he- he reali=es !ha! he himsel* is /ha! he has 'ee- seeki-. The persis!e-,e o* !his
)esire implies !/o >'lo,ks>. O-e. i! ass+mes !he prese-,e a-) ,o-!i-+a-,e o* a- e-!i!y /a-!i-
>*ree)om>. /hereas *or a phe-ome-al o'<e,! !here ,a- 'e -o F+es!io- o* *ree)om 'e,a+se a- o'<e,!
)oes -o! ha(e a-y i-)epe-)e-! e1is!e-,e a! all. T/o. !his )esire is 'ase) o- !he )esire !o ,ap!+re
reali!y a! !he mi-)5le(el@ i! mea-s !ryi- !o ,ap!+re !he +-k-o/- a-) +-k-o/a'le /i!hi- !he
parame!ers o* !he k-o/-B I! ,a--o! 'e )o-e.
V: ?ha! Sa)ha-a is )o-e !o )o. !he-E
M: Here aai-. )oi- Sa)ha-a mea-s ass+mi- !he e1is!e-,e o* a pha-!om. ?ho is !o )o
Sa)ha-a a-) *or /ha! p+rposeE Is i! -o! e-o+h !o see !he *alse as *alseE The entity that you thin+
you are is false. 4ou are the reality.
O-,e i! is +-)ers!oo). or ra!her. apper,ei(e) i-!+i!i(ely. !ha! a- e-!i!y is p+rely a ,o-,ep!+al
-o!io-. /ha! remai-s is merely a re5i-!era!io- G Koa G i- +-i(ersali!y. No!hi- remai-s !o 'e
)o-e 'e,a+se !here is -o o-e !o )o i!. a-). more impor!a-!. -o o-e !o a's!ai- *rom )oi- i! ei!herB
?ha! remai-s is p+re -o-5(oli!io-al >'ei- li(e)> 'e,a+se rela!i(ely /e are o-ly p+ppe!s i- a )ream5
/orl) 'ei- ma-ip+la!e) i- !he orii-al )ream. I! is *or !he i-)i(i)+al )reamer !o a/ake- *rom his
perso-al )ream. A-) !his apper,ep!io- is i!sel* !he a/ake-i-B
The yo+- Ameri,a-. /ho ha) hear) Mahara< /i!h rap! a!!e-!io-. 'o/e) 'e*ore him a-) sai)0
DSir. yo+r /or)s ha(e s/ep! a/ay all my me-!al )e'ris. I -o/ k-o/ /ha! reali!y is. I k-o/. I
apper,ei(e. I am !he reali!yD.
31
;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;
Mahara< o- Himsel*
This /as o-e o* !hose e(e-i-s /he- !here /ere o-ly a *e/ o* !he re+lar (isi!ors. Mahara< sa!
i- his +s+al pla,e. s!ill as a s!a!+e. I! /as e1!raor)i-arily pea,e*+l i- !ha! li!!le room. a-) /e sa!
!here. /i!h eyes ,lose). spo-!a-eo+sly i- a s!a!e o* rappor! /i!h Mahara<. Time s!oo) s!ill as i! /ere.
The- s+))e-ly /e hear) Mahara< !alki- so*!ly0 I /o-)er /ha! imae !he (isi!ors ha(e a'o+! me. he
sai). I /o-)er i* !hey reali=e. !r+ly apprehe-). my s!a!e /hi,h. 'asi,ally. is -o! i- a-y /ay )i**ere-!
*rom !heir o/-.
All I am. all I ha(e al/ays 'ee-. a-) /ill 'e. is /ha! I /as 'e*ore I /as >'or->. No! 'ei- a
'o)y. ho/ ,o+l) I ha(e 'ee- 'or-E Bei- A/are-ess i!sel*. ho/ ,o+l) I 'e a/are o* a/are-essE I
am -o >!hi-> a-) k-o/ -o >o!her>. !o 'e a/are o*.
As !he -o+me-o-. I am -o! a/are o* a/are-ess. As a phe-ome-o- I am >*+-,!io-i->. a- aspe,!
o* my po!e-!ial as !he -o+me-o- *+-,!io-i- o- a- imperso-al le(el. spo-!a-eo+sly. -o-5
(oli!io-ally. I am. !here*ore. !he seei-. !he heari-. !he per,ei(i-. !he k-o/i-. !he )oi-. o* all
!ha! is 'ei- see-. hear). per,ei(e). k-o/- a-) )o-e G >I> apper,ei(i- !he o'<e,!i(i=a!io- o* !his5
here5-o/.
No+me-ally Ha'sol+!elyC +-k-o/a'le. phe-ome-ally Hrela!i(elyC I 'e,ome a- o'<e,! o*
k-o/le)e. No+me-o-5I5is /ha! remai-s a*!er all phe-ome-a are !o!ally -ea!e). I am this-here-
now total phenomenal absence. 7ow then can I noumenon be +nown experienced co#ni6ed$
?he- I ma-i*es! mysel* i! is as >se-!ie-,e>. 'y ,o-,ep!+al e1!e-sio- i- spa,e. meas+re) i- )+ra!io-
H!imeC. A-y e1perie-,e ,a- 'e e1perie-,e) o-ly i- )+ali!y. as s+'<e,!5o'<e,!. )is,rimi-a!i- a-)
<+)i- !hro+h i-!errela!e) ,o+-!erpar!s like <oy a-) sorro/.
?he- !he mi-) is !o!ally sile-!. emp!y. /he- spa,e5!ime ,o-,ep!+ali=i- is i- s+spe-sio-. !he-
all that you are I am G +-i,i!y. /hole-ess. holi-ess. h+mili!y. lo(e. Tha! is !r+!h G all else is
r+''ishB So simple. '+! I /o-)er ho/ ma-y apprehe-) /ha! I am sayi-. Stop conceptuali6in# and
&you& are &I( G -o sel* a-) -o o!herB
32
;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;
A Perso-al E1perie-,e
I! is -o! +-+s+al *or Mahara<. )+ri- !he ,o+rse o* a sessio-. !o pi,k o+! someo-e *rom !he
re+lar (isi!ors a-) ask him a'o+! his perso-al rea,!io- !o his !alks. He mih! say0 Tell me /ha!
spe,i*i,ally yo+ ha(e a!here) *rom my !alks !ha! has remai-e) *irmly i- yo+r mi-). Or he mih!
ask0 Ha(i- hear) /ha! I ha(e !o say. /ha! *irm ,o-,l+sio- ha(e yo+ ,ome !o i- rear) !o yo+r !r+e
i)e-!i!yE I! has 'ee- my e1perie-,e !ha! /ha!e(er Mahara< says is al/ays spo-!a-eo+s. a-) !ha! i! is
poi-!less !here*ore !o !ry !o !hi-k o* spe,i*i, reaso-s /hy he p+!s s+,h F+eries a-) /hy !o par!i,+lar
perso-s.
The imme)ia!e rea,!io- !o s+,h a F+ery *rom Mahara< is -a!+rally o-e o* 'e/il)erme-!. '+!
+-)ers!a-)a'ly i! is also !a-!amo+-! !o a ,o-*essio- !ha! a*!er lis!e-i- !o /ha! he has 'ee- sayi-
HShra(a-aC. a)eF+a!e i-)epe-)e-! me)i!a!io- o(er i! HMa-a-aC has -o! 'ee- )o-e. le! alo-e 'ei-
o-e /i!h !he ,o-(i,!io- arri(e) a! HNi5)i)hyasa-aC G !he o-ly ra)+a!e) pro,ess Mahara<
re,omme-)s /he-e(er he is presse) !o re,omme-) some >a,!io-> 'y a )e(o!ee.
O- o-e s+,h o,,asio-. Mahara< sai) !o o-e o* !he re+lar (isi!ors0 Ko+ are a lear-e) ma-. a-)
yo+ ha(e 'ee- lis!e-i- !o me -o/ *or F+i!e some !ime. (ery pa!ie-!ly. (ery i-!e-sely. /i!h )eep
,o-,e-!ra!io-. Tell me i- a *e/ /or)s /ha! i! is !ha! I ,o-si)er as !he ,ore o* /ha! I am !ryi- !o
,o-(ey. Mahara< seeme) !o 'e par!i,+larly i-!eres!e) i- !he a-s/er *or he /ai!e) pa!ie-!ly *or i! *or
F+i!e some !ime. The )e(o!ee ,o-,er-e) ma)e (isi'le e**or!s !o i(e a- a-s/er. '+! someho/ or !he
o!her a ,lear5,+! e1eesis /o+l) -o! ,ome *or!h. D+ri- !his i-!er(e-i- l+ll. so e1!raor)i-arily s!ill
a-) F+ie!. a- a-s/er spo-!a-eo+sly emere) i- my mi-)0 &Awa+enin# cannot ta+e place so lon# as
the idea persists that one is a see+er&.
?he- !he sessio- /as o(er a-) !he o!her (isi!ors ha) le*!. o-ly my *rie-) M+llarapa!!a- a-) I
remai-e) /i!h Mahara<@ I me-!io-e) !o him !ha! a ,lear a-s/er !o his F+es!io- ha) ,ome !o my
mi-) /hile /e /ere /ai!i- *or !he )e(o!ee !o reply. '+! !ha! I ha) -o! )eeme) i! proper !o say
a-y!hi- )+ri- !he sessio-. O- 'ei- aske). I !ol) Mahara< /ha! my a-s/er /as. He aske) me !o
repea! i!. a-) I repea!e) !he a-s/er more slo/ly a-) ,learly. O- heari- i!. Mahara< sa! *or a
mome-! or !/o /i!h his eyes ,lose). a smile o- his lips. a-) seeme) (ery please) /i!h !he a-s/er.
The- he aske) M+llarapa!!a- /ha! he ha) !o say a'o+! my a-s/er. M+llarpa!!a- sai) he ha) -o
par!i,+lar ,omme-! !o make. a-) !he ma!!er /as le*! a! !ha!. I! seeme) ra!her a pi!y. *or i* !here ha)
'ee- a ,omme-! *rom my *rie-). Mahara< /o+l) almos! ,er!ai-ly ha(e *a(o+re) +s /i!h a! leas! a
'rie* )isser!a!io- o- !he s+'<e,!.
There /as a-o!her o,,asio- /hi,h ha) spe,ial si-i*i,a-,e *or me perso-ally. ?hils! I /as
)oi- !he !ra-sla!io- a! a sessio-. I /as s+))e-ly i-!err+p!e) 'y Mahara<. I m+s! me-!io- here !ha!
o- some )ays my !ra-sla!io- seeme) !o ema-a!e more smoo!hly. more spo-!a-eo+sly !ha- o- o!her
)ays. a-) !his /as o-e o* !hose o,,asio-s. ?hile I /as speaki-. perhaps /i!h my eyes ,lose). I
/as -o! a/are o* a-y i-!err+p!io- *rom Mahara< a-) i! /as o-ly /he- my -eih'o+r !appe) o- my
k-ee *irmly !ha! I 'e,ame a/are o* Mahara< aski- me !o repea! /ha! I ha) <+s! sai). I! !ook me a
mome-! or !/o !o re,olle,! /ha! I ha) sai). a-) a! !ha! i-s!a-! I *el! mysel* ,+rio+sly !ra-s*orme).
o+! o* ,o-!e1!. i-!o a )is!a-! a-) almos! )isi-!eres!e) /i!-ess !o !he )ialo+e !ha! *ollo/e) 'e!/ee-
Mahara< a-) me. ?he- a*!er a /hile I /as 'a,k i- !he rele(a-! *rame o* re*ere-,e. I *o+-) Mahara<
si!!i- 'a,k /i!h a ,o-!e-!e) smile /hile !he (isi!ors seeme) !o 'e api- a! me i- a- em'arrasse)
ma--er. The sessio- !he- pro,ee)e) !o i!s -ormal ,o-,l+sio-. '+! my !ra-sla!io- !herea*!er seeme)
!o me !o 'e ra!her me,ha-i,al.
I *el!. !ha! some!hi- +-+s+al ha) happe-e) )+ri- !he sessio-. :-*or!+-a!ely. M+llarpa!!a-
/as -o! prese-! o- !ha! )ay a-) I ,o+l) -o! ask him a'o+! i!. I !here*ore 'orro/e) a !ape5re,or)i-
o* !he sessio-. The re,or)i-. ho/e(er. /as (ery poor i- F+ali!y a-) !he F+es!io-s a-) a-s/ers
/ere )ro/-e) i- o+!si)e -oises. B+! !he !ape ha) ser(e) my p+rpose 'e,a+se. as I /as me)i!a!i-
/he- !he !ape /as 'ei- r+-. /ha! !ra-spire) a! !he sessio- s+))e-ly *loo)e) 'a,k i-!o my
memory. No /o-)er !he (isi!ors seeme) s!ar!le) o+! o* !heir /i!sB I ha) 'ee- ha(i- a )ialo+e
/i!h Mahara< a-) !alki- !o him o- !erms o* *+ll eF+ali!y. /hi,h ,o+l) -e(er ha(e happe-e) i* I ha)
'ee- really ,o-s,io+s o* /ha! I /as sayi-. I! /as -o! !he /or)s '+! !he !o-e o* *irm ,o-(i,!io- !ha!
m+s! ha(e s!ar!le) !he (isi!ors. as i-)ee) I mysel* /as /he- I hear) !he !ape. I ,o+l) o-ly !ake some
sa!is*a,!io- a-) ,o-sola!io- *rom !he *a,! !ha! a! !he e-) o* !he )ialo+e. Mahara< seeme) per*e,!ly
happy a-) ,o-!e-!e). o-e mih! e(e- say ra!i*ie).
The )ialo+e 'e!/ee- Mahara< a-) me ha) !ake- pla,e o- !he *ollo/i- li-es0
Maharaj: ?o+l) yo+ repea! /ha! yo+ <+s! sai)E
Answer: I sai). DI am !he ,o-s,io+s-ess i- /hi,h !he /orl) appears. E(ery!hi- a-) a-y!hi-
!ha! ,o-s!i!+!es !he ma-i*es!e) /orl) ,a- !here*ore 'e -o!hi- o!her !ha- /ha! I am. a'sol+!ely.D
Maharaj: Ho/ ,a- yo+ 'e >e(ery!hi->E
Answer: Mahara<. ho/ ,a- I -o! 'e e(ery!hi-E All !ha! !he sha)o/ is ,a- -e(er 'e a-y!hi-
'eyo-) /ha! !he s+'s!a-,e is. ?ha!e(er is mirrore) as a- imae G ho/ ,a- i! 'e a-y!hi- more or
less !ha- !ha! /hi,h is mirrore)E
Maharaj: ?ha! is yo+r o/- i)e-!i!y !he-E
Answer: I ,a- 'e -o >!hi->@ I ,a- o-ly 'e e(ery!hi-.
Maharaj: Ho/ )o yo+ e1is! i- !he /orl) !he-E I- /ha! *ormE
Answer: Mahara<. ho/ ,a- I possi'ly exist /i!h a *orm as &an I>$ B+! I am al/ays prese-!
a'sol+!ely@ a-) as ,o-s,io+s-ess rela!i(ely. i- /hi,h all ma-i*es!a!io- is re*le,!e). Existence can
only be objective relative I can not therefore have a personal existence. >E1is!e-,e> i-,l+)es >-o-5
e1is!e-,e>. appeara-,e a-) )isappeara-,e G )+ra!io-. B+! &I( am always present. My a'sol+!e
prese-,e as I-!emporali!y is my rela!i(e a'se-,e i- !he *i-i!e /orl). No. Mahara<. !here is -o!hi-
eo!is!i, a'o+! i! Hperhaps Mahara< ha) raise) his eye'ro/sC. I- *a,!. i! is o-ly /he- !he eo
,ollapses !ha! !his ,a- 'e apper,ei(e). A-) a-yo-e ,a- say !his G o-ly. !here is -o >o-e>. /ho ,a-
>say> !his. All !here is. is apper,ep!io-.
Maharaj: Iery /ell. 6e! +s pro,ee).
The !alk !he- pro,ee)e) a-) I ,o-!i-+e) !o !ra-sla!e !he (isi!ors> F+es!io-s a-) Mahara<>s
a-s/ers !ill !he sessio- ,ame !o a- e-). 6a!er. I re*le,!e) +po- !he !heme o* 'o-)ae a-) li'era!io-.
as e1po+-)e) 'y Mahara<. a-) !rie) !o ,lari*y i!s impli,a!io-s *or me i- my )aily li*e. I re,api!+la!e)
!o mysel* /ha! I ha) im'i'e). some!hi- like >,he/i- !he ,+)>. a- e1pressio- !ha! Mahara< +ses -o!
i-*reF+e-!ly.
?he- !he Imperso-al Co-s,io+s-ess perso-ali=e) i!sel* 'y i)e-!i*i,a!io- /i!h !he se-!ie-!
o'<e,! !hi-ki- o* i! as >I>. !he e**e,! /as !o !ra-s*orm !he >I>. esse-!ially !he s+'<e,!. i-!o a- o'<e,!. I!
is !his o'<e,!i(i=i- o* p+re s+'<e,!i(i!y Hlimi!i- !he +-limi!e) po!e-!ialC. !his *alse i)e-!i!y /hi,h
may 'e !erme) >'o-)ae>. I! is *rom !his >e-!i!y5*i,a!io-> !ha! *ree)om is so+h!. 6i'era!io- !here*ore
,a- 'e -o!hi- o!her !ha- !he apper,ep!io-. or imme)ia!e +-)ers!a-)i- o* !he *alse as *alse. !he
seei- !ha! sel*5i)e-!i*i,a!io- is *alse. 6i'era!io- is seei- !ha! i! is o-ly !he ,o-s,io+s-ess seeki-
!he +-ma-i*es!e) so+r,e o* ma-i*es!a!io- G a-) -o! *i-)i- i! 'e,a+se !he seeker himsel* is !he
so+h!B
Ha(i- +-)ers!oo) !his pro*o+-)ly. /ha! are i!s impli,a!io-s *or >me> i- rear) !o or)i-ary
li(i-E My 'asi, +-)ers!a-)i- -o/ is !ha! !here -e(er ,a- 'e a-y i-)i(i)+al e-!i!y. as s+,h. /i!h
i-)epe-)e-! ,hoi,e o* a,!io-. There*ore. ho/ ,a- >I>. i- *+!+re. e-!er!ai- a-y i-!e-!io-sE A-). i* I
,ease !o ha(e i-!e-!io-s. ho/ ,a- !here 'y a-y psy,holoi,al ,o-*li,!sE I- !he a'se-,e o* i-!e-!io-
!here ,a- 'e -o psy,holoi,al 'asis *or a-y i-(ol(eme-! /i!h Aarma. There /o+l) !he- 'e per*e,!
ali-me-! /i!h /ha!e(er mih! happe-. a- a,,ep!a-,e o* e(e-!s /i!ho+! a-y *eeli- ei!her o*
a,hie(eme-! or o* *r+s!ra!io-.
S+,h li(i- /o+l) !he- 'e -o-5(oli!io-al li(i- Ha- a'se-,e o* 'o!h posi!i(e a-) -ea!i(e
(oli!io-. a- a'se-,e o* 'o!h )eli'era!e )oi- a-) )eli'era!e -o! )oi-C. oi- !hro+h >my> allo!!e)
spa- o* li*e. /a-!i- -o!hi- a-) a(oi)i- -o!hi-. so !ha! !his >li*e> H!his )+ra!io- o* ,o-s,io+s-ess
/hi,h has ,ome like a- e,lipse o- my orii-al !r+e s!a!eC /ill )isappear i- )+e ,o+rse. lea(i- me
i- my a'sol+!e prese-,e. ?ha! more ,o+l) H!he ,o-,ep!+alC >o-e> /a-!E
33
;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;
There is No Per,ei(er. O-ly Per,ei(i-
O-e mor-i-. /he- a (isi!or 'ea- his F+es!io- /i!h !he +s+al0 DI /a-! !o k-o/ . . ..D Mahara<
'ea- !o la+h a-) /i!ho+! /ai!i- *or !he Mara!hi !ra-sla!io- i-!err+p!e) /i!h a ,o+-!er5F+es!io-
i- E-lish0 DI G /hoDE The-. ha(i- e-<oye) !he <oke h+ely. he /e-! 'a,k !o his -a!i(e Mara!hi
a-) sai)0 I! is really so (ery simple. !his !ha! I am !ryi- !o ,o-(ey !o yo+. Ko+ !oo /o+l) *i-) i! so.
i* o-ly yo+ ,o+l) keep !he >me> asi)e. /he- yo+ lis!e-B I* yo+ /o+l) o-ly remem'er !ha! so lo- as
!here is a s+ppose)ly a+!o-omo+s e-!i!y. (oli!io-ally !ryi- !o +-)ers!a-) /ha! I am sayi-. !r+e
+-)ers!a-)i- is o+! o* F+es!io-. Apprehe-sio- o* me!aphysi,al re(ela!io- pres+pposes a-
e-F+iri-. ope-. >(a,a-!> mi-) i- /hi,h s+,h apprehe-sio- ,o+l) e-!er. A-y >i-)epe-)e-!> e-!i!y
i-)i,a!es a ,o-)i!io-e) mi-). *+ll o* ,o-,ep!s. resis!i- !he e-!ry o* a-y!hi- !ha! I /a-! !o impar!.
Do I make mysel* ,lear. I /o-)erB
E(e- !ho+h I +se /or)s. a-) yo+ hear !hem. !he impar!i- /ill 'e possi'le o-ly i* !he s+'<e,!
a-) !he o'<e,! mere i- !he heari- o* i!. Bei- a! !he 'ei--i- a-) e1ami-e /he!her !here e1is!s
a-y >o-e> ei!her !o !alk or !o lis!e-. or !here is merely >*+-,!io-i-> G !alki-. lis!e-i-.
apprehe-)i-. e1perie-,i-.
?he- yo+ !hi-k o* some!hi- >e1is!i->. yo+ !hi-k o-ly i- !erms o* some!hi- /hi,h is
o'<e,!i(e. /i!h a *orm. Ko+ are ,o-,er-e) o-ly /i!h o'<e,!i(e phe-ome-a. /hereas I see all
o'<e,!s. i-,l+)i- yo+. as -o!hi- more or less !ha- appeara-,es i- ,o-s,io+s-ess. a-) !here*ore as
-o! e1is!i-.
A-). s+'<e,!i(i!y as s+,h. /i!ho+! a-y o'<e,!i(e F+ali!y. o'(io+sly ,a--o! e1is!. So !he-. what
exists$ There ,a--o! 'e s+,h a !hi- as e1is!e-,e or -o-5e1is!e-,eB
6e! +s ,ome 'a,k !o !he (isi!or /ho /a-!e) !o ask some F+es!io- a li!!le /hile ao. He has
,ome here. perhaps /i!h some i-,o-(e-ie-,e a-) a! -o! i-,o-si)era'le e1pe-se. !o seek !ha! ki-) o*
k-o/le)e /hi,h /o+l) e-a'le him !o !+r- himsel* i-!o >a 'e!!er i-)i(i)+al> G a sae. a J-a-i. No/
)o yo+ +-)ers!a-) /hy I ,o+l) -o! help la+hi- G -o! a! him. please. '+! a! !he !ri,ks Maya plays
!hro+h her ill+sio-s.
Thi-k *or a mome-!0 ?ho is !hi-ki- i- !erms o* !ra-s*orma!io-. ,ha-i- *rom o-e s!a!e !o
a-o!her@ i- !erms o* sel*5impro(eme-!E S+rely. i! is -o!hi- o!her !ha- a- appeara-,e i-
,o-s,io+s-ess. a ,hara,!er i- a mo(ie. a- i-)i(i)+al i- a )ream G a )reame) pse+)o5e-!i!y
,o-si)eri- i!sel* s+'<e,! !o !he /orki-s o* Aarma. Ho/ ,o+l) s+,h a )reame) ,hara,!er >per*e,!>
i!sel* i-!o a-y!hi- o!her !ha- i!s )reame) sel*E Ho/ ,o+l) a sha)o/ per*e,! i!sel* i-!o i!s
s+'s!a-,eE Ho/ ,o+l) !here 'e a-y >a/ake-i-> *rom !he )ream. e1,ep! *or !he )reamer !o re5sol(e
!he !r+e i)e-!i!y o* !he so+r,e o* !he )ream. !he ma-i*es!a!io-E
A-) >a/ake-i-> ,o-sis!s i- apprehe-)i- !ha! !here is -o i-)i(i)+al per,ei(er o* !he
phe-ome-al /orl). '+! !ha! !he esse-!ial -a!+re a-) p+rpose o* all phe-ome-a is merely !he
perceivin# o* phe-ome-a. !ha! is. functionin# in this-here-now% apprehe-)i- !ha! e(ery se-!ie-!
'ei- G I G as !he po!e-!ial so+r,e o* all e1perie-,e. e1perie-,es !he appare-! +-i(erse o'<e,!i(ely
!hro+h a psy,hosoma!i, appara!+s. The (ery *irs! s!ep i- +-)ers!a-)i- /ha! !his is all a'o+! is
i(i- +p !he ,o-,ep! o* a- a,!i(e (oli!io-al >I> as a separa!e e-!i!y. a-) a,,ep!i- !he passi(e role o*
per,ei(i- a-) *+-,!io-i- as a pro,ess.
6e! me la))e- yo+r hear!s 'y i(i- yo+ a ,o+ple o* >!ips>. I- spi!e o* /ha!e(er I say. I k-o/
yo+ /ill ,o-!i-+e o- yo+r >sel*5impro(eme-!> ,o+rse a-) keep looki- *or >!ips>. So ope- yo+r -o!e
'ooks a-) /ri!e !hem )o/-0
HaC Make i! a ha'i! !o !hi-k a-) speak i- !he passi(e !e-se.
I-s!ea) o* >I see some!hi-> or >I hear some!hi->. /hy -o! !hi-k !he passi(e /ay0 >some!hi- is
see-> or >some!hi- is hear).>E The per,ep!io- /ill !he- 'e -o! o- !he 'asis o* a- a,!io- 'y !he
phe-ome-al e-!i!y. '+! o- !he 'asis o* a- e(e-! or o,,+rre-,e. I- )+e ,o+rse. !he pse+)o5e-!i!y >I>
/ill re,e)e i-!o !he 'a,kro+-).
H'C Be*ore oi- !o sleep a! -ih!. spe-) a'o+! !e- mi-+!es si!!i- rela1e) 'o!h i- 'o)y a-)
mi-). !aki- yo+r s!a-) !ha! >yo+> are -o! !he 'o)y5mi-) ,o-s!r+,! '+! !he a-ima!i- ,o-s,io+s-ess.
so !ha! !his i)ea /ill i-pre-a!e yo+r 'ei- !hro+ho+! !he perio) o* yo+r sleep.
34
;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;
The Imma,+la!e I)e-!i!y
A! !he 'ei--i- o* a sessio-. Mahara< e-F+ire)0 ?ha! shall /e !alk a'o+! !o)ayE Mos! o*
!hose prese-! ha) a!!e-)e) ma-y pre(io+s sessio-s a-) !hey k-e/ !ha! Mahara< e-erally sele,!e)
!he s+'<e,! himsel*. The- aai- !here /as -o! m+,h ,hoi,e o* s+'<e,! ei!her *or. as Mahara< himsel*
has sai) ma-y !imes. he !alks o-ly o- o-e s+'<e,!G -amely. ma->s !r+e -a!+re or i)e-!i!y. So. o-e
o* !he (isi!ors aske) him i* !here is some!hi- !o /hi,h o-e ,o+l) ha- o- i- or)er !o remai-
,o-s!a-!ly ,o-s,io+s o* o-e>s !r+e i)e-!i!y.
Mahara< la+he) a-) sai) !ha! !ha! /as !he /hole !ro+'le.
Some >o-e> /a-!s some >!hi-> !o /hi,h he ,o+l) >ha- o-> i- or)er !o a,hie(e some!hi-B Ca-
yo+ -o! +-)ers!a-) !ha! !his /hole i)ea is mis,o-,ei(e)E A,!+ally. i! is all (ery simple i* yo+ ,o+l)
o-ly see i!. B+! I am a*rai) !he +s+al ki-) o* seei- /ill -o! )o. The +s+al ki-) o* seei- G !he seer
seei- some!hi- G is !o!ally i-a)eF+a!e. I! -ee)s a (ery spe,ial ki-) o* seei-. i-!+i!i(e seei-.
>i-5seei->. /herei- i! is see- !ha! !here is -o o-e !o see a-) !here is -o!hi- !o 'e see-B
No. he ,o-!i-+e). I am -o! !ryi- !o ,o-*+se yo+. The s+'<e,! i!sel* is s+,h G /i!ho+!
s+'s!a-,e. a-) ye! so (ery *+ll a-) pre-a-! !ha! -o o!her s+'<e,! ,a- ha(e a-y (al+e 'esi)e i!B I
,o+l). ho/e(er. i(e yo+ a *orm+la !o /hi,h yo+ ,a- ha- o-. '+! i! ,a- o-ly help yo+ i* yo+
remem'er /ha! I ha(e !ol) yo+ a'o+! !he i-5seei-. I* yo+ a,,ep! i! merely as a *orm+la. yo+ /ill
e! o-ly !he /or)s o* !he Ma-!ra. '+! -o! i!s mea-i-@ perhaps !he mea-i- o* !he Ma-!ra. '+! -o!
i!s e**i,a,y. The real p+rpose o* !he *orm+la. or !he Maha5Iakya. is !o s+rre-)er !he seei- !o
Brahma-.
Remem'er al/ays. !he perfect identity of this-that-I-am a-) that-that-I-appear-to-be. Ne(er *or
a mome-! *ore! !ha! -o-5ma-i*es!a!io- a-) ma-i*es!a!io-. !he -o+me-o- a-) !he phe-ome-a. !he
A'sol+!e a-) !he Rela!i(e are -o! )i**ere-!. Ma-i*es!a!io- is -o! a ,rea!io- o* !he -o-5ma-i*es!. '+!
merely !he mirrori=a!io-. or a- e1pressio- o* i!. I- o!her /or)s. !here is -o i-here-! )+ali!y 'e!/ee-
s+'<e,! a-) o'<e,!@ i-)ee). -o o'<e,! ,o+l) e1is! e(e- *or a mome-! apar! *rom i!s s+'<e,! a-) vice
versa. This-that-I-am H-o+me-o-C o'(io+sly !ra-s,e-)s that-that-I-appear-to-be Hphe-ome-aC. '+!
is also imma-e-! !herei-. There is a- i-separa'le i)e-!i!y 'e!/ee- !he -o+me-o- a-) i!s
phe-ome-a.
?ha! happe-s i- ma-i*es!a!io-E No+me-ally. I am H!ho+h -o! a/are o* i!C. a-) -e(er *or a
mome-! )o I ,ease !o 'e this-that-I-am. ?hereas phe-ome-ally. I -ei!her am -or am -o! 'e,a+se all
o'<e,!s are merely appeara-,es i- ,o-s,io+s-ess. imaes i- a mirror. I-)ee). e(ery si-le !hi- !ha!
o-e ,a- ,o-i=e ,a- o-ly 'e a- appeara-,e i- ,o-s,io+s-ess. a-) ,a--o! ha(e a-y o!her e1is!e-,e
as s+,h. A-) /ha! is ,o-s,io+s-essE >I> am ,o-s,io+s-ess. As soo- as !he !ho+h! I am arises. >mi-)>
H/hi,h is -o!hi- o!her !ha- !he ,o-!e-! o* ,o-s,io+s-essC s!ar!s !he pro,ess o* o'<e,!i*yi-@ i! ,a-
)o so o-ly !hro+h !he ,o-,ep! o* )+ali!y. a notional separa!io- i-!o s+'<e,! a-) o'<e,!. i-!o
i-!errela!e) ,o+-!erpar!s a-) ,o-!ras!s like pleas+re a-) pai-. D+ri- !his pro,ess. -o+me-ally.
i-!emporally. !he p+rely s+'<e,!i(e >I> remai-s +-spli!. /hole. holy a-) e!er-al as e(er. I-
,o-,ep!+ali=a!io-. i- or)er !o 'e ,o-i=a'le. !he appeara-,es. !he o'<e,!s ha(e !o 'e i(e- !/o
-o!io-s /i!ho+! /hi,h !hey /o+l) -o! 'e se-sorially per,ep!i'le@ !hey /o+l) -ee) !o 'e i(e- shape
or (ol+me i- spa,e. a-) )+ra!io- i- !ime. so !ha! !hey ,o+l) 'e ,o-i=e).
I* yo+ ,a- remai- a-,hore) i- !he imma,+la!e i)e-!i!y 'e!/ee- !he -o+me-o- a-) !he
phe-ome-a. /hi,h is yo+r !o!al po!e-!ial. !here ,a--o! e1is! a-y 'asis *or !he imai-ary 'o-)ae
*rom /hi,h yo+ /a-! !o 'e release). :-)ers!a-) !his /ell. Ko+r -o!io- o* 'o-)ae is <+s! !he
ill+sio- !ha! yo+ are a- a+!o-omo+s e-!i!y. s+'<e,! !o !emporali!y a-) !he Aarma ,a+se5e**e,!s. I*.
ho/e(er. yo+ ha(e apper,ei(e) yo+r 'asi, a-) esse-!ial i)e-!i!y o* i-!emporali!y. yo+ ,a--o! *ail !o
see !ha! !he spa,e5!ime eleme-! H!he 'asis o* !he -o!io- o* !he Aarma ,a+se5e**e,! a-) !he
,o-seF+e-!ial 'o-)aeC is esse-!ially o-ly a ,o-!ri(a-,e !o make se-sorial per,ep!io- o* !he
phe-ome-a possi'le. a-) ,a--o!. !here*ore. 'e a-y!hi- i-)epe-)e-! as a mea-s o* 'o-)ae.
O-,e aai-. !he-0 the relative manifestation G the world Gis not &illusory& as i! is !he
e1pressio- o* !he :-ma-i*es!e) A'sol+!e. /hi,h is imma-e-! !herei-@ what is indeed illusory is
your mista+en identity with a particular phenomenon. Remem'er0 The sha)o/ ,a--o! 'e !here
/i!ho+! !he s+'s!a-,e G '+! !he sha)o/ is -o! !he s+'s!a-,e.
35
;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;
To!al A'se-,e o* !he Do5er
Amo- !he (isi!ors. o-e mor-i-. /as a pro*essor o* philosophy *rom !he -or!her- I-)ia. He
ha) me! Mahara< se(eral !imes. This mor-i- he /as a,,ompa-ie) 'y a *rie-) o* his. a- ar!is! o*
some meri!. '+! appare-!ly -o! par!i,+larly i-!eres!e) i- /ha! Mahara< speaks a'o+!.
The pro*essor s!ar!e) !he )is,+ssio-. He sai) he /as so s!r+,k 'y /ha! Mahara< ha) !ol) him
)+ri- his las! (isi!. !ha! e(ery !ime he !ho+h! a'o+! i! he *el! a s+re o* (i'ra!io-s !hro+h his
'o)y. Mahara< ha) !ol) him !ha! !he o-ly /ay !o o 'a,k /as !he /ay 'y /hi,h he ha) arri(e). a-)
!here /as -o o!her /ay. This se-!e-,e. sai) !he pro*essor. s!r+,k a )eep ,hor) /i!hi- him lea(i- -o
room *or )o+'! or F+ery. B+! s+'seF+e-!ly. /he- he 'ea- !o !hi-k more )eeply a'o+! !he ma!!er.
espe,ially !he >ho/> o* i!. he ha) *o+-) himsel* hopelessly e-!a-le) i- a- +-holy mess o* i)eas a-)
,o-,ep!s. He sai) he *el! like a ma- /ho ha) re,ei(e) !he i*! o* a pre,io+s )iamo-) '+! ha) la!er
los! i!. ?ha! /as he !o )o -o/E
Mahara< 'ea- speaki- so*!ly. He sai)0 Please. +-)ers!a-). No truth remains as truth the
moment it is #iven expression. It becomes a concept- A)) !o i! !he *a,! !ha! i- or)er !o ,omm+-i,a!e
/i!h ea,h o!her. !he /or)s >I> a-) >yo+>. a-) >/e> a-) >!hey> ha(e -e,essarily !o 'e +se). Th+s. !he
(ery *irs! !ho+h! 'reaks !he +-i,i!y a-) ,rea!es )+ali!y@ i-)ee) i! is o-ly i- )+ali!y !ha!
,omm+-i,a!io- ,a- !ake pla,e. ?or)s !hemsel(es *+r!her e1pa-) !he )i,ho!omy. B+! !ha! is -o! all.
The- !he lis!e-er. i-s!ea) o* )ire,!ly a-) i-!+i!i(ely per,ei(i- /ha! is 'ei- ,omm+-i,a!e). 'ei-s
!he pro,ess o* rela!i(e reaso-i- /i!h i!s impli,i! limi!a!io-s /he- applie) !o !he s+'<e,!i(e a-) !he
-o+me-al.
Are yo+ /i!h me so *ar. Mahara< e-F+ire). a-) !he- ,o-!i-+e). ?ha! is rela!i(e reaso-i-E I! is
!he pro,ess o* reaso-i- /here'y a s+'<e,! ,rea!es i- his ,o-s,io+s-ess o'<e,!s /i!h opposi-
F+ali!ies or ,hara,!eris!i,s /hi,h ,o+l) 'e ,ompare). I- o!her /or)s. !he pro,ess <+s! ,a--o! /ork
e1,ep! o- !he 'asis o* a s+'<e,!5o'<e,! )+ali!y. S+,h rela!i(e reaso-i- may 'e e**e,!i(e. a-) i-)ee)
-e,essary. *or )es,ri'i- o'<e,!s 'y ,ompariso-. B+! ho/ ,a- i! /ork /i!h !he s+'<e,!i(eE Tha!
/hi,h ,o-,ei(es G !he s+'<e,! G o'(io+sly ,a--o! ,o-,ei(e i!sel* as a- o'<e,!B The eye ,a- see
e(ery!hi- else e1,ep! i!sel*B
Is i! a-y /o-)er !here*ore. sai) Mahara<. !ha! yo+ ha(e *o+-) yo+rsel* 'oe) )o/- i- !he
mire o* i)eas a-) ,o-,ep!s *rom /hi,h yo+ *i-) i! impossi'le !o e1!ri,a!e yo+rsel*E I* yo+ ,o+l)
o-ly see !he a,!+al posi!io-. yo+ /o+l) see /ha! a <oke i! isB
This is !he 'a,kro+-). No/. !o !he real pro'lem0 ?ho is !his >yo+> !ha! is !ryi- !o o 'a,k !he
/ay he ,ameE No ma!!er ho/ *ar 'a,k yo+ o ,hasi- yo+r sha)o/. !he sha)o/ /ill al/ays
pre,e)e yo+. ?ha! is mea-! 'y oi- 'a,kE I! mea-s oi- 'a,k !o !he posi!io- /he- !here /as
!o!al a'se-,e o* ,o-s,io+s-ess. B+! G a-) !his is !he ,r+1 o* !he ma!!erG so lo- as !here is a
-ea!or /ho keeps o- -ea!i- a-) -ea!i- H,hasi- !he sha)o/C. >yo+> /ill remai- +-5-ea!e).
Try !o apper,ei(e /ha! I am sayi-. -o! /i!h yo+r i-!elle,!. -o! as >yo+> +si- yo+r i-!elle,!. '+! <+s!
apper,ei(i- as s+,h.
I /o-)er i* I ha(e ma)e mysel* ,lear. aske) Mahara<.
J+s! !he- I happe-e) !o look a! !he ar!is! *rie-) o* !he pro*essor a-) /as s!r+,k 'y !he i-!e-si!y
o* his ,o-,e-!ra!io-. I-s!ea) o* 'ei- 'ore). or o-ly mil)ly i-!eres!e). he /as lis!e-i- !o e(ery
/or) o* Mahara< as i* hyp-o!i=e). Mahara< also m+s! ha(e -o!i,e) !his 'e,a+se he smile) a! him
a-) !he ar!is!. /i!ho+! +!!eri- a /or). *ol)e) his ha-)s i- sal+!a!io- a-) -o))e) his hea) se(eral
!imes i- a es!+re o* sile-! ,omm+-io-.
The pro*essor. ho/e(er. seeme) !o ha(e ,ome !o a me-!al o's!r+,!io-. a- impe-e!ra'le 'lo,k.
a-) he sai) so. Mahara< !he- !ol) him !ha! !his >'lo,k> /as a- imai-ary o's!r+,!io- ,a+se) 'y a-
imai-ary >yo+>. /hi,h ha) i)e-!i*ie) i!sel* /i!h !he 'o)y. He sai)0 I repea!. !here m+s! 'e a *i-al
a-) !o!al -ea!io- so !ha! !he -ea!or himsel* )isappearsB ?ha! yo+ are !ryi- !o )o is !o +-)ers!a-)
/ha! yo+ are 'y mea-s o* a ,o-,ep! o* >e1is!e-,e>. /hereas i- reali!y >I> Hyo+C neither am nor am
not &I& am beyond the very concept of existence 'eyo-) !he ,o-,ep! o* 'o!h !he posi!i(e a-) !he
-ea!i(e prese-,e. :-less !his is +-)ers!oo) (ery pro*o+-)ly yo+ /ill ,o-!i-+e !o ,rea!e yo+r o/-
imai-ary o's!r+,!io-s. ea,h more po/er*+l !ha- !he earlier o-e. )hat you are tryin# to find is
what you already are.
The pro*essor !he- aske)0 Does i! mea- !he- !ha! -o o-e ,a- lea) me 'a,k !o /ha! I amE
Mahara< ,o-*irme) !ha! !ha! /as i-)ee) so. Ko+ are G yo+ al/ays ha(e 'ee- G /here yo+ /a-! !o
'e le). A,!+ally. !here really is -o >/here> !ha! yo+ ,a- 'e le) !o. A/are-ess o* !his o'(io+s posi!io-
is !he a-s/erG<+s! !he apper,ep!io-@ -o!hi- !o 'e )o-e. A-) !he !rai, iro-y is !ha! s+,h
a/are-ess and apperception can not be an act of volition. Does yo+r /aki- s!a!e ,ome a'o+! 'y
i!sel*. or )o yo+ a/ake- yo+rsel* as a- a,! o* (oli!io-E I-)ee). !he leas! e**or! o- >yo+r> par! /ill
pre(e-! /ha! o!her/ise mih! ha(e happe-e) -a!+rally a-) spo-!a-eo+sly. A-) !he <oke /i!hi- !he
<oke is !ha! yo+r )eli'era!ely not )oi- a-y!hi- /ill also pre(e-! i! happe-i-B I! is simple really@
>)oi-> some!hi- a-) >-o! )oi-> some!hi- are 'o!h (oli!io-al e**or!s. There must be a total
absence of the &do-er !he !o!al a'se-,e o* 'o!h !he posi!i(e a-) !he -ea!i(e aspe,!s o* >)oi->.
I-)ee). !his is !r+e >s+rre-)er>.
?he-. a! !he e-) o* !he sessio-. !he pro*essor a-) his ar!is! *rie-) /ere lea(i-. Mahara<
smile) a! !he ar!is! a-) aske) him /he!her he /o+l) 'e ,omi- aai-. The ar!is! pai) his respe,!s
mos! h+m'ly. smile) a-) sai) !ha! he ,o+l) -o! possi'ly a(oi) i!. a-) I /o-)ere) /ho ha) ha) !he
real 'e-e*i! o* !he !alk !ha! mor-i-. !he a,!i(ely ar!i,+la!e pro*essor /i!h his lear-e) i-!elle,!+ali!y.
or !he passi(ely re,ep!i(e ar!is! /i!h his se-si!i(e i-sih!.
36
;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;
No >O-e> is Bor-0 No >O-e> Dies
Mahara< m+s! ha(e 'ee- !hi-ki- a'o+! !he s+'<e,! as he ,lim'e) +p !he s!eps !o his lo*!5room.
He s!ar!e) !alki- a'o+! i! as soo- as he ha) !ake- his sea! a-) se!!le) himsel*. This /as -o!
+-+s+al.
He sai) people !hese )ays are so m+,h e-sla(e) 'y !he ross +!ili!ies o* li*e !ha! !hey har)ly
ha(e !he !ime !o o'ser(e !hemsel(es ,ri!i,ally. They /ake +p i- !he mor-i- a-) imme)ia!ely s!ar!
pla--i- !he )ay>s a,!i(i!ies. For a,!i(i!y !o !hem is a (ir!+e a-) ,o-!empla!i(e !ho+h! a sor! o*
)ea) *ish. I* s+,h sel*5impose) press+re /ere a(oi)e). !hey /o+l) *i-) i! mos! i-!eres!i- !o /a!,h
!he pro,ess o* a/ake-i-. They /o+l) -o!i,e. *or i-s!a-,e. !ha! 'e!/ee- !he perio) o* !he )eep
sleep. /he- !hey are -o! ,o-s,io+s o* a-y!hi- a! all. a-) !he !ime /he- !hey are *+lly a/ake. !here
is a- i-!erre-+m /he- ,o-s,io+s-ess is <+s! s!irri- a-) !he mi-) /ea(es i!s *a-!asies i-!o a lih!
)ream !ha! e-)s /he- !hey are *+lly a/ake.
?ha! is !he *irs! !hi- !ha! happe-s /he- yo+ are a/akeE aske) Mahara<. Ha(e yo+ e(er really
e1perie-,e) i!E A-) o'ser(e) i!E I* yo+ /ere aske). Mahara< ,o-!i-+e). a'o+! !he *irs! !hi- !ha!
happe-s /he- yo+ are a/ake. yo+ /o+l) pro'a'ly 'e i-,li-e) !o say !ha! yo+ see !he o'<e,!s i- !he
room. E(ery o'<e,! has a !hree5)ime-sio-al *orm. /hi,h is per,ei(e) 'y a >yo+>. ?ha! is i! !ha!
per,ei(es !he *orm o* a- o'<e,!E ?ha!e(er per,ei(es !he *orm o* !he o'<e,! m+s! s+rely e1is! prior
!o !he o'<e,! per,ei(e). Ko+ ,a- per,ei(e !he (ario+s o'<e,!s. i-,l+)i- par!s o* yo+r o/- 'o)y.
/hi,h are also o'<e,!s !o /ha!e(er i! is !ha! per,ei(es. There*ore. !ha! /hi,h per,ei(es is -o! !he
'o)y. /hi,h is o-ly a- o'<e,! si-,e i! also ,a- 'e per,ei(e). The per,ei(er is !he s+'<e,! a-) !hi-
per,ei(e) is !he o'<e,!.
?ha! is i! !ha! per,ei(esE I! is !he ,o-s,io+s-ess. !he 'ei-5-ess. !he I5am5-ess. !ha! is !he
per,ei(er. As soo- as yo+ /ake +p. i* yo+ /ere -o! i- so m+,h o* a h+rry !o e! +p a-) o a'o+!
yo+r )aily ro+!i-e. yo+ /o+l) -o!i,e !ha! /aki- i- *a,! mea-s )is!i-,!i(ely >'ei- prese-!> i.e.
,o-s,io+s o* 'ei- prese-!. -o! as a par!i,+lar i-)i(i)+al /i!h s+,h a-) s+,h a -ame. '+! conscious
presence as such /hi,h i! is !ha! i(es se-!ie-,e !o a se-!ie-! 'ei- a-) e-a'les !he (ario+s se-ses
!o *+-,!io-.
Ko+ /o+l) !he- reali=e !ha! !here are !/o -o!io-al. '+! )is!i-,! ,e-!res. There is !his spo! o*
,o-s,io+s-ess o- 'ehal* o* /hi,h yo+ i-s!i-,!i(ely say >I>. a-) !here is !he o'<e,!i(e ,e-!re o* !he
psy,hosoma!i, appara!+s /hi,h a,!s i- !he /orl). /i!h /hi,h yo+ mis!ake-ly i)e-!i*y yo+rsel* /i!h
a par!i,+lar -ame. O-e is s+'<e,!i(ely what-you-are as >I>. !he o!her is a physi,al *orm /hi,h is
what-you-appear-to-be as >me>. A,!+ally. !here are -o >me>s a-) >yo+>s. o-ly >I>.
:-)ers!a-) !his pro*o+-)ly G a-) 'e *ree@ *ree o* !he mis!ake- i)e-!i!y.
The- !here is !he *i-al s!ep !o 'e apprehe-)e). This ,o-s,io+s-ess is !he >s+,h5-ess>. !he >!as!e>
o* !he esse-,e o* *oo) o* /hi,h !he 'o)y is ma)e a-) 'y /hi,h i! is s+s!ai-e). To !ha! e1!e-!.
,o-s,io+s-ess !oo is !ime5'o+-) like !he 'o)y. ?he- !he 'o)y >)ies>. ,o-s,io+s-ess )isappears like
a *lame /he- !he *+el is e1ha+s!e). I-)ee). ,o-s,io+s-ess is )+ra!io-. /i!ho+! /hi,h a- o'<e,!
/o+l) -o! las! lo- e-o+h !o 'e ma-i*es!e) a-) per,ei(e). ?ha! !he-. are >yo+>E So lo- as !he
'o)y e1is!s. yo+ are !his ,o-s,io+s prese-,e /i!hi-. !he per,ei(i- pri-,iple@ /he- !he 'o)y )ies.
>yo+> are !he A'sol+!e A/are-ess i-!o /hi,h !he !emporal ,o-s,io+s-ess meres. A-) !he- !here is
-o lo-er !he se-se o* 'ei- prese-!. Remem'er. !here*ore. !ha! -o >o-e> is 'or- a-) -o >o-e> )ies.
'e,a+se all the forms H!ha! appear. remai- *or !he )+ra!io- a-) !he- )isappearC. are your expression
your mirrori6ation.
37
;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;
A-aly=i- Tho+h!
Mahara< /a-!s (isi!ors !o ask F+es!io-s. '+! he i-sis!s !ha! !hey sho+l) -o! 'e a! !he le(el o* !he
'o)y5mi-) i)e-!i*i,a!io-. S+,h F+es!io-s a-) pro'lems. he says. ,o-,er- o-e>s 'eha(io+r a-)
,o-)+,! i- !his /orl) a'o+! /hi,h h+-)re)s o* 'ooks ha(e 'ee- /ri!!e- a-) !here are s,ores o*
G+r+s /ho pri)e !hemsel(es o- !heir a'ili!y !o )eal /i!h !hem..
A! o-e sessio-. /he- Mahara< i-(i!e) F+es!io-s as +s+al. a (isi!or aske) a F+es!io- /hi,h
imme)ia!ely 'ro+h! a /arm a-s/eri- smile *rom him. si-i*yi- !ha! !he F+es!io- /as /ell5!ake-
a-) appropria!e. The (isi!or sai)0 Mahara< has o*!e- sai) !ha! a-yo-e /a-!i- !o 'e >a/ake-e)> m+s!
es,he/ !ho+h!. A-) ye! all !ho+h! ,a--o! s+rely mea- ,o-,ep!+ali=i-. /hi,h. o-e s+pposes. is
/ha! is !o 'e a(oi)e). For i-s!a-,e. Mahara<>s a-s/ers !o F+es!io-s are e-erally so appropria!e a-)
ye! so spo-!a-eo+s !ha! i! mih! seem !ha! !here is -o !ho+h! 'ehi-) !hem. ye! some !ho+h! m+s!
s+rely 'e !he 'asis o* !hose a-s/ers.
Mahara< sai)0 There is i-)ee) a rea! )i**ere-,e 'e!/ee- !ho+h!s a-) !ho+h!s. Tho+h!s
/hi,h *orm )ay5)reami-. or !ho+h!s o* rere! a'o+! !he e(e-!s i- !he pas!. or !ho+h!s o* *ear a-)
/orry a-) a-!i,ipa!io- rear)i- !he *+!+re are s+rely (ery m+,h )i**ere-! *rom !he !ho+h!s /hi,h
spri- +p spo-!a-eo+sly *rom !he )ep!h o* o-e>s psy,he. /ha! o-e mih! ,all !ho+h!s !ha! )o -o!
-ee) a-y ar+me-! a-) i-!erpre!a!io- 'y !he mi-). The *ormer are !o 'e i-ore) a-) a(oi)e)@ !he
la!!er are i-,apa'le o* 'ei- i-ore) or a(oi)e). 'e,a+se !hey are esse-!ially spo-!a-eo+s a-)
imme)ia!e a-) 'asi,ally -o-5,o-,ep!+al.
Mahara< !he- ,o-!i-+e)0 The (ery *irs! !ho+h! >I am> is s+rely a !ho+h!. '+! o-e !ha! )oes -o!
-ee) a-y ar+me-! or ,o-*irma!io- *rom !he mi-). I-)ee). as !he 'asis o* all *+r!her !ho+h!. i! is
!he pre5,o-,ep!+al !ho+h! G (ery so+r,e o* !he mi-). 6i(i- a,,or)i- !o i-)ire,! or me)ia!e
!ho+h!. i- a )i(i)e). )+alis!i, mi-) is /ha! mos! people )o 'e,a+se !hey ha(e i)e-!i*ie)
!hemsel(es /i!h a pse+)o5e-!i!y !ha! ,o-si)ers i!sel* as !he s+'<e,! o* all a,!io-. B+! )ire,! or
a'sol+!e !ho+h! is !he pro,ess 'y /hi,h !he A'sol+!e -o-5ma-i*es! ma-i*es!s i!sel*. S+,h !ho+h! is
spo-!a-eo+s a-) i-s!a-!a-eo+s a-) !here*ore. /i!ho+! !he eleme-! o* )+ra!io- /hi,h is a- aspe,! o*
!he spli! mi-). ?he-e(er !here is )+ra!io- !he !ho+h! m+s! -e,essarily 'e a- a*!er5!ho+h!.
i-!erpre!e) phe-ome-ally a-) )+alis!i,ally.
No spo-!a-eo+s. -o-5)+al. i-!+i!i(e !ho+h! ,a- arise +-less !he s!orm o* ,o-,ep!+al !hi-ki-
has s+'si)e) a-) !he mi-) res!s i- a >*as!i-> s!a!e@ a-) s+,h !ho+h! o'(io+sly ,a--o! k-o/
'o-)ae. I-s!a-!a-eo+s. p+re !ho+h! res+l!s i- p+re a,!io- /i!ho+! a-y !i-e o* 'o-)ae. 'e,a+se
-o e-!i!y is i-(ol(e).
Mahara< ,o-,l+)e) his reply 'y sayi- !ha! mos! reliio-s /ere orii-ally 'ase) o- )ire,! p+re
!ho+h!s. I- ,o+rse o* !ime !hey )ee-era!e) i-!o ,o-,ep!s. A-) o- !hese ,o-,ep!s has 'ee- ere,!e)
ra)+ally a- e-ormo+s amorpho+s s!r+,!+re. ma)e e-,ha-!i- e-o+h !o a!!ra,! a-) mislea)
millio-s o* people.
38
;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;
Bei--ess is Go)
?ha! se(eral (isi!ors -o!i,e a*!er lis!e-i- !o Mahara< *or some !ime is !ha! he rarely +ses !he
/or) >lo(e> i- his e1posi!io- o* !he !r+e -a!+re o* ma-. I- *a,!. he o*!e- says !ha! i- !he pro,ess o*
ma-i*es!a!io- o* !he +-ma-i*es! !here is -o!hi- reliio+s or )e(o!io-al as s+,h.
Sho+l) a (isi!or spe,i*i,ally ask Mahara< /he!her lo(e ha) -o pla,e i- /ha! he e1po+-)s. he
/o+l) smile a-) ask a ,o+-!er5F+es!io-0 ?ha! )o yo+ really mea- /he- yo+ +se !he /or) >lo(eE
?ha! si-i*i,a-,e )oes !he /or) ha(e *or yo+E This F+es!io- /o+l) e-erally make !he (isi!or
spee,hless 'e,a+se !his /or) is o-e o* !hose /hi,h are hopelessly mis+-)ers!oo) a-) *reely
mis+se).
Mahara< /o+l) !he- ,o-!i-+e0 Does -o! !he /or) >lo(e> 'asi,ally si-i*y >a -ee)> o* some ki-).
*or yo+ lo(e !he perso-. or !he !hi- !ha! sa!is*ies yo+r -ee)E I-)ee). !he lo(e 'e!/ee- ma- a-)
/oma- sa!is*ies !he -ee) o* ea,h *or !he o!her /he!her !he -ee) 'e physi,al. 'y /ay o*
,ompa-io-ship. or i- a-y o!her *orm or ma--er. ?he- o-e *i-)s !ha! !he o!her -o lo-er sa!is*ies
!he -ee). >lo(e> *irs! !+r-s !o i-)i**ere-,e a-) la!er o- perhaps !o >ha!e>. ?hy )o ,o+ples ,ha-e
par!-ers. /e))e) or o!her/ise. so o*!e-. par!i,+larly i- !he ?es!E For !he simple reaso- !ha! !hey -o
lo-er seem !o sa!is*y ea,h o!her>s -ee) as !hey )i) earlier.
O-e (isi!or. /ho /a-!e) !o p+rs+e !he e-F+iry *+r!her. aske) some F+es!io-s.
Visitor: B+! sir. !his is )e*i-i!ely a -arro/ (ie/ o* !he /or) >lo(e>. There m+s! s+rely 'e
some!hi- like imperso-al or >+-i(ersal> lo(eE
Maharaj: AhB 6e! +s 'e ,lear /ha! /e are !alki- a'o+!. Are /e !alki- a'o+! a se-!ime-!. a
rela!io-ship 'e!/ee- !/o perso-sE I* so. ,a- lo(e 'e really a-y!hi- o!her !ha- !he i-!er5rela!e)
opposi!e ,o+-!erpar! o* >ha!e> G 'o!h 'ei- *eeli-s !ha! o-e perso- has *or a-o!herE S+,h a
rela!io-ship ,a- o-ly o,,+r i- a )+alis!i, ma-i*es!a!io- o* s+'<e,!5o'<e,!. I*. ho/e(er. yo+ are
!hi-ki- i- !erms o* -o+me-al -o-5ma-i*es!a!io-. /hi,h is a s!a!e o* !o!al s+'<e,!i(i!y. H/i!ho+! !he
slih!es! !o+,h o* a-y!hi- o'<e,!i(eC. some!hi- /hi,h ,a- o-ly 'e s+es!e) 'y !he s+'<e,!i(e
pro-o+- >I>. !o!al +-i,i!y. /hi,h ,a- 'e ,o-,ei(e) o-ly as a s!a!e o* *+ll-ess. /hole-ess. holi-ess. -o
/or)s ,a- 'e a)eF+a!e. A-). o* ,o+rse. i- !ha! s!a!e a lo(e5ha!e rela!io-ship /o+l) 'e F+i!e
i-,o-,ei(a'le. Rela!io-ship 'e!/ee- /homE I*. !here*ore. yo+ are +si- !he /or) >lo(e> !o i-)i,a!e
!he -o+me-al s!a!e. !his /or). like a-y o!her /or). /o+l) 'e !o!ally i-a)eF+a!e.
V: Ho-es!ly. I ha) -o! ,o-si)ere) !he ma!!er so )eeply. so a-aly!i,ally. Perhaps /ha! I ha) i-
mi-) /as some!hi- !ha! is ,o-(eye) 'y !he /or)s >Go) is 6o(e>. or >6o(e is reliio->.
M: H6a+hi-C Here aai-. my *rie-). /ha! are !hese '+! ,om'i-a!io-s o* /or)s 'ase) o-
someo-e>s ,o-,ep! /hi,h he like) a-) /ishe) !o !hr+s! o- o!hersE A-) !he >o!hers> are more !ha-
/illi- !o a,,ep! a-y ,o-,ep! /hi,h i(es !hem some sor! o* moral moori-s. I- s+,h ,ases !he
seeker is happy a-) ,ompla,e-! i- his pose o* !he seeker. He *eels so m+,h s+perior !o o!hers.
>mis+i)e) so+ls /ho are /as!i- !heir li(es>. A-) i- !his pose o* >e-lih!e-me-!> he is happy !o
ha- o- !o a ,o-,ep!. 'ase) o- a pleasi- ,om'i-a!io- o* /or)s. !ha! *ee)s his seeker5eoS
V: B+! Mahara<. !he /or)s >Go) is 6o(e>. a-) >He !ha! )/elle!h i- lo(e )/elle!h i- Go) a-)
Go) i- him> /ere +se) 'y S!. Joh-. a rea! Chris!ia- sai-!. /ho is also 'elie(e) !o ha(e 'ee- a
J-a-i.
M: I )o -o! )o+'! !ha! he /as a J-a-i. B+! +-*or!+-a!ely. !here )oes -o! seem !o ha(e 'ee- a
,lear apprehe-sio- amo-s! his *ollo/ers o* /ha! !hese 'ea+!i*+l /or)s mea-! !o !he Chris!ia- sae
/ho +!!ere) !hem. ?ha! S!. Joh- ha) i- mi-) /as ,er!ai-ly -o! !ha! >Go)> is a- o'<e,!i(e.
phe-ome-al e-!i!y /hose esse-!ial -a!+re is lo(e.
No/. le! +s o 'a,k aai- !o /ha! I !ol) yo+ a'o+! -ee) 'ei- !he 'asis o* lo(e. Co-si)er /ha!
is !he mos! pri,eless possessio- o* a-y se-!ie-! 'ei-. I* he ha) !he ,hoi,e o* possessi- ei!her all
!he /eal!h i- !he /orl) or his >'ei--ess>. or >,o-s,io+s-ess> Hyo+ may i(e i! a-y -ame !o a)) !o !he
!ho+sa-)s !ha! ha(e alrea)y 'ee- heape) +po- i!C. !ha! /hi,h i(es him !he se-se o* 'ei- ali(e a-)
prese-!. a-) /i!ho+! /hi,h !he 'o)y /o+l) 'e -o!hi- '+! a ,a)a(er. /ha! /o+l) he ,hooseE
O'(io+sly. /i!ho+! ,o-s,io+s-ess. all !he /eal!h i- !he /orl) /o+l) 'e o* -o +se !o him. This
'ei--ess. !his ,o-s,io+s prese-,e !ha! he is. is !he 'ei--ess o* e(ery se-!ie-! 'ei- o- !he ear!h.
!he (ery so+l o* !he e-!ire +-i(erse. G a-) i-)ee). !here*ore. this-here-now this conscious
presence cannot be anythin# other than .od. I! is !his /hi,h o-e lo(es more !ha- a-y!hi- else
'e,a+se /i!ho+! i! !here is -o +-i(erse. -o Go). This. !here*ore. is !resence-8ove-.od. A-). S!.
Joh- /as o'(io+sly (ery m+,h ,o-s,io+s o* !his /he- he sai) >Go) is 6o(e. . . .> I! is (ery ,lear !ha!
all he ,o+l) ha(e mea-! is !ha! he HJoh-C a-) He HGo)C /ere -o! )i**ere-! as p+re s+'<e,!i(i!y. as
-o+me-o-. A-). !here*ore. he /ho is a-,hore) i- !he ,o-s,io+s prese-,e !ha! is 6o(e. !ha! is Go).
>)/elle!h i- Go) a-) Go) i- him.>
39
;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;
Ko+ are !he Co-s,io+s Prese-,e
O-e o* !he early (isi!ors a! a sessio- /as a- o**i,e5'earer o* a E+ropea- Ie)a-!a So,ie!y.
Mahara< ,ame s!raih! !o !he poi-! a-) aske) him i* he ha) a-y F+es!io-s !o ask. or a-y poi-!s !o
,lari*y. ?he- !he (isi!or sai) !ha! he /o+l) like !o lis!e- *or a /hile !o /ha! Mahara< ha) !o say.
'e*ore aski- a-y F+es!io-s. Mahara< s+es!e) !ha! si-,e he /as a- o**i,e5'earer o* o-e o* !he
a,!i(e Ie)a-!a So,ie!ies /i!h a *airly impressi(e mem'ership. he mih! s!ar! !he )ialo+e 'y !elli-
+s ho/ !hey o a'o+! e1plai-i- !his ra!her el+si(e s+'<e,! !o a- i-!eres!e) -e/ mem'er o* !he
so,ie!y.
Visitor: ?ell. /e speak !o him *irs! a'o+! Koi, physi,al e1er,ises 'e,a+se a ?es!er-er is
'asi,ally i-!eres!e) i- !he /ell5'ei- o* his 'o)y. Koa !o him mea-s 'ei- a'le !o make !he 'o)y
)o *ea!s o* physi,al e-)+ra-,e a-) also !o a,hie(e a hih )eree o* me-!al ,o-,e-!ra!io-. A*!er a
,o+rse o* Koi, Asa-as /e pro,ee) !o !ell him !ha! >he> is -o! !he 'o)y. '+! some!hi- apar! *rom
!he 'o)y.
Maharaj: This raises !/o F+es!io-s0 O-e. /ha! is !he s!ar!i- poi-! *or e(e- ,o-i=i- !he
'o)yE I- o!her /or)s. is !here -o! some!hi- /i!hi- !he 'o)y. i- !he a'se-,e o* /hi,h yo+ /o+l)
-o! 'e a'le !o ,o-i=e ei!her yo+r o/- 'o)y. or !ha! o* someo-e elseE T/o. /o+l) !he !ea,her
himsel* ha(e a (ery ,lear i)ea a'o+! his o/- >i)e-!i!y> as *ar as he himsel* is ,o-,er-e)E I* he is -o!
!he 'o)y. /ho. or /ha!. is heE
V: I am -o! s+re /ha! e1a,!ly yo+ mea-.
M: The 'o)y is o-ly a- i-s!r+me-!. a- appara!+s /hi,h /o+l) 'e !o!ally +seless '+! *or !he
e-ery /i!hi-. !he a-im+s. !he se-se >I am>. !he k-o/le)e o* 'ei- ali(e. !he ,o-s,io+s-ess /hi,h
pro(i)es the sense of bein# present. I-)ee). !his ,o-s,io+s prese-,e H-o! ABC or JKQ 'ei-
prese-!. '+! !he se-se o* ,o-s,io+s prese-,e as s+,hC is /ha! o-e is a-) -o! !he phe-ome-al
appeara-,e !ha! !he 'o)y is. I! is /he- !his ,o-s,io+s-ess. *eeli- !he -ee) o* some s+ppor!.
mis!ake-ly i)e-!i*ies i!sel* /i!h !he 'o)y a-) i(es +p i!s +-limi!e) po!e-!ial *or !he limi!a!io- o* a
si-le par!i,+lar 'o)y. !ha! !he i-)i(i)+al is >'or->. This is !he *irs! poi-! a'o+! /hi,h !he !ea,her
m+s! himsel* ha(e a *irm. i-!+i!i(e ,o-(i,!io-.
The o!her 'asi, aspe,! is !ha! !he !ea,her m+s! also ha(e a (ery ,lear ,omprehe-sio- o* ho/ !he
+-io- 'e!/ee- !he 'o)y a-) !he ,o-s,io+s-ess ,ame a'o+!. I- o!her /or)s. !he !ea,her m+s! ha(e
-o )o+'! a! all a'o+! his o/- !r+e -a!+re. For !his. he m+s! +-)ers!a-) !he -a!+re o* !he 'o)y a-) o*
,o-s,io+s-ess Hor !he 'ei--ess. or !he I5am5-essC a-) also !he -a!+re o* !he phe-ome-al /orl).
O!her/ise. /ha!e(er he !ea,hes /ill o-ly 'e 'orro/e) k-o/le)e. hearsay. someo-e else>s
,o-,ep!s.
V: HSmili-C This is e1a,!ly !he reaso- /hy I am here. I shall 'e here *or a'o+! a /eek a-) I
shall a!!e-) 'o!h !he mor-i- a-) e(e-i- sessio-s.
M: Are yo+ s+re yo+ are )oi- !he rih! !hi-E Ko+ ha(e ,ome here /i!h a ,er!ai- amo+-! o*
k-o/le)e. I* yo+ persis! i- lis!e-i- !o me. yo+ may ,ome !o !he ,o-,l+sio- !ha! all k-o/le)e is
-o!hi- '+! a '+-)le o* +seless ,o-,ep!s. a-). /ha! is more. !ha! yo+ yo+rsel* are a ,o-,ep!. Ko+
/ill !he- 'e like a perso- /ho s+))e-ly reali=es !ha! his hoar) o* /eal!h has !+r-e) i-!o ashes
o(er-ih!. ?ha! !he-E ?o+l) i! -o! 'e 'e!!er. sa*er. !o re!+r- home /i!h yo+r >/eal!h> i-!a,!E
V: HRespo-)i- !o !he h+mo+rC I>ll !ake !he ,ha-,e. I /o+l) ra!her k-o/ !he real (al+e o* !he
/eal!h !ha! I !hi-k I possess. I ha(e a *eeli-. !ho+h. !ha! !he ki-) o* /eal!h !ha! I /ill a!!ai- a*!er
!he +seless /eal!h has 'ee- !hro/- o+!. /o+l) 'e pri,eless a-) 'eyo-) !he ha=ar) o* !he*! or loss.
M: So 'e i!. No/ !ell me. /ho )o yo+ !hi-k yo+ areE
V: I )o+'! i* i! ,a- really 'e p+! i-!o /or)s. B+! i! /o+l) seem !ha! I am -o! !he 'o)y. '+! !he
se-se o* ,o-s,io+s prese-,e.
M: 6e! me p+! i! !o yo+ (ery 'rie*ly0 Ko+r 'o)y is !he ro/!h o* a- emissio- *rom !he +-io- o*
yo+r pare-!s /hi,h /as ,o-,ei(e) i- yo+r mo!her>s /om'. This emissio- /as !he esse-,e o* !he
*oo) ,o-s+me) 'y yo+r pare-!s. Ko+r 'o)y is. !here*ore. ma)e o* !he *oo)5esse-,e a-) is also
s+s!ai-e) 'y *oo). A-) !he se-se o* ,o-s,io+s prese-,e /hi,h yo+ ha(e me-!io-e) is !he *la(o+r.
>!he -a!+re> o* !he *oo)5esse-,e /hi,h ,o-s!i!+!es !he 'o)y. like s/ee!-ess is !he -a!+re o* s+ar.
/hi,h i!sel* is !he esse-,e o* s+ar,a-e. B+!. )o +-)ers!a-) !ha! yo+r 'o)y ,a- e1is! o-ly *or a
limi!e) perio) o* !ime. a-) /he- !he ma!erial o* /hi,h i! is ma)e +l!ima!ely )e!eriora!es !o a- e1!e-!
!ha! i! >)ies>. !he li*e5*or,e H'rea!hC a-) ,o-s,io+s-ess also )isappear *rom !he 'o)y. So. /ha! /ill
happe- !o >yo+>E
V: B+! /o+l) !he ,o-s,io+s-ess )isappearE I m+s! say !ha! I am ra!her s!ar!le) !o hear !his.
M: I- !he a'se-,e o* !he 'o)y. ,a- ,o-s,io+s-ess 'e ,o-s,io+s o* i!sel*E Co-s,io+s-ess. i- !he
a'se-,e o* !he 'o)y. /ill -o lo-er 'e ma-i*es!. The-. /e are 'a,k aai- !o !he s!ar!i- poi-!0 )ho
or what are you$
V: As I sai) 'e*ore. i! ,a--o! 'e really p+! i-!o /or)s.
M: O* ,o+rse i! ,a--o! 'e p+! i-!o /or)s. '+! )o yo+ k-o/ i!E O-,e yo+ e1press i!. i! /o+l)
'e,ome a ,o-,ep!. B+!. !ho+h a ,o-,ei(er o* a ,o-,ep!. are yo+ -o! yo+rsel* a ,o-,ep!E Are yo+
-o! really 'or- *rom !he (ery /om' o* ,o-,ep!+ali=a!io-E B+! /ho really are yo+E Or. i* yo+ pre*er
i!. as I )o. what are yo+E
V: I !hi-k /ha! I am is !he ,o-s,io+s prese-,e.
M: Ko+ sai). yo+ >!hi-k>B ?ho is i! !ha! !hi-ks !hisE Is i! -o! yo+r ,o-s,io+s-ess i!sel* o- /hi,h
!ho+h!s appearE A-). as /e ha(e see-. ,o-s,io+s-ess. or prese-,e. is !ime5'o+-) alo- /i!h !he
'o)y. Tha! is /hy I !ol) yo+ earlier !ha! i! is -e,essary !o apprehe-) !he -a!+re o* !his 'o)y pl+s
li*e5*or,e HPra-aC. ,o-s,io+s-ess.
?ha! yo+ are is >prese-,e> o-ly so lo- as !he 'o)y. a ma-i*es!e) phe-ome-o-. is !here. ?ha!
/ere yo+ 'e*ore !he 'o)y a-) ,o-s,io+s-ess ,ame +po- yo+ spo-!a-eo+slyE I say >spo-!a-eo+sly>
'e,a+se yo+ /ere -o! ,o-s+l!e) a'o+! 'ei- prese-!e) /i!h a 'o)y. -or )i) yo+r pare-!s spe,i*i,ally
e1pe,! !o ha(e >yo+> as !heir so-. ?ere yo+ !he-. rela!i(ely. -o! >a'se-,e> ra!her !ha- >prese-,e>.
'e*ore !he 'o)y5,o-s,io+s-ess s!a!e arose o- /ha!e(er i! /as !ha! /as >yo+>E
V: I am -o! s+re !ha! I +-)ers!a-) !his.
