Equality is the true sign of Jnana

[Guest guest]

Questioner:

You have said that the Jnani (the enlightened one) can be and is

active, and deals with men and things.

I have no doubt about it now. But you say at the same time, that he

has no difference, to him all is one,

that he is always in the Consciousness. If so, how does he deal

with differences, with men, with things,

which are surely different?

 

Bhagavan:

He sees these differences as but appearances, he sees them as not

separate from the True,

the Real, with which he is one.

 

Questioner:

 

The Jnani seems to be more accurate in his expressions, he

appreciates the differences better than

the ordinary man. If sugar is sweet and wormwood is bitter to me,

he too seems to realize it so. In fact,

all forms all sounds, all tastes, etc. are the same to him as they

are to others. If so, how can it be said

that these are mere appearances? Do they not form part of his life-

experience?

 

Bhagavan:

I have said that equality is the true sign of Jnana. The very term

equality implies the existence of differences.

It is a unity that the Jnani perceives in all differences, which I

call equality. Equality does not mean ignorance

of distinctions. When you have the Realization, you can see that

these differences are very formal, they are not

at all substantial or permanent, and what is essential in all these

appearances is the one Truth, the Real. This,

I call unity... You referred to sound, taste, form, smell, etc.,

true the Jnani appreciates the distinctions, but he

always perceives and experiences the one Reality in all of them.

That is why he has no preferences. Whether

he moves about, or talks or acts, it is all the One Reality in

which he acts or moves or talks. He has or sees

nothing apart from the one supreme Truth.

 

 

-- From The Talks (the section " The Equality of the Jnani " )

contained in " Sat-Darshana Bhashya " (A Commentary on Reality) by

Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharsh