Nisargadatta-ernest

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Keep the "I am" in the focus of awareness, remember that you are , watch

yourself ceaselessly and the unconscious will flow into the conscious

without any special effort on your part. (447)

 

There is no effort in witnessing. You understand that you are the witness

only, and the understanding acts. You need nothing more, just remember that

you are the witness only. (303)

 

 

But there is a precondition: earnestness now.

 

Once you realize that the body depends on the mind, and the mind on

consciousness, and consciousness on awareness, and not the other way round,

your question about waiting for self-realization till you die is answered.

It is not that you must be free from the "I-am-the-body" idea first, and

then realize the self. It is definitely the other way round - you cling to

the false because you do not know the true. Earnestness, not perfection, is

a precondition to self-realization. Virtues and powers come with

realization, not before. (434)

 

Earnestness is not a yearning for the fruits of one's endeavours. It is an

expression of an inner shift of interest away from the false, the

unessential, the personal. (455-6)

 

[The person is removed] by determination. Understand that it must go and

wish it to go - it shall go if you are earnest about it. (441)

 

It is earnestness that is indispensable, the crucial factor. Sadhana is only

a vessel and it must be filled to the brim with earnestness, which is but

love in action. For nothing can be done without love. (482-3)

 

You must find your own way. Unless you find it yourself, it will not be your

own way and will take you nowhere. Earnestly live your truth as you have

found it, act on the little you have understood. It is earnestness that will

take you through, not cleverness - your own or another's. (499)

 

Be interested in yourself beyond all experience, be with yourself, love

yourself; the ultimate security is found only in self-knowledge. The main

thing is eartnestness. Be honest with yourself and nothing will betray you.

(217)

 

Deepen and broaden your awareness of yourself and all the blessings will

flow. You need not seek anything, all will come to you most naturally and

effortlessly. (261)

 

Unless you know yourself well, how can you know another? And when you know

yourself, you are the other. (429)

 

The limited only is perfectible. The unlimited is already perfect. You are

perfect, only you don't know it. Learn to know yourself and you will

discover wonders. (413)

 

You are what you are, timelessly, but of what use is it to you unless you

know it and act on it? Your begging bowl may be of pure gold, but as long as

you do not know it you are a pauper. You must know your inner worth and

trust it and express it in the daily sacrifice of desire and fear. (508)

 

excerpts from _I Am That_