That "I Am" is a concept

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Prior to Consciousness 6/29/80

 

Maharaj: Whatever concept you have about yourself cannot be true. The "I

Amness" is the prime concept, and it has to be satisfied by letting it do its

normal work in the world. The important thing is the realization of the fact

that it is a concept.

Q: In the world this concept is always trying to be at the top. Even to the

children we say, "You must be first in the examination." Is it wrong to push

your personality and individuality on others?

M: What is wrong is that you consider yourself to be limited to this body and

shape. What knowledge I give you is given to the knowledge "I Am" in each of

you, which is the same. If you try to get that knowledge as an individual you

will never get it.

Q: If "I am" is a concept and it disappears, how is one to know that the

concept has disappeared?

M: That "I Am" is a concept is to be understood while the concept is there.

Once it merges in the original state, who {or what} is there who want to know?

The illusory entity has disappeared.

Q: I am convinced that this "I Am" is a concept and it will end, but why should

I take it that it is a false concept?

M: How and when did this very thought come? Did this thought not come merely as

a movement in that concept itself? If the consciousness were not here, the

thought would not be there.

Consciousness is a temporary condition which has come upon the total,

timeless, spaceless, changeless state. It is a happening which has come and

which will disappear.

This psychosomatic bundle which is born will suffer or enjoy during its

allotted span; so long as I know that I am not the one who experiences, but I am

the knower, how am I concerned.

It is perfectly clear. I merely watch the body, mind, and consciousness

laugh or suffer. In suffering it may cry out, all right, cry out. If it is

enjoying, it may laugh. I know it is a temporary thing, if it wants to go, let

it go. While I am telling to you, imparting knowledge, at the same time I am

feeling unbearable pain, if it becomes a little more unbearable I may whimper.

It can do what it likes, I am not concerned. So long as you have not known what

this consciousness is, you will fear death; but when you really understand what

this consciousness is, then the fear leaves, the idea of dying also will go.

This consciousness is time-bound, but the knower of the consciousness is

eternal., the Absolute...