true human being

[Guest guest]

All of us have so many questions about living--how to live, right conduct,

relationship to guru, relationship to each other, relationship to self.

Lots of tough questions!

Maa often talks about "being a true human being"--over time, I have puzzled

over what she meant and tried to pay attention to this; I am still working on

it.

But Swamiji has recently shared with us about the sanskrit word

"manush", used many times in the Chandi Path, particularly in the first chapter

Swamiji broke down the word in different ways to try to give us a flavor

for it--man, for example, means mind.

I do not have the rest of my notes with me this morning, but

the remainder of the word contained "witness, or observing" and'or

"control"--essentially, Swamiji was saying, a true human being is

that being that has control of or witnesses the mind.

 

When we no longer identify ourselves with our thoughts--when we finally

understand who we really are--the witnesses--we begin to become a

real human being--our true capacity is that! What a freedom!

Chandi Path is showing us that path, in part. (as well as the

difficulties inherent in being, at all!)

 

It brings to my mind stories from native american traditions, where

distinction is made between "4-leggeds" and "2-leggeds" and real

human beings. Walking on two legs doesn't make us human,

necessarily. What really does is a good question to ponder.