M: No/. look. For a-y!hi- !o appear. !o e1is!. !here has !o 'e a 'a,kro+-) o* a'sol+!e
a'se-,e G a'sol+!e a'se-,e o* 'o!h prese-,e as /ell as a'se-,e. I k-o/ !ha! !his is -o! easy !o
rasp. B+! !ry. A-y prese-,e ,a- >appear> o-ly o+! o* !o!al a'se-,e. I* !here is prese-,e e(e- o*
a'se-,e. !here ,a- 'e -ei!her phe-ome-o- -or ,o-i=i-. There*ore. !o!al. a'sol+!e a'se-,e implies
!o!al a'se-,e o* ,o-,ep!+ali=i-. Tha! is yo+r !r+e orii-al s!a!e. I repea!0 The >yo+> is 'or- i- !he
/om' o* ,o-,ep!+ali=i-. O- !he orii-al s!a!e o* !o!al a'se-,e spo-!a-eo+sly arises a spe,k o*
,o-s,io+s-ess G !he !ho+h! >I am> G a-) !here'y o- !he orii-al s!a!e o* +-i,i!y a-) /hole-ess
arises )+ali!y@ )+ali!y o* s+'<e,!5o'<e,!. rih! a-) /ro-. p+re a-) imp+re G reaso-i-. ,ompari-.
<+)i- e!,. Do po-)er o(er !his. B+! I am a*rai) !his sessio- m+s! e-) -o/.
V: This has ,er!ai-ly 'ee- a re(ela!io- !o me. al!ho+h I ha(e 'ee- s!+)yi- Ie)a-!a *or F+i!e
some !ime.
M: Are yo+ ,lear a'o+! o-e !hi-. !ha! yo+ are prior !o all ,o-,ep!+ali=i-E )hat you appear
to be as a phenomenon is nothin# but conceptual. ?ha! yo+ really are ,a--o! 'e ,omprehe-)e) *or
!he simple reaso- !ha! i- !he s!a!e o* -o-5,o-,ep!+ali!y !here ,a--o! 'e a-y o-e !o ,omprehe-) /ha!
o-e isB
V: Sir. I /ish !o ,ome !his e(e-i- *or *+r!her e-lih!e-me-! a-) /ill si! a! yo+r *ee! e(ery )ay
as lo- as I am i- Bom'ay.
M: Ko+ are /el,ome.
40
;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;
Mahara< o- Himsel*. aai-
?ha! k-o/le)e ,a- I i(e !o !he people /ho ,ome here seeki- k-o/le)e. sai) Mahara< o-e
e(e-i-. Mos! o* !hose /ho ,ome here are so ,omple!ely i)e-!i*ie) /i!h !heir 'o)ies !ha! i- spi!e o*
all !heir si-,eri!y /ha! I say !hey m+s! s+rely *i-) +-a,,ep!a'le. E(e- !hose /ho may >se-se> !he
s+'!le!y a-) )ep!h i- !he !ea,hi- may -o! 'e a'le !o apper,ei(e i!s real si-i*i,a-,e. B+! !hose /ho
)o i-!+i!i(ely apprehe-) /ha! I say /ill -ee) '+! o-e sessio- /i!h me.
Ho/ ma-y /ill +-)ers!a-) me i* I say !ha! G
#. I am al/ays prese-! 'e,a+se I am al/ays a'se-!@ a-) I am o-ly prese-! /he- I am a'se-!.
To el+,i)a!e !his. I /o+l) a)) !ha! I am al/ays prese-! a'sol+!ely. '+! rela!i(ely. my appare-!
prese-,e is my appare-! a'se-,e as I H,o-*+sio- /orse ,o-*o+-)e)BC@
&. I. /ho am -o >!hi->. is e(ery!hi- I am -o!. '+! !he appare-! +-i(erse is my sel*@
2. A*!er all !he yo+>s a-) me>s ha(e -ea!e) o-e a-o!her. I shall remai- as >I>@
7. Ho/ ,o+l) yo+ lo(e meE 4ou are what I am. Ho/ ,o+l) I ha!e yo+E I am what you are%
4. Ne(er ha(i- 'ee- 'or-. ho/ ,o+l) I )ieE Ne(er ha(i- 'ee- 'o+-). /here is !he -ee) *or
me !o seek li'era!io-E
9. Ho/ ,a- !he rela!i(e <+)e !he A'sol+!eE The A'sol+!e is i-)ee) !he rela!i(e /he- !he
rela!i(e -o lo-er is rela!i(e G /he- !he rela!i(e i(es +p all !ha! makes i! rela!i(e. I- !he a'se-,e
o* !he physi,al *orm. ,o-s,io+s-ess is -o! ,o-s,io+s o* i!sel*.
3. ?ha! /ere yo+ 'e*ore yo+ /ere 'or-E
%. Pre*ere-,es or )i**ere-,es are all ,o-,ep!+al 'al)er)ash. They ,a- o-ly appear rela!i(ely.
A'sol+!ely. !here ,a- 'e -o appeara-,e. a-). !here*ore. -o pre*ere-,es or )i**ere-,es@
$. Colle,! all !he k-o/le)e yo+ /a-! G 'o!h /orl)ly a-) +-/orl)ly G a-) !he-. o**er i! as a
sa,ri*i,e !o !he A'sol+!e. a-) so o-. ?ha! /ill a lis!e-er !hi-k o* meE ?ha! can he !hi-k o* meE Is i!
-o! !he o-ly ,o-,l+sio- he ,o+l) ,ome !o. sai) Mahara< /i!h a mih!y la+h. !ha! I am a'sol+!ely G
as /ell as rela!i(ely G ,ra=yB
41
;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;
There Ca->! 'e Re5'ir!h
The 'asi, !ea,hi- o* Mahara< )eals /i!h ma- a-) !he /orl) a! lare. !he !r+e -a!+re o* /ha!
!he i-)i(i)+al ,o-si)ers as >himsel*> a-) !he -a!+re o* !he phe-ome-al /orl). The !alks are al/ays
o- !he 'asis o* ma-5!o5ma-. a-) -o re,o+rse is e-erally !o 'e ha). ei!her 'y Mahara< or 'y !he
(isi!ors. !o a-y!hi- !ha! a-y s,rip!+res may sayGho/e(er !ra)i!io-ally respe,!a'le !hey may 'e.
I-)ee). i! is !his prama!i, approa,h o* Mahara< /hi,h is *o+-) !o 'e !ra-spare-!ly ho-es! 'y !he
!r+e seeker. /ho is -o! -e,essarily a s!+)e-! o* philosophy. I- o!her /or)s. /ha! someo-e else has
sai) H/ha! Mahara< o*!e- re*ers !o as >hearsay>. or >e-eral 'elie*C is -o! a,,ep!e) as Go)>s o/- !r+!h.
e(e- i* i! appears i- !he mos! hallo/e) sa,re) !e1!s. Besi)es o!her a)(a-!aes s+,h a- approa,h
pre(e-!s !he possi'ili!y o* F+es!io-s 'ei- F+es!io-s as i- !he ,ase o* o-e 'elie(er. /ho /hile
!ryi- !o ,o-(er! a *rie-). !ells him a'o+! a par!i,+lar >ma-5o*5Go)> 'ei- a'le !o ,o-(erse /i!h
a-els. a-). /he- F+es!io-e) a'o+! !he (era,i!y o* s+,h a ,laim. e1,laims0 ?o+l) a ma- /ho is
a'le !o !alk /i!h a-els !ell a lieE
The re+lar (isi!ors !o Mahara< are a/are o* !he *a,! !ha! he !o!ally )is,ar)s !he ,o-,ep! o* re5
'ir!h as sheer -o-se-se. B+! /he-e(er a re*ere-,e !o !his !opi, e(okes s+,h a- +-eF+i(o,al respo-se
*rom him. a -e/ (isi!or is sho,ke) 'eyo-) 'elie*. par!i,+larly i* he happe-s !o s+'s,ri'e !o !he
Hi-)+ reliio-. O- o-e s+,h o,,asio-. a yo+-ish (isi!or. )resse) i- !he !ra)i!io-al o,hre ro'es
si-i*yi- his alleie-,e !o a ,er!ai- Hi-)+ se,!. /i!h !he *ires o* *a-a!i,ism '+r-i- i- his eyes.
e1presse) his sho,k !ha! Mahara< /o+l) -o! a,,ep! !he !heory o* re5'ir!h. !he (ery 'e)ro,k o* Hi-)+
philosophy. He looke) aro+-) *or moral s+ppor! '+! m+s! ha(e 'ee- a li!!le )ismaye) 'y !he
i-)+le-! smiles o* +-)ers!a-)i- H'+! -o! a,F+ies,e-,eBC *rom !he o!hers.
Mahara< looke) a! !he yo+- Sa-yasi- /i!h a ,er!ai- amo+-! o* sympa!hy. pres+ma'ly *or his
mis+i)e) =eal. a-) sai) !o him i- a- +-+s+ally ki-)ly ma--er0 This s!a!eme-! o* mi-e a'o+! re5
'ir!h 'ei- a's+r) is -o!hi- a! all. Ko+ /ill 'e sho,ke) e(e- more i* yo+ ,o-!i-+e !o ,ome here. I
)o -o! !ea,h a-y philosophy. a-y reliio-@ a-) I am -o! ,o-,er-e) /i!h a-y !ra)i!io-al !e1!s as !he
'asis *or my !alks. I !alk o-ly *rom )ire,! e1perie-,e si-,e my G+r+ ope-e) my eyesGmy spiri!+al
eyes. I! is -o! my i-!e-!io- !o h+r! a-y'o)y>s *eeli-s. I. !here*ore. ,o-s!a-!ly remi-) people !ha!
!hey are *ree !o /alk o+! i* !hey )o -o! like /ha! !hey hear. ?ha! !hey /o+l) hear *rom me /o+l)
'e )ire,! !r+!h. as I ha(e e1perie-,e) i!. -o! as people /o+l) like !o hear i!. I am a*rai) I )o -o! ,a!er
!o people>s ,o-,ep!s.
S+,h a- approa,h ,omple!ely +--er(e) a-) also *as,i-a!e) !he yo+- ma- /ho !he- h+m'ly
e1presse) his )esire !o ,o-!i-+e !o lis!e- !o Mahara<.
Mahara< !he- sai)0 Ha(e yo+ e(er really i(e- !ho+h! !o !he esse-!ial -a!+re o* ma-E Fore!
/ha! yo+ ha(e rea). /ha! yo+ ha(e 'ee- !ol). Ha(e yo+ i(e- a-y i-)epe-)e-! !ho+h! !o !his
F+es!io-E I repea! >i-)epe-)e-!> G F+ie!. !horo+h a-) )eep !ho+h!. as i* yo+ /ere !he o-ly
se-!ie-! 'ei- o- !he ear!h a-) !here /as -o o-e !o +i)e yo+E Or. mis+i)e yo+B ?ha! are !he
esse-!ials !o !ha! /hi,h yo+ ,o-si)er as >yo+>. O'(io+sly !he 'o)y. B+! !his 'o)y !ha! is -o/ i- i!s
prime. heal!hy a-) s!ro-. /as o-,e o-ly a li!!le )rop or spe,k o* ,hemi,al ma!!er /he- ,o-,ep!io-
!ook pla,e i- yo+r mo!her>s /om'. Thi-k. Di) >yo+> )o a-y!hi- !o 'e so ,o-,ei(e)E Di) >yo+> /a-!
!o 'e ,o-,ei(e)E ?ere >yo+> ,o-s+l!e)E F+r!her. a-) !his is impor!a-!. /ha! is i! !ha! /as >la!e-!> i-
!ha! like spe,k o* ma!!er /hi,h /as ,o-,ei(e). !ha! ,a+se) i! !o ro/ i-!o a *+lly )e(elope) 'a'y
/i!h 'loo). *lesh. marro/. 'o-es. *irs! i- yo+r mo!her>s /om' a-) !herea*!er i- !his /orl) +-!il i! is
-o/ si!!i- 'e*ore me )is,+ssi- philosophyE The 'o)y has. )+ri- i!s ro/!h. ass+me) (ario+s
imaes /hi,h yo+ ha(e ,o-si)ere) !o 'e >yo+> a! )i**ere-! !imes. '+! -o si-le imae has remai-e)
/i!h yo+ ,o-s!a-!ly@ a-) ye! !here is some!hi- /hi,h has i-)ee) remai-e) /i!ho+! a-y ,ha-e. Is
!ha! -o! yo+r se-se o* 'ei- ali(e a-) prese-!. !he ,o-s,io+s-ess /hi,h i(es se-!ie-,e a-) e-ery
!o !he psy,hosoma!i, appara!+s k-o/- as !he >'o)y>E This ,o-s,io+s-ess is i(e- (ario+s -ames0
'ei-5-ess. I5am5-ess. sel*. A!ma. e!,. a-) also o!her -ames like Maya. Go). 6o(e e!,. The /orl)
e1is!s *or yo+ o-ly i* !his ,o-s,io+s-ess is !here. I* yo+ are -o! ,o-s,io+s. as i- )eep sleep. ,a- !he
/orl) e1is! *or yo+E
No/. )o yo+ e! some i)ea o* /ha! i! is !ha! makes yo+ i-s!i-,!i(ely !hi-k o* yo+rsel* as >yo+>
G !his ,omposi!e o* !he physi,al 'o)y. !he li*e5*or,e HPra-aC /hi,h is !he a,!i(e pri-,iple. a-)
,o-s,io+s-ess /hi,h e-a'les !he physi,al se-ses !o ,o-i=e !hi-s. )hat you appear to be is the
outer body what you are is consciousness.
6e! +s ,ome 'a,k !o yo+r pro'lems o* re5'ir!h. ?ha! is >'or->. !he o'<e,!i(e 'o)y. /ill. i- )+e
,o+rse. >)ie>@ !herea*!er i! /ill 'e )issol(e) i.e. irre(o,a'ly a--ihila!e). !he li*e5*or,e /ill lea(e !he
'o)y a-) mi-le /i!h !he air o+!si)e. The o'<e,!i(e par! o* /ha! /as o-,e a se-!ie-! 'ei- /ill 'e
)es!roye). -e(er !o 'e re5'or- as !he same 'o)y. A-) ,o-s,io+s-ess is -o! a- o'<e,!. -o! a >!hi-> a!
allG!here*ore. consciousness as somethin# non-objective cannot be &born& cannot &die& and
certainly cannot be &re-born&.
These are i-)isp+!a'le *a,!s. are !hey -o!G*a,!s a'o+! !he phe-ome-ally ma-i*es!e) se-!ie-!
'ei-E As a pro,ess o* !he *+-,!io-i- o* !he -o+me-o-. ma-i*es!a!io- o* phe-ome-a !akes pla,e.
i- /hi,h *orms e! ,rea!e) a-) *orms e! )es!roye). ?ho is 'or-E A-) /ho )iesE A-) /ho is !o 'e
re5'or-E
I* !his is so. yo+ may ask ho/ )oes !he ,o-,ep! o* Aarma. ,a+sali!y a-) re5'ir!h arise a! allE
The a-s/er is !ha! i-s!ea) o* a phe-ome-o- 'ei- a,,ep!e) as a ma-i*es!a!io- o* !he +-ma-i*es!
Ha-) !h+s a- aspe,! o* !he -o-5phe-ome-al -o+me-o-C. a mis!ake- i)e-!i*i,a!io- /i!h a pse+)o5
e-!i!y !akes pla,e a-) a pha-!om /i!h a s+ppose) a+!o-omo+s e1is!e-,e e!s ,rea!e). This pha-!om
is s+ppose) !o ha(e ,hoi,e o* )e,isio- a-) a,!io-. I! is !his pha-!om !ha! is s+ppose) !o 'e 'or-. !o
li(e. !o s+**er a-) !o )ie. A-) i- !his pro,ess. i! is !his pha-!om /ho 'e,omes lia'le !o !he pro,ess
o* ,a+sali!y k-o/- as Aarma. a,,ep!s !he s+ppose) >'o-)ae> a-) >re5'ir!h>. a-) seeks a- imai-e)
>li'era!io->.
I- o!her /or)s. ,o-,l+)e) Mahara<. o(er !he -a!+ral pro,ess o* !he ma-i*es!a!io- o* phe-ome-a
e!s s+perimpose) a pha-!om5sel* /i!h a s+ppose) a+!o-omo+s. i-)epe-)e-! e1is!e-,e. a-) o-
!hisOpha-!om5sel* is loa)e) !he ,o-,ep! o* !he res+l!a-! e**e,!s o* !he imai-e) (oli!io-al a,!io-s G
i.e. Aarma. 'o-)ae a-) re5'ir!hB
Do yo+ +-)ers!a-) -o/ /hy I )e'+-k !he !heory o* re5'ir!hE
42
;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;
I-!elle,! Ca- Be a- A))i,!io-
I! is i-!eres!i- !o /a!,h !he ra)+al ,ha-e !ha! ,omes o(er a (isi!or /ho is *or!+-a!e e-o+h
!o 'e a'le !o (isi! Mahara< *or e(e- a shor! perio) o*. say. o-ly !e- !o *i*!ee- )ays. Almos!
i-(aria'ly !he (isi!or Hass+mi-. o* ,o+rse. !ha! he is a e-+i-e seeker a-) -o! someo-e /ho has
,ome ei!her !o !es! Mahara<>s >le(el> or !o sho/ o** his o/-C is so (ery e-!h+sias!i, a! his *irs! (isi!
!ha! he )oes -o! ha(e !he pa!ie-,e !o si! s!ill a-) a'sor' F+ie!ly /ha! is 'ei- sai). He is rea)y /i!h
his F+es!io-s e(e- 'e*ore Mahara< has *i-ishe) !alki-. as i* he ha) alrea)y +esse) /ha! Mahara<
/o+l) say.
I- s+,h ,ases i! is )i**i,+l! !o a-!i,ipa!e !he rea,!io- *rom Mahara<. Ge-erally he is (ery pa!ie-!
*or a /hile@ '+! some!imes. perhaps /he- he s+spe,!s !he 'o-a*i)es o* !he (isi!or. he ,a- 'e (ery
'r+sF+e a-) mih! ask !he (isi!or !o si! F+ie!ly i- a ,or-er *or !he *irs! *i(e or si1 )ays a-) lis!e-
/i!ho+! +!!eri- a si-le /or). As !he (isi!or se!!les )o/- ra)+ally a-) is a'le !o ,+r' his
impe!+osi!y. he 'e,omes appropria!ely re,ep!i(e !o !he *i-er. s+'!ler mea-i- o* Mahara<>s /or)s
a-) his /hole a!!i!+)e ,ha-es. ?he-. la!er. Mahara< i-(i!es F+es!io-s a-) !here is -o respo-se
*rom !his (isi!or. Mahara<. remem'eri- his earlier e**er(es,e-,e. /o+l) e-!ly p+ll his le a-) ask
him /ha! happe-e) !o all !hose F+es!io-s /hi,h kep! poppi- +p earlierB
There are some (isi!ors. ho/e(er. /ho are -o! a'le !o se!!le )o/- easily. They /o+l) !ry. '+!
!heir i-here-! res!less-ess /o+l) er+p! i-!o F+es!io-s !ime a-) aai- as i* !here /as a- i-!elle,!+al
'arrier !ha! pre(e-!e) Mahara<>s /or)s *rom rea,hi- !hem.
I- o-e s+,h ,ase. !he (isi!or /e-! o+! o* his /ay !o repea!e)ly ass+re Mahara< !ha! he /as -o!
,rossi- s/or)s /i!h him. !ha!. i-)ee). /ha! Mahara< ha) sai) /as so *as,i-a!i- !ha! he /o+l)
ha(e lo(e) !o 'e a'le !o a,,ep! i! /i!ho+! a-y F+es!io-. '+! !ha! /o+l) -o! 'e ho-es! 'e,a+se !he-
!he )o+'! /o+l) remai- i- his mi-). Mahara< ass+re) him !ha! he )i) -o! F+es!io- his si-,eri!y or
his i-!e-!io-s. '+! !ha! he /o+l) ha(e !o i(e +p !he >)r+> !o /hi,h he ha) 'e,ome a))i,!e) 'e*ore
he ,o+l) 'e i- a posi!io- !o re,ei(e a-y!hi- o* spiri!+al si-i*i,a-,e. The (isi!or /as !ake- a'a,k a!
!he +se o* !he /or)
7
)r+> 'y Mahara<. a-) /as a'o+! !o pro!es! '+! Mahara< ,o-!i-+e) /i!ho+!
payi- a-y hee).
I-!elle,!. sai) Mahara<. is ,er!ai-ly esse-!ial *or assimila!io- a-) e(al+a!io- o* /orl)ly
k-o/le)e a-). o* ,o+rse. i! is also -ee)e) +p !o a poi-! *or spiri!+al k-o/le)e. Therea*!er. /ha! is
-ee)e) is -o! mere i-!elle,! '+! a- i--a!e i-!+i!i(e ,apa,i!y /hi,h is a i*! !ha! some people ha(e i-
'e!!er meas+re !ha- o!hers. Ko+ ha(e 'e,ome a))i,!e) !o !he )r+ -ame) i-!elle,! a-) +-)er i!s
i-*l+e-,e yo+ a-aly=e e(ery!hi-@ yo+ ,oi!a!e. ,o-!empla!e a-) make simple !hi-s ,ompli,a!e)B
Ko+ ha(e !o e! ri) o* !his a))i,!io- a-) s+rre-)er yo+rsel* !o !he i-!+i!i(e pro,ess o* p+re
re,ep!i(i!y. O-,e yo+ )o so. /ha! I i(e. yo+ /ill re,ei(e )ire,!ly /i!ho+! a-y i-!er(e-!io- 'y !he
i-!elle,!.
A p+ppe! ,a- o-ly rea,! !o !he s!im+li impar!e) 'y !he p+ppe!eer. '+! se-!ie-! 'ei-s ha(e !he
,apa,i!y -o! o-ly !o rea,! !o !he s!im+li. /hi,h is /ha! happe-s e-erally. '+! also !o a,!
i-)epe-)e-!ly o* a-y o+!si)e s!im+l+s. The la-) o* re,ep!i(i!y !o /hi,h I re*er is o'!ai-e) /he-
!here is -o! o-ly -o rea,!i- !o s!im+li. '+! a- ope--ess !o ,o-s,io+s-ess /i!ho+! !he i-!r+sio- o*
perso-al pro,li(i!ies a-) se! (ie/s@ i- shor!. /i!ho+! !he i-!r+sio- o* i-)i(i)+ali!y.
The !ro+'le is !ha! yo+. as a- i-)i(i)+al perso-ali!y. !hi-k !ha! yo+ are lis!e-i- !o /ha! I. also
a- i-)i(i)+al. am sayi-. A,!+ally /ha! is 'ei- sai) is 'ei- sai) -o! 'y me as a- i-)i(i)+al '+! 'y
,o-s,io+s-ess /hi,h has -o shape or *orm. The lis!e-i- !oo m+s! 'e )o-e 'y ,o-s,io+s-ess
/i!ho+! !he i-!r+sio- o* a- imai-ary i-)i(i)+al. ?o+l) i! 'e possi'le *or yo+ !o ha(e a-y F+es!io-s
a! all i* yo+ /ere -o! ,o-s,io+sE ?o+l) i! 'e possi'le *or me !o !alk !o yo+ i* I /ere -o! ,o-s,io+sE
6e! ,o-s,io+s-ess lis!e- !o /ha! ,o-s,io+s-ess says a'o+! ,o-s,io+s-essB Do remem'er !ha! all
!ho+h!s are mo(eme-!s i- ,o-s,io+s-ess. o'ser(e) a-) ,o-i=e) 'y ,o-s,io+s-ess@ !he i-)i(i)+al
has -o pla,e i- !his *+-,!io-i- e1,ep! as a mere appeara-,e i- ,o-s,io+s-essB
The (isi!or 'o/e) 'e*ore Mahara< re(ere-!ially a-) sai)0 Sir. I -o/ reali=e !ha! /ha! I 'elie(e)
!o 'e my ,as!le is a,!+ally my priso-.
43
;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;
Seei- !he False as False is Tr+!h
A! o-e o* !he sessio-s !he s+'<e,! 'ei- )is,+sse) /as0 ?ha! e1a,!ly ,o-s!i!+!es >'o-)ae>E
Mahara< e1plai-e) !ha! /ha! /e are is !he -o+me-o- G !he !imeless. spa,eless. imper,ep!i'le
'ei-. a-) -o! /ha! /e appear !o 'e as separa!e o'<e,!s G !ime5'o+-). *i-i!e a-) per,ep!i'le !o !he
se-ses. The >'o-)ae> arises 'e,a+se /e *ore! o+r real 'ei-. !he -o+me-o-. a-) i)e-!i!y o+rsel(es
/i!h !he phe-ome-o- G !he 'o)y G /hi,h is -o!hi- '+! a psy,hosoma!i, appara!+s.
?he- Mahara< i-(i!e) F+es!io-s o-e o* !he (isi!ors. /ho ha) a!!e-)e) se(eral sessio-s a-) ha)
har)ly aske) a-y F+es!io-s earlier. p+! his ha-) +p a-) aske)0 ?o+l) i)e-!i*i,a!io- /i!h !he 'o)yG
merely 'e,a+se o* s+,h i)e-!i*i,a!io- G mea- 'o-)aeE The J-a-is ,a--o! i(e +p !heir 'o)ies
)+ri- !he li*e!ime a-) m+s! li(e !heir li(es like o!her h+ma- 'ei-s so *ar as !he physi,al *+-,!io-s
are ,o-,er-e). ?ha! is more. all !he J-a-is )o -o! a,! i- a +-i*orm ma--er@ ea,h has his o/- /ay o*
'eha(i- i- !he /orl). his o/- /ay o* )eali- /i!h o!hers. To !his e1!e-!. is !here -o! a ,er!ai-
i)e-!i*i,a!io- /i!h !he i-)i(i)+al 'o)y. e(e- /here !he J-a-is are ,o-,er-e)E
Mahara< smile) i- appre,ia!io- o* !his /ell5ro+-)e) F+es!io-. He sai)0 The 'o)y is a-
i-s!r+me-! -e,essary *or ,o-s,io+s-ess !o remai- i- ma-i*es!a!io-. Ho/ ,a- !he !/o 'e >)is5
i)e-!i*ie)> +-!il !he li*e5'rea!h lea(es !he 'o)y H,ommo-ly k-o/- as )ea!hC a-) ,o-s,io+s-ess is
release) *rom i!s phe-ome-al *ormE Bo-)ae is -o! ,a+se) 'y mere *ormal i)e-!i*i,a!io- /i!h !he
'o)y. /hi,h is a psy,hosoma!i, ,o-s!r+,! o* !he *i(e eleme-!s. a- i-s!r+me-! ha(i- -o i-)epe-)e-!
e1is!e-,e o* i!s o/-. ?ha! ,a+ses >'o-)ae> is !he i)e-!i*i,a!io- res+l!i- i- !he ima#ined concept
of an independent autonomous entity /hi,h ass+mes !he )oer5ship a-) !h+s >!akes )eli(ery> o* !he
a,!io-s a-) !he respo-si'ili!y *or !he ,o-seF+e-,es.
I repea! !ha! i! is -o! <+s! !he *a,! o* i)e-!i*i,a!io- /i!h !he 'o)y !ha! is respo-si'le *or !he
,o-,ep! o* >'o-)ae>. The 'o)y m+s! ,o-!i-+e !o 'e +se) as a- i-s!r+me-!. Bo-)ae ,a- arise o-ly
/he- !here is appare-! (oli!io-. i.e. /he- a- a,!io- is imai-e) !o 'e o* o-e>s ,hoi,e as a >)oer>.
!here'y 'ri-i- i-!o mo!io- !he pro,ess o* ,a+sali!y. o* Aarma a-) >'o-)ae>.
I! is -e,essary !o +-)ers!a-) ho/ !he appare-! e-!i!y ,omes !o 'e s+perimpose) o- !he e-eral
pro,ess o* ma-i*es!a!io-. 'nce you see the false as false it is not necessary any further to see+ the
truth /hi,h a-y/ay ,a--o! 'e ,o-,ei(e) as a- o'<e,!. A! /ha! s!ae )oes !he F+es!io- o*
i)e-!i*i,a!io- ariseE Phe-ome-ali!y 'ei- i-!erally la!e-! i- -o+me-ali!y H-o+me-ali!y 'ei-
imma-e-! i- phe-ome-aC !he F+es!io- o* i)e-!i*i,a!io- sho+l) -o! really arise a! all. There is -o
-ee) o* a-y spe,i*i, i)e-!i*i,a!io- 'e!/ee- -o+me-ali!y HA(yak!aC a-) phe-ome-ali!y HIyak!aC as
s+,h. S+,h -ee) arises o-ly /he- !here is ma-i*es!a!io- o* !he -o+me-al5A'sol+!e i- separa!e
phe-ome-al o'<e,!s. a pro,ess o* o'<e,!i(i=a!io- /hi,h -e,essarily reF+ires >)+alism> G a
)i,ho!omy i-!o !/o eleme-!s G a s+'<e,! HIyak!iC /hi,h per,ei(es a-) ,o-i=es a-) a- o'<e,!
/hi,h is per,ei(e) a-) ,o-i=e). The impor!a-! poi-! is !ha! 'o!h !hese ,o-i=er5s+'<e,! a-) !he
,o-i=e)5o'<e,! are i-!er)epe-)e-! o'<e,!s a-) ,a- o-ly e1is! i- !he ,o-s,io+s-ess i- /hi,h !he
ma-i*es!a!io- pro,ess o,,+rs. a-) /hi,h ,o-s,io+s-ess i-)ee) is /ha! /e are-
Do +-)ers!a-) !his 'asi, poi-!0 ?e ,a- o-ly e1is! as o-e a-o!her>s o'<e,!s@ a-) !ha! !oo o-ly i-
!he ,o-s,io+s-ess o* !ha! ,o-i=er5s+'<e,! /hi,h ,o-i=es +s. ea,h o'<e,! !aki- !he posi!io- o* !he
s+'<e,!5,o-i=er HIyak!iC vis-a-vis !he o!hers /ho 'e,ome !he o'<e,!s. A-) here arises !he >e-!i!y>
HIyak!iC. The ,o-i=er5s+'<e,!. i- ,o-si)eri- his s+'<e,!i(e *+-,!io-. ass+mes >himsel*> as a-
e-!i!y. a- i-)epe-)e-!. a+!o-omo+s >sel*> /i!h (oli!io- a-) ,hoi,e. This pha-!om5e-!i!y !he- *+r!her
p+rs+es !he pri-,iple o* >)+alism> H/hi,h is !he (ery 'asis o* ma-i*es!a!io-C i- or)er !o ,ompare. )is5
,rimi-a!e. make a <+)eme-! a-) ,hoose 'e!/ee- his o'<e,!s. *rom !he s!a-)poi-! o* !he i-!er5
rela!e) opposi!es like rih! a-) /ro-. oo) a-) 'a). a,,ep!a'le a-) -o! a,,ep!a'le e!,.
It is this illusory &entity-fication& and not merely the identification with the body which is the
root of &bonda#e&. O-,e aai-0 ?ha! /e are. !he -o+me-al5A'sol+!e HA(yak!aC ma-i*es!e) as !he
!o!ali!y o* phe-ome-a HIyak!aC is )e(oi) o* a-y individual o'<e,!i(e e1is!e-,e. There*ore. /ha!5/e5
are ,a--o! s+**er a-y >'ir!h> or >)ea!h>. -ei!her 'o-)ae -or li'era!io-. Bo!h 'o-)ae a-) !he
res+l!i- s+**eri- are. p+rely ,o-,ep!+al. 'ase) o- !he i)e-!i*i,a!io- /i!h !he /holly ima#inary
s+'<e,!5,o-i=er5e-!i!y HIyak!iC.
A- e1ample o* /ha! Mahara< ha) sai) is pro(i)e) 'y !he ma--er i- /hi,h he appre,ia!es a
oo) )ialo+e o- a s+'<e,! /hi,h has )e(elope) i!sel* i-!eres!i-ly. ?he-. )+ri- )is,+ssio-s o-
a's!r+se s+'<e,!s. a-yo-e *rom !he a+)ie-,e sho/s a pe-e!ra!i- i-sih! i-!o /ha! Mahara< has sai).
he *eels )elih!e) like a ,hil) /ho has re,ei(e) !he )esire) !oy. Ho/ /ell !he !opi, has )e(elope)
!his mor-i-. he mih! say. Some!imes. +!!erly o'li(io+s o* a-y impli,a!io-s !o a- or)i-ary )i(i)e)
mi-). he mih! say !ha! s+,h a hih5le(el )is,+ssio- o- A)(ai!a /o+l) -o! 'e a(aila'le a-y/here
elseB B+! /ha! may appear !o 'e sel*5praise o- s+,h o,,asio-s is a,!+ally !he sheer <oy o* sel*5
e**a,eme-!. He is !he- !he Iyak!a. a-) -o! !he Iyak!i.
I! /as sai) o* Rama-a Maharshi !ha! /he- people ,ha-!e) >Hym-s i- Praise o* Rama-a>. he
himsel* /o+l) <oi- !hem i- !he si-i- a-) keep !ime 'y ,lappi- his ha-)s like all !he o!hers. He
ha) +!!erly )isi)e-!i*ie) himsel* /i!h a-y e-!i!y a-) /as. !here*ore. !o!ally o'li(io+s !o a-y
impli,a!io-s o* his a,!io-s. The hym-s re*erre) !o >Rama-a>. -o! !o a- i-)i(i)+al. The J-a-i really
has -o i-)i(i)+al e-!i!y !o 'e em'arrasse) a'o+!. a-) his psy,hosoma!i, appara!+s. !he 'o)y. ,arries
o+! i!s -ormal *+-,!io-s i- !he -ormal /ay /i!ho+! his 'ei- a/are o* !hem.
44
;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;
Da''li- i- Me)i!a!io-
O-e )ay a -e/ (isi!or prese-!e) a- ereio+s pro'lem. Some!ime earlier. a !e-5)ay ,o+rse o*
i-!e-si(e me)i!a!io- /as ora-i=e) 'y a ,er!ai- S/ami. This (isi!or ha) -o par!i,+lar i-!eres! i-
me)i!a!io- -or a-y spe,i*i, o'<e,! i- e-rolli- *or !his ,o+rse. '+! he ha) o! himsel* e-rolle)
'e,a+se some o* his *rie-)s /ho /ere kee- !o )o so /a-!e) him !o <oi- !hem. a-) he ,o+l) a**or) !o
!ake !ha! m+,h !ime o** *rom his '+si-ess. I! is. he sai). par! o* his ,hara,!er a-) !emperame-! !o
)e(o!e his ,o-,e-!ra!e) a!!e-!io-. /i!h *irm )e!ermi-a!io-. o- a-y!hi- !ha! he !akes +p. So. o-,e
!he ,o+rse o* me)i!a!io- s!ar!e). he )e(o!e) *+ll a!!e-!io- !o i! a-) ,o-s,ie-!io+sly )i) /ha!e(er /as
aske) o* him. The res+l! /as !ha! a! a ,er!ai- mome-! o* !ime. !o/ar)s !he e-) o* !he ,o+rse. he ha)
a )e*i-i!e *eeli- o* 'ei- separa!e) *rom his 'o)y. a-) !he /hole /orl) appeare) !o 'e o* !he
-a!+re o* a )ream. A-) !ha! *eeli- ha) persis!e) e(er si-,e. I! /as. he sai). -o! a! all a- +-pleasa-!
*eeli-. O- !he ,o-!rary. i! a(e him a pe,+liar se-se o* *ree)om. B+!. he a))e). !here /as a real
)i**i,+l!y0 Ho/ /as he !o li(e i- !his )ream5/orl) a-) a! !he same !ime ,arry o- his '+si-ess a-)
ear- a li(i-E
This /as i- !he +s+al ,o+rse !ra-sla!e) i-!o Mara!hi *or Mahara<. '+! e(e- 'e*ore !he
!ra-sla!io- ,o+l) 'e ,omple!e). i! /as ,lear !ha! he ha) raspe) !he pro'lem a-) !here /as a-
e1pressio- o* +-+s+al ra(i!y o- his *a,e. He sa! s!ill *or a *e/ mome-!s a-) !he- s!ar!e) speaki-0
Me)i!a!io-. he sai). is -o! some!hi- o-e ,a- )a''le i- as a- e1perime-! or e-!er!ai-me-!. <+s! !o
see /ha! happe-s. A ,er!ai- prelimi-ary prepara!io- *or i! is -e,essary.
