6th January, 1935
Talk 13.
Mrs. M. A. Piggot, an English lady, who had read “Search in
Secret India”, came to see the Maharshi. The services of a disciple as
interpreter were provided. There were many visitors at the time in the hall,
including some ladies with their infants. The place resounded with noise. At
length silence prevailed. Suddenly Maharshi, who seemed to be looking at
infinite space, was heard to say softly, “Monkey”! A little baby was then
discovered in the doorway (unobserved by the mother who was seated on the other
side of the door) with a large monkey standing on his hind legs, who with both
hands was fondling the child not hurting it in the slightest, both being at
peace with each other in Maharshi’s presence.
When Maharshi’s voice was heard the monkey jumped away adroitly
and disappeared. The incident greatly impressed the lady.
7th January, 1935
“Is a Master necessary for realisation?” Mrs. Piggot asked
first.
M.: The realisation is
the result of the Master’s grace more than teachings, lectures, meditation,
etc. They are only secondary aids, whereas the former is the primary and the
essential cause.
Devotee: What are the
obstacles which hinder realisation of the Self?
M.: They are habits of
mind (vasanas).
D.: How
to overcome the mental habits (vasanas)?
M.: By realising the
Self.
D.: That is a vicious
circle.
M.: It is the ego
which raises such difficulties, creating obstacles and then suffers from the
perplexity of apparent paradoxes. Find out who makes the enquiries and the Self
will be found.
D.: What are the aids
for realisation?
M.: The teachings of
the Scriptures and of realised souls
D.: Can such teachings
be discussions, lectures and meditations?
M.: Yes, all these are
only secondary aids, whereas the essential is the Master’s grace.
D.: How long will it
take for one to get that?
M.: Why do you desire
to know?
D.: To give me hope.
M.: Even such a desire
is an obstacle. The Self is ever there, there is nothing without it. Be the
Self and the desires and doubts will disappear. Such Self is the witness in
sleep, dream and waking states of existence. These states belong to the ego. The Self
transcends even the ego. Did you not
exist in sleep? Did you know then that you were asleep or unaware of the world?
It is only in the waking state that you describe the experience of sleep as
being unawareness; therefore the consciousness when asleep is the same as that
when awake. If you know what this waking consciousness is, you will know the
consciousness which witnesses all the three states. Such consciousness could be
found by seeking the consciousness as it was in sleep.
D.: In that case, I fall
asleep.
M.: No harm!
D.: It is a blank.
M.: For whom is the
blank? Find out. You cannot deny yourself at any time. The Self is ever there
and continues in all states.
D.: Should I remain as
if in sleep and be watchful at the same time?
M.: Yes. Watchfulness
is the waking state. Therefore the state will not be one of sleep, but
sleepless sleep. If you go the way of your thoughts you will be carried away by
them and you will find yourself in an endless maze.
D.: So, then, I must
go back tracing the source of thoughts.
M.: Quite so; in that
way the thoughts will disappear and the Self alone will remain. In fact there
is no inside or outside for the Self. They are also projections of the ego. The
Self is pure and absolute.
D.: It is understood
intellectually only. Is not intellect a help for realisation?
M.: Yes, up to a
certain stage. Even so, realise that the Self transcends the intellect — the
latter must itself vanish to reach the Self.
D.: Does my
realisation help others?
M.: Yes, certainly. It
is the best help possible. But there are no others to be helped. For a realised
being sees the Self, just like a goldsmith estimating the gold in various
jewels. When you identify yourself with the body then only the forms and shapes
are there. But when you transcend your body the others disappear along with
your body-consciousness.
D.: Is it so with
plants, trees, etc.?
M.: Do they exist at
all apart from the Self? Find it out. You think that you see them. The thought
is projected out from your Self. Find out wherefrom it rises. Thoughts will
cease to rise and the
Self alone will remain.
D.: I understand
theoretically. But they are still there.
M.: Yes. It is like a
cinema-show. There is the light on the screen and the shadows flitting across
impress the audience as the enactment of some piece. Similarly also will it be,
if in the same play an audience
also is shown. The seer, the seen, will then only be the screen.
Apply it to yourself. You are the screen, the Self has created the ego, the ego
has its accretions of thoughts which are displayed as the world,
the trees, plants, etc., of which you are asking. In reality,
all these are nothing but the Self. If you see the Self, the same will be found
to be all, everywhere and always. Nothing but the Self exists.
D: Yes, I still
understand only theoretically. Yet the answers are simple and beautiful and
convincing.
M.: Even the thought,
“I do not realise” is a hindrance. In fact, the Self alone is.
