Consciousness and the Absolute

[Guest guest]

March 2, 1981

 

 

 

Questioner: Maharaj has said that he used to think of himself as an

individual, but now he does not, for that would be identification

with the body. The fact that the body continues even afterward - I

mean – the body is so strong that it can continue for a certain

period even after one realizes that he is not. Maharaj has said that

when this sickness started, the last traces of individuality

disappeared.

 

Maharaj: What is your question?

 

Q: Is the identification with the body so strong – I mean – is it

such a habit that one identifies with the body even after one knows

what les beyond?

 

M: It is not identification as a person, as you think. The body is

an aid for the manifestation of consciousness, for experiencing. So

long as this consciousness exists, it needs an instrument; without

the body, consciousness cannot exist in that form. What is lost is

the feeling of being a separate entity.

 

A jnani is like and unborn child, the consciousness is the child

when it is born, and the child is sick. This material, objective

body is sick. The jnani cannot be sick. This body {referring to

himself} instrument is disturbed and there is an imbalance;

therefore, I am not able to talk properly, nor walk properly.

 

Only so long as you have a body do you know that you are. This

apples to all other creatures also. When the body is, the

knowledge "I Am" is also there.

 

Q: As the ultimate, am I not aware of my being?

 

M: To the Absolute, the witnessing of this "I Amness" happens.