Co-s,io+s-ess is !he 'asis *or all ma-i*es!a!io- o* !he phe-ome-al /orl). There is -o rea!er
po/er o- ear!h !ha- ,o-s,io+s-ess@ i* o-e *ools aro+-) /i!h i!. i! /o+l) 'e impossi'le !o *oresee !he
,o-seF+e-,es !ha! may *ollo/. A-) i* !he psy,he is -o! prepare) !o *a,e !he ,o-seF+e-,es. !here
,o+l) 'e serio+s !ro+'le a! !he 'o)y5mi-) le(el *or !he simple reaso- !ha! !here ha) 'ee- -o earlier
prepara!io- i- )is5i)e-!i*yi- o-esel* *rom !he 'o)y. ?ha! /o+l) happe- i* a 'ol! o* hih po/er
ele,!ri,i!y is sho! i-!o a re,ei(er !ha! is -o! s!ro- e-o+h !o re,ei(e i!E
Mahara< !he- a))resse) !his (isi!or )ire,!ly a-) s+es!e) !ha! he sho+l) a!!e-) his !alks a!
leas! *or *i*!ee- )ays. :-*or!+-a!ely. ho/e(er. !he (isi!or ha) !o o 'a,k !o his !o/- almos!
imme)ia!ely. Mahara< o'(io+sly *el! sorry *or him a-) sai) !ha! i- !ha! e(e-! he ,o+l) o-ly s+es!
!ha! he sho+l) rea) I Am That a!!e-!i(ely a-) !ha! he sho+l) re,all !o his mi-) !his (isi! as o*!e- as
he ,o+l). a-) !hi-k o* !his mee!i- he ha) /i!h him. Remem'er0 a remem'ra-,e o* /ha! I am is !he
k-o/le)e o* /ha! yo+ are.
Mahara< a))e)0 Ko+ mih! see !he /hole :-i(erse as a )ream. '+! so lo- as !here is a >yo+>
seei- !his )ream as a separa!e e-!i!y. yo+ /ill 'e i- !ro+'le. 6e! +s hope. ra)+ally yo+ /ill ,ome
!o reali=e !ha! yo+ are also a )reame) *i+re i- !his li(i- )ream. a- i-!eral par! o* !he )ream. a-)
-o! someo-e apar! a-) separa!e *rom i!. The- yo+ /ill 'e all rih!.
45
;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;
There is No!hi- '+! >I>
Mahara< repea!e)ly asser!s !ha! he /o+l) -o! ,are !o )is,+ss e!hi,s. !he ,o)es morali!y. !he
mo)es o* ,o-)+,! pre(aili- i- so,ie!y. There are ma-y o!her people /ho ha(e !he spe,ial !rai-i-.
!he i-,li-a!io- as /ell as !he !ime !o )is,+ss s+,h ma!!ers i- )ep!h a-) a! le-!h. He himsel* /o+l)
keep a/ay *rom !he s+'<e,! al!oe!her. e1,ep!. o* ,o+rse. !o !he e1!e-! !ha! o-e m+s! impli,i!ly o'ey
!he la/ o* !he la-) a-) a(oi) )eli'era!ely h+r!i- a-yo-e 'y o-e>s a,!io-s. Apar! *rom !his (ery
e-eral. +-i(ersally a,,ep!a'le mi-im+m s!a-)ar) o* ,o-)+,! a-) morali!y. he /o+l) a(oi) a-y
)is,+ssio- o- !he *i-er poi-!s o* !he s+'<e,! 'e,a+se. he says. !he s!a-)ar)s a-) ,ri!eria o* morali!y
a-) ,o-)+,! ha(e 'ee- ,ha-i- a,,or)i- !o !imes a-) ,ir,+ms!a-,es. He /o+l) )eal o-ly /i!h !he
+-,ha-ea'le !r+e -a!+re o* ma- himsel*. I* o-e +-)ers!a-)s. apprehe-)s o-e>s !r+e i)e-!i!y. all !he
res! loses i!s si-i*i,a-,e a-) impor!a-,e 'e,a+se all s+'seF+e-! !ho+h!s a-) a,!io-s. -o! 'ei-
'ase) o- )+ali!y. /o+l) 'e simple. )ire,!. i-!+i!i(e a-) spo-!a-eo+s.
This (ie/ o* Mahara< is *o+-) !o 'e e1!remely )i**i,+l! !o a,,ep!. -o! o-ly 'y !he -e/ (isi!ors.
/ho perhaps *eel !ha! he is shyi- a/ay *rom !he (ery ,r+1 o* !he pro'lem o* li*e. '+! also 'y some
o!hers /ho ha(e lis!e-e) !o him o(er a lo- perio). They *i-) i! impossi'le !o a,,ep! !he )i,ho!omy
o* !he !/o. ?ha!e(er ,o-,l+sio- a-) ,o-(i,!io- o-e may ,ome !o rear)i- o-e>s !r+e -a!+re. ho/
,a- o-e a**or) -o! !o i(e as m+,h. or e(e- more. !ho+h! !o o-e>s rela!io-ship /i!h a-) 'eha(io+r
!o/ar)s o-e>s *ello/ 'ei-sE So. /he- Mahara< )e*i-e) his a!!i!+)e i- !his rear) a! a sessio-. o-e
o* !he re+lar (isi!ors. a la)y. ,o+l) -o! res!rai- hersel* *rom aski- a ra!her poi-!e) F+es!io-0
Mahara<. /o+l) i! 'e rih! a-) proper *or a perso- !o lis!e- !o yo+ mos! a!!e-!i(ely. +-)ers!a-)
!horo+hly /ha! yo+ ha(e !o say !o !he e1!e-! !ha! he 'e,omes a J-a-i. a-) !he- !o o o+! a-)
prepare a- a!om 'om' a-) +se i! i* he *el! like i!E
Mahara< promp!ly replie)0 I* yo+ ha) o-ly !ho+h! serio+sly a'o+! !his ma!!er. keepi- i- mi-)
!he 'asi, *a,! !ha! yo+ ha) -o /a-!s. -o -ee)s. -o pro'lems a! a ,er!ai- poi-! o* !ime G say. a
h+-)re) years ao G yo+ /o+l) ha(e arri(e) a! !he a-s/er yo+rsel*@ !he a-s/er 'ei- !ha! !he
F+es!io- i!sel* is mis,o-,ei(e)B
I*. as yo+ say. a perso- +-)ers!a-)s a-) a,,ep!s his !r+e i)e-!i!y !o !he e1!e-! o* 'ei- a J-a-i.
/o+l) he -o! ,ome !o !he ,o-,l+sio- !ha! all phe-ome-a. all se-!ie-! 'ei-s. i-,l+)i- himsel* as a
phe-ome-o-. are -o!hi- '+! ,o-,ep!+al imaes i- mi-). as imai-ary as !hose i- a )reamE ?o+l)
someo-e /ho has )eeply apper,ei(e) !his !r+!h !hi-k o* prepari- a- a!om 'om'. le! alo-e +si- i!E
B+! !his is o-ly a s+per*i,ial a-s/er !o sa!is*y !he i-ora-!. ?ha! yo+ m+s! *i-) o+! is /ho are
!hese >me>. >yo+> a-) >him> !ha! /e are !alki- a'o+!. /ho are s+ppose) !o 'e )oi- !his or !ha!.
a,,or)i- !o !heir s/ee! /ill a-) pleas+reB Ho/ )o yo+ see yo+rsel*E Ko+ see yo+r 'o)yGor really
a par! o* i!G a-) yo+ i)e-!i*y yo+rsel* /i!h i!. B+! i- )eep sleep. or +-)er se)a!io-. yo+ )o -o!
i)e-!i*y yo+rsel* /i!h !his 'o)y. ?ha! really happe-s is !ha! !he appeara-,e o* yo+r 'o)y i-
,o-s,io+s-ess is per,ei(e) a-) i-!erpre!e) 'y yo+ e1a,!ly as i! is )o-e 'y a-y o!her o'ser(er. Ko+r
o/- i-!erpre!a!io- a'o+! yo+rsel* is as ill+si(e a-) ephemeral as !ha! o* o!hers. !ho+h may'e a
li!!le more *la!!eri-B The poi-! !o 'e -o!e) is !ha! !he soli) perso-ali!y yo+ !hi-k yo+rsel* !o 'e is
-o!hi- more !ha- a- appeara-,e i- ,o-s,io+s-ess. ?ha! is more. !he i-!erpre!a!io- /ill ,ha-e.
a-) has 'ee- ,ha-i-. *rom !ime !o !ime. A-y !ho+h! a'o+! yo+rsel*. /he!her yo+r o/- or
someo-e else>s. is o-ly a mo(eme-! i- ,o-s,io+s-ess. o-ly a temporary me-!al imae. Tha! is all
!ha! yo+ are. B+! is !ha! !r+ly yo+E O-ly a me-!al imaeE Is !here really a-y imae /i!h /hi,h o-e
,o+l) i)e-!i*y o-esel* as a- +-,ha-ea'le. i-)epe-)e-!. a+!o-omo+s e-!i!y. /i!h ,hoi,e o* a,!io-E
Rela!i(ely G phe-ome-ally G >yo+>. or >me> is -o!hi- more !ha- !ha! spe,k o* physi,al ma!!er
/hi,h /as ,o-,ei(e) i- a /om' a-) /i!hi- /hi,h /as la!e-! !he spark o* ,o-s,io+s-ess !ha! is
imma-e-! i- !he e-!ire ma-i*es!a!io-. The i--+mera'le *orms o* phe-ome-a i- rela!i(i!y are all
o'<e,!s o* !he A'sol+!e s+'<e,!i(i!yG >I>. !he 'asis o* ma-i*es!a!io- 'ei- )+ali!y !hro+h a s+'<e,!
a-) o'<e,!. e(ery o'<e,! 'ei- !he >o!her> !o /hi,he(er o'<e,! !ha! is per,ei(i- i! i- !he ,apa,i!y o* a
s+ppose) s+'<e,!. No! a si-le o'<e,! has a-y i-)epe-)e-! e1is!e-,e as s+,h. ?e all are mere
appeara-,es i- ,o-s,io+s-ess. ,o-,ep!s i- mi-). ea,h se-!ie-! 'ei-. 'ei- -o!hi- more !ha- his
o/- ,o-,ep! a-) !he ,o-,ep!s o* !hose /hom he ,o-si)ers as >o!hers>.
I* yo+ ha(e -o i-)epe-)e-! e1is!e-,e. ho/ ,a- yo+ a,!E Do yo+ i-)ee) a,! a! allE Or. )o yo+
o-ly rea,! !o a- o+!si)e s!im+l+s like a p+ppe!E I* yo+ /o+l) si! s!ill a-) see /ha! happe-s. yo+
/o+l) F+i,kly reali=e !ha! /e )o -o! really >li(e> '+! are >'ei- li(e)>@ !ha! li*e as s+,h is -o!hi-
more !ha- /ha! mih! 'e ,alle) a- appare-! *+-,!io-i- G appare-! 'e,a+se all !he *+-,!io-i- is.
aai-. -o!hi- more !ha- a pa-orami, appeara-,e i- ,o-s,io+s-ess. I* !here is -o ,o-s,io+s-ess. as
i- )eep sleep or +-)er se)a!i(e. !here is -o *+-,!io-i- ei!her.
The-. i- all !his *+-,!io-i- /here )o >/e> ,ome i-E Tha! is !he +l!ima!e <oke i- !his ,ome)y o*
MayaB >?e> ha(e -o! o-ly -e(er 'ee- o+! o* i!. '+! !he entire functionin# is nothin# but us. )hat we
are is the whole holy. -o+me-al A'sol+!e. se-sorially imper,ep!i'le. a-) per,ei(e) a-) ,o-i=e)
o-ly i- rela!i(e )+ali!y as ma-i*es!e) phe-ome-a. >?e> are !ra-s,e-)e-,e phe-ome-ally as >I>. a-)
imma-e-,e -o+me-ally )epe-)i- o- ho/ /e see o+rsel(es. There is nothin# but &I& no &me& no
&other&. I- rela!i(e ma-i*es!a!io-. phe-ome-a are ,o-,ep!+ali=e) i- ,o-s,io+s-ess as >me>. a-) ea,h
o'<e,!. ass+mi- s+'<e,!i(e i)e-!i!y. ,o-i=es !he o!her o'<e,!s as >o!hers>. '+! -o+me-ally. !here is
o-ly !he s+'<e,!i(e >I> /i!ho+! a-y )+ali!y.
No/ le! +s ,ome 'a,k !o yo+r a!om 'om'. I* yo+ ha(e really apper,ei(e) !his. is i! possi'le *or
yo+ !o o o- !hi-ki- a-y lo-er !ha! !here is a-y (illai- i- li*e /i!h a- i-)epe-)e-!. a+!o-omo+s
e-!i!y. possessi- e-ormo+s po/er *or >e(il>E Or. !ha! !here is a-y A(a!ar possessi- e-ormo+s
po/er *or >oo)>E Are !hey 'o!h a-y!hi- o!her !ha- !he )rop !ha! o! ,o-,ei(e)E S+rely yo+ m+s!
reali=e !ha! >oo)> a-) >'a)> are mere i-!er5)epe-)e-! opposi!es. esse-!ial ma-i*es!a!io-s i- )+ali!y.
appeara-,es i- ,o-s,io+s-ess a,!i- !heir respe,!i(e roles i- !he !o!al *+-,!io-i-. I-)ee). 'elie(i-
i- a-) i)e-!i*yi- o-esel* /i!h a- e-!i!y is all !he >'o-)ae> !here is. a-) reali=i- !ha! !here ,a- 'e
-o e-!i!y. separa!e *rom !he o(erall *+-,!io-i- o* Pra<-a. is i-s!a-! li'era!io-.
46
;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;
Nea!io- o* >E-!i!y5-ess>
O-,e )+ri- !he ,o+rse o* a sessio-. Mahara< /as e1plai-i- /hy )ea!h has s+,h a !ra+ma!i,
!error *or !he a(erae perso-. /hereas !o him i! /o+l) 'e a- e1perie-,e !o look *or/ar) !o. as i!
/o+l) mea- release *rom !he limi!a!io- /hi,h !he phe-ome-o- o* !he 'o)y -a!+rally imposes o-
,o-s,io+s-ess. O-,e !he 'o)y >)ies>. ma-i*es!e) ,o-s,io+s-ess is release) a-) meres /i!h !he
imperso-al ,o-s,io+s-ess like a )rop o* /a!er meres /i!h !he o,ea-.
Mahara< se-se) !ha! a (isi!or ha) some F+es!io- o- !his poi-!. He looke) a! him a-) sai)0 DI!
seems !ha! yo+ /a-! !o ask a F+es!io-.D The (isi!or /as a 'i! s!ar!le) 'e,a+se perhaps he ha) -o! o!
)o/- !o *rami- a s+i!a'le F+es!io- !o ,lari*y !he )o+'! /hi,h ha) <+s! s!irre) i- his mi-). A-y/ay.
he pro,ee)e) !o speak0 Mahara< has sai) !ha! /ha! a,!+ally happe-s i- )ea!h is !ha! !he 'rea!h. !he
li*e5*or,e. lea(es !he 'o)y a-) mi-les /i!h !he air o+!si)e@ ,o-s,io+s-ess also lea(es !he 'o)y a-)
meres /i!h !he imperso-al ,o-s,io+s-ess. a-) !he )ea) 'o)y is )es!roye) o-e /ay or a-o!her.
No!hi- remai-s o* !ha! par!i,+lar physi,al *orm /hi,h /as ,rea!e) a-) i- )+e ,o+rse )es!roye). I*
!his pro,ess applies 'o!h !o !he i-ora-! a-) !o !he J-a-i. /here is !he -ee) !o 'e,ome a J-a-iE
Mahara< a-s/ere)0 ?he- yo+ !alk a'o+! a- i-ora-! perso- a-) a J-a-i a-) !he -ee) *or a-
i-ora-! perso- !o 'e,ome a J-a-i. )o yo+ -o! ass+me !ha! !here is a- i-)epe-)e-! a-) a+!o-omo+s
i-)i(i)+al. ,apa'le o* e1er,isi- perso-al (oli!io- a,,or)i- !o his ,hoi,e a-) )e,isio-E I- !he
pro,ess /here'y !he phe-ome-al +-i(erse ,omes i-!o ma-i*es!a!io-. is !here a pro(isio- *or s+,h
i-)epe-)e-! e-!i!iesE
?ha! is !he 'asi, ,o-,ep!+al *rame/ork /i!ho+! /hi,h ma-i*es!a!io- o* !he phe-ome-a /o+l)
-o! 'e possi'leE I* !here /ere -o! !he ,o-,ep! o* >spa,e> ,o-s!i!+!i- (ol+me. ,o+l) a- o'<e,! ha(e
'ee- appare-! /i!h !he !hree )ime-sio-sE A-). /i!ho+! a-o!her ,o-,ep!. >!ime>. ,o+l) !he
appeara-,e o* a- o'<e,! ha(e 'ee- per,ei(e). i.e. /i!ho+! !he )+ra!io- i- /hi,h !he o'<e,! ,o+l) 'e
,o-i=e)E So !he-. i* !he *rame/ork /hi,h /e ,all >spa,e5!ime> is i!sel* ,o-,ep!+al. ,o+l) !he
o'<e,!s appare-! i- !ha! ,o-,ep!+al *rame/ork o* spa,e5!ime. /hi,h all h+ma- 'ei-s are. 'e
a-y!hi- o!her !ha- ,o-,ep!+al. imai-ary pha-!omsE
There*ore. +-)ers!a-) *irmly a-) o-,e a-) *or all. !ha! -o ,o-,ep!+al o'<e,!. al!ho+h mis!ake-
as a separa!e e-!i!y. ,o+l) possi'ly ha(e a-y ki-) o* i-)epe-)e-! e1is!e-,e or perso-al (oli!io-. "o
one is born% no one dies. )hat is born is only a concept. There is -o e-!i!y !o 'e *ree). No!
+-)ers!a-)i- !his *a,! ,o-s!i!+!es !he 'o-)ae o* i-ora-,e@ apper,ep!io- o* i! is !he *ree)om o*
!r+!h. Remem'er. !r+!h is a'sol+!e ,orrespo-)e-,e /i!h reali!y. I! is !he +-shaka'le k-o/le)e o*
ma->s !r+e -a!+re. I! is !he !o!al -ea!io- o* e-!i!y5-ess.
47
;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;
The Seeker Is !he So+h!
A E+ropea- ,o+ple ,ame !o (isi! Mahara< *or a'o+! a /eek. Bo!h h+s'a-) a-) /i*e ha) 'ee-
i-!eres!e) i- Ie)a-!i, me!aphysi,s *or ma-y years a-) ha) s!+)ie) !he s+'<e,! )eeply. There /as.
ho/e(er. a !o+,h o* !ire)-ess. almos! o* *r+s!ra!io-. i- !heir o+!look a-) e-eral 'eha(io+r /hi,h
,learly sho/e) /ha! /as s+'seF+e-!ly ,o-*irme). They ha) -o ,lear apprehe-sio- o* !r+!h i-spi!e
o* !heir assi)+o+s sear,h o(er a lo- perio) o* !ime )+ri- /hi,h !hey ha) !ra(elle) e1!e-si(ely a-)
ha) so+h! +i)a-,e *rom -+mero+s G+r+s. '+! /i!ho+! s+,,ess. No/. !hey /ere perhaps
/o-)eri-. i* !his /as oi- !o 'e a-o!her e1er,ise i- *+!ili!y a-) more *r+s!ra!io-B
A*!er ha(i- i(e- i-*orma!io- a'o+! !heir 'a,kro+-) i- respo-se !o !he +s+al F+es!io- 'y
Mahara<. !hey sa! lis!lessly. Mahara< looke) a! !hem *or a *e/ mome-!s a-) sai)0 Please +-)ers!a-)
!ha! I ha(e -o!hi- a! all !o i(e yo+. All !ha! I shall )o is !o p+! 'e*ore yo+ a spiri!+al mirror !o
sho/ yo+ yo+r !r+e -a!+re. I* !he mea-i- o* /ha! I say is +-)ers!oo) ,learly. i-!+i!i(ely G -o!
merely (er'ally G a-) a,,ep!e) /i!h !he )eepes! ,o-(i,!io- a-) !he mos! +re-! imme)ia,y. -o
*+r!her k-o/le)e /ill 'e -e,essary. This +-)ers!a-)i- is -o! a ma!!er o* !ime Hi-)ee) i! is prior !o
!he ,o-,ep! !o !imeC a-) /he- i! !akes pla,e. i! happe-s s+))e-ly. almos! as a sho,k o* !imeless
apprehe-sio-. I- e**e,! i! mea-s a s+))e- ,essa!io- o* !he pro,ess o* )+ra!io-. a spli!5se,o-) /he-
*+-,!io-i- o* !he !ime5pro,ess i!sel* is s+spe-)e) G as i-!era!io- !akes pla,e /i!h /ha! is prior !o
rela!i(i!y G a-) a'sol+!e apprehe-sio- o,,+rs. O-,e !his see) o* apprehe-sio- has !ake- roo!. !he
pro,ess o* !he rela!i(e )eli(era-,e *rom !he imai-e) 'o-)ae may !ake i!s o/- ,o+rse. '+! !he
apprehe-sio- i!sel* is al/ays i-s!a-!a-eo+s.
The key/or) i- !he pro,ess o* +-)ers!a-)i- /ha! I say is >spo-!a-ei!y>. The ma-i*es!a!io- o*
!he e-!ire +-i(erse is like a )ream. !he ,osmi, )ream. e1a,!ly like !he mi,ro5,osmi, )ream o* a-
i-)i(i)+al. All o'<e,!s are )reame) o'<e,!s. all are appeara-,es i- ,o-s,io+s-ess. /he!her i! is !he
)ream arisi- spo-!a-eo+sly as a perso-al i-)i(i)+al )ream )+ri- sleep. or i! is !he li(i-5)ream o*
li*e i- /hi,h /e are all )reame) a-) li(e). All o'<e,!s. all appeara-,es are )reame) 'y se-!ie-!
'ei-s i- ,o-s,io+s-ess.
Se-!ie-! 'ei-s are. !here*ore. 'o!h )reame) *i+res as /ell as )reamers@ !here is -o si-le
)reamer. as s+,h. Ea,h ,+rre-! )reami- o* !he +-i(erse is i- !he ,o-s,io+s-ess /hi,h is /i!hi- a
par!i,+lar psy,hosoma!i, appara!+s. !he me)i+m !hro+h /hi,h !he per,ei(i- a-) !he i-!erpre!i-
o,,+rs. a-) /hi,h is mis!ake- as a- i-)i(i)+al e-!i!y. I- )eep sleep !here is -o )ream a-). !here*ore.
-o +-i(erse. I! is o-ly /he- yo+ +se !he )i(i)e) mi-) !ha! yo+ e1is! apar! *rom !he >o!hers> a-) !he
/orl).
Ko+ ha(e -o ,o-!rol o(er !he o'<e,!s i- yo+r perso-al )ream. i-,l+)i- !he o'<e,! !ha! >yo+> are
i- yo+r )ream. E(ery!hi- is spo-!a-eo+s. a-) ye! e(ery o'<e,! i- yo+r perso-al )ream is -o!hi-
o!her !ha- yo+. I- !he li*e5)ream !oo. all o'<e,!s Hall >i-)i(i)+als>. e(e- i* !hey are oppose) !o o-e
a-o!her i- !he )reamC ,a- o-ly 'e /ha!5yo+5are. All *+-,!io-i-. all a,!io- i- li*e. !here*ore ,a-
o-ly 'e spo-!a-eo+s a,!io- 'e,a+se !here is -o e-!i!y !o per*orm a-y a,!io-. Ko+ are HI amC !he
*+-,!io-i-. !he )ream. !he ,osmi, )a-,e o* Shi(aB
Fi-ally. remem'er !ha! all )reami- o* a-y !ype m+s! -e,essarily 'e phe-ome-al. a-
appeara-,e i- ,o-s,io+s-ess. /he- ,o-s,io+s-ess is >a/ake>. !ha! is /he- ,o-s,io+s-ess is
,o-s,io+s o* i!sel*. ?he- ,o-s,io+s-ess is -o! ,o-s,io+s o* i!sel* !here ,a- 'e -o )reami-. as i-
)eep sleep.
A! !his s!ae. !here /as a F+ery *rom !he male par!-er o* !he ,o+ple. His poi-! /as0 I* all o* +s
are o-ly )reame)5*i+res. /i!ho+! a-y i-)epe-)e-! ,hoi,e o* )e,isio- a-) a,!io-. /hy sho+l) /e 'e
,o-,er-e) /i!h 'o-)ae or li'era!io-E ?hy sho+l) /e ,ome !o Mahara< a! allE
Mahara< la+he) a-) sai)0 Ko+ seem !o ha(e arri(e) a! !he rih! ,o-,l+sio- !he /ro- /ayB I*
yo+ mea- !ha! yo+ are now ,o-(i-,e). 'eyo-) a sha)o/ o* )o+'!. !ha! !he o'<e,! /i!h /hi,h yo+
ha) i)e-!i*ie) yo+rsel* is really o-ly a phe-ome-o- !o!ally )e(oi) o* a-y s+'s!a-,e. i-)epe-)e-,e
or a+!o-omy G merely a )reame) appeara-,e i- someo-e else>s ,o-s,io+s-ess G a-) !ha!.
!here*ore. *or s+,h a mere sha)o/ !here ,a- -e(er 'e a-y F+es!io- o* ei!her 'o-)ae or li'era!io-.
a-) !ha! ,o-seF+e-!ly !here is -o -ee) a! all *or yo+ !o ,ome a-) lis!e- !o me. !he- yo+ are per*e,!ly
rih!. I* !his is so. yo+ are -o! o-ly rih! '+! alrea)y li'era!e)B B+!. i* yo+ mea- !ha! yo+ sho+l)
,o-!i-+e !o (isi! me o-ly 'e,a+se yo+ ,a--o! a,,ep! !ha! yo+ are a mere )reame) *i+re. /i!ho+!
a-y i-)epe-)e-,e or a+!o-omy. !he- I am a*rai) yo+ ha(e -o! !ake- e(e- yo+r *irs! s!ep. A-).
i-)ee). so lon# as there is an entity see+in# liberation he will never find it.
6ook a! i! !his simple /ay0 ?ha! is !he 'asis o* a-y a,!io-E Nee). Ko+ ea! 'e,a+se !here is a
-ee) *or i!@ yo+r 'o)y e(a,+a!es 'e,a+se !here is a -ee) *or i!. Ko+ (isi! me 'e,a+se o* !he -ee) o*
(isi!i- me a-) lis!e-i- !o /ha! I say. ?he- !here is -ee) a,!io- *ollo/s spo-!a-eo+sly /i!ho+!
a-y i-!er(e-!io- 'y a-y )oer. ?ho *eels !he -ee)E Co-s,io+s-ess. o* ,o+rse. *eels !he -ee) !hro+h
!he me)i+m o* !he psy,hosoma!i, appara!+s. I* yo+ !hi-k yo+ are !his appara!+s. is i! -o! a ,ase o*
mis!ake- i)e-!i!y. ass+mi- !he '+r)e- o* 'o-)ae a-) seeki- li'era!io-E B+! really !he
F+es!io-er. !he seeker is !he so+h!B
A'sol+!e s!ill-ess pre(aile) i- !he room as e(eryo-e po-)ere) o(er /ha! Mahara< ha) sai).
The (isi!i- ,o+ple sa! /i!h eyes ,lose). o'li(io+s o* !he s+rro+-)i-s. /hils! !he o!her (isi!ors
ra)+ally *ile) o+! o* !he room.
48
;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;
The Na!+re o* Deep Sleep
Amo- !he ma-y (isi!ors /ho ,ome !o Mahara<. !here are some /ho. perhaps 'e,a+se o* a-
earlier ,ommo- li-e o* +i)a-,e or s!+)y. *i-) !hemsel(es 'oe) )o/- a! a par!i,+lar poi-! o*
,omprehe-sio-. They i-(aria'ly seek ,lari*i,a!io- a'o+! i!. For o-e s+,h ro+p o* people !he
pro'lem ,e-!re) ro+-) !he -a!+re o* !he s!a!e o* )eep sleep.
They ha) +-)ers!oo) G or more likely. !hey ha) mis+-)ers!oo) /ha! !hey ha) 'ee- !ol) G
!ha! !he s!a!e o* )eep sleep /as i-)ee) !he >+l!ima!e> s!a!e. or o+r orii-al s!a!e. a-) !hey /ere F+i!e
+pse! !o 'e !ol) 'y Mahara< !ha! -o!hi- ,o+l) 'e *ar!her *rom !he !r+!h. Ho/ ,a- !he s!a!e o* )eep
sleep. Mahara< aske) !hem. /hi,h al!er-a!e) /i!h !he /aki- s!a!e i- ,o-s,io+s-ess. 'e o+r !r+e
s!a!eE Co-s,io+s-ess i!sel* is !ime5'o+-). a-) i! )epe-)s +po- !he *oo)5'o)y *or i!s ma-i*es!a!io-
a-) s+s!e-a-,e. The s!a!e o* )eep sleep is. !here*ore. (ery m+,h a physi,al ,o-)i!io- /i!h a )+ra!io-
al!er-a!i- /i!h !he /aki- s!a!e. The reaso- /hy i! is mis!ake- *or !he -o-5o'<e,!i(e a/are-ess G
/here a/are-ess is -o! a/are o* i!sel*G is !ha! )+ri- )eep sleep ,o-s,io+s-ess !emporarily re!ires
i-!o res!. The impor!a-! )i**ere-,e !o -o!e is !ha! !he s!a!e o* )eep sleep is similar !o A/are-ess o-ly
!o !he e1!e-! !ha! ,o-s,io+s-ess is !he- -o! ,o-s,io+s o* i!sel*. Ho/e(er. !his s!a!e is a! o-,e >i-
mo(eme-!> i- so *ar as i! has a )+ra!io-. a*!er /hi,h !he /aki- s!a!e aai- !akes o(er.
All !ha! o-e ,a- say is. a))e) Mahara<. !ha! !he se-se o* prese-,e. /hi,h is prese-! )+ri- !he
/aki- s!a!e. is a'se-! i- !he )eep sleep s!a!e. The s!a!e o* A/are-ess G /ha! /e !r+ly are G o-
!he o!her ha-). is !he !o!al a'se-,e o* 'o!h !he prese-,e a-) !he a'se-,e o* !he se-se o* prese-,e.
This is !he all5impor!a-! )is!i-,!io-.
I! is a meas+re o* !he s!re-!h o* ,o-,ep!+al ,o-)i!io-i- !ha! people /ho /ere s+ppose) !o
ha(e rea,he) a hih spiri!+al le(el H/ha!e(er i! mih! mea-BC ,o+l) -o! easily apper,ei(e !his 'asi,
)is!i-,!io- /hi,h Mahara< makes 'e!/ee- )eep sleep a-) A/are-ess. I! /as pi!ia'le !o see Mahara<
)emolishi- !heir ,o-,ep!s o-e a*!er a-o!her. ,o-,ep!s /hi,h !hey ha) hel) so lo- a-) so lo(i-ly.
a-) /hi,h !hey /ere o'(io+sly so rel+,!a-! !o le! o. B+! i! /as ,learly -e,essary. ?i!h his
irrepressi'le se-se o* h+mo+r. Mahara< like-e) !he s!a!e o* mi-) o* !he F+es!io-ers /i!h !ha! o* a
millio-aire /ho is i-*orme) !ha! all his millio-s ha(e s+))e-ly !+r-e) o+! !o 'e !o!ally /or!hlessB
Mahara< !hre/ *+r!her lih! o- !he s+'<e,! 'y e1plai-i- !ha! 'o!h !he /aki- s!a!e a-) !he
)eep sleep s!a!e are al!er-a!i- perio)s i- ,o-s,io+s-ess5i-5ma-i*es!a!io-. I* !his is ,learly
+-)ers!oo). he sai). !here /o+l) 'e -o ,o-*+sio-. A h+-)re) years ao. Mahara< aske) !he lea)i-
mem'er o* !he ro+p. /ere yo+ ,o-,er-e) /i!h )eep sleepE Di) yo+ -ee) sleepE No/. /he-
,o-s,io+s-ess has ma-i*es!e) i!sel* i- a physi,al appara!+s. ,o+l) yo+ ,arry o- /i!ho+! )eep sleep
*or a-y le-!h o* !imeE Co-s,io+s-ess. )eep sleep. /aki- s!a!e. )+ra!io- i- !ime all ,o-s!i!+!e !he
same ,o-,ep! asso,ia!e) /i!h ma-i*es!a!io-. Ho/ ,o+l) i! possi'ly 'e eF+a!e) /i!h !he :-ma-i*es!
A/are-ess. /hi,h is i-!emporali!y. p+re s+'<e,!i(i!y /i!ho+! !he slih!es! !o+,h o* o'<e,!i(i!yE
49
;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;
A--ihila!io- o* !he >Ko+>
A))ressi- !he (isi!ors o-e mor-i- Mahara< sai)0 Some o* yo+ ha(e 'ee- ,omi- here *or
ma-y /eeks. I am par!i,+larly ,o-,er-e) a'o+! !he o(erseas (isi!ors /ho ,ome here o-ly !o mee!
me a-) -o! *or sih!5seei-. They ha(e !o spe-) a lo! o* mo-ey o- !ra(elli- a-) !heir s!ay i-
Bom'ay. a-) I some!imes /o-)er i* !hey really +-)ers!a-) /ha! I am !ryi- !o ,o-(ey. No/. !ell
me. yo+ k-o/ /ha! Paramar!ha is G !he s+'lime !r+!h. !he +l!ima!e mea-i- Ho* li*eC. ?ha! is !his
+l!ima!e mea-i- *or ea,h o* yo+E Thi-k o(er /ha! I ha(e 'ee- !alki- a'o+! 'e*ore yo+ a-s/er.
O-e 'ol) a-s/er *rom a *orei- (isi!or /as0 6i'era!io-. I /a-! !o 'e li'era!e) *rom !he
'o-)ae o* !his li*e. Ha(i- hear) yo+. I /o+l) -o/ ,all i! >!he 'o-)ae o* ,o-s,io+s-ess>. Soo-
!here /ere ,o-*irma!ory m+rm+rs *rom se(eral o!hers.
Mahara< la+he) a-) sai)0 6ook ho/ s!ro- !he ,o-)i!io-i- ,a- 'eB ?he!her !he ,o-)i!io-i-
is *rom !he pare-!s or *rom !he spiri!+al +i)es is -o! rele(a-!. This pro'lem o* >'o-)ae> a-)
>li'era!io-> is par! o* !he !ra)i!io-al !ea,hi- !ha! is i(e- !o !hose /hose i-!elle,!+al a-) i-!+i!i(e
le(el is -o! hih e-o+h !o rasp !he !r+e esse-,e o* that-which-is. B+! yo+ are -o! ki-)erar!e-
s!+)e-!s o* spiri!+ali!y. I keep !elli- yo+ !ha! yo+ m+s! ,ease !o !hi-k a-) speak as i* yo+ /ere
phe-ome-al o'<e,!s. I ha(e 'ee- !elli- yo+ !ha! yo+ are -o! phe-ome-al o'<e,!s. '+! ,o-s,io+s-ess
i!sel*. !he a-ima!i- ,o-s,io+s-ess /hi,h pro(i)es se-!ie-,e !o !he se-!ie-! 'ei-@ *+r!her. !ha! yo+
are ,o-s,io+s-ess o-ly i- ma-i*es!a!io-. '+! !r+ly you are that which is prior to consciousness
itself i.e. you are !ure Awareness.
Is i! -o! simple e-o+h !o +-)ers!a-). Mahara< aske). !ha! a mere o'<e,!. a- appeara-,e G
/hi,h is all !ha! a physi,al 'o)y is G ,a--o! possi'ly per*orm a-y a,!io- /ha!soe(er as a-
i-)epe-)e-! e-!i!yE I! is o-ly /he- !he Imperso-al Co-s,io+s-ess. i- i!s !o!al *+-,!io-i-. ma-i*es!s
'y o'<e,!i*yi- i!sel* a-) 'e,omes i)e-!i*ie) /i!h ea,h o'<e,! !ha! !he ,o-,ep! o* !he perso-al >I>
,omes i-!o 'ei-. This ,o-,ep! is !he so+r,e o* >'o-)ae>. !he o'<e,!i(i=i- o* >I> !he p+re
s+'<e,!i(i!y. i-!o a- o'<e,!i(e >me>. I! is !his >me> G !he I5,o-,ep!. or !he eoG/hi,h is !he
imai-ary 'o-)ae *rom /hi,h li'era!io- is so+h!. A ,lear per,ep!io- o* /ha! ,o-s!i!+!es !he
se-!ie-! 'ei- !ha! is seeki- li'era!io- /ill sho/ ho/ l+)i,ro+s !he /hole i)ea is. The 'o)y i!sel*
is -o!hi- '+! !he ro/!h o* !he male sperm /hi,h e!s *er!ili=e) i- !he *emale /om'@ !he *oe!+s is
!he esse-,e o* !he *oo) ,o-s+me) 'y !he pare-!s. a-) i- i! ,o-s,io+s-ess is la!e-!. I* i! is -o/ ,lear
!ha! /ha! /e appear !o 'e is -o!hi- '+! !he esse-,e o* *oo). may I ask. sai) Mahara<. /hi,h
par!i,+lar rai- o* *oo) yo+ /a-! !o li'era!eE ?hi,h par!i,+lar rai- o* *oo). or /hi,h o* !he *i(e
eleme-!s. *oo) 'ei- !he esse-,e o* !he ,om'i-a!io- o* !he *i(e eleme-!s. are yo+ i)e-!i*yi-
yo+rsel* /i!hE
A/ake-i-. or e-lih!e-me-!. or li'era!io- is -o!hi-. a'sol+!ely -o!hi- o!her !ha-
apper,ei(i- pro*o+-)ly. )eeply. i-!+i!i(ely !ha! /ha! /e are G that-which-is-here-now G is !he
a'sol+!e a'se-,e o* /ha!e(er is imai-a'le or ,o-i=a'le@ /hi,h is !he same as !he a'sol+!e
prese-,e o* !he +-k-o/a'le po!e-!iali!y.
