Consciousness and the Absolute - Nisargadatta

 Questioner: When we are busy with our worldly jobs, what should we keep in mind?

Maharaj: Because the "I Am" principle is there, it is moving all over. To recognize it, you put on various uniforms in order to give it an identity, but that principle is already there, and because of that principle you are engaging in various activities. 

Unless you wear the uniform (the body) you will not be able to conduct any activities.

This knowledge is meant for the Isvara principle, which is presently caught up in the illusion that it is the body-mind. 

You have accepted the identity of the uniform and that identity becomes your ego.

Isvara is the manifest principle by which all activities are carried on. It has no form - the forms are given because of the five elemental play. Now, that principle gets completely lost in the uniform and is recognized by the uniform only. You have the fear of death because you fear losing your identity, the body.

Since the uniform is available to you, by all means use it, but understand that you are not the uniform.

Q: What does one do when the uniform gets troublesome?

M: Recede into your own Self, be one with your true Self.

This "I Amness" enjoys various experiences. It becomes a beggar or a King.Is this body eternal? 

The body has been changing all during your life, which identity is you?

Q: I identify myself with my body, I know that.

M: Who?

Q: I do.

M: Give me a photograph of the meaning of that word "I". You can't. That principle has no name or form or shape. My firm conclusion is that whatever is done through the uniform is perishable, it is not going to remain. Which uniform has any permanency? 

Once you know that you are not the form

or the name of that uniform, it is all over. 

Suppose you have hoarded some thousand-rupee notes and suddenly the government order comes that they are all invalidated.Once you discard this "I Amness" uniform, what remains is the Parabrahman. 

That which is eternally current is the Parabrahman.

Q: Will Maharaj help me discard my uniform?

M: What is the need? 

It is not eternal, it never was.

Q: We have not discarded ours, that is the problem.

M: Now, tell me, when the knowingness was not there, what experiences did you have? 

That little touch of "I Amness" and you felt the existence of yourself and the world.

Q: How to give up this knowingness?

M: Where is the need? 

If you accept that uniform as yourself, then the question of giving it up will be there. 

Give up your identity with the body, try to know yourself.

It is merely knowingness, you cannot perceive that state. You come here because you are ignorant, not because you are knowledgeable. This knowledge I give is only to remove ignorance.

~ Consciousness and  the Absolute

The final talks of Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj

Edited by Jean Dunn