07Jan 1981

[06:54, 3/26/2020] +91 92950 03594: January 7, 1981

Questioner: Every time something happens now, instead of getting involved in it, I am seeing that everything is that "I Amness". 
I am experiencing that.

Maharaj: Witnessing takes place, there is nothing to be done. It is total freedom for one who does not identify with the body.

Q: Everything is happening on its own and I have no concern with it.

M: If that is so, it means that you have understood everything and there is no need for you to linger here any longer.

Questioner [Another person]: It is different for me. I have to make an effort not to get involved in thoughts when I meditate.

M: It is the nature of the life force to express itself through thoughts and words, so they will keep on coming. If you have to make an effort in the beginning not to get involved, make that effort until it becomes effortless.

Q: Does the jnani have a mind and thoughts also?

M: Although thoughts come and go, the jnani is not concerned. Thoughts will come in consciousness; witnessing also takes place in consciousness. 
You must have the conviction that you
are consciousness 
Thereafter there is nothing for you to do; leave it to the consciousness to do what
is to be done. 
Whatever happens, happens spontaneously.

Q: Where is the seat of consciousness?

M: In every particle of the juice of the body. In the scriptural books it is normally given that there are various chakras. Those are available if you want to locate them like that, but according to me, it is throughout the body.

Q: What is the difference between the body and consciousness?

M: What is the difference between sugar and sweetness? The sweetness is there in the sugar cane juice. 
In the body the sweetness is the knowledge you are, the consciousness. This knowingness is due to what? 
What is the prerequisite for consciousness?

Q: Is it the body?

M: The body is necessary to sustain consciousness; for the body to be, food is necessary, is it not?

Q: Yes.

M: If the body does not remain, consciousness will not remain. In the absence of body and consciousness, 
what are you?

Q: I don't know.

M: Now you want to get some benefit, some advantage, for yourself. 
To whom is the benefit?

Q: Consciousness.

M: If you are not the body or the consciousness, then what are you? 
When you realize the Self- knowledge, then the self is released, liberated.

Q: Then what?

M: Then you know, definitely, who you are. That by which you know, you know that, also.

Q: Is that liberation?

M: Liberation means what? 
It is no more there. 
[Flicking his cigarette lighter on and off] This cigarette lighter is the body; the consciousness is the flame. Now it isn't there anymore; it is liberated. 
Where is the need to label it in the absence of consciousness?

✅ Consciousness and  the Absolute
The final talks of 
Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj
Edited by Jean Dunn
[06:56, 3/26/2020] +91 92950 03594: SLEEP AND SAMADHI

A Marathi gentleman asked: I have read much about Self-Realisation; I do japa, puja, etc.; nothing seems to satisfy me. Can Sri Bhagavan kindly guide me?
M.: What is that you seek to gain? Everyone seeks happiness. Happiness is one’s lot in everyday sleep. Bring about that state of happiness even in the waking state. That is all.

D.: I do not follow. How is it to be done?
M.: Atma Vichara ( self enquiry)  is the way.

D.: It seems too difficult to adopt, being so intangible. What shall I do if I feel unfit for this method of enquiry?
M.: Guidance is there ( Take interest) . It is for individuals to avail themselves of it (find out).

An Andhra visitor asked: What is sleep?
M.: Why, you experience it every day.

D.: I want to know exactly what it is, so that it may be distinguished from samadhi.
M.: How can you know sleep when you are awake? The answer is to go to sleep and find out what it is.

D.: But I cannot know it in this way.
M.: This question must be raised in sleep.

D.: But I cannot raise the question then.
M.: So, that is sleep. (when Questioning “mind” cease to exist)

Sri Bhagavan went out for a few minutes. On his return the same man asked: Self-realised jnanis are seen to take food and do actions like others. Do they similarly experience the states of dream and of sleep?
M.: Why do you seek to know the state of others, maybe jnanis? What do you gain by knowing about others? You must seek to know your own real nature. Who do you think that you are? Evidently, the body.

D.: Yes.
M.: Similarly, you take the Jnani to be the visible body whereon the actions are superimposed by you. That makes you put these questions. The Jnani himself does not ask if he has the dream or sleep state. He has no doubts himself. The doubts are in you. This must convince you of your wrong premises. The Jnani is not the body. He is the Self of all.
The sleep, dream, samadhi, etc., are all states of the ajnanis. The Self is free from all these. (self is not mind-body having different states) Here is the answer for the former question also.

D.: I sought to know the state of sthita prajnata (unshaken knowledge).
M.: The sastras( scriptures) are not for the Jnani. He has no doubts to be cleared. The riddles are for ajnanis only. The sastras are for them alone.

D.: Sleep is the state of nescience and so it is said of samadhi also.
M.: Jnana is beyond knowledge and nescience. There can be no question about that state. It is the Self (Here, now, eternally).

Talks 430 . 432 , Talks with Sri Ramana Maharshi