J+s! !hi-k *or a mome-!. sai) Maharaj: Ca- a-y F+es!io- arise /hi,h )oes -o! ha(e a! i!s
,e-!re a >yo+> or a >me> as a- i-)i(i)+al G seei- or -o!5seei-. +-)ers!a-)i- or -o!5+-)ers!a-)i-.
)oi- or -o!5)oi-E I! is al/ays a >me> !ha! is ,o-,er-e). Har)ly e(er is i! !he !hi- see-. or !he
ma!!er +-)ers!oo). or !he a,! !ha! happe-s. ?he-e(er !here is Para5Iri!!i. a ,omple!e a-) !o!al
,ha-e5o(er. a >me!a-oesis> has happe-e). !he ,ha-e5o(er has -o! 'ee- >)o-e> or >a,hie(e)> 'y a-y
e-!i!y o* i!s o/- (oli!io-. I! is !his *a,! !ha! is -o! reali=e). ?ha! is -o! reali=e) is !ha! !here ,a- 'e
-o e-!i!y /hi,h has )ire,!ly. (oli!io-ally ,a+se) !he ,ha-e5o(erB I-)ee) i! is !he apper,ep!io- as
s+,h H-o! 'y a-y i-)i(i)+alC o* !his (ery *a,! !ha! 'ri-s a'o+! !he esse-!ial a--ihila!io- o* !he >yo+>
G !he seeker G a-) a,hie(es !he sor! o* (a,++m. a >*as!i-> o* !he mi-). /hi,h i-(i!es !he prese-,e
!ha! is !he real >yo+> H>I>. -o! >me>C. This is ho/ !he !ra-s*orma!ory a)<+s!me-! happe-s or ,omes
a'o+!. I! ,a--o! 'e a,hie(e).
Do +-)ers!a-). ,o-,l+)e) Mahara<. !ha! o'<e,!s a-) !heir G+-as Ha!!ri'+!esC are -o! s+'<e,! a-)
o'<e,!. as per,ei(e) 'y !he se-ses a-) i-!erpre!e) 'y !he mi-). '+! !ha! all are o'<e,!s. i-,l+)i-
h+ma- 'ei-s. mere appeara-,es i- ,o-s,io+s-ess G a-) *i-ally. !here*ore. objects cannot and
need not be &liberated&.
50
;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;
A- Irre(ere-! Re(ela!io-
Mahara<>s )aily ro+!i-e i-,l+)es Bha<a-s a-) prayers *o+r !imes a )ay. !he *irs! o-e 'ei- as
early as 4.28 i- !he mor-i-. D+ri- !hese Bha<a-s o-e sees him )eeply a'sor'e) i- !he (erses !ha!
are ,ha-!e). :-!il re,e-!ly he e(e- +se) !o si- a-) )a-,e /i!h rea! a'a-)o-. No/. o* ,o+rse. he is
-o! s!ro- e-o+h !o )o so.
A! o-e o* !he sessio-s. a (isi!or sai) !o him0 Mahara<. yo+ may 'e a per*e,! J-a-i. '+! /he- I
see yo+ si-i- Bha<a-s /i!h s+,h emo!io-. I *eel e1!remely happy !ha! )e(o!io- s!ill ,li-s !o yo+
(ery *irmly. Mahara< a-s/ere) promp!ly0 E(ery!hi- has i!s pla,e i- !he /orl) as /ell as i- o+r
)aily ro+!i-e. The impor!a-! !hi- is !o +-)ers!a-) !he posi!io- as i! really is. !o ha(e !he rih!
perspe,!i(e. De(o!io- a-) re(ere-,e are all rih! so lo- as o-e re,o-i=es !hem *or /ha! !hey are.
i.e. e**e,!i(i!y. a-) !o !ha! e1!e-! a 'o-)ae. A-) /he- o-e sees some!hi- *or /ha! i! is. i! loses i!s
*or,e. '+! i* o-e e!s i-(ol(e) i- i! !he 'o-)ae e!s s!ro-er a-) s!ro-er. All *eeli-s a-)
emo!io-s Hlo(e. )e(o!io-. e!,.C are 'ase) o- )+ali!y. a-) so lo- as !hese *eeli-s ,o-!i-+e !o
)omi-a!e o-e>s o+!look. )+ali!y /ill ,o-!i-+e !o ha(e a *irm hol). a-) !he real holi-ess. /hole-ess.
+-i,i!y /ill 'e o+! o* rea,h. The /hole posi!io- is so o'(io+s a-) simple !ha! o-e ,a--o! '+! la+h.
a-) e(e- 'e appare-!ly irre(ere-!. /he- o-e looks a! !he *a-!as!i, s+pers!r+,!+re o* s+pers!i!io- a-)
mys!ery !ha! has 'ee- '+il! o- a-) aro+-) !he 'asi, simpli,i!y !ha! Tr+!h isB
Do +-)ers!a-) ho/ simple a-) )ire,! !his is0 >I>. G intemporality G am !o!al a/are-ess
/i!ho+! 'ei- a/are o* !his a/are-ess@ !o!al s+'<e,!i(i!y. /i!ho+! !he slih!es! !o+,h o* o'<e,!i(i!y. I
ma-i*es! !hro+h ,o-s,io+s-ess. !hro+h )+ali!y. 'y mea-s o* s+'<e,! a-) o'<e,!. !hro+h !he
,o-,ep!s o* spa,e5!ime a-) !he ra-e o* i-!er5)epe-)e-! opposi!es. /i!ho+! /hi,h ma-i*es!a!io- a-)
o'<e,!i(i=a!io- /o+l) -o! 'e possi'le. All manifestation is my expression my mirrori=a!io- i-
/hi,h I ma-i*es! as ea,h se-!ie-! 'ei-@ !his o'<e,!. !his se-!ie-! 'ei-. appears !o *+-,!io- a-)
,o-si)ers i!sel* Herro-eo+slyC as !he s+'<e,!. B+! >I> am !he o-ly s+'<e,!i(i!y a-) all *+-,!io-i- i-
!he ma-i*es!e) /orl) is my o'<e,!i(i=a!io- i- ,o-s,io+s-ess. /hi,h i-)ee) I am.
All phe-ome-al o'<e,!s. aspe,!s o* /ha! I am. 'e,ome se-sorially per,ep!i'le o-ly /he- !hey
are e1!e-)e) i-!o /ha! I ma-i*es! as >spa,e> a-) meas+re) i-!o /ha! I ma-i*es! as >!ime>.
Aai-. !here*ore. !he simple a-) o'(io+s !r+!h0 This-here-now all ma-i*es!a!io- se-sorially
per,ei(e). is -o! )i**ere-! *rom /ha! I am i- my +-i,i!y. A-). o* ,o+rse. e(ery se-!ie-! o'<e,! ,a-
say !his.
O-,e !his simple posi!io- is ,learly +-)ers!oo). yo+ may )o /ha! yo+ like /hile oi- !hro+h
!he spa- o* li*e !ha! has 'ee- allo!!e) !o yo+. I-)+le yo+rsel*. i* yo+ like. i- )e(o!io- a-)
re(ere-,e. si- Bha<a-s. '+! +-)ers!a-) !he *alse as *alse. :-)ers!a-) !ha! !here is -o!hi- reliio+s
or re(ere-!ial a'o+! !he pro,ess o* ma-i*es!a!io-. /hi,h o,,+rs spo-!a-eo+sly. i- /hi,h yo+ as a-
i-)i(i)+al e-!i!y are i- -o /ay ,o-,er-e).
51
;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;
?ho S+**ersE
?he- !he -+m'er o* (isi!ors is small. Mahara< is i-,li-e) !o !alk i- a more i-*ormal a-)
i-!ima!e ma--er. B+! /he- his li!!le lo*!5room is *airly /ell5*ille). he *irs! asks i* a-y o-e has a-y
F+es!io-s. '+! e-erally a))s a res!ri,!i(e. or ra!her. a ,o-s!r+,!i(e ,o-)i!io- !ha! !he F+es!io-
sho+l) -o! rela!e !o /ha! o-e sho+l) )o or -o! )o i- !his /orl). I- o!her /or)s. F+es!io-s sho+l) 'e
aske) /i!ho+! i)e-!i*yi- o-esel* /i!h !he 'o)yB This res!ri,!io-. i! may 'e pres+me). is i-!e-)e) !o
keep o+! s+per*i,ial a-) *lippa-! F+es!io-s /hi,h /o+l) o-ly mea- a /as!e o* !ime. I! is also
+-)ers!oo) !ha! people /ill -o! ask him ho/ !hey sho+l) rapple /i!h !he ,omple1i!ies o* !heir
perso-al pro'lems. Mahara< makes i! a'+-)a-!ly ,lear !ha! he is -ei!her a soo!hsayer -or a mira,le
ma-.
O-e mor-i-. someo-e aske) /hy o-e has !o s+**er. ?hy +-happi-ess e1is!s. Mahara< sa! s!ill
*or a *e/ mome-!s a-) !he- 'ea- !o !alk so*!ly0 ?ha!e(er emo!io- or *eeli- o-e e1perie-,es is a
mo(eme-! i- ,o-s,io+s-ess. ?he- o-e. *eels sorro/ or +-happi-ess. i! mea-s !ha! a- e(e-! has -o!
sa!is*ie) !he -ee) or /a-! !ha! is *el! a! !ha! mome-!. Ho/e(er. !he e(e-! !ha! may ,a+se sorro/ !o
o-e i-)i(i)+al may i(e happi-ess !o a-o!her@ a-) ye! aai- a- e(e-! !ha! has ,a+se) +-happi-ess !o
a par!i,+lar perso- a! o-e !ime mih! i(e happi-ess !o !he same perso- a! a-o!her !ime. )epe-)i-
o- /ha! he !hi-ks he /a-!s a! !ha! !ime. ?ha! are !he *a,!ors i-(ol(e) i- /ha! o-e !hi-ks o* as !he
e1perie-,i- o* happi-ess or +-happi-ess. pleas+re or pai-E O-e. !here m+s! 'e ,o-s,io+s-ess@ !/o.
!here m+s! 'e !he ,o-,ep! o* a- e-!i!y. perso-. /i!h i!s /a-!s@ !hree. !here m+s! 'e a- e(e-! i- spa,e5
!ime.
A- e(e-! may happe- a-) e(e- !he perso- /i!h his /a-!s may 'e !here. '+! i* !here is -o
,o-s,io+s-ess. he /ill -o! 'e ,o-,er-e) ei!her /i!h !he e(e-! or i!s e**e,!. I! is ,o-s,io+s-ess /hi,h
is !he pri-,ipal *a,!or a-) !he a,!orB I-)ee). >/ha!5I5am> /as -o! e(e- a/are o* i!s e1is!e-,e +-!il
!he k-o/le)e >I am> arri(e). I- !ha! orii-al s!a!e. !here /as -o possi'ili!y o* a-y -ee)s. /a-!s.
hopes. /ishes. am'i!io-s. pleas+res or pai-s G all o* !hese ,ame alo- /i!h !he 'o)y. E(e- a*!er
!he arri(al o* ,o-s,io+s-ess. /ha! /as *el! /as a ,o-s,io+s prese-,e as s+,h G >I am> H-o! I am !his.
or !ha!C. I! is o-ly a*!er ,o-s,io+s-ess ha) i)e-!i*ie) i!sel* /i!h i!s o+!er *orm !ha! !he -o!io-al e-!i!y
,ame i-!o 'ei-. A-) !his e-!i!y is -o!hi- '+! a ,o-,ep!. I! has -o i-)epe-)e-! e1is!e-,e o* i!s
o/-.
Alo- /i!h ,o-s,io+s-ess ,omes !he ,o-,ep! o* spa,e5!ime. /i!ho+! /hi,h ma-i*es!e)
phe-ome-a ,a--o! 'e per,ei(e). For ma-i*es!a!io- !o 'e se-sorially per,ep!i'le. i! m+s! -e,essarily
ha(e a (ol+me /hi,h is -o! possi'le /i!ho+! !he ,o-,ep! o* spa,e@ a-) ma-i*es!a!io- !o 'e e1!e-)e)
as a- e(e-! i- )+ra!io-. -ee)s !he ,o-,ep! o* !ime. Happi-ess a-) +-happi-ess a-) all !he )i**ere-!
i-!er5rela!e) opposi!es or ,o-!raries )o -o! really e1is! o- !heir o/-@ !hey ,a--o! )o so 'e,a+se !hey
are -o!hi- '+! ,o-,ep!+al o'<e,!i*i,a!io-s i- spa,e5!ime. A-) i* !hese ,o-!raries are a! a-y !ime
s+perimpose). !hey /o+l) ,a-,el o+! o-e a-o!her a-) res!ore !he 'ala-,e.
?ha! /e are A'sol+!ely H!imeless. spa,eless. +-,o-)i!io-e). !o!ally /i!ho+! a!!ri'+!es or
i)e-!i!y. p+re 'ei-C ,a--o! k-o/ /ha! pai- or pleas+re is. 'e,a+se /ha! /e are has -o!hi- a! all
o'<e,!i(e a'o+! i!. a-) o-ly a- o'<e,! ,a- s+**er or ha(e a-y ki-) o* e1perie-,e. ?ha! /e appear !o
'e as separa!e o'<e,!s are ma-i*es!e) phe-ome-a G !ime5'o+-). *i-i!e a-) per,ei(a'le !hro+h !he
se-ses. ?e ,a- s+**er o-ly !hro+h o+r mis!ake- i)e-!i!y /i!h !he separa!e o'<e,!sB Sho+l) /e -o!
a! leas! +-)ers!a-) !hisE
S!a-) 'a,k i- yo+r orii-al s!a!e o* /hole-ess. !he s!a!e 'e*ore yo+ /ere >'or->. /he- !here /as
-o k-o/le)e I am a-). !here*ore. -o -ee) a-) /a-! o* a-y ki-). All s+**eri- /ill e-) as soo- as
yo+ s!a-) apar! i- p+re a/are-ess o* !he *alse as *alse. !he !ra-sie-! as !ra-sie-!. O-,e yo+ see !ha!
!he *alse a-) !he !ra-sie-! )epe-) *or !heir (ery e1is!e-,e o- !he ,o-,ep! o* spa,e5!ime. yo+ are
-earer !o yo+r !r+e 'ei-. O-,e yo+ reali=e !ha! i! is !he -o!io-al e-!i!y. /hi,h yo+ imai-e yo+rsel*
!o 'e. !ha! s+**ers. yo+ a/ake- i-!o !ha! /hole-ess o* yo+r !r+e -a!+re i- /hi,h holi-ess a-) heali-
are impli,i!y ,o-!ai-e).
I- ,o-,l+sio-. Mahara< re*erre) !o >!he (ile )isease /i!h /hi,h !he )o,!ors ha(e ,hare) me>.
The (ery me-!io- o* !he )isease G ,a-,erG /o+l) -ormally p+! a pa!ie-! i-!o a s!a!e o* sho,k. B+!
my rea,!io- is !o!ally )i**ere-!0 ?ho is aili-E E(i)e-!ly. !ha! /hi,h /as >'or-> /ill >)ie> i- i!s
appoi-!e) !ime. I- )+e ,o+rse. !he >ma!erial> /hi,h is !he so+r,e o* !his par!i,+lar psy,hosoma!i,
appara!+s /ill 'e,ome mori'+-) o/i- !o )e!eriora!io- a-) /ill 'e pro-o+-,e) as >)ea)>. a-) !he
,o-s,io+s-ess /i!hi- !he appara!+s /ill 'e release) !o mere /i!h !he imma-e-! all5per(a)i-
,o-s,io+s-ess. ?ha! a'o+! meE There -e(er /as a >me> !here -e(er ,a- 'e a >me>. >I> ha(e al/ays
'ee- prese-!. a'sol+!ely. I-)ee). my relative absence will be my absolute presence a-) !he mome-!
o* >)ea!h> /ill 'e !he mome-! o* !he hihes! e,s!asy. !he las! se-sorial per,ep!io- o* !he
psy,hosoma!i, appara!+s.
52
;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;
Proress i- Spiri!+al Sear,h
Mahara< is al/ays rea)y !o )eal /i!h !he )o+'!s a-) )i**i,+l!ies o* !he seekers@ he /a-!s !hem
!o ask F+es!io-s. He keeps !elli- spe,ially !he o(erseas (isi!ors !ha! si-,e !hey ha(e spe-!
,o-si)era'le amo+-! o* mo-ey a-) !ake- a lo! o* !ro+'le i- ,omi- !o I-)ia !o mee! him. !hey
sho+l) -o! /as!e !heir !ime si!!i- sile-!ly '+! sho+l) ask him rele(a-! F+es!io-s. I* yo+ really ha(e
-o F+es!io-s !o ask. he says. i! mea-s !ha! yo+ ha(e alrea)y ha) !he apper,ep!io- o* Tr+!h@ /hy
/as!e yo+r !ime@ /hy )o->! yo+ o homeE I*. o- !he o!her ha-). !here is some area o* e-F+iry /hi,h
is -o! F+i!e ,lear. ,lari*i,a!io- sho+l) 'e o'!ai-e) rih! here a-) -o/. DB+!.D he /ar-s. DDo -o! ask
F+es!io-s as a h+ma- 'ei- ,e-!re) i- a phe-ome-al o'<e,!. Remem'er. I am -o! !alki- !o
i-)i(i)+al e-!i!ies. '+! as ,o-s,io+s-ess !o ,o-s,io+s-ess a'o+! ,o-s,io+s-ess.D
O-e o* !he *orei- (isi!ors. /ho ha) 'ee- ,omi- !o Mahara< *or F+i!e some !ime. 'ea-
F+ie!ly0 Perhaps I am speaki- *rom a 'o)y5mi-) i)e-!i!y '+! !here is a F+es!io-. a pro'lem. /hi,h
has 'ee- !ro+'li- me *or so lo- !ha! I ,a--o! keep i! 'o!!le) +p a-y lo-er. I ha(e !alke) a'o+! i!
!o some o* !he seekers here a-) I k-o/ !ha! !hey !oo ha(e !he same pro'lem. Ho/e(er. -o/ I am
-o! speaki- *or !hem '+! o-ly *or mysel*. The pro'lem is0 Ho/ am I !o k-o/ i* !here is a-y
proress i- my spiri!+al sear,hE O,,asio-ally. par!i,+larly )+ri- me)i!a!io-. I )o ha(e a limpse o*
/ha! I am sear,hi- *or. '+! o-ly a limpse a-) !ha! !oo o-ly o- rare o,,asio-s. Ho/ am I !o k-o/
i* I am proressi-E
Mahara< +-)ers!oo) !he si-,eri!y a-) ear-es!-ess /i!h /hi,h !he (isi!or ha) aske) !he
F+es!io-. '+!. i-spi!e o* his sympa!hy *or !he F+es!io-er. he ,o+l) -o! ,o-,eal !he *r+s!ra!io- he *el!.
He sa! s!ill *or some !ime. perhaps !o e! o(er !he ,om'i-e) e-er(a!i- e**e,! o* his ill-ess a-) !he
me-!al a-+ish a! 'ei- aske) !he F+es!io-. The- he 'ea- speaki- so*!ly. more i- sorro/ !ha- i-
a-er0 I !hi-k I sho+l) s!op !alki- al!oe!her a-) p+! +p a -o!i,e !o !ha! e**e,!B I *i-) !ha! ma-y o*
yo+ ,ome here as a ma!!er o* ha'i!. or *or a -e/ e1perie-,e /hi,h yo+r *rie-)s ha(e me-!io-e) !o
yo+. Ko+ )o->! really lis!e-. I* yo+ )i). s+,h a F+es!io- sho+l) -o! arise. A-). i* a! all i! )i). yo+
,o+l) ha(e easily )eal! /i!h i! yo+rsel*. i- ,ase yo+ ha) lis!e-e) !o me a!!e-!i(ely a-) +-)ers!oo)
/ha! I ha) 'ee- sayi-. I-s!ea). I *i-) !ha! !his F+es!io- )oes )is!+r' ma-y o* yo+.
The pro'lem appare-!ly is a'o+! >proress>. No/. /ho is !o make !he proress. a-) proress
!o/ar)s /ha!E I ha(e sai) !his repea!e)ly a-) +-!iri-ly !ha! you are the 0onscious !resence !he
a-ima!i- ,o-s,io+s-ess /hi,h i(es se-!ie-,e !o phe-ome-al o'<e,!s@ !ha! you are not a
phenomenal object /hi,h is merely a- appeara-,e i- !he ,o-s,io+s-ess o* !hose /ho per,ei(e i!.
Ho/ ,a- a- >appeara-,e> make a-y >proress> !o/ar)s a-y o'<e,!i(eE No/. i-s!ea) o* le!!i- !his
'asi, apper,ep!io- impre-a!e yo+r (ery 'ei-. /ha! yo+ )o is !o a,,ep! i! merely as a- i)eoloi,al
!hesis a-) ask !he F+es!io-. Ho/ ,a- a ,o-,ep!+al appeara-,e k-o/ /he!her i! is maki- a-y
,o-,ep!+al proress !o/ar)s i!s ,o-,ep!+al li'era!io-E
Mahara< !ook a ma!,h 'o1 i- his ha-) a-) hel) i! +p. He aske)0 Is !his yo+E O* ,o+rse -o!.
Does i! -ee) !ime !o +-)ers!a-) !hisE Apper,ep!io- o* !his *a,! is imme)ia!e. is i! -o!E ?hy !he-
sho+l) i! !ake !ime !o apper,ei(e !ha! yo+ are -o! !he phe-ome-al o'<e,! ,alle) !he 'o)y5mi-)E
Remem'er. yo+ are !he a-ima!i- ,o-s,io+s-ess !ha! i(es se-!ie-,e !o !he phe-ome-al o'<e,!s.
Please +-)ers!a-). sai) Mahara<. !ha! apper,ep!io- is prior !o !he arri(al o* ,o-s,io+s-ess /hi,h is
!he 'asis o* i-!elle,!. Apper,ep!io- is -o! a ma!!er o* ra)+al pra,!i,e. I! ,a- o-ly happe- 'y i!sel*
i-s!a-!a-eo+sly G !here are -o s!aes i- /hi,h )eli'era!e proress is ma)e. There is -o >o-e> !o
make a-y proress.
Perhaps. o-e /o-)ers. ,o+l) i! 'e !ha! !he s+res! si- o* >proress> G i* o-e ,a--o! i(e +p !he
,o-,ep! G is a !o!al la,k o* ,o-,er- a'o+! >proress> a-) a- +!!er a'se-,e o* a-1ie!y a'o+! a-y!hi-
like >li'era!io->. a sor! o*> >hollo/-ess> i- o-e>s 'ei-. a ki-) o* loose-ess. a- +-(oli!io-al s+rre-)er
!o /ha!e(er mih! happe-E
53
;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;
The S+**eri- o* E1perie-,e
O-e mor-i- /e ,o+l) see !ha! Mahara< /as physi,ally F+i!e +-easy. o'(io+sly )+e !o !he pai-
*rom !he ,a-,ero+s ,o-)i!io- i- his !hroa!. D+ri- !he las! *e/ mo-!hs his s+**eri- ha) 'e,ome
a,+!e. !ho+h he -e(er ,omplai-e) a'o+! i!. E(e- i- !his ,o-)i!io- he /as -o! 'e)5ri))e- a-) /as
*o+-) a! his sea! +-*aili-ly e(ery mor-i- a-) e(e-i-. A-) he )i) !alk !oo. !ho+h ra!her 'rie*ly
a-) i- a lo/ (oi,e. Iisi!ors /o+l) ha(e !o lis!e- !o him (ery i-!e-!ly. a-) /i!h !ha! spe,ial
re,ep!i(i!y /hi,h /o+l) e-a'le !hem !o rasp !he !r+e mea-i- o* /ha! he ha) !o ,o-(ey. I- *a,!.
Mahara< *el! !ha! speaki- less i- a *e/ ,hose- /or)s. as he -o/ )i). /as 'e!!er !ha- lo-
e1posi!io-s. Those /ho /ere !r+e seekers /o+l) +-)ers!a-) him e(e- i* he spoke less. *or !hey ha)
!he rih! re,ep!i(i!y a-) i-!ellie-,e. So i! is perhaps <+s! as /ell !ha! I am -o! a'le !o speak a!
le-!h. Mahara< /o+l) say.
O-e o* !he (isi!ors !ha! mor-i-. a la)y. /as (ery m+,h mo(e) 'y Mahara<>s ,o-)i!io- a-) !he
/ay he /as 'eari- his pai- s!oi,ally. She !ho+h! !ha! physi,al pai- ,o+l) 'e e(e- /orse !ha-
)ea!h. She ,o+l) -o! help !elli- Mahara<: Sir. I am -o! a*rai) o* )ea!h. '+! I ha(e a )rea)*+l *ear o*
physi,al pai-. Please !ell me ho/ I ,o+l) e! ri) o* !his *earE
Mahara< la+he) a-) sai)0 I am a*rai) I ,a--o! help yo+ !here. '+! I am s+re !here are ma-y
o!hers /ho k-o/ !he me!ho)s o* a(oi)i- or lesse-i- physi,al pai-. All I ,a- )o is !o e1plai- !o
yo+ /ha! s+**eri- i!sel* is a-) /ho s+**ers.
Ko+ m+s! al/ays o !o !he roo! o* !he pro'lem. ?he- )i) !he e1perie-,e o* s+**eri- *irs!
s!ar!E Do yo+ ha(e a-y memory o* a-y s+**eri-. say. a h+-)re) years aoE ?he- )i) !he
e1perie-,e s!ar!E Thi-k a'o+! i! )eeply so !ha! !he a-s/ers !o !hese F+es!io-s /o+l) arise /i!hi-
yo+rsel* /i!ho+! a-y /or)s. Is li*e G li(i- i!sel* G o!her !ha- e1perie-,i-@ e1perie-,i- i-
)+ra!io-. mome-! !o mome-! s!re!,he) hori=o-!allyE A-) /ha! is e1perie-,i-E Is i! -o! rea,!i- !o
a- o+!si)e s!im+l+s /hi,h is i-!erpre!e) !hro+h !he se-ses as a- e1perie-,e G pleasa-! a-)
a,,ep!a'le. or. +-pleasa-! a-) -o! a,,ep!a'le. O-e )oes -o! e1perie-,e s+**eri- G o-e s+**ers a-
e1perie-,e. pleasa-! or +-pleasa-!.
No/. !he 'asi, F+es!io- yo+ sho+l) 'e ,o-,er-e) /i!h is0 )ho 5or more appropriately what,
is it that suffers an experience$ 6e! me !ell yo+ s!raih!a/ay0 &I& do not 5cannot, suffer any
experience pleasant or unpleasant% it is only a &you or a &me& who suffers an experience. This is a
(ery impor!a-! pro-o+-,eme-! a-) yo+ sho+l) po-)er o(er i! )eeply.
I sho+l) really le! yo+ sol(e !his pro'lem *or yo+rsel*. or ra!her. le! !he pro'lem /ork i!sel* o+!B
B+! le! +s pro,ee). >I> ,a--o! s+**er a-y e1perie-,e. 'e,a+se >I> am p+re s+'<e,!i(i!y /i!ho+! !he
slih!es! !ra,e o* o'<e,!i(i!y. a-) o-ly a- o'<e,! ,a- s+**er. A >me> or a >yo+> is a- o'<e,! a-).
!here*ore. s+**ers e1perie-,e. Also. like a-y o!her o'<e,!. a >me> or a >yo+> ,a- ha(e -o s+'s!a-,e
a-). !here*ore. ,a- e1is! o-ly as a ,o-,ep! i- ,o-s,io+s-ess. F+r!her. -e(er *ore! !ha! i! is o-ly
,o-s,io+s-ess /hi,h ,a- s+**er 'e,a+se a-y rea,!io- !o a s!im+l+s. /hi,h is /ha! e1perie-,i- is.
,a- o-ly !ake pla,e !hro+h ,o-s,io+s-ess. I-)ee). !here*ore. consciousness and sufferin# are
identical a-) -o! i- a-y /ay )i**ere-!. Po-)er o(er !his (ery si-i*i,a-! poi-!.
?ha! I say yo+ /ill *i-) ra!her )i**i,+l! !o rasp 'e,a+se yo+ ha(e i)e-!i*ie) yo+rsel* /i!h !he
'o)y. !he psy,hosoma!i, appara!+s !hro+h /hi,h a- e1perie-,e is s+**ere). !he i-s!r+me-! i-
/hi,h !he s+**ere) e1perie-,e is reis!ere). Ko+ ha(e los! yo+r i)e-!i!y /i!h >p+re s+'<e,!i(i!y. !he
A'sol+!e !ha! yo+ !r+ly are. a-) ha(e mis!ake-ly i)e-!i*ie) yo+rsel* /i!h !he o'<e,!i(e >me>@
!here*ore yo+ say >I s+**er>. a-) !here*ore yo+ are >'o+-)>.
Do yo+ +-)ers!a-) /ha! I ha(e 'ee- sayi-E I am a/are o* my !r+e i)e-!i!y as i-!emporali!y.
i-*i-i!y. s+'<e,!i(i!y G !here*ore I )o -o! a-) ,a- -o! s+**er. I am a/are !ha! i! is ,o-s,io+s-ess !ha!
appare-!ly s+**ers a- e1perie-,e !hro+h !he se-sorial appara!+s. Ko+. o- !he o!her ha-). 'elie(e
!ha! yo+ are !he se-sorial appara!+s a-) i! is !his mis!ake- i)e-!i!y o* yo+rs !ha! is !he ,a+se o* yo+r
s+**eri- a-) yo+r 'o-)ae.
So lo- as !here is ,o-s,io+s-ess *+-,!io-i-. keepi- !he se-sorial appara!+s /orki-. !here
/ill also 'e li(i-. e1perie-,i-. s+**eri- G posi!i(e or -ea!i(e. B+! yo+. as >I>. are o-ly !he
/i!-essi- o* i! all. All *+-,!io-i- is !he o'<e,!i(e e1pressio- o* /ha!5I5am s+'<e,!i(ely. a-) e(ery
se-!ie-! 'ei- ,a- say !his0 ?ha!5I5am ,a--o! s+**er a-y e1perie-,e. o-ly a- o'<e,!i(e >yo+> or >me>
,a- s+**er a- e1perie-,e.
54
;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;
?or)s a-) !heir F+l*illme-!
I! /as a mor-i- /he- Mahara< /as perhaps *eeli- his physi,al /eak-ess a li!!le more !ha-
+s+al. O-e ,o+l) ,learly -o!i,e !he i-e1ora'le e**e,!s o* !he (ile ill-ess o- his 'o)y. irrespe,!i(e o*
his i-)omi!a'le spiri!. He looke) *rail a-) e1ha+s!e).
He sa! i- his +s+al pla,e. F+i!e s!ill. almos! immo'ile. !o!ally o'li(io+s o* !he pai- /hi,h m+s!
,er!ai-ly ha(e 'ee- i-!e-se. The- he s!ar!e) !alki- F+ie!ly. (ery so*!ly@ o-e ha) !o ,o-,e-!ra!e a
rea! )eal !o ,a!,h his /or)s.
?ha! yo+ see. sai) Mahara<. as my prese-,e as a phe-ome-o- mea-s my a'se-,e as !he
-o+me-o-. No+me-ally. I ,a- ha(e -ei!her prese-,e -or a'se-,e 'e,a+se 'o!h are ,o-,ep!s. The
se-se o* prese-,e is !he ,o-,ep! /hi,h !+r-s !he +-i,i!y o* !he A'sol+!e i-!o !he )+ali!y o* !he
rela!i(e. 9nmanifested I am the potential which in manifestation becomes the actual.
I /o-)er. Mahara< ,o-!i-+e). i* !hese /or)s really ,o-(ey a-y!hi- !o yo+@ are !hey mere
/or)sE O* ,o+rse. I )o->! )o+'! yo+r si-,eri!y. Ko+ ha(e ,ome here G ma-y o* yo+ *rom lo-
)is!a-,es a-) a! ,o-si)era'le e1pe-se G a-) spe-) F+i!e some !ime si!!i- o- !he *loor. /hi,h mos!
o* yo+ are -o! +se) !o@ a-) yo+ ,er!ai-ly seem !o pay a!!e-!io- !o /ha! I say. B+! yo+ m+s!
+-)ers!a-) !ha! +-less !here is a par!i,+lar !ype o* re,ep!i(i!y /or)s /o+l) o-ly a,,omplish a (ery
limi!e) p+rpose. They mih! perhaps aro+se yo+r i-!elle,!+al ,+riosi!y a-) !i!illa!e yo+r )esire *or
k-o/le)e. '+! !hey /o+l) -o! ope- !hemsel(es +p !o re(eal !heir !r+e si-i*i,a-,e.
No/. /ha! is !his spe,ial !ype o* re,ep!i(i!yE Here aai- o-e *i-)s !he e-)emi, limi!a!io- o*
,omm+-i,a!io- 'y /or)s. ?o+l) i! mea- a-y!hi- !o yo+ i* I sai) !ha! >yo+> ha(e ,ome here !o
lis!e- !o me. '+! yo+ m+s! lis!e- !o me o- !he 'asis !ha! !his >yo+> is /holly ill+sory. !ha! !here is
really -o >yo+>. /ho ,o+l) lis!e- !o my /or)s a-) e! a-y 'e-e*i!B I-)ee). I m+s! o so *ar as !o say
!ha! +-less yo+ i(e +p yo+r role o* a- i-)i(i)+al lis!e-er e1pe,!i- some 'e-e*i! o+! o* /ha! yo+
hear. /or)s *or yo+ /o+l) 'e mere emp!y so+-)s. The o's!r+,!io- pre(e-!i- apper,ep!io- is !ha!
al!ho+h yo+ mih! prepare yo+rsel* !o a,,ep! !he !hesis !ha! e(ery!hi- i- !he +-i(erse is ill+sory.
i- !his ill+sori-ess yo+ *ail !o i-,l+)e yo+rsel*B No/. )o yo+ see !he pro'lem G or is i! more a <oke
!ha- a pro'lemE
?he- G le! me -o! say >i*& G yo+ a,,ep! !his 'asis *or yo+r lis!e-i-. !ha! is !o say. yo+ i(e
+p all ,o-,er- *or !he lis!e-er /a-!i- !o 'e a >'e!!er> i-)i(i)+al 'y lis!e-i- !o !he /or)s a-)
hopi- !o >/ork> !o/ar)s a per,ep!i'le impro(eme-!. !he- )o yo+ k-o/ /ha! /o+l) happe-E The-.
i- !ha! s!a!e o* i-!+i!i(e lis!e-i-. when the &listener& no lon#er intrudes /or)s /o+l) !hro/ +p a-)
e1pose !heir s+'!le. i--er mea-i-. /hi,h !he >*as!i-> or ope- mi-) /ill rasp a-) apper,ei(e /i!h
)eep a-) i-s!a-! ,o-(i,!io-. A-) !he- /ill /or)s ha(e a,hie(e) e(e- !heir limi!e) *+l*illme-!B
?he- !he lis!e-er remai-s i- a s!a!e o* s+spe-sio- /i!ho+! i-!r+)i- o- !he lis!e-i- as s+,h.
/ha! i- *a,! happe-s is !ha! !he rela!i(e. )i(i)e) mi-) is a+!oma!i,ally res!rai-e) *rom i!s -a!+ral
pro,li(i!y !o e-ae i!sel* i- !or!+o+s i-!erpre!a!io- o* /or)s. a-) is !here'y pre(e-!e) *rom
mai-!ai-i- a ,o-!i-+o+s pro,ess o* o'<e,!i*i,a!io-. I! is !he- !he /hole mi-) !ha! is e-a'le) !o 'e
i- )ire,! ,omm+-io- /i!h 'o!h !he !alki- a-) !he lis!e-i- as s+,h. a-) !here'y !o 'ri- a'o+! !he
Koa o* /or)s. e-a'li- !he /or)s !o yiel) !heir i--ermos! mea-i- a-) !heir mos! s+'!le
si-i*i,a-,e.
