Nisargadatta Maharaj and Silence

February 7, 2004

1897-1981

A small cigarette smoking man from the slums of Bombay (Mumbai)

India, presented some the most profound teachings on Truth, Silence and

Non-Dualism ever. I humbly suggest reading his works, especially "I am

That", published by Acorn Press in 1998. The following quotes of his

about pure silence will resonate with you. Please enjoy.

"Whatever you may have to do, watch your mind. Also you must have

moments of complete inner peace and quiet, when your mind is absolutely

still. If you miss it, you miss the entire thing. If you do not, the

silence of the mind will dissolve and absorb all else."

"It has nothing to do with effort. Just turn away, look between the

thoughts, rather than at the thoughts. When you happen to walk in a

crowd, you do not fight every man you meet, you just find your way

between. When you fight, you invite a fight. But when you do not resist,

you meet no resistance. When you refuse to play the game, you are out of

it."

"No particular thought can be mind's natural state, only silence.

Not the idea of silence, but silence itself. When the mind is in its

natural state, it reverts to silence spontaneously after every

experience, or, rather, every experience happens against the background

of silence."

"To go beyond the mind, you must be silent and quiet. Peace and

silence, silence and peace - this is the way beyond. Stop asking

questions."

"These moments of inner quiet will burn out all obstacles without

fail. Don't doubt its efficacy. Try it. Silence is the main factor. In

peace and silence you grow. In peace and silence, the skin of the "I"

dissolves and the inner and the outer become one."

"Your hope lies in keeping silent in your mind and quiet in your

heart. Realized people are very quiet. You must realize yourself as the

immovable behind and beyond the movable, the silent witness of all that

happens."

All quotes are from "I am That" Acorn Press, C1998

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