55
;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;
Co-*+sio- a'o+! 6i*e a-) Dea!h
E(er si-,e i! 'e,ame k-o/- !ha! Mahara< has 'ee- s+**eri- *rom ,a-,er o* !he !hroa!. more
a-) more people ha(e s!ar!e) ,omi- !o him. e(e- !hose /ho o!her/ise /o+l) perhaps -o! ha(e
)o-e so. Ma-y o* !hem look e-+i-ely /orrie). Ma-y e1press !heir as!o-ishme-! !ha! i-spi!e o* !he
*a!al )isease. Mahara< is ,heer*+l a-) (o,al as +s+al. al'ei! looki- pale a-) /eak.
O-e e(e-i-. /he- people aro+-) him seeme) )is!resse) a-) sorro/*+l. Mahara< s!ar!e)
!alki- a'o+! li*e a-) )ea!h. I* yo+ ,o+l) o-ly apper,ei(e !he posi!io- as i! really is@ he sai). yo+
!oo. like me. /o+l) -o! 'e ,o-,er-e) a'o+! li*e a-) )ea!h. I-)ee). !here is -o )i**ere-,e a! all
'e!/ee- !he !/o. ?ere yo+ -o! >)ea)> 'e*ore yo+ /ere 'or-E ?ha! is )ark-ess o!her !ha- !he
a'se-,e o* lih!E ?ha! is >)ea!h> o!her !ha- !he a'se-,e o* >li*e>. a-) more si-i*i,a-!ly. is -o! >li*e>
merely !he a'se-,e o* >)ea!h>E >6i*e> 'ei-s as a- imae i- ,o-s,io+s-ess a-) /he- !he imae ,eases
!o e1is!. /e ,all i! >)ea!h>. The *ear o* )ea!h is a,!+ally a pro)+,! o* !he )esire !o li(e. !he )esire !o
perpe!+a!e o-e>s i)e-!i!y /i!h !he ill+si(e e-!i!y o* >I> as separa!e *rom >yo+>. Those /ho k-o/ reali!y
also k-o/ !he *alsi!y o* >li*e> a-) >)ea!h>.
Mahara< ,o-!i-+e)0 The 'asi, ,a+se o* !he ,o-*+sio- is !he mis!ake- 'elie* !ha! !here is a-
e-!i!y. a- a+!o-omo+s. o'<e,!i(e e-!i!y. !o e1perie-,e !he happe-i-s G ,alle) >'ir!h> a-) >)ea!h>.
a-) !he )+ra!io- 'e!/ee- !he !/o. ,alle) >li*e>. I- reali!y. all !hese are mere ,o-,ep!+al imaes i-
,o-s,io+s-ess. /hi,h ha(e as m+,h s+'s!a-,e as imaes o- !he !ele(isio- s,ree- or i- a )ream.
Do !ry !o +-)ers!a-). he ,o-!i-+e). /ha! phe-ome-a are G all phe-ome-a. They are o-ly
appeara-,es i- ,o-s,io+s-ess. ?ho per,ei(es !hemE Co-s,io+s-ess i!sel*. !hro+h !he me,ha-ism
o* !he !/i- ,o-,ep!s o* spa,e a-) !ime. /i!ho+! /hi,h appeara-,es /o+l) -o! ha(e a per,ei(a'le
*orm a-) ,o+l) -o! 'e ,o-i=e). A-) !he ,o-i!io- i!sel* !akes pla,e !hro+h a )i(isio- o* !he mi-)
Hmi-) 'ei- !he ,o-!e-! o* ,o-s,io+s-essC i-!o s+'<e,! a-) o'<e,!@ a-) !he reaso-i- a-) sele,!i-
pro,ess 'ase) o- !he )+ali!y o* !he i-!er5)epe-)e-! opposi!es G lo(e a-) ha!e. happi-ess a-)
+-happi-ess. si- a-) meri! e!,.
O-,e !his pro,ess is ,orre,!ly o'ser(e). i! ,a- 'e easily +-)ers!oo) !ha! !here ,a- 'e -o a,!+al
i-)i(i)+al !o 'e 'or-. !o li(e or !o )ie. There is a ma-i*es!a!io-. a- appeara-,e i- ,o-s,io+s-ess.
e-erally k-o/- as >'ei- 'or-> G a- ill+sio- i- spa,e. ?he- !his ma-i*es!e) appeara-,e oes
!hro+h i!s !emporal spa- a-) ,omes !o i!s e-). !here o,,+rs a-o!her ill+sio- i- !emporali!y !ha! is
k-o/- as >)yi->. This simple pro,ess ,a--o! 'e per,ei(e) as s+,h so lo- as o-e persis!s i- !he
-o!io- o* a >li(e5er> o* a li*e a-) >)ie5er> o* a )ea!h.
Mahara< !he- ,o-,l+)e)0 Tha! >ma!erial>. or >,hemi,al>. /hi,h /as ,o-,ei(e) i- !he mo!her>s
/om' a-) /hi,h spo-!a-eo+sly re/ i-!o !he 'o)y o* a 'a'y. ro/s 'y i!sel* !o i!s ma1im+m limi!.
!he- s!ar!s )e,ayi- a-) *i-ally e-)s 'y meri- i-!o !he orii-al >ma!erial>. The 'rea!h lea(es !he
'o)y a-) mi1es /i!h !he air o+!si)e@ !he ,o-s,io+s-ess /i!hi- meres /i!h !he Imperso-al
Co-s,io+s-ess a-) !he pro,ess o* !ha! par!i,+lar >happe-i-> is o(er. )hat-we-are is neither &born&
nor &lives& nor &dies&.
56
;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;
The 6as! Days0 6as! Tea,hi-
Dark a-) )ismal ,lo+)s o(erh+- !he hori=o- a-) !here /as !he )is!a-! r+m'li- o* !h+-)er
a-) lih!-i-. ?e k-e/ !he s!orm /as ,omi- G !he i-e1ora'le *i-ali!y. !he rele-!less le(eller /ho
hol)s -o!hi- as sa,rosa-,!.
O+r 'elo(e) Mas!er>s (i!als ha) 'ee- ,o-s+me) 'y ,a-,er a-) /e k-e/ his *rail 'o)y /o+l)
*all soo-. perhaps soo-er !ha- /e *eare). B+! /e /ere a*rai) o* sho/i- o+r *ear !o him *or he
/o+l) 'e h+r! !o *i-) !ha! his !ea,hi- /as /as!e) o- +s. He ha) !a+h! +s !ha! h+ma- 'ei-s /ere
mere ,o-,ep!+al *orms. -o more5real !ha- )ream5*i+res. !ha! i! is o-ly !he 'o)y !ha! is s+'<e,! !o
'ir!h a-) )ea!h a-) -o! !he sel*. /hi,h is -o! o-ly aeless '+! 'ir!hless a-) )ea!hless. A-) he /as
!he S+preme Sel*. Kes. /e k-e/ all !his. a-) ye! a! !he prospe,! o* his passi- a/ay /e ha) s!ar!e)
*eeli- like orpha-s. *or /e lo(e) him !ooB I! /as )i**i,+l! !o rise a'o(e !he h+ma- *eeli-s a-)
*aili-sB
D+ri- his las! )ays G *rom May5J+-e !o % Sep!em'er. #$%#. /he- he )roppe) his mor!al ,oil.
his 'o)y ha) (isi'ly /i!here) )ay a*!er )ay. '+! his spiri! remai-e) i-)omi!a'le !ill !he e-). He
,o-!i-+e) !o !alk. !ho+h i- a /eak (oi,e. /i!h i-here-! a+!hori!y. a-) a! his mere /or). as i! /ere.
!he lis!e-ers> ill+sio-s a-) )el+sio-s shri(ele).
I i(e 'elo/ (er'al ,ameos *rom some o* his !alks )+ri- !hese las! )ays. He ,o+l) -o! speak
*or lo-@ he ha) !o 'e 'rie*. '+! /ha!e(er he sai) /as semi-al i- -a!+re a-) a sor! o* ,a!alys! *or !he
lis!e-ers. I! /as !he Grea! Beyo-) speaki-. -o! a *rail ol) ma- i- !he ,l+!,hes o* )ea!hB
For o(er a *or!-ih! -o/ G J+-e #$%# G Mahara< has -o! 'ee- a'le !o !alk !o (isi!ors /i!h his
ol) =es!. A! !he i-sis!e-! reF+es! *rom ma-y o* +s he has aree) !o limi! !he )is,o+rses !o a hal*
ho+r. a-) i! is <+s! as /ell !ha! he has )o-e so. 'e,a+se e(e- !hir!y mi-+!es o* !alki- has 'ee-
e1ha+s!i- him physi,ally so m+,h !ha! he is +-a'le !o si! +p !herea*!er.
Mahara<>s /or)s. !ho+h *e/er. are more pre-a-! -o/. He has 'ee- sayi- !ha! his physi,al
/eak-ess pre(e-!s him *rom ela'ora!i- /ha! he /a-!s !o ,o-(ey. He a))s !ha! !his is a sor! o*
'lessi- i- )is+ise 'e,a+se !he lis!e-ers /o+l) -o/ ha(e !o pay rea!er a!!e-!io- !o /ha! he says.
/i!ho+! le!!i- !heir mi-) /a-)er a'o+! m+,h. Also !hey /o+l) )o a ,er!ai- amo+-! o* !hi-ki- *or
!hemsel(esB
Ma-y o* !he (isi!ors. i- (ie/ o* !he e1!remely /eak physi,al ,o-)i!io- o* !he Mas!er. -o/
res!ri,! !heir F+es!io-i- !o a mi-im+m. e(e- !ho+h Mahara< presses !hem !o e! !heir )i**i,+l!ies
,leare) +p. DThere>s so li!!le !ime -o/.D he says.
R R R
O-e mor-i-. o-e o* !he re+lar (isi!ors. perhaps /i!h a (ie/ !o keep Mahara<>s mi-) a/ay
*rom his physi,al s+**eri-. s!ar!e) !alki- o- (ario+s ma!!ers a-) aski- ra!her s+per*i,ial
F+es!io-s. Mahara<. o* ,o+rse. /as F+i,k !o see !hro+h !he )e(i,e a-) sa! ere,! i- his easy,hair. I
k-o/ /ha! yo+ are !ryi- !o )o. he sai). '+! yo+ *ore! !ha! I am -o! /ha! yo+ !hi-k I am. I )o -o!
s+**er@ I ,a--o! s+**er 'e,a+se I am -o! a- o'<e,!. O* ,o+rse !here is s+**eri-. B+! )o yo+ reali=e
/ha! !his s+**eri- isE I am the sufferin#. ?ha!e(er is ma-i*es!e). I am !he *+-,!io-i-. ?ha!e(er is
per,ep!i'le I am !he per,ei(i- o* i!. ?ha!e(er is )o-e I am !he )oi- o* i!@ I am !he )oer o* i!. a-).
+-)ers!a-) !his. I am also !ha! /hi,h is )o-e. I- *a,!. I am the total functionin#.
I* yo+ ha(e apper,ei(e) !his. yo+ -ee) !o k-o/ -o more. This is !he Tr+!h. B+! !he mea-i-*+l
/or) is >apper,ei(e)>. ?ha! I ha(e sai) I ha(e sai) *or mysel*. B+! i* yo+ ha(e apper,ei(e) !his. yo+
!oo ,a- say !he same !hi-. Ko+ a-) I are -o! !/o. '+! !he same A'sol+!e :-i,i!y.
I* !his apper,ep!io- pre(ails. yo+ ,o+l) -o! possi'ly ha(e a-y F+arrel /i!h a-yo-e. /ha!e(er he
)oes or )oes -o! )o. ?hyE Be,a+se yo+ /ill !he- ha(e reali=e) !ha! /ha!e(er happe-s is par! o* !he
e-eral *+-,!io-i- i- ,o-s,io+s-ess a-) !ha! -o phe-ome-al o'<e,! H/hi,h is i- e**e,! merely a-
appeara-,e i- someo-e else>s ,o-s,io+s-essC ,a- possi'ly ha(e a-y i-)epe-)e-,e o* e1is!e-,e or
(oli!io- o* a,!io-. Po-)er o(er !his )eeply.
R R R
A-o!her mor-i-. Mahara< sa! hal*5re,li-e) i- his 'e). /i!h his eyes ,lose). Iisi!ors ha)
arri(e) o-e 'y o-e a-) ha) F+ie!ly !ake- !heir sea!s. Seei- !he Mas!er res!i-. !hey sa! i-
me)i!a!io- /i!h !heir eyes ,lose). I! is as!o-ishi- ho/ easy i! is !o o i-!o !he s!a!e o* !he >*as!i->
mi-) i- !he Mas!er>s prese-,e. S+))e-ly. Mahara< s!ar!e) speaki- !ho+h i- a (ery /eak (oi,e.
Ko+ people ,ome here /a-!i- some!hi-. ?ha! yo+ /a-! may 'e k-o/le)e /i!h a ,api!al
>A> G !he hihes! Tr+!h G '+! -o-e!heless yo+ )o /a-! some!hi-. Mos! o* yo+ ha(e 'ee- ,omi-
here *or F+i!e some !ime. ?hyE I* !here ha) 'ee- apper,ep!io- o* /ha! I ha(e 'ee- sayi-. yo+
sho+l) ha(e s!oppe) ,omi- here lo- aoB B+! /ha! a,!+ally has 'ee- happe-i- is !ha! yo+ ha(e
'ee- ,omi- here )ay a*!er )ay. i)e-!i*ie) as i-)i(i)+al 'ei-s. male or *emale. /i!h se(eral
perso-s a-) !hi-s yo+ ,all >mi-e>. Also. yo+ !hi-k yo+ ha(e 'ee- ,omi- here. o* yo+r o/-
(oli!io-. !o see a-o!her i-)i(i)+al G a G+r+ G /ho. yo+ e1pe,!. /ill i(e yo+ >li'era!io-> *rom
yo+r >'o-)ae>.
Do yo+ -o! see ho/ ri)i,+lo+s all !his isE Ko+r ,omi- here )ay a*!er )ay o-ly sho/s !ha! yo+
are -o! prepare) !o a,,ep! my /or) !ha! !here is -o s+,h !hi- as a- >i-)i(i)+al>@ !ha! !he >i-)i(i)+al>
is -o!hi- '+! a- appeara-,e@ !ha! a- appeara-,e ,a--o! ha(e a-y >'o-)ae> a-). !here*ore. !here is
-o F+es!io- o* a-y >li'era!io-> *or a- appeara-,e.
Do yo+ e(e- -o/ reali=e !ha! i* !he (ery 'asis o* yo+r seeki- is /ro-. /ha! ,a- yo+ a,hie(eE
I-)ee). is !here a-y!hi- !o 'e a,hie(e)E By /homE By a- appeara-,eE
This is -o! all. ?ha!e(er I say is 'ei- !ape5re,or)e) 'y some people@ some o!hers !ake )o/-
!heir o/- -o!es. For /ha! p+rposeE To make !he ,o-)i!io-i- e(e- more po/er*+lE Do yo+ -o!
reali=e !ha! !here -e(er has 'ee- a-y F+es!io- o* >/ho>E ?ha!e(er has happe-e) Hi* a! all a-y!hi-
has happe-e)C has 'ee- spo-!a-eo+s. There -e(er has 'ee- a-y room *or a- i-)i(i)+al i- !he
!o!ali!y o* ma-i*es!a!io-@ all !he *+-,!io-i- is a! !he le(el o* !he ,o-,ep!+al physi,al spa,e
HMaha)akashC. /hi,h is ,o-!ai-e) i- a ,o-,ep!+al spe,k o* ,o-s,io+s-ess !he me-!al spa,e o* !ime.
per,ep!io- a-) ,o-i!io- HChi)akashC. This !o!ali!y o* !he k-o/- *i-ally meres i- !he i-*i-i!e
po!e-!iali!y !ha! is !he !imeless. spa,eless Reali!y HParamakashC. I- !his conceptual ma-i*es!a!io-.
i--+mera'le *orms e! ,rea!e) a-) )es!roye). !he A'sol+!e 'ei- imma-e-! i- all phe-ome-al
*orms. ?here )o !he i-)i(i)+als *i+re as i-)i(i)+alsE No/here. A-) ye! e(ery/here. 'e,a+se we
are the manifestation. )e are the functionin#. )e are the life bein# lived. )e are the livin# of the
dream. 2ut not as individuals. The apper,ep!io- o* !his !r+!h )emolishes !he i-)i(i)+al seeker@ !he
seeker 'e,omes !he so+h! a-) !he so+h! is !he apper,ep!io-.
R R R
A! a-o!her sessio-. Mahara< 'ro+h! +p ye! a-o!her aspe,! o* !he same !heme. i.e. people
,omi- !o him /a-!i- k-o/le)e. This !ime he aske)0 ?ha! is !his >k-o/le)e> !ha! yo+ /a-!. !his
k-o/le)e a'o+! /hi,h yo+ !ake )o/- -o!esE ?ha! +se /ill 'e ma)e o* !hose -o!esE Ha(e yo+
i(e- a-y !ho+h! !o !his aspe,! o* !he ma!!erE
The real poi-! is. he ,o-!i-+e)0 Di) yo+ *i-) a-y -ee) o* a-y k-o/le)e a h+-)re) years aoE
That which you do not +now and cannot +now is your true state. This which you thin+ is real
because it can be objectified is what you appear to be. ?ha!e(er k-o/le)e yo+ are -o/ seeki-
a'o+! yo+r !r+e s!a!e is +-k-o/a'le. 'e,a+se you are what you are see+in#. All !ha! yo+ ,a- e! as
k-o/le)e is a! a ,o-,ep!+al le(el G !he k-o/le)e !ha! yo+ /o+l) e! as a- o'<e,!i(e appeara-,e.
S+,h >k-o/le)e> is i- -o /ay )i**ere-! *rom >i-ora-,e>. 'e,a+se !hey are i-!er5rela!e) ,o+-!erpar!s
a! !he ,o-,ep!+al le(el. I- o!her /or)s. comprehension at the mind level means only
conceptuali6ation and therefore is totally illusory. Do +-)ers!a-) please. !he )i**ere-,e 'e!/ee-
s+,h ,o-,ep!+ali=e) k-o/le)e a-) !he i-!+i!i(e apper,ei(i- /hi,h is -o! a! !he ,o-,ep!+al le(el.
I-)ee). apper,ei(i- is /hole5seei- or i-5seei-. /hi,h is (i!ally )i**ere-! *rom mere i-!elle,!+al
seei-. O-,e !here is apper,ep!io-. !he )+ali!y o* ,o+-!erpar!s. !he 'asis o* mere i-!elle,!+al
,omprehe-sio-. !o!ally )isappears. There is -o F+es!io- o* a-y >o-e> !hi-ki- !ha! he has +-)ers!oo)
some!hi- 'y !he +se o* reaso-i- a-) loi,. Tr+e +-)ers!a-)i- is spo-!a-eo+s apper,ep!io-.
i-!+i!i(e a-) ,hoi,eless. a-) !o!ally -o-5)+alis!i,. Me)i!a!e o- /ha! I ha(e sai).
R R R
O-e )ay /he- a (isi!or 'ro+h! +p !he F+es!io- o* >e!hi,s> a-) moral 'eha(io+r Hma!!ers /hi,h
ha(e al/ays 'ee- ,o-si)ere) o+!si)e !he s,ope o* )is,+ssio- hereC Mahara< /as so am+se) !ha!.
i-spi!e o* e1!reme physi,al /eak-ess he sa! +p a-) sai) !ha! he -e(er ,ease) 'ei- as!o-ishe) a! !he
,o-*+sio- i- !hi-ki- !ha! /as )isplaye) e(e- 'y people /ho /ere s+ppose) !o 'e i-!elle,!+als. He
li!erally la+he) himsel* i-!o a paro1ysm o* ,o+hi-. O-,e ha(i- +-)ers!oo) !ha! !here is a
separa!e pla,e. !he !oile!. *or spe,i*i, p+rposes. /o+l) yo+. he aske). +se !he li(i- room or !he
'e)room *or !hose p+rposesE
O-,e !here is a- +-eF+i(o,al apper,ep!io- o* yo+r !r+e -a!+re. o-,e yo+ ,learly see !he *alse as
*alse. is !here a-y F+es!io- o* ha(i- !o )e,i)e !he proprie!y or o!her/ise o* a-y a,!io-E ?ho /ill
make !he )e,isio-E Does o-e ha(e !he i-)epe-)e-,e o* (oli!io- !o make !he )e,isio-E Is !here really
a-y ,hoi,eE O-,e i! is apper,ei(e) !ha! !here is -o e-!i!y /i!h a-y i-)epe-)e-,e o* a,!io-. /o+l)
>li(i-> !herea*!er -o! 'e !o!ally -o-5(oli!io-al li(i-E ?o+l) -o!. i- o!her /or)s. !he apper,ei(i-
i!sel* lea) !o a- a'a-)o-me-! G or more a,,+ra!ely G a spo-!a-eo+s ,essa!io- o* !he (ery ,o-,ep!
o* (oli!io-al a,!i(i!yE O-e may !hi-k !ha! o-e li(es@ a,!+ally. o-e is o-ly >'ei- li(e)>.
E1ha+s!e) 'y !his 'rie* '+! a-ima!e) e1posi!io-. Mahara< lay 'a,k aai- i- his 'e). a-) sai)
!ha! he /o+l) ha(e like) !o e1pa-) !his poi-! *+r!her. '+! he <+s! )i) -o! ha(e !he physi,al s!re-!h.
He a))e). /i!h a /ry !o+,h o* h+mo+r. !ha! i! /as perhaps <+s! as /ell !ha! he ,o+l) -o/ o-ly i(e
o+! ,aps+les o* k-o/le)e.
R R R
This par!i,+lar mor-i-. Mahara< /as !oo /eak e(e- !o si! +p '+! /as i- a moo) !o !alk. He
s!ar!e) speaki- so*!ly a-) slo/ly0 ?ha! a *a-!as!i, s+'<e,! !his isB The s+'<e,! is el+si(e. !he
perso- /ho !hi-ks he is lis!e-i- is ill+sory. a-) ye! -o'o)y 'elie(es !ha! he )oes -o! e1is!B ?he-
yo+ ,ome here. I /el,ome yo+ a-) e1!e-) !o yo+ my h+m'le hospi!ali!y. '+! i- )oi- so I am *+lly
a/are o* !he e1a,! posi!io-. i.e. !here is -ei!her a speaker -or a lis!e-er. ?hy is i! !ha! -o'o)y ,a-
ho-es!ly say !ha! he )oes -o! e1is!E Be,a+se he k-o/s !ha! he is prese-!G or. ra!her. !here is !ha!
i-!+i!i(e sense of presence G a-). !his is impor!a-!. !here is -o e-!i!y /ho ,a- say !ha! i! )oes -o!
e1is!. I* a- e-!i!y )i) asser! !ha! i! )i) -o! e1is! s+,h a- asser!io- i!sel* /o+l) pro(e i!s e1is!e-,eB
Ho/e(er. !he more impor!a-! poi-! /hi,h is -o! so easy !o rasp. is !ha! !he so+r,e o* !his
phe-ome-al prese-,e H/hi,h is !he ma-i*es!a!io- o* !he +-ma-i*es!e)C is -o+me-al a'se-,e.
F+r!her G I /o-)er ho/ ma-y o* yo+ /o+l) apprehe-) !his G i! mea-s !ha! /he-e(er !he mi-) is
>*as!i->. !o!ally /i!ho+! a-y ,o-,ep!+ali=a!io-. !here is phe-ome-al a'se-,e. a-) !his prese-,e o*
phe-ome-al a'se-,e is -o+me-al.
R R R
I! /as a S+-)ay a-) Mahara<>s small room /as pa,ke) !o ,apa,i!y. Mos! o* !he (isi!ors /ere
re+lar o-es. '+! a small ro+p ha) arri(e) *rom a )is!a-! par! o* !he ,o+-!ry. The lea)er o* !he
ro+p )is,er-e) Mahara<>s e**e!e physi,al ,o-)i!io- a-) re,o-,ile) himsel* !o !he *a,! !ha! !hey
/o+l) ha(e !o 'e sa!is*ie) /i!h Darsha- o-ly. Mahara< ho/e(er sa! +p i- his 'e). looke) )ire,!ly a!
!he -e/ ro+p a-) smili-ly aske) i* !here /ere a-y F+es!io-s. He a))e) !ha! he /as -o! a! all /ell
physi,ally a-) hope) !ha! !he F+es!io-s /o+l) 'e a! a- appropria!e le(el. There /as a 'rie*
m+rm+re) ,o-s+l!a!io- amo- !he ro+p. a-) !he lea)er (ery respe,!*+lly sai) !ha! he ha) o-ly o-e
F+es!io- !o ask0 Is !here really s+,h a !hi- as >e-lih!e-me-!>E He a))e) !ha! !his F+es!io- /as
'ei- aske) -o! *ri(olo+sly '+! aai-s! !he 'a,kro+-) o* a lo- spiri!+al F+es!. Mahara< smile) a-)
s!ar!e) !alki- i-spi!e o* !he e1ha+s!io- /hi,h /as ,learly (isi'le o- his *a,e. He sa! +p F+i!e ere,!
a-) his (oi,e ai-e) a- +-e1pe,!e) (io+r.
No!/i!hs!a-)i- my repea!i- i! ,o-s!a-!ly. he sai). e(e- !he re+lar (isi!ors )o -o! seem a'le
!o a,,ep! !he *+-)ame-!al *a,! !ha! i! is sheer -o-se-se !o !hi-k o* a- i-)i(i)+al>s -ee) *or
e-lih!e-me-!. Basi,ally. !here is o-ly >I>@ !here is -o >me>. or >yo+>. !o 'e e-lih!e-e). Ho/ ,a- a
phe-ome-al o'<e,!. /hi,h is o-ly a- appeara-,e. 'e !ra-s*orme) 'y >e-lih!e-me-!> i-!o some!hi-
o!her !ha! /ha! i! is. i.e. a mere appeara-,eE
?he- >e-lih!e-me-!> o,,+rs. !here is a- apper,ei(i- !ha! /ha! /e 'elie(e !o 'e o+r -ormal
,o-)i!io- G !ha! o* a phe-ome-al o'<e,! G is merely a !emporary ,o-)i!io-. like a- ill-ess. /hi,h
has ,ome o(er o+r -ormal !r+e s!a!e o* !he -o+me-o-. I! is s+))e-ly reali=e) !ha! /ha! /as 'ei-
,o-si)ere) >-ormal> /as -o! really -ormal. The res+l! o* s+,h apper,ei(i- is a sor! o* i-s!a-!a-eo+s
a)<+s!me-! *rom a- i-)i(i)+al e1is!e-,e to just existence as such% (oli!io- )isappears a-) /ha!e(er
happe-s seems rih! a-) proper. O-e !akes o-e>s s!a-) as !he /i!-ess o* all !ha! happe-s. or ra!her
o-ly /i!-essi- remai-s.
R R R
This mor-i- Mahara< lay i- 'e). o'(io+sly i- !he -o5mi-) s!a!e. For se(eral mi-+!es. !he
(isi!ors G -o! !oo ma-y. i! 'ei- a /orki- )ayGsa! s!ill. S+))e-ly !he Mas!er ope-e) his eyes.
a-) sai) (ery so*!ly !ha! !here /o+l) -o! 'e a-y !alk 5'e,a+se he /as !oo /eak !o speak. B+! he
smile) ra,io+sly a-) a))e) (ery slo/ly0 I* yo+ /o+l) o-ly apprehe-). )eeply a-) i-!+i!i(ely.
/ha! yo+ /ere 'e*ore yo+ a,F+ire) !his 'o)y5,+m5,o-s,io+s-ess. say a h+-)re) years ao. e(e-
*rom /i!hi- !his physi,al priso-. yo+ /o+l) 'e seei- !he /orl) /i!ho+! !he se-se o* )+ali!yG -o!
*rom yo+r i)e-!i!y as a- ill+sory i-)i(i)+al ,e-!re. Co-,ep!+ali=i- /o+l) ,ease.
The- !he Mas!er /a(e) a ha-) !o i-)i,a!e !ha! !he sessio- /as o(er. a-) !he (isi!ors )isperse).
R R R
S+-)ay. #& J+ly #$%#GAs is +s+al !hese )ays Mahara< /as lyi- i- his 'e). his les 'ei-
massae) 'y his *ai!h*+l )e(o!ee a-) a!!e-)a-!. A--a. His 'rea!hi- /as ra!her la'o+re). mos!ly
!hro+h !he mo+!h. a-) he seeme) almos! *as! asleep. The- s+))e-ly he /as s!r+li- !o si! +p a-)
/as helpe) !o a re,li-i- posi!io-. lea-i- hea(ily aai-s! proppe) +p pillo/s. He s!ar!e) speaki-.
a-) his (oi,e /as s+rprisi-ly *irm. ?ha! I /a-! !o !ell yo+ is as!o-ishi-ly simple i* o-ly i! /o+l)
'e apper,ei(e). A-) !he am+si- par! o* i! is !ha! i! ,a- 'e apper,ei(e) o-ly i* !he >lis!e-er> is !o!ally
a'se-!B The-. o-ly apper,ei(i- remai-s a-) you are that apperceivin#.
?ha! happe-s is !ha! !he +-ma-i*es! A'sol+!e e1presses i!sel* i- ma-i*es!a!io-0 Ma-i*es!a!io-
!akes pla,e !hro+h millio-s o* *orms@ ,o-s,io+s-ess *+-,!io-s !hro+h ea,h *orm. !he ,o-)+,! a-)
/orki- o* ea,h *orm 'ei-. #enerally a,,or)i- !o !he 'asi, -a!+re o* !he ,a!eory !o /hi,h !he
*orm 'elo-s H/he!her i! is a pla-!. or a- i-se,!. or a lio-. or a ma-C. a-) particularly a,,or)i- !o
!he -a!+re o* !he par!i,+lar ,om'i-a!io- o* !he 'asi, eleme-!s i- ea,h *orm.
No !/o h+ma- 'ei-s are alike H!he *i-erpri-!s o* -o !/o perso-s are e1a,!ly alikeC 'e,a+se
!he perm+!a!io-s a-) ,om'i-a!io-s o* !he millio-s o* sha)es o* !he eih! aspe,!s H!he *i(e 'asi,
eleme-!s a-) !he !hree G+-asC res+l! i- 'illio-s a-) !rillio-s o* *orms. !he -a!+re o* -o !/o *orms
'ei- e1a,!ly alike. Millio-s o* s+,h *orms are ,o-s!a-!ly 'ei- ,rea!e) a-) )es!roye) i- !he
pro,ess o* ma-i*es!a!io-.
A ,lear per,ep!io- o* !his pro,ess o* ma-i*es!a!io- ,ompor!s !he +-)ers!a-)i-0 HaC !ha! !here is
really -o F+es!io- o* a-y i)e-!i*i,a!io- /i!h a-y i-)i(i)+al *orm 'e,a+se !he (ery 'asis o* !his
ma-i*es!a!io-5sho/ is )+ra!io- Ho* ea,h *ormC a-) duration is a concept o* !ime@ a-) H'C that our
true nature is the witnessin# of this show. I! oes /i!ho+! sayi- !ha! !he /i!-essi- ,a- !ake pla,e
o-ly so lo- as !he sho/ oes o-. a-) !he sho/ ,a- o o- o-ly so lo- as !here is ,o-s,io+s-ess.
A-) /ho is !o +-)ers!a-) all !hisE Co-s,io+s-ess. o* ,o+rse. !ryi- !o seek i!s so+r,e a-) -o!
*i-)i- i!. 'e,a+se !he seeker is !he so+h!. Apper,ei(i- !his !r+!h is !he *i-al a-) !he o-ly
li'era!io- a-) >!he <oker i- !he pa,k> is !he *a,! !ha! e(e- >li'era!io-> is a ,o-,ep!B No/. o a-)
po-)er !his.
A*!er speaki- !hese *e/ /or)s Mahara< *el! !o!ally e1ha+s!e). He lay 'a,k i- 'e). I- a *ee'le
(oi,e he a))e)0 ?ha! I ha(e sai) !his mor-i- is all !he Tr+!h a-yo-e -ee) k-o/.
R R R
T+es)ay. #7 J+ly #$%# G A ro+p o* !hree /as (isi!i- Mahara< *or !he *irs! !ime. Al!ho+h
la-+ishi- i- 'e) a-) e1!remely /eak. Mahara< aske) !he ro+p i* !hey ha) a-y F+es!io-s. They
ha) a 'rie* !alk amo-s! !hemsel(es a-) )e,i)e) o- aski- o-ly o-e F+es!io-0 DMahara<. all !hree o*
+s ha(e )o-e ,er!ai- Sa)ha-a *or some !ime. '+! !he proress )oes -o! seem !o 'e a)eF+a!e. ?ha!
sho+l) /e )oED Mahara< sai) !ha! !he p+rpose o* a-y e**or! is !o e! some !hi-. some 'e-e*i! /hi,h
o-e )oes -o! possess. ?ha! is i! !ha! yo+ are !ryi- !o a,hie(eE The a-s/er /as F+i,k a-) posi!i(e0
?e /a-! !o 'e,ome like yo+ G e-lih!e-e).
Mahara< la+he) a-) sa! +p i- 'e). ?he- he /as ma)e a li!!le more ,om*or!a'le /i!h a ,o+ple
o* pillo/s !o s+ppor! his 'a,k. he ,o-!i-+e)0 This is /here !he mis,o-,ep!io- lies@ !hi-ki- !ha! yo+
are a- e-!i!y /ho m+s! a,hie(e some!hi- so !ha! yo+ ,a- 'e,ome like !he e-!i!y !ha! yo+ !hi-k I
amB This is !he !ho+h! /hi,h ,o-s!i!+!es >'o-)ae>. i)e-!i*i,a!io- /i!h a- e-!i!y G a-) -o!hi-.
a'sol+!ely -o!hi-. o!her !ha- )is5i)e-!i*i,a!io- /ill 'ri- a'o+! >li'era!io->.
As I sai). yo+ see yo+rsel(es a-) me as e-!i!ies. separa!e e-!i!ies@ I see yo+ e1a,!ly as I see
mysel*. 4ou are what I am '+! yo+ ha(e i)e-!i*ie) yo+rsel* /i!h /ha! yo+ !hi-k yo+ are G a-
o'<e,! G a-) seek li'era!io- *or !ha! o'<e,!. Is !his -o! a h+e <okeE Ca- a-y o'<e,! ha(e
i-)epe-)e-! e1is!e-,e a-) (oli!io- o* a,!io-E Ca- a- o'<e,! 'e 'o+-)E A-) li'era!e)E
The F+es!io-er <oi-e) his ha-)s i- a Namaskar a-) mos! respe,!*+lly s+'mi!!e) !ha! /ha!
Mahara< ha) sai) ,o+l) -o! possi'ly 'e ,halle-e) as a !heore!i,al i)eal. '+!. s+rely. he sai). e(e-
!ho+h people may 'e *i,!i!io+s e-!i!ies. -o!hi- more !ha- mere appeara-,es i- ,o-s,io+s-ess.
ho/ are /e !o li(e i- !he /orl). +-less /e )o a,,ep! !he )i**ere-! e-!i!ies as >real> e-o+h i- li*eE
This )is,+ssio- seeme) !o i(e a- e1!raor)i-ary =es! !o Mahara<. a-) !he *ee'le-ess i- his
(oi,e ra)+ally )isappeare). He sai)0 Ko+ see ho/ s+'!le !his s+'<e,! is. Ko+ ha(e pro(i)e) !he
a-s/er i- yo+r o/- F+es!io-. '+! i! has el+)e) yo+. ?ha! yo+ ha(e sai) i- *a,! is !ha! yo+ +now !ha!
!he e-!i!y as s+,h is !o!ally *i,!i!io+s a-) has -o i-)epe-)e-,e o* i!s o/-@ i! is o-ly a ,o-,ep!. B+!
!his *i,!i!io+s e-!i!y m+s! li(e i!s -ormal li*e. ?here is !he pro'lemE Is i! so (ery )i**i,+l! !o lea) a
-ormal li*e. k-o/i- !ha! li(i- i!sel* is a ,o-,ep!E Ha(e yo+ o! !he poi-!E O-,e yo+ ha(e see- !he
*alse as *alse. o-,e yo+ ha(e see- !he )+al -a!+re o* /ha! yo+ ,all >li*e> G /hi,h is a,!+ally livin#
G !he res! sho+l) 'e simple@ as simple as a- a,!or a,!i- his role /i!h =es!. +nowin# !ha! i! is o-ly a
role !ha! he is playi- i- a play or a mo(ie. a-) -o!hi- more.
Re,o-i=i- !his *a,! /i!h ,o-(i,!io-. apper,ei(i- !his posi!io-. is all !he !r+!h. The res! is
play5a,!i-.
R R R
Th+rs)ay. #9 J+ly #$%# G There /ere o-ly a *e/ re+lar (isi!ors prese-!. Mahara<. al!ho+h
(isi'ly !ire) a-) e1ha+s!e). )ema-)e) !ha! someo-e sho+l) ask some F+es!io-. or i(e a !alkB So.
someo-e s!ar!e) /i!h !hese /or)s0 DThe ,o-s,io+s-ess !ha! I ha(e. . . . .D
I* i! /ere o-e o* !he o,,asio-al (isi!ors /ho ha) sai) !his. Mahara< /o+l) pro'a'ly ha(e
i-ore) !he impli,a!io- o* /ha! /as 'ei- sai). B+! !his /as a >re+lar> /ho sho+l) ha(e k-o/-
'e!!er. Mahara< s+))e-ly sho+!e) DS!opD. I-spi!e o* his )e'ili!a!e) ,o-)i!io-. !he /or) /as like !he
so+-) o* a +- sho!. He lare) a! !he speaker a-) sai)0 ?ha! )o yo+ mea- 'y sayi-0 DThe
,o-s,io+s-ess !ha! I ha(e. . . ..ED Do yo+ reali=e /ha! -o-se-se yo+ ha(e +!!ere)E Ho/ ,a- >yo+>. or
a-yo-e else. have ,o-s,io+s-essE Do yo+ reali=e !he +-imai-a'le rea!-ess. !he holi-ess o* /ha!
yo+ so ,as+ally ,all >,o-s,io+s-ess>E .ive i! /ha!e(er -ame yo+ like. !he /or) is -o! /ha! i! mea-s.
Ho/ ,a- yo+ e(er *ore! !he 'asi, !r+!h !ha! consciousness is the very expression of what-we-are. I!
is !hro+h !he s!irri- o* ,o-s,io+s-ess !ha! !he +-ma-i*es! A'sol+!e 'e,omes a/are o* i!s
a/are-ess !hro+h ma-i*es!a!io-. a-) !he /hole +-i(erse ,omes i-!o e1is!e-,e.
I! may 'e !hro+h i-a)(er!e-,e !ha! yo+ +se) !hese /or)s. I )o->! k-o/. '+! !he (ery
i-a)(er!e-,e )isplays !he s!re-!h o* !he ,o-)i!io-i- /hi,h makes yo+ i)e-!i*y yo+rsel* /i!h !he
'o)y. Ko+ !hi-k yo+ are !he 'o)y a-) !ha! !he 'o)y has !he ,o-s,io+s-ess. I* yo+ m+s! ,o-si)er !he
ma!!er i- !erms o* o-e possessi- !he o!her. s+rely i! is ,o-s,io+s-ess !ha! is i- possessio- o* -o!
o-ly !he 'o)y !ha! yo+ !hi-k yo+ are '+! !he millio-s o* o!her 'o)ies !hro+h /hi,h ,o-s,io+s-ess
*+-,!io-s as Pra<-a.
R R R
Fri)ay. #3 J+ly #$%# G I! /as !he sa,re) )ay o* G+r+ P+r-ima a-) Mahara< m+s! ha(e )ra/-
hea(ily o- his )/i-)li- physi,al reso+r,es. !o say a *e/ /or)s o- !his mos! a+spi,io+s )ay. He
/as si!!i- +p i- 'e). /i!h a !hi,k p+llo(er o-. i-spi!e o* !he small room 'ei- F+i!e /arm )+e !o
o(er5,ro/)i- o* )e(o!ees. He s!ar!e) !alki- (ery *ee'ly. '+! soo- his (oi,e seeme) !o a!her a
-e/ s!re-!h.
Ko+ people ha(e 'ee- ,omi- here hopi- all !he !ime !ha! I /o+l) i(e yo+ a proramme o*
/ha! yo+ sho+l) )o i- or)er !o e! >li'era!io-.> A-) /ha! I keep !elli- yo+ is !ha! si-,e !here is -o
e-!i!y as s+,h. !he F+es!io- o* 'o-)ae )oes -o! arise@ a-) !ha! i* o-e is -o! 'o+-) !here is -o -ee)
*or li'era!io-. All I ,a- )o is !o sho/ yo+ that what you are is not what you thin+ you are.
B+! /ha! I say is -o! a,,ep!a'le !o mos! o* yo+. A-) sor!ie o* yo+ o else/here. /here !hey are
happy !o 'e i(e- a lis! o* do&s a-) dont&s. ?ha! is more. !hey a,! o- s+,h i-s!r+,!io-s /i!h *ai!h a-)
)ilie-,e. B+! /ha! !hey )o -o! reali=e is !ha! /ha!e(er !hey pra,!ise as a- >e-!i!y> o-ly s!re-!he-s
!heir i)e-!i*i,a!io- /i!h !he ill+sory e-!i!y a-). !here*ore. +-)ers!a-)i- o* !he Tr+!h remai-s as *ar
a/ay as e(er.
People imai-e !ha! !hey m+s! someho/ ,ha-e !hemsel(es *rom imper*e,! h+ma- 'ei-s i-!o
per*e,! h+ma- 'ei-s k-o/- as saes. I* o-ly !hey /o+l) see !he a's+r)i!y i- !his !hi-ki-. The o-e
/ho is !hi-ki- alo- !hese li-es is himsel* o-ly a ,o-,ep!. a- appeara-,e. a ,hara,!er i- a )ream.
Ho/ ,a- a mere phe-ome-al pha-!om a/ake- *rom a )ream 'y per*e,!i- i!sel*E
The o-ly >a/ake-i-> is apperceivin# of that-which-is. I-)ee) !here is -o F+es!io- o* a >/ho> i-
!his apper,ei(i- 'e,a+se !he apper,ei(i- i!sel* is o-e>s !r+e -a!+re@ a-) !he pre5reF+isi!e o* s+,h
apper,ei(i- is !he )isappeara-,e o* !he phe-ome-o-. )hat is apperceived is manifestation as a
whole -o! 'y a >/ho> keepi- himsel* as a separa!e o'ser(er. The apper,ei(i- is !he !o!al
*+-,!io-i- o* !he A'sol+!e G apperceivin# is what you are. The +-i(erse appeari- i-
,o-s,io+s-ess is a mirror /hi,h re*le,!s e(ery se-!ie-! 'ei-. i.e. ,o-s,io+s-ess is !he (ery so+r,e
o* !he appare-! +-i(erse. Co-s,io+s-ess is -o! )i**ere-! *rom i!s ma-i*es!e) ,o-!e-!.
A-) s+,h apper,ei(i- has -o!hi- /ha!e(er !o )o /i!h a >/ho>. /i!h a phe-ome-o-. a-
appeara-,e i- ,o-s,io+s-ess /hi,h is o-ly a- i-*i-i!esimal par! o* !he !o!al *+-,!io-i-. The
pro*o+-) i-!+i!i(e +-)ers!a-)i- o* !his *a,! is !he o-ly >a/ake-i->. or >e-lih!e-me-!>. !he o-ly
ill+sory >li'era!io-> *rom a- ill+sory >'o-)ae>. !he a/ake-i- *rom !he li(i-5)ream.
?ha! )oes !he G+r+ )oE A sel*5reali=e) G+r+ /o+l) )o !he o-ly !hi- !ha! ,o+l) 'e )o-e@ poi-!
a *i-er !o/ar)s !he Sa)+r+ !ha! is /i!hi-. The Sa)+r+ is al/ays !here /he!her yo+ remem'er
him or -o!. '+! a ,o-s!a-! asso,ia!io- /i!h him G irrespe,!i(e o* /ha!e(er yo+ may 'e )oi- G is
all !ha! is -e,essary. A-y!hi- else 'y /ay o* e**or! /ill -o! o-ly -o! help. '+! /o+l) 'e a hi-)ra-,e
a-) a ha=ar).
R R R
S+-)ay. &9 J+ly #$%#G There /as !he +s+al S+-)ay mor-i- ,ro/). The room /as *ille) !o
,apa,i!y. Mahara< smile) a-) sai) !ha! i-spi!e o* k-o/i- !ha! he /as -o! i- a posi!io- !o speak
people ,o-!i-+e) !o (isi! him. ?ha! )i) !hey e1pe,! !o e!E ?i!h ,o-si)era'le e**or!. a-) s+ppor!
*rom his a!!e-)a-! )e(o!ee. he sa! +p. He looke) aro+-) a-) sai) !ha! he /as -o! a'le !o re,o-i=e
people. '+! i* !here /ere a-y F+es!io-s. le! !hem -o! 'e kep! 'o!!le) +p. Do !ry. ho/e(er. he a))e).
!o keep i- mi-) !ha! a! !he i-!elle,!+al le(el !here ,o+l) 'e -o e-) !o F+es!io-s.
O-e (isi!or aske)0 D+ri- !he ,o+rse o* !he sear,h *or o-e>s !r+e -a!+re. !he /orl) /i!ho+! a-)
!he mi-) /i!hi- ,rea!e -+mero+s o's!r+,!io-s. ?hyE A-) /ha! sho+l) o-e )oE Mahara< F+i,kly
a-s/ere)0 Ha- o- !o !he o-e /ho is sear,hi-. Tha! is all yo+ -ee) )o. a-) i-)ee). !here is -o!hi-
else yo+ ,o+l) really )o. I* yo+ )o !his G i.e. -e(er lea(i- !he o-e5i-5sear,h !o es,ape yo+ G yo+
/ill +l!ima!ely *i-) !ha! !he seeker is -o-e o!her !ha- ,o-s,io+s-ess seeki- i!s so+r,e. a-) !ha! !he
see+er himself is both the see+in# and the sou#ht and that is you.
There /ere se(eral o!her F+es!io-s /hi,h Mahara< )ispose) o* more or less s+mmarily. as !hey
rela!e) !o o-e>s 'eha(io+r i- !he /orl). his mai- poi-! 'ei- !ha! i! is -a!+re. or ,o-s,io+s-ess i-
a,!io-. /hi,h /as respo-si'le *or !he spo-!a-eo+s ro/!h o* !he 'o)y *rom !he mome-! o*
,o-,ep!io- !o !he 'ir!h o* !he 'o)y a-) *+r!her o- *rom i-*a-,y a-) ,hil)hoo) !hro+h yo+!h !o *+ll
)e(elopme-! a-) *i-ally !o )e,ay. D?hy )o yo+ s+))e-ly a,,ep! respo-si'ili!y. *or !he a,!io-s o*
!he 'o)y. a-) !here'y !he 'o-)ae o* re!ri'+!io- *or s+,h a,!io-sED he aske).
Fi-ally. !o/ar)s !he e-). ,ame !he F+es!io-0 >Is !here a-y )i**ere-,e 'e!/ee- a perso- /ho is
a- A(a)h+!a a-) a-o!her /ho is a J-a-iED I am aski- !he F+es!io- 'e,a+se I /a-! !o k-o/ ho/ a
sel*5reali=e) perso- a,!s i- !his /orl).>
Mahara< la+he). a-) sai)0 All yo+r /or)s as F+es!io-s a-) all my /or)s as a-s/ers seem !o
o !he same /ay i-!o -o!hi--ess. Ha) e(e- a si-le a-s/er o* mi-e *o+-) i!s mark. !here /o+l)
-o! 'e a-y more F+es!io-s. So. i- a /ay. /ha! happe-s is 'es!@ yo+r ,o-!i-+e) F+es!io-s a-) my
a-s/ers 'o!h ,o-!ri'+!e !o/ar)s some e-!er!ai-me-! !o pass !he !imeB I-)ee). !here is -o!hi- else
!o 'e )o-e si-,e !here is -o >p+rpose> !o !his !ha! is see- as !he :-i(erse G i! is all 6ila. a-) /e <oi-
i- i!. B+! /e m+s! +-)ers!a-) !his.
Ho/e(er. le! +s )eal /i!h yo+r F+es!io-. A(a)h+!a. J-a-i. sel*5reali=e) are all -ames o* a s!a!e.
!he (ery 'asi, ass+mp!io- o* /hi,h is !he !o!al -ea!io- o* !he separa!e-ess o* a- i-)i(i)+al e-!i!y.
a-) ye! !he F+es!io- is 'ase) o- a- +-)ers!a-)i- !ha! a J-a-i is a >perso->. a-) yo+ /a-! !o k-o/
ho/ s+,h a perso- a,!s i- !his /orl). Do yo+ see !he ,o-!ra)i,!io- i- !ermsE As soo- as !here is
sel*5reali=a!io-. !he )i**ere-,e 'e!/ee- a sel* a-) !he o!hers )isappears. a-). o* ,o+rse. alo- /i!h i!
!he )oership o* !he pse+)o5perso-ali!y. There*ore. o-,e sel*5reali=a!io- happe-s G )o +-)ers!a-)
!ha! >o-e> )oes -o! >a,F+ire> sel*5reali=a!io-G!he se-se o* (oli!io-. or )esire. or ,hoi,e o* a,!io-
,a--o! remai-.
Do !ry !o +-)ers!a-) !he si-i*i,a-,e o* /ha! I ha(e <+s! sai). I* yo+ ha(e +-)ers!oo) i!. yo+
/ill also ha(e +-)ers!oo) !ha! there can he no self-reali6ed &person& a-). !here*ore. !here is -o
F+es!io- o* ho/ a sel*5reali=e) perso- a,!s i- !he /orl). ?ha! happe-s !o !he 'o)yE The respo-se !o
e1!er-al si!+a!io-s is spo-!a-eo+s. i-!+i!io-al. /i!ho+! !he i-!er*ere-,e o* !he i-)i(i)+al )i(i)e)
mi-). a-) !h+s e1,l+)es a-y F+es!io- o* (oli!io-al a,!i(i!y.
R R R
Sa!+r)ay. % A++s! #$%# G A yo+- la)y aske) Mahara< a'o+! !he si-i*i,a-,e a-) +se*+l-ess
o* repea!i- a Japa. Mahara< sai) !ha! he /o+l) i-!erpre! !he /or) >Japa> i- i!s mea-i- as !he
>p+rposi(e> -o+-. /hi,h /o+l) 'e >pro!e,!i->.
He ,o-!i-+e)0 By ,o-!i-+o+sly repea!i- a Japa. or a Ma-!ra. ei!her as o-e /or) or a
,om'i-a!io- o* /or)s. yo+ i-!e-) !o >pro!e,!> some!hi-. ?ha! )oes o-e /a-! !o pro!e,!E Some!hi-
!ha! o-e >lo(es> mos!. ?ha! )oes o-e lo(e mos!E Some!hi- /hi,h o-e >-ee)s> mos!0 A-) /ha! is i!
!ha! o-e -ee)s mos!E Some!hi- /i!ho+! /hi,h -o!hi- else has a-y mea-i-. a-y (al+e. Is i! -o!
!he >a-im+s>. !he se-se o* a-ima!i- prese-,e. !he ,o-s,io+s-ess. /i!ho+! /hi,h yo+ ,a--o! k-o/
a-y!hi- or e-<oy a-y!hi-E This mos! pre,io+s >-ee)> is ,o-s,io+s-ess /hi,h yo+ /a-! !o >pro!e,!>
a! a-y ,os!. a-) !he 'es! /ay !o pro!e,! a-y!hi- is -o! !o 'e a/ay *rom i! a! all. Is i! -o!E
So. !he mai- p+rpose o* repea!i- a Japa ,o-!i-+o+sly is !o remai- o-e /i!h ,o-s,io+s-ess all
!he !ime. B+! yo+ m+s! +-)ers!a-) !ha! !his >pra,!i,e> /ill e-a'le yo+ !o a,hie(e yo+r >p+rpose> o-ly
*or !he limi!e) )+ra!io- /hile yo+ repea! !he Japa. A ,lear apper,ep!io- o* yo+r !r+e -a!+re. o- !he
o!her ha-). is -o! a! all 'ase) o- !he ,o-,ep! o* !ime@ apper,ep!io- is i-!emporali!y.
R R R
S+-)ay. $ A++s! #$%# G The same yo+- la)y /a-!e) !o k-o/ /he!her !he pra,!i,e o*
o'ser(i- a )ay e(ery /eek as !he >)ay o* sile-,e> /as a oo) o-e. Mahara< smile) a-) sai) !ha! i!
/o+l) 'e a- e1,elle-! pra,!i,e i* !he si-i*i,a-,e o* !he /or) >sile-,e> /as ,learly +-)ers!oo).
Mahara< e1plai-e)0 I ha(e hear) o* ,er!ai- Maha!mas a-) G+r+s. rea!ly i-!eres!e) i- poli!i,s.
o'ser(i- >)ays o* sile-,e>. /he- !hey )o -o! speak '+! ,omm+-i,a!e /i!h !he ai) o* pe- a-) paper.
I am s+re !heir !hroa!s e! a lo! o* m+,h5-ee)e) res!. '+! o!her !ha- !ha!. I )o+'! i* !here ,o+l) 'e
a-y o!her 'e-e*i!.
?ha! I /o+l) +-)ers!a-) 'y &silence& is total absence of word and thou#ht. Ha(e yo+ e(er
,o-si)ere) *rom /here !he /or) ,omesE Be*ore a /or) 'e,omes (o,al. i! has !o 'e a !ho+h!@ a
mo(eme-! i- ,o-s,io+s-ess. a-) !here*ore. !he so+r,e o* !he /or) as /ell as !he !ho+h! is
,o-s,io+s-ess. O-,e yo+ +-)ers!a-) !his. yo+ /ill also +-)ers!a-) !ha! per*e,! sile-,e ,a- o-ly 'e
i- !he a'se-,e o* !ho+h!G o-ly /he- !ho+h! ,eases. a-) ,o-,ep!+ali=a!io- a-) o'<e,!i(i=a!io-
are also s+spe-)e). ?he- ,o-,ep!+ali=a!io- ,eases. i)e-!i!y. /hi,h is !he 'asis o*
,o-,ep!+ali=a!io-. ,a--o! remai-. a-) i- !he a'se-,e o* i)e-!i!y !here is -o 'o-)ae.
R R R
T+es)ay. #% A++s! #$%#GThis mor-i- Mahara< /as !oo /eak !o speak. The s+es!io- !ha!
o-e o* !he re,or)e) !apes o* his !alks 'e playe) /as appro(e) 'y him. A*!er a'o+! !/e-!y mi-+!es
o* !his. he aske) !ha! !he !ape 'e s!oppe). He sa! +p i- his 'e) /i!h some )i**i,+l!y. a-) /hispere) a
messae0 DThi-k o- /ha! yo+ ha(e hear) <+s! -o/ G /ha! yo+ hear) a-). i-*i-i!ely more
impor!a-!. /ho hear) i!D.
A*!er !his 'rie* /hispere) messae /or)s *aile) !he Mas!er. His !hroa! o! ,hoke). He ,lose)
his eyes. his *rail physi,al reso+r,es rappli- /i!h a- e1,r+,ia!i- pai-. A-) /e /a!,he)
helplessly.
57
;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;
The 6as! Mome-!s0 Mahasama)hi
T+es)ay. % Sep!em'er #$%# G Sri Nisara)a!!a Mahara< !o)ay a!!ai-e) Mahasama)hi a! 3.2&
p.m. a! his resi)e-,e Ashram.
?he- I arri(e) i- !he mor-i- a! his resi)e-,e as +s+al. a li!!le 'e*ore #8 a.m. I !ho+h!
Mahara< appeare) ,o-si)era'ly 'e!!er !ha- he /as !he pre(io+s )ay. His *a,e ha) 'e!!er ,olo+r a-)
his eyes /ere more aler!. '+! I a!here) *rom his so- !ha! !he )o,!or ha) o'ser(e) !ha!. as his ,hes!
/as hea(ily ,o-es!e) a-) a)mi-is!ra!io- o* o1ye- /as -e,essary. A- o1ye- ,yli-)er ha) 'ee-
arra-e).
By !he !ime I le*! a! a'o+! ## a.m. Mahara< ha) a,,ep!e) *irs! a ,+p o* milk a-) a li!!le la!er a
,+p o* !ea. a-) i! appeare) !ha! he /as *eeli- more ,om*or!a'le. B+! /he- my *rie-) M+llarpa!!a-
a-) I /ere lea(i- !oe!her. M+llarpa!!a- !ol) Mahara< !ha! he /o+l) ,ome aai- la!er i- !he
a*!er-oo- as +s+al. Mahara< k-e/ !ha! e-erally I (isi!e) him o-ly i- !he mor-i-s. '+! !o)ay he
spe,i*i,ally aske) me /he- I /o+l) ,ome aai-. I /as a li!!le s!ar!le) a! !his F+es!io- '+!. se-si-
his i-!e-!. I sai) I /o+l) )rop i- aai- i- !he e(e-i- a-) he seeme) please). As /e /ere lea(i-
Mahara< sai) !ha! he /as *eeli- sleepy a-) /o+l) res! a/hile.
I ha) a (isi!or i- !he a*!er-oo-. He s!aye) o- a 'i! lo-er !ha- I ha) e1pe,!e). A! a'o+! 9.28
p.m. as I /as a'o+! !o lea(e *or Mahara<>s resi)e-,e. !here /as a !elepho-e ,all *rom M+llarpa!!a-
!o say !ha! Mahara<>s ,o-)i!io- /as ,a+si- serio+s a-1ie!y. I r+she) !o Mahara<>s resi)e-,e a-)
*o+-) o1ye- 'ei- a)mi-is!ere). His eyes /ere ope-. '+! /i!h a 'la-k e1pressio- /hi,h i-)i,a!e)
!ha! he /as perhaps i- !he -o5mi-) s!a!e. His 'rea!hi- /as la'o+re) a-) i! seeme) !ha! !he e-)
,o+l) -o! 'e *ar a/ay.
His 'rea!hi-. /hi,h /as e!!i- shallo/er a-) shallo/er. *i-ally s!oppe) al!oe!her a! 3.2&
p.m. Mahara< ha) ma)e !he !ra-si!io- *rom !he rela!i(e !o !he A'sol+!e /i!h !he rea!es! ease a-)
pea,e. M+llarpa!!a- a-) I /ere !here /he- !he e-) ,ame. alo- /i!h !he mem'ers o* Mahara<>s
*amily a-) !/o o* his perso-al a!!e-)a-!s. I! /as )e,i)e) !ha! !he *+-eral /o+l) !ake pla,e !he -e1!
)ay.
?e)-es)ay. $ Sep!em'er #$%# G Mahara<>s 'o)y /as pla,e) i- a re,li-i- posi!io- i- !he
spe,ial me)i,al ,hair /hi,h a Belia- )e(o!ee. Jose* Na+/elaer!s. ha) perso-ally 'ro+h! o(er !o
Bom'ay o-ly *i(e /eeks ao. The- /e pro,ee)e) !o !he Ba-a-a ,rema!io- ro+-) i- a
pro,essio- /hi,h ,omprise) se(eral h+-)re) )e(o!ees. The Sama)hi o* Mahara<>s G+r+. Sri
Si)haramsh/ar Mahara<. is lo,a!e) o- !hese ro+-)s.
The *+-eral pro,essio- s!ar!e) a! a'o+! #&.#4 p.m. Mahara<>s 'o)y /as ,arrie) i- a !r+,k
pro*+sely )e,ora!e) /i!h *lo/ers a-). apar! *rom !he h+-)re)s /ho <oi-e) !he pro,essio- o- his las!
<o+r-ey. ma-y o!hers pai) !heir respe,!s !o him alo- !he /ay. ?e rea,he) !he ,rema!io- ro+-) a!
&.74 p.m.
The *+-eral pyre /as li! 'y Mahara<>s so- a! 2.78 p.m. a! !he e-) o* a simple '+! mo(i-
,eremo-y. /hi,h s!ar!e) /i!h !he +s+al Ara!i 'e*ore Mahara<>s G+r+>s shri-e. as !his /as his pra,!i,e
'e*ore s!ar!i- o- a <o+r-ey.
The physi,al *orm o* !he Mas!er o! mere) i-!o !he eleme-!s o* /hi,h i! /as ma)e. Sayi-
a-y!hi- *+r!her a'o+! !he Mas!er /o+l) 'e 'o!h s+per*l+o+s a-) i-a)eF+a!e. a-) /holly aai-s!
Mahara<>s !ea,hi-. Tr+!h m+s! 'e apper,ei(e)@ i! 'e,omes a ,o-,ep! /he- i(e- e1pressio- !o.
APPENDIX - 1
;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;
The Core o* !he Tea,hi-
The ,ore o* Sri Nisara)a!!a Mahara<>s !ea,hi- is !he k-o/le)e o* o-e>s o/- !r+e i)e-!i!y.
This k-o/le)e is i-)ee) !he pi(o!al poi-! aro+-) /hi,h mo(es e(ery!hi-. I! is !he ,r+,ial !r+!h.
A-) !he apper,ep!io- o* !his !r+!h arises o-ly *rom i-!e-se perso-al e1perie-,e. -o! *rom a s!+)y o*
reliio+s !e1!s. /hi,h. a,,or)i- !o Mahara<. are -o!hi- '+! >hearsay>. Taki- his s!a-) o- !he
'e)ro,k o* i-,o-!ro(er!i'le *a,!s a-) !o!ally )is,ar)i- all ass+mp!io-s a-) spe,+la!io-s. he o*!e-
a))resses a -e/ (isi!or i- !he *ollo/i- /or)s0
DKo+ are si!!i- !here. I am si!!i- here. a-) !here is !he /orl) o+!si)e G a-). *or !he mome-!.
/e may ass+me !ha! !here m+s! 'e a ,rea!or. le! +s say Go). These !hreeO*o+r i!ems are *a,!s or
e1perie-,e. -o! >hearsay>. 6e! +s ,o-*i-e o+r ,o-(ersa!io- !o !hese i!ems o-ly.D This 'asis a+!oma!i5
,ally e1,l+)es alo- /i!h !he >hearsay> !he !ra)i!io-al !e1!s !oo. a-) !here*ore !here is al/ays a-
e1hilara!i- se-se o* *resh-ess a-) *ree)om !o Mahara<>s !alks. His /or)s -ee) -o s+ppor! *rom
someo-e else>s /or)s or e1perie-,es /hi,h. a*!er all. is all !ha! !he !ra)i!io-al !e1!s ,a- mea-. This
approa,h ,omple!ely )isarms !hose >e)+,a!e)> people /ho ,ome !o impress !he o!her (isi!ors /i!h
!heir lear-i-. a-) a! !he same !ime hope !o e! a ,er!i*i,a!e *rom Mahara< a'o+! !heir o/- hihly
e(ol(e) s!a!e. A! !he same !ime i! rea!ly e-,o+raes !he e-+i-e seeker /ho /o+l) pre*er !o s!ar!
*rom s,ra!,h.
O- !his 'asis a (isi!or +s+ally *i-)s himsel* /i!ho+! !oo ma-y F+es!io-s 'e,a+se all his pre5
pla--e) F+es!io-s e-erally happe- !o 'e 'ase) o- >hearsay>. Mahara< +s+ally helps s+,h a (isi!or 'y
promp!i- a F+ery s+,h as0 ?ha! is i! /i!ho+! /hi,h -o o-e /o+l) 'e a'le !o per,ei(e a-y!hi- or
)o a-y!hi-E ?i!ho+! /hi,h yo+ /o+l) -o! 'e a'le !o ask a-y F+es!io-s a-) I /o+l) -o! 'e a'le !o
a-s/erE I* yo+ a-) I /ere -o! ,o-s,io+s. ,o+l) /e ha(e ha) !his ,o-(ersa!io-E ?ha! is
>,o-s,io+s-ess>E Is i! -o! !he se-se o* 'ei- prese-!. 'ei- ali(eE This se-se o* Co-s,io+s Prese-,e
)oes -o! really ha(e re*ere-,e !o a-y i-)i(i)+al 'ei- prese-!0 I! is se-se o* ,o-s,io+s prese-,e. as
s+,h. ?i!ho+! !his ,o-s,io+s-ess. /he-. *or i-s!a-,e. ,o-s,io+s-ess lea(es !he 'o)y a! )ea!h. !he
'o)y is F+i,kly )is,ar)e) G '+rie) or ,rema!e)G'e,a+se o!her/ise i- -o !ime !he p+!re*ie) *lesh
/o+l) s!ar! s!i-ki-. ?here. !he-. is !he i-)i(i)+al /ho. /he- ,o-s,io+s-ess /as !here. mih! ha(e
'ee- ,o-si)ere) a e-i+sE He is sai) !o ha(e >)ie)>.
Consciousnessthe Basis of all Manifestation
Mahara< !ells !he (isi!ors !ha! i! is o-ly a'o+! !his ,o-s,io+s-ess or l-am-ness !ha! he al/ays
!alks. A-y e-F+iries a'o+! a-y!hi- else /o+l) 'e +seless 'e,a+se !his ,o-s,io+s-ess m+s! 'e !here
'e*ore a-y!hi- else ,a- 'e. I* I am -o! H,o-s,io+sC. he says. !he /orl) is -o! Has i- )eep sleepC. I! is
o-ly /he- I am ,o-s,io+s !ha! !he /orl) e1is!s *or me. All i-F+iries o* !he seeker. Mahara< asser!s.
m+s! !here*ore rela!e !o !his ,o-s,io+s-ess0 Ho/ )i) i! ariseE ?ha! is i!s so+r,eE ?ha! s+s!ai-s i!E
?ha! is i!s -a!+reE The a-s/ers !o !hese F+eries lea) !o !r+e k-o/le)e. ?i!ho+! ,o-s,io+s-ess
!here ,a- 'e -o phe-ome-al e1is!e-,e. a-) !here*ore ,o-s,io+s-ess is !he hihes! Go) !ha! a-
i-)i(i)+al i- his i-)i(i)+ali!y ,a- ,o-,ei(e. al!ho+h he may i(e i! a-y -ame G Arish-a. Ish/ara.
Shi(a. Chris! e!,. ?he- ,o-s,io+s-ess lea(es !he 'o)y. !here is -o i-)i(i)+al. -o /orl). -o Co).
The rela!io-ship 'e!/ee- !he physi,al 'o)y a-) ,o-s,io+s-ess. says Mahara<. m+s! 'e (ery
,learly per,ei(e). Co-s,io+s-ess ,a- 'e ,o-s,io+s o* i!sel* o-ly so lo- as i! has ma-i*es!e) i!sel*
i- a phe-ome-al *orm. a 'o)y. /he!her i! is !ha! o* a- i-se,!. or a /orm. or a- a-imal. or a h+ma-
'ei-.
?i!ho+! !he 'o)y. i- +-ma-i*es!e) s!a!e. ,o-s,io+s-ess is -o! ,o-s,io+s o* i!sel*. ?i!ho+!
,o-s,io+s-ess !he 'o)y is merely )ea) ma!erial. The 'o)y. !here*ore. says Mahara<. is !he *oo) !ha!
s+s!ai-s ,o-s,io+s-ess a-) !he i-s!r+me-! !hro+h /hi,h ,o-s,io+s-ess *+-,!io-s. I- *a,!. he says.
,o-s,io+s-ess is !he >-a!+re>. or >s+,h-ess>. or >!as!e> o* !he physi,al 'o)y like s/ee!-ess is o* s+ar.
A*!er /e ha(e +-)ers!oo) !his i-!ima!e rela!io- 'e!/ee- !he 'o)y a-) ,o-s,io+s-ess. Mahara<
asks +s !o *i-) o+! !he so+r,e o* !his 'o)y5,o-s,io+s-ess. Ho/ )i) i! ,ome a'o+!E The so+r,e o* !he
h+ma- 'o)y is !he male sperm *er!ili=e) i- !he o(+m o* a *emale /om'. a-) /he- ,o-,ep!io- !akes
pla,e. ,o-s,io+s-ess is la!e-! !herei-. I! is !his G !he *er!ili=e) male sperm /i!h ,o-s,io+s-ess
la!e-! i- i! G !ha! ro/s i- !he mo!her>s /om'. is )eli(ere) i- )+e ,o+rse as a 'a'y. ro/s i-!o
i-*a-,y a-) !herea*!er !hro+h i!s spa- o* li*e. ?ha! is !he *or,e 'ehi-) !his -a!+ral ro/!hE
No!hi- o!her !ha- ,o-s,io+s-ess /hi,h is la!e-! i- !he male sperm. !he la!!er i!sel* 'ei- !he
esse-,e o* !he *oo) ,o-s+me) 'y !he pare-!s. I! sho+l) 'e ,lear !he-. says Mahara<. !ha! ,o-5
s,io+s-ess is !he (ery -a!+re o* !he physi,al 'o)y Hlike s/ee!-ess o* s+arC a-) !ha! !he physi,al
'o)y is ma)e o* a-) s+s!ai-e) 'y *oo). /hi,h is !he esse-,e o* !he *i(e eleme-!s. I- !his
spo-!a-eo+s -a!+ral pro,ess. !he i-)i(i)+al. as s+,h. )oes -o! ha(e a-y si-i*i,a-,e. The i-)i(i)+al
'o)y is ma)e o* *oo). a-) ,o-s,io+s-ess is +-i(ersal. all5per(a)i-. Ho/ ,a- !he i-)i(i)+al ,laim
ei!her separa!e e1is!e-,e. or 'o-)ae a-) li'era!io- *or himsel*E
Has a-y i-)i(i)+al 'ee- ,o-s+l!e) a'o+! his >'ir!h> as !he iss+e o* par!i,+lar pare-!sE The >me>
a-) >mi-e> ha(e ,ome a'o+! o-ly a*!er !he 'ir!h. /hi,h is ,learly !he res+l! o* a -a!+ral pro,ess i-
/hi,h -ei!her !he pare-!s -or !he 'a'y has a-y ,hoi,e. I- o!her /or)s. Mahara< poi-!s o+!. !he
'o)y5,+m5,o-s,io+s-ess is a phe-ome-al +-i! /hi,h has spo-!a-eo+sly 'ee- ,rea!e) o+! o* !he *i(e
eleme-!s Hspa,e. air. *ire. /a!er. a-) ear!hC a-) !he !hree a!!ri'+!es HSa!!(a. Ra<as a-) TamasC. This
+-i! ro/s )+ri- i!s li*e5spa- a-) !he- >)ies> G !ha! is. oes 'a,k !o !he *i(e eleme-!s. a-)
,o-s,io+s-ess !ha! /as limi!e) 'y !he 'o)y is release) i-!o Imperso-al Co-s,io+s-ess.
No/. asks Mahara<. i- !his -a!+ral pro,ess o* !he ,rea!io- a-) )es!r+,!io- o* a phe-ome-al
+-i!. /here is !he F+es!io- o* a >yo+>E Ko+ ha(e -e(er 'ee- a par!y !o !he ,rea!io- o* !he
phe-ome-al +-i! !ha! >yo+> are s+ppose) !o 'e. Ko+ ha(e 'ee- !ol) 'y yo+r pare-!s !ha! yo+ /ere
>'or-> a-) !ha! a par!i,+lar 'o)y is >yo+>. Ko+ really ha(e -o a,!+al e1perie-,e o* 'ei- 'or-. ?ha!
is 'or- is a phe-ome-al +-i!. a psy,hosoma!i, appara!+s !ha! is a,!i(a!e) 'y ,o-s,io+s-ess. I*
,o-s,io+s-ess is -o! !here. !he 'o)y5appara!+s is -o! o-ly +seless '+! has !o 'e )ispose) o* as
F+i,kly as possi'le.
?ho !he- are you$ Ko+ are. says Mahara<. /ha! yo+ /ere 'e*ore !he 'o)y5,+m5,o-s,io+s-ess
,ame i-!o 'ei-. /ha! yo+ /ere >a h+-)re) years ao>B
The F+es!io- !ha! -a!+rally arises a! !his s!ae is0 ?ho !he- a,!s i- !he /orl) as !he 'o)yE The
a-s/er a,,or)i- !o Mahara< is !ha! i- ma-i*es!a!io- ,o-s,io+s-ess is e(ery!hi-. I! is
,o-s,io+s-ess !ha! a,!s !hro+h !he millio-s o* 'o)ies a,,or)i- !o !he i--a!e ,hara,!er o* !he
,omposi!io- o* ea,h 'o)y. There are millio-s o* psy,hosoma!i, *orms '+! -o !/o *orms are e1a,!ly
alike i- all respe,!s 'e,a+se ea,h *orm has a )is!i-,!i(e ,om'i-a!io- o* !he *i(e eleme-!s pl+s !he
!hree a!!ri'+!es. Ea,h eleme-! has i!s o/- ,hara,!eris!i,s a-) so has ea,h a!!ri'+!e. Imai-e !he
millio-s o* ra)a!io-s !ha! ea,h o* !hese eih! aspe,!s ,a- ha(e. a-) !he res+l!i- 'illio-s a-)
!rillio-s o* perm+!a!io-s a-) ,om'i-a!io-s !ha! ,a- 'e e**e,!e)B Co-s,io+s-ess a,!s !hro+h !he
physi,al 'o)ies. ea,h o* /hi,h has i!s o/- !emperame-! a-) ,hara,!er. 'ase) par!ly o- i!s physi,al
,omposi!io- a-) par!ly o- !he ,o-)i!io-i- i! has re,ei(e). I* !his is ,learly per,ei(e) i! sho+l) 'e
also ,rys!al ,lear !ha! -o i-)i(i)+al has !he a+!o-omy !o a,! i-)epe-)e-!ly. B+! !he i-)i(i)+al. i- his
i-ora-,e. 'elie(es !ha! i! is he /ho a,!s@ he >!akes )eli(ery>. says Mahara<. o* !he a,!io-s !ha! !ake
pla,e. 'i-)s himsel* i- ill+sory 'o-)ae. a-) s+**ers pai- a-) pleas+re. This is ho/ >'o-)ae> arises.
Mahara< /a-!s +s !o 'e ,lear o- o-e poi-!0 Ma- ,o-si)ers himsel* a spe,ial 'ei-. apar! *rom
all o!her ,rea!io-. B+! so *ar as !he i-re)ie-!s o* !he physi,al ,o-s!r+,! are ,o-,er-e). !here is -o
)i**ere-,e 'e!/ee- !he (ario+s ki-)s o* se-!ie-! ,rea!+res. O-ly !he pro,ess o* ,rea!io- )i**ers.
he Essential Pur!ose of Para"artha
Mahara< ,o-s!a-!ly +res +s -o! !o miss. *ore!. o(erlook. or i-ore !he esse-!ial p+rpose o* all
Paramar!ha i.e. !he +l!ima!e +-)ers!a-)i-. a-) !o k-o/ o+r S(ar+pa i.e. o+r !r+e i)e-!i!y. ?ha! is
o+r !r+e i)e-!i!yE Mahara< /o+l) say0 :-ma-i*es!e). i- s!ill-ess. o+r i)e-!i!y is !he A'sol+!e
:-i,i!y G P+re A/are-ess -o! a/are o* i!sel*@ ma-i*es!e). *+-,!io-i- i- )+ali!y. o+r i)e-!i!y is
,o-s,io+s-ess seeki- i!sel* as !he >o!her> 'e,a+se >i! ,a--o! !olera!e i!s o/- prese-,e.> I- o!her
/or)s. says Mahara<. o- o+r orii-al s!a!e o* !he !imeless. ,ha-eless. A'sol+!e No+me-ali!y. !he
'o)y5,+m5,o-s,io+s-ess has appeare) like a !emporary ill-ess. /i!ho+! ,a+se or reaso-. as par! o*
!he !o!al >*+-,!io-i-> o* !he Imperso-al Co-s,io+s-ess i- i!s role as Pra<-a. Ea,h phe-ome-al *orm
/orks o+! i!s allo!!e) )+ra!io- a-) a! !he e-) o* i!s li*e5spa- )isappears as spo-!a-eo+sly as i! ap5
peare). a-) ,o-s,io+s-ess. relie(e) o* i!s physi,al limi!a!io-. -o lo-er ,o-s,io+s o* i!sel*. meres
i- A/are-ess0 o-e is -ei!her 'or- -or )oes o-e )ie. Co-s,io+s-ess i- or)er !o ma-i*es! i!sel* -ee)s
physi,al *orms *or i!s *+-,!io-i- a-) is ,o-s!a-!ly ,rea!i- -e/ *orms a-) )es!royi- ol) *orms.
I* !his is !he -a!+ral pro,ess o* !he !o!al *+-,!io-i- o* ,o-s,io+s-ess. !he F+es!io- arises0 Ho/
)oes !he i-)i(i)+al e-!i!y a-) i!s 'o-)ae ,ome i-!o e1is!e-,eE A 'rie* a-s/er. says Mahara<.
/o+l) 'e !o say !ha! ,o-s,io+s-ess. limi!e) 'y !he ,o-*i-es o* !he physi,al *orm a-) -o! *i-)i- a-y
o!her s+ppor!. )el+)es i!sel* i-!o a- i)e-!i*i,a!io- /i!h !he par!i,+lar 'o)y a-) !h+s ,rea!es a
pse+)o5e-!i!y@ a-) !his pse+)o5e-!i!y. mis!aki- i!sel* as !he )oer o* !he a,!io-s H/hi,h a,!+ally
*orm par! o* !he !o!al spo-!a-eo+s *+-,!io-i- o* Pra<-aC m+s! a,,ep! !he ,o-seF+e-,es a-) !here'y
s+'<e,! i!sel* !o !he 'o-)ae o* !he ,a+se a-) e**e,! o* !he Aarma i)ea.
he #uestion of $e%birth
Mahara< re<e,!s !he i)ea o* re5'ir!h or re5i-,ar-a!io- o+! o* ha-). a-) !he 'asis *or s+,h
re<e,!io- is so simple !ha! i! h+m'les +s0 the entity which is supposed to be re-born does not exist
e1,ep! as a mere ,o-,ep!B Ho/ ,a- a ,o-,ep! 'e re5'or-E
Mahara< i- all i--o,e-,e asks !he pro!ao-is! o* re5'ir!h0 DPlease. I /a-! !o k-o/. /ho is i! !ha!
/o+l) 'e re5'or-ED The 'o)y >)ies> a-). a*!er )ea!h. is )emolishe) G '+rie) or ,rema!e)Gas
F+i,kly as possi'le. The 'o)y. i- o!her /or)s. has 'ee- irrepara'ly. irre!rie(a'ly. irre(o,a'ly
)es!roye). Tha! 'o)y. !here*ore. /hi,h /as a- o'<e,!i(e !hi- ,a--o! 'e re5'or-. Ho/ !he- ,a-
a-y!hi- -o-5o'<e,!i(e like !he li*e5*or,e H!he 'rea!hC. /hi,h. o- !he )ea!h o* !he 'o)y. mere) /i!h
!he air o+!si)e. or !he ,o-s,io+s-ess /hi,h mere) /i!h !he Imperso-al Co-s,io+s-ess. 'e re5'or-
ei!herE
Perhaps. says Mahara<. yo+ /ill say !ha! !he e-!i!y ,o-,er-e) /ill 'e re5'or-. B+! !ha! /o+l)
'e +!!erly ri)i,+lo+s. Ko+ )o k-o/ !ha! !he >e-!i!y> is -o!hi- '+! a ,o-,ep!. a hall+,i-a!io- /hi,h
arises /he- ,o-s,io+s-ess mis!ake-ly i)e-!i*ies i!sel* /i!h !he par!i,+lar *orm.
Ho/ )i) !he i)ea o* re5'ir!h arise a! allE I! /as perhaps ,o-,ei(e) as some sor! o* a- a,,ep!a'le
/orki- !heory !o sa!is*y !he simpler people /ho /ere -o! i-!ellie-! e-o+h !o !hi-k 'eyo-) !he
parame!ers o* !he ma-i*es!e) /orl).
he Pseu&o%entit'
Ho/e(er. i- or)er !o see ,learly ho/ !he pse+)o5e-!i!y. or !he eo H/ho is s+ppose) !o 'e !he
,a+se a-) !he o'<e,! o* s+ppose) 'o-)aeC arises. i! is -e,essary !o +-)ers!a-) !he ,o-,ep!+al
pro,ess *or ma-i*es!a!io-. ?ha! /e are A'sol+!ely. -o+me-ally. is +-i,i!y5a'sol+!e5s+'<e,!i(i!y
/i!ho+! !he slih!es! !o+,h o* o'<e,!i(i!y. The o-ly /ay this-that-we-are ,a- ma-i*es! i!sel* is
!hro+h a pro,ess o* )+ali!y. !he s!ar! o* /hi,h is !he s!irri- o* ,o-s,io+s-ess. !he se-se o* >I am>.
This pro,ess o* ma-i*es!a!io-5o'<e,!i(i=a!io-. /hi,h /as so *ar !o!ally a'se-!. e-!ails a )i,ho!omy
i-!o a s+'<e,! !ha! per,ei(es a-) a- o'<e,! !ha! is per,ei(e)@ ,o-i=er a-) !he ,o-i=e).
The -o+me-o-Gp+re s+'<e,!i(i!yGm+s! al/ays remai- !he o-ly s+'<e,!. There*ore. !he
s+ppose) ,o-i=er a-) !he s+ppose) ,o-i=e) are 'o!h o'<e,!s i- ,o-s,io+s-ess. This is !he
esse-!ial *a,!or !o 'e 'or-e i- mi-). I! is o-ly i- ,o-s,io+s-ess !ha! !his pro,ess ,a- o,,+r. E(ery
imai-a'le !hi- G e(ery ki-) o* phe-ome-o- G !ha! o+r se-ses per,ei(e a-) o+r mi-) i-!erpre!s
is a- appeara-,e i- o+r ,o-s,io+s-ess. Ea,h o* +s e1is!s o-ly as a- o'<e,!. a- appeara-,e i-
someo-e else>s ,o-s,io+s-ess. The ,o-i=er a-) !he ,o-i=e) are 'o!h o'<e,!s i- ,o-s,io+s-ess '+!
Ha-) !his is !he impor!a-! poi-! rear)i- !he pse+)o5e-!i!yC !ha! /hi,h ,o-i=es !he o'<e,! ass+mes
!ha! i! is !he s+'<e,! o* !he ,o-i!io- *or o!her o'<e,!s. i- a /orl) e1!er-al !o i!sel*. a-) !his
,o-i=i- s+'<e,! rear)s i!s pse+)o5s+'<e,!i(i!y as ,o-s!i!+!i- a- i-)epe-)e-!. a+!o-omo+s e-!i!y
G a >sel* >G /i!h !he po/er o* (oli!io-al a,!io-B
The pri-,iple o* )+ali!y. /hi,h s!ar!s /i!h !he se-se >I am>. a-) o- /hi,h is 'ase) !he e-!ire
phe-ome-al ma-i*es!a!io-. is ,arrie) a s!ep *+r!her /he- !he pse+)o5e-!i!y. i- i!s role as !he pse+)o5
s+'<e,!. 'ei-s !he pro,ess o* reaso-i- 'y ,ompari- i-!er5)epe-)e-! a-) opposi- ,o+-!erpar!s
Hs+,h as oo) a-) 'a). p+re a-) imp+re. meri! a-) si-. prese-,e a-) a'se-,e. rea! a-) small e!,.C.
a-). a*!er !he ,ompariso-. )is,rimi-a!i- 'e!/ee- !hem. This ,o-s!i!+!es !he pro,ess o*
,o-,ep!+ali=a!io-.
Apar! *rom !his )i,ho!omy o* s+'<e,! a-) o'<e,!. !he pro,ess o* phe-ome-al ma-i*es!a!io-
)epe-)s o- !he 'asi, ,o-,ep! o* spa,e a-) !ime. I- !he a'se-,e o* !he ,o-,ep! o* >spa,e>. -o o'<e,!
,o+l) 'e,ome appare-! /i!h i!s !hree5)ime-sio-al (ol+me@ similarly. i- !he a'se-,e o* !he rela!e)
,o-,ep! o* >!ime>. !he !hree5)ime-sio-al o'<e,! ,o+l) -o! 'e per,ei(e) G -or a-y mo(eme-!
meas+re) G /i!ho+! !he )+ra!io- -e,essary !o make !he o'<e,! per,ei(a'le. The pro,ess o*
phe-ome-al ma-i*es!a!io-. !here*ore. !akes pla,e i- ,o-,ep!+al spa,e5!ime. i- /hi,h !he o'<e,!s
'e,ome appeara-,es i- ,o-s,io+s-ess. per,ei(e) a-) ,o-i=e) 'y ,o-s,io+s-ess. !hro+h a pro,ess
o* ,o-,ep!+ali=a!io- !he 'asis o* /hi,h is a spli!!i- i-!o !he per,ei(i- pse+)o5s+'<e,! a-) !he
per,ei(e) o'<e,!. The res+l! o* !he i)e-!i*i,a!io- /i!h !he ,o-i=er eleme-! i- !he pro,ess o*
ma-i*es!a!io- is !he ,o-,ep!io- o* !he pse+)o5perso-ali!y /i!h perso-al ,hoi,e o* a,!io-. A-) !his is
!he /hole 'asis o* !he ill+sory >'o-)ae>.
:-)ers!a-) !he /hole pro,ess o* phe-ome-al ma-i*es!a!io-. says Mahara<. -o! i- 'i!s a-)
pie,es '+! i- o-e *lash o* apper,ep!io-. The A'sol+!e. !he -o+me-o- is !he +-ma-i*es!e) aspe,! a-)
!he phe-ome-o-. !he ma-i*es!e) aspe,! o* /ha! /e are. They are not different. A ,r+)e simile
/o+l) 'e !he s+'s!a-,e a-) i!s sha)o/. e1,ep! !ha! !he ma-i*es!e) /o+l) 'e !he sha)o/ o* !he
*ormless +-ma-i*es!e)B The A'sol+!e -o+me-o- is i-!emporal. spa,eless. -o! per,ep!i'le !o !he
se-ses@ !he phe-ome-a are !ime5'o+-). /i!h a limi!e) *orm a-) per,ep!i'le !o !he se-ses.
"oumenon is what we are% phenomena are what we appear to be as separa!e o'<e,!s i-
,o-s,io+s-ess. I)e-!i*i,a!io- o* !he +-i,i!y Hor !he s+'<e,!C !ha! /e are /i!h !he separa!e-ess i-
)+ali!y Hor !he o'<e,!C !ha! /e appear to be ,o-s!i!+!es >'o-)ae> a-) )isi)e-!i*i,a!io- H*rom !his
i)e-!i*i,a!io-C ,o-s!i!+!es >li'era!io->. B+! 'o!h >'o-)ae> a-) >li'era!io-> are ill+sory 'e,a+se !here is
-o s+,h e-!i!y /ho is i- 'o-)ae. /a-!i- li'era!io-@ !he e-!i!y is o-ly a ,o-,ep! arisi- o+! o* !he
i)e-!i*i,a!io- o* ,o-s,io+s-ess /i!h a- appare-! o'<e,! !ha! is merely a- appeara-,e i- ,o-s,io+s5
-essB
(ife a (i)in*%&rea"
O-,e !his is ,learly apper,ei(e). i! ,a--o! '+! 'e +-)ers!oo) !ha! o+r i)ea o* >li(i- o+r li(es> is
a <oke 'e,a+se !he i)ea o* li(i- o+r li(es is 'ase) o- !he /ro- 'elie* !ha! /ha! /e )o are all a,!s
o* o+r (oli!io-. ?ho ,a- e1er,ise !his (oli!io- /he- /e ha(e <+s! apper,ei(e) !ha! !here is -o e-!i!y
!o e1er,ise i!E >6i(i-> as s+,h is really -o!hi- o!her !ha- !he *+-,!io-i- o* ,o-s,io+s-ess !hro+h
!he millio-s o* physi,al *orms. '+! mis!ake- *or a- i-)i(i)+al li*e.
Mahara< also e1plai-s !ha! !his 'asi, apper,ep!io- ,ompor!s !he +-)ers!a-)i- !ha! li*e is o-ly
a li(i-5)ream. A! !his s!ae. i! sho+l) 'e ,lear !ha! /ha!e(er o-e sees. hears. !as!es. smells or
!o+,hes is se-sorially per,ei(e) a-) !ha! !his per,ep!io- is i- *a,! merely a ,o-i!io- i-
,o-s,io+s-ess G i-)ee). !ha! !he e-!i!y /hose se-ses per,ei(e) i! is i!sel* merely a- appeara-,e i-
!he ,o-s,io+s-ess o* !he >o!her> o-e /ho per,ei(es !his e-!i!y as a- o'<e,!B Th+s. !he o'<e,!s
per,ei(e) mis!ake-ly as e-!i!ies i- !he ,o-s,io+s-ess o* o-e a-o!her -o! 'ei- a+!o-omo+s e-!i!ies.
/ha! really happe-s is !ha! !here is -o per,ei(er as s+,h. '+! o-ly !he per,ei(i- o* ,o-,ep!+al
o'<e,!s mo(i- i- ,o-,ep!+al spa,e. i- ,o-,ep!+al )+ra!io-. Are all !hese -o! ,learly !he aspe,!s o*
!he )ream /hi,h /e e1perie-,e /hile asleepE ?he- !he )reamer /akes +p !he )reami- e-)s. a-)
!he o-e /ho is a/ake is -o lo-er ,o-,er-e) a'o+! !he o!her >e-!i!ies> i- !he )ream. Similarly. i- !he
li(i-5)ream. !he o-e /ho is a/ake H!he o-e /ho reali=es !ha! -o!hi- per,ei(a'le 'y !he se-ses.
i-,l+)i- !he >e-!i!y> o-e !hi-ks o-e is. ,a- 'e a-y!hi- o!her !ha- a mere appeara-,e i-
,o-s,io+s-essC is -o lo-er ,o-,er-e) a'o+! !he o!her )ream *i+res i- !he li(i-5)ream. The
a/ake-e) o-e reali=es !ha! he is !he +-,o-)i!io-e) A'sol+!e S+'<e,!i(i!y o- /hi,h !he s!irri- o*
,o-s,io+s-ess s!ar!e) !his li(i-5)ream spo-!a-eo+sly. /i!ho+! ,a+se or reaso-. a-) <+s! >li(es> o+!
!he )ream !ill. a! !he e-) o* !he allo!!e) spa-. ,o-s,io+s-ess o-,e aai- spo-!a-eo+sly meres i- !he
A'sol+!e S+'<e,!i(i!y.
S!iritual Practices: Volition
Ha(i- *ollo/e) Mahara< !h+s *ar. !he rea,!io- *rom mos! (isi!ors is as!o-ishi-ly similar. The
F+es!io- is aske)0 ?ha! yo+ ha(e sai) is (ery pro*o+-) a-) I !hi-k I +-)ers!a-) i! i-!elle,!+ally. '+!
/ha! is i! e1a,!ly !ha! o-e sho+l) do i- or)er !o a,!+ally e1perie-,e i!E Mahara< some!imes hi)es his
+!!er *r+s!ra!io- a-) a! o!her !imes he *lares +p a! !his F+es!io-. '+! his +s+al a-s/er !o !he F+es!io-
is a ,o+-!er5F+es!io-0 ?ho is !his >o-e> /ho !hi-ks he m+s! )o some!hi- G a-) !o a,hie(e /ha!E
O-,e i! is +-)ers!oo) !ha! a- e-!i!y is merely a- erro-eo+s ,o-,ep!. !ha! a 'o)y like a-y o!her
phe-ome-o- is merely a- e1perie-,e i- ,o-s,io+s-ess. a-) !ha! !here is -o o-e !o e1er,ise a-y
(oli!io-. /here is !he F+es!io- o* a-yo-e doin# a-y!hi-E :-)ers!a-)i- G apper,ep!io- G is all.
To 'e !horo+hly a-) !o!ally impre-a!e) 'y !his apper,ep!io- is all !he >)oi-> !ha! is -e,essary *or
li'era!io-@ a-) -o amo+-! o* >)oi-> /ill a,hie(e i! /i!ho+! !he !o!al a--ihila!io- o* !he erro-eo+s
,o-,ep! o* a- i-)epe-)e-! e-!i!y /i!h a+!o-omy o* a,!io-. The >I> ,a--o! emere /i!ho+! !he
a--ihila!io- o* !he >me>. )hen the &me& disappears you are I.
I* !he arro/ has hi! !he !are!. as Mahara< says. !here ,o+l) -o! possi'ly 'e a-y more F+es!io-s.
B+! )ire,! a-) i-!+i!i(e apper,ep!io- o* !he *a,!s G !he *lih! o* !he arro/Gis ma)e )i**i,+l! 'y !he
i-!er*ere-,e o* ,o-,ep!+ali=a!io- 'y !he i-!elle,!. I-!elle,!+al +-)ers!a-)i- is 'ase) o- ,a+se a-)
e**e,!. o-e o* !he aspe,!s o* !he !emporal )+alism o- /hi,h ,o-,ep!+ali=a!io- is 'ase). I-!+i!io-al
+-)ers!a-)i- G )ire,! +-)ers!a-)i- G o- !he o!her ha-). is i-!emporal /here ,a+se a-) e**e,!
are o-e. I! is i-!elle,!+al +-)ers!a-)i- !ha! lea)s !o !he F+es!io-0 I* !here is -o a+!o-omo+s e-!i!y !o
e1er,ise a-y (oli!io-. ho/ is -o-5(oli!io-al li(i- a,,omplishe)E Or. ho/ is o-e s+ppose) !o li(e
a-) a,! i- !he /orl)E
?he- s+,h a F+es!io- is aske) Mahara<>s +s+al a-s/er /o+l) 'e0 DI! )oes->! ma!!er /ha! yo+
)o so lo- as yo+ ha(e !r+ly +-)ers!oo) /ha! I am !alki- a'o+!. I- a-o!her /ay. i! also )oes -o!
ma!!er i* yo+ ha(e -o! +-)ers!oo) /ha! I am !alki- a'o+!BD O'(io+sly !he poi-! is !ha! all o+r pas!
e1perie-,es. i* ,are*+lly a-aly=e). /o+l) ,learly sho/ !ha! o+r li(es. i-s!ea) o* 'ei- li(e) by +s as
/e seem !o !hi-k. are i- *a,! 'ei- li(e) for +s like all !he ,hara,!ers i- o-e>s )ream a-) !ha!.
!here*ore. (oli!io- is really -o! a si-i*i,a-! *a,!or i- o+r li(es. A li!!le !ho+h! /o+l) sho/ +s /ha!
a- i-*i-i!esimally small par! o* o+r !o!al physi,al or ora-i, *+-,!io-i- )epe-)s o- o+r (oli!io-.
Mahara< asks0 Ho/ lo- ,a- yo+ li(e /i!ho+! sleep. /i!ho+! *oo) or /a!erE Ho/ lo- ,a- yo+ o
alo- /i!ho+! !he e1,re!ary mo(eme-!s o* !he 'o)yE Ho/ lo- ,a- yo+ remai- /i!ho+! 'rea!hi-E
Do yo+ ha(e !he a'sol+!e (oli!io- !o remai- ali(e e(e- *or !he -e1! *i(e mi-+!esE Di) yo+ e1er,ise
yo+r (oli!io- /he- yo+ /ere ,o-,ei(e)E A-) /he- !he ,o-,ei(e) ma!erial re/ i- !he mo!her>s
/om'E
?he- Mahara< !ells +s !ha! i! really )oes -o! ma!!er /ha! /e )o. he o'(io+sly /a-!s +s !o
,omprehe-) !ha! !here ,a--o! 'e a-y e-!i!y !o e1er,ise a-y e**e,!i(e (oli!io- G ei!her )oi- or -o!
)oi- G !ha! /ha! /e !ake !o 'e !he res+l! o* o+r (oli!io- is o-ly !he i-e(i!a'le. ?he- i! ,orres5
po-)s /i!h /ha! /e ,o-si)er !o 'e areea'le !o +s a! !he !ime. /e !ake pri)e i- o+r >(oli!io-al
a,!io-> a-) ,o-si)er i! a perso-al a,hie(eme-!. a-) /he- i! is -o!. i! 'e,omes a ma!!er o* a-er.
+-happi-ess a-) *r+s!ra!io- *or +s. I-)ee). says Mahara<. a,,ep!i- !he )oership o- !he 'asis o*
(oli!io- o* some!hi- !ha! is par! o* !he !o!al *+-,!io-i- o* ,o-s,io+s-ess is !he ,hai- !ha! 'i-)s !he
phe-ome-al i-)i(i)+al i- appare-! >'o-)ae>Gappare-! 'e,a+se !here is -o e-!i!y !o 'e 'o+-) G
a-) !he reali=a!io- o* !he (ery a's+r)i!y o* !he pse+)o5s+'<e,! !ryi- !o a,! i-)epe-)e-!ly o* !he
Pra<-a5i, *+-,!io-i- is !he >a/ake-i->. O-ly s+,h reali=a!io- ,a- lea) !o a per*e,! a,,ep!a-,e /i!h
eF+a-imi!y o* /ha!e(er e(e-!s may o,,+r +-!il !he )+ra!io- o* !he li*e spa- is o(er. a-). /hile li*e
is !h+s 'ei- li(e). !here /o+l) o'(io+sly 'e a )e*i-i!e se-se o* a- all5e-(elopi- +-i!y 'e,a+se !he
>o!hers> /o+l) 'e per,ei(e) -o! as o'<e,!s o* a pse+)o5s+'<e,! '+! as !he ma-i*es!e) aspe,!s o* !he
same -o+me-al s+'<e,!i(i!y !ha! o-e is. I- o!her /or)s. li(i- /o+l) 'e *ree li(i-. /here -ei!her
!he posi!i(e )oi- -or !he -ea!i(e -o-5)oi- o* a pse+)o5e-!i!y /o+l) pre(ail. si-,e. i- !he
a'se-,e o* a-y i-!e-!io-s. !here is -o (oli!io-. ?i!ho+! ,o-,ep!+al i-!e-!io-s. all a,!io-s /o+l) 'e
spo-!a-eo+s@ !he a,!or playi- his par! i- !his li*e5play or li(i- o-e>s li(i-5)ream !aki- li*e as i!
,omes. O-,e !here is apper,ep!io- o* that-which-is says Mahara<. all li*e 'e,omes /ha! i! has
al/ays 'ee- G 6ila. a- >e-!er!ai-me-!>.
?he- aske) /ha! he /o+l) )o i- a i(e- se! o* ,ir,+ms!a-,es. Mahara< has a-s/ere) i-
a'sol+!e i--o,e-,e0 DI )o -o! k-o/.D This is e1a,!ly ,orre,! 'e,a+se. i- /ha! mih! seem !o 'e
i)e-!i,al ,ir,+ms!a-,es. o- )i**ere-! o,,asio-s his a,!io-s mih! 'e +-pre)i,!a'le. '+! o- ea,h
o,,asio- !he a,!io- /o+l) 'e spo-!a-eo+sB Mahara< o*!e- says !ha! /ha!e(er is spo-!a-eo+s is
,orre,! 'e,a+se. i- !he a'se-,e o* ,o-,ep!+ali=i-. !he spo-!a-eo+s is -a!+ral a-) !here*ore ,orre,!
/i!ho+! a-y reaso-i-. ,ompariso- or a-y ,a+se5e**e,!.
6is!e-i- !o !he /or)s o* !he G+r+ e!s !op priori!y *rom Mahara<. He says !ha! !he F+i,kes!
/ay !o/ar)s sel*5reali=a!io- Hal!ho+h he makes i! amply ,lear !ha! !here is really -o >/ay> a-) -o
>o-e> !o o a-y/hereC is lis!e-i- HShra(a-aC. re*le,!i- HMa-a-aC a-) me)i!a!i- !hereo-
HNi)i)hyasa-aC. E(e- !hese /or)s. Mahara< +res repea!e)ly. ha(e !o 'e +se) merely *or
,omm+-i,a!i-. a-) o-,e !he i-!e-!io- a-) mea-i- is raspe). !he /or)s G all /or)s G m+s! 'e
!hro/- a/ay i- or)er !o pre(e-! i-!elle,! *rom raisi- ,o-,ep!+al s!r+,!+res !hereo-.
Mahara< repea!e)ly asser!s !ha! his /or)s are -o! a))resse) !o a-y i-)i(i)+al e-!i!y '+! !o
,o-s,io+s-ess. ?or)s arise *rom ,o-s,io+s-ess a-) are a))resse) !o ,o-s,io+s-ess. I! is
,o-s,io+s-ess /hi,h sho+l) lis!e- !o !he /or)s. a-) a*!er !he mea-i- is i-!+i!i(ely raspe). !he
/or)s sho+l) 'e allo/e) !o mere i- ,o-s,io+s-ess. I* !he lis!e-i- is )o-e 'y >a- i-)i(i)+al> /i!h
!he i-!e-!io- o* e!!i- some 'e-e*i! /i!h !he ai) o* !he i-!elle,!. Mahara< /ar-s. all /o+l) 'e los!.
I-)ee). i! is e1a,!ly !he i-!er*ere-,e o* !he i-!elle,! !ha! sho+l) 'e a(oi)e). As has 'ee- ma)e ,lear
earlier. i! is !he emp!i-ess o* !he pse+)o5e-!i!y !ha! m+s! 'e apper,ei(e). So lo- as i! is a- e-!i!y
!ha! is lis!e-i- !o /or)s. ho/ ,a- !he /or)s a,hie(e e(e- !he limi!e) p+rpose o* poi-!i- i- !he
rih! )ire,!io-. !he rih! )ire,!io- 'ei- a/ay *rom phe-ome-ali!y /hi,h is !he so+r,e o* 'o!h !he
e-!i!y a-) !he /or)s !hemsel(esB ?or)s ,a- !hro/ +p !heir )eep a-) s+'!le mea-i- o-ly i* !hey are
a,,ep!e) i-!+i!i(ely /i!ho+! !he i-!erpre!a!i(e i-!er*ere-,e o* !he i-!elle,!@ o!her/ise !he res+l!
/o+l) 'e a mere i-!elle,!+al +-)ers!a-)i- o* !he /orl) >o+!si)e> 'y a- e-!i!y !ha! keeps i!sel*
separa!e *rom /ha! i! +-)ers!a-)s !o 'e ill+sory. Ko+ ,a--o!. says Mahara<. !ake o+! a !i-y 'i! o* !he
!o!al phe-ome-al ma-i*es!a!io- as yo+r separa!e sel* a-) a! !he same !ime +-)ers!a-) that-which-is.
It is only in the total annihilation of the pseudo-entity that true apperception can ta+e place.
he Ma*nificent +rau&
Co-s,io+s-ess. says Mahara<. is !he 'e+ili-. 'e/i!,hi- Mahamaya. !he mos! ma-i*i,e-!
*ra+) e(erB This e-,ha-!i- se-se o* prese-,e is o-ly a se-se. a ,o-,ep! /hi,h ,omes +po- !he
:-ma-i*es! A'sol+!e like a- +-/el,ome +es! /ho !akes o(er !he ho+sehol) so i-si)io+sly !ha! !he
hos! is l+lle) i-!o a se-se o* *alse se,+ri!y a-) /ell5'ei-. Mahara< also ,alls i! >a !emporary ill-ess>
!ha! pro)+,es )eliri+m )+ri- i!s ,+rre-,yB
This se-se o* 'ei- ali(e G 'ei- prese-! G is so i-!o1i,a!i- !ha! o-e is e-,ha-!e) 'y !he
ma-i*es!a!io- !ha! i! prese-!s. O-e e!s so i-(ol(e) i- !he spe,!a,le !ha! o-e rarely ,ares !o *i-) o+!
i* !he spe,!a,le really e1is!s or is merely a (isio-. a hall+,i-a!io-. a )ream. a mirae. O-e sees !he
!ree a-) is so e-,ha-!e) 'y i! !ha! o-e *ore!s !ha! !he !ree is -o!hi- o!her !ha- !he ro/!h o* !he
see) /hi,h is !he !r+e so+r,e o* i!. The aim o* Paramar!ha HParama5ar!ha. !he ,ore mea-i-C is !o
seek !he so+r,e. !he see). ?ha! is !he see) o* !his ma-i*es!a!io-E I* yo+ are -o! ,o-s,io+s. asks
Mahara<. is !here a-y ma-i*es!a!io- a! all o* a-y ki-)E I* yo+ are -o! ,o-s,io+s. )oes !he +-i(erse
e1is! *or yo+E It is only when you are H,o-s,io+sC that the world is. So. o'(io+sly !he +-i(erse is
,o-!ai-e) i- !he spe,k o* ,o-s,io+s-ess H!ha! is s+ppose) !o e1is! i- !he !i-ies! aper!+re i- !he ,e-!re
o* !he sk+llC. Co-s,io+s-ess ,a--o! ma-i*es! i!sel*. ,a--o! 'e ,o-s,io+s o* i!sel*. +-less !here is a
psy,hosoma!i, appara!+s. !he 'o)y. ?ha! is !he so+r,e o* !he 'o)yE O'(io+sly !he male sperm
*er!ili=e) i- a- o(+m o* !he /om' o* a *emale. ?ha! is !he so+r,e o* !he sperm a-) !he o(+mE The
*oo) ,o-s+me) 'y !he pare-!s. No/. asks Mahara<. /ha! is !he ,o-,l+sio- /e arri(e a!E The
A'sol+!e. !he +l!ima!e po!e-!ial. !he so+r,e o* e(ery!hi- ,o+l) not possi'ly 'e so m+-)a-e as
>*oo)>B There*ore. !his I5am5-ess. !he ,o-s,io+s-ess. !his se-se o* prese-,e ,a--o! 'e a-y!hi- '+! a
,o-,ep!. a (isio-. a )ream. a hall+,i-a!io-B A-) !his ,o-s,io+s-ess is !he so+r,e o* all ma-i*es!a!io-
G i-)ee) i! is ma-i*es!a!io-B
There is a 'asi, *+-)ame-!al F+es!io- a! !his s!ae. ?ho has ,ome !o !his ,o-,l+sio-E ?ho
else ,a- i! 'e '+! >I>E >I> /ho am respo-si'le *or e(ery ki-) o* ma-i*es!a!io-. I /ho am e(ery ki-) o*
ma-i*es!e) phe-ome-o-. I /ho /as prese-! a h+-)re) years ao. I /ho /as prese-! 'e*ore >!ime>
/as ,o-,ei(e). I /ho am i-!emporali!y. I /ho am a/are-ess -o! a/are o* i!sel* 'e,a+se i- !ha!. my
!r+e s!a!e o* ?hole-ess. :-i,i!y. !here is -ei!her prese-,e -or a'se-,e@ absence of the presence of
presence absence of the presence of absence is what-l-am HA-) e(ery se-!ie-! 'ei- ,a- say !his G
-o! as himsel* '+! as >I>C.
:o we need it all a#ain briefly$ Here i! is0
H#C Ma-i*es!e) e1is!e-,e is phe-ome-al. a-) phe-ome-a 'ei- appeara-,e se-sorially
,o-i=a'le a-) !ime5'o+-) is a (isio-. a )ream. a hall+,i-a!io- a-) !here*ore +-!r+e. :-ma-i*es!e)
e1is!e-,e is A'sol+!e. i-!emporal. spa,eless. -o! a/are o* e1is!i-. se-sorially -o! ,o-i=a'le.
e!er-al. !here*ore !r+e. ?ho says !hisE Co-s,io+s-ess. o* ,o+rse. !ryi- !o ,o-i=e i!sel* a-) -o!
s+,,ee)i- 'e,a+se co#ni6in# H!here is -o ,o-i=er as s+,hC ,a--o! ,o-i=e !ha! /hi,h i!sel* is
,o-i=i-0 A- eye ,a- -o! see i!sel* al!ho+h i! sees e(ery!hi- else. The see+er is the sou#ht; This
is !he 'asi, all5impor!a-! truth.
H&C I. +-ma-i*es!e). am !he !o!al po!e-!iali!y. !he a'sol+!e a'se-,e o* !he k-o/- a-) !he
k-o/a'le. !he a'sol+!e prese-,e o* !he +-k-o/- a-) !he +-k-o/a'le. I. ma-i*es!. am !he !o!ali!y o*
all phe-ome-a. !o!ali!y o* !he k-o/- i- !he i-,o-,ei(a'ili!y o* !he +-ma-i*es!e) +-k-o/-.
H2C There ,a- 'e o-ly I G !he e!er-al I G !o!ally +-,o-)i!io-e). /i!ho+! !he slih!es! !o+,h o*
a-y a!!ri'+!e. p+re s+'<e,!i(i!y. The mere thou#ht of &me& is immediate and spontaneous 5but
illusory, bonda#e; 6e! !he me )isappear a-). imme)ia!ely a-) spo-!a-eo+sly. you are I.
H7C Phe-ome-ally. >me> Ha-) >yo+> a-) >he>C is o-ly a- appeara-,e i- ,o-s,io+s-ess0 Ho/ ,a- a-
appeara-,e 'e i- 'o-)aeE No+me-ally. ho/ ,a- I G p+re s+'<e,!i(i!y G -ee) a-y li'era!io-E
6i'era!io- is o-ly 'ei- ri) o* !he i)ea !ha! !here is a-y >o-e> /ho -ee)s li'era!io-.
H4C Ho/ is o-e !o k-o/ i* o-e is maki- >proress> spiri!+allyE Co+l) i! 'e !ha! !he s+res! si-
o* >proress> is a la,k o* ,o-,er- a'o+! proress a-) a- a'se-,e o* a-1ie!y a'o+! li'era!io- i- !he
/ake o* ,lear apprehe-sio-E A- i-s!a-! apper,ep!io- o* !he !o!al >*+-,!io-i-> o* Nisara H-a!+reC i-
/hi,h !here is -o pla,e *or a- a+!o-omo+s e-!i!y.