Nisargadatta speaks

[Guest guest]

The "M" in the dialogue is Nisargadatta

 

 

Q: Have you no problems?

 

M: I do have problems. I told you already. To be, to exist with a name and

form is painful, yet I love it.

 

Q: But you love everything!

 

M: In existence everything is contained. My very nature is to love; even the

painful is lovable.

 

Q: It does not make it less painful. Why not remain in the unlimited?

 

M: It is the instinct of exploration, the love of the unknown, that brings

me into existence. It is in the nature of being to see adventure in

becoming, as it is in the very nature of becoming to seek peace in being.

This alteration of being and becoming is inevitable: but my home is beyond.

 

Q: Is your home in God?

 

M: To love and worship a god is also ignorance. My home is beyond all

notions, however sublime.

 

Q: But God is not a notion! It is the reality beyond existence.

 

M: You may use any word you like. Whatever you may think of, I am beyond it.

 

Q: Once you know your home, why not stay in it? What takes you out of it?

 

M: Out of love for corporate existence one is born and once born, one gets

involved in destiny. Destiny is inseparable from becoming. The desire to be

the particular makes you into a person with all its personal past and

future. Look at some great man, what a wonderful man he was! And yet how

troubled was his life and limited it fruits. How utterly dependent is the

personality of man and how indifferent is its world. And yet we love it and

protect it for its very insignificance.

 

-------------

 

Q: Is there not a state of absolute perfection which does not decay?

 

M: Whatever has a beginning must have an end. In the timeless all is

perfect, here and now.

 

Q: But shall we reach the timeless in due course?

 

M: In due course we shall come back to the starting point. Time cannot take

us out of time, as space cannot take us out of space. All you get by waiting

is more waiting. Absolute perfection is here and now, not in some future,

near or far. The secret is in action - here and now. It is your behavior

that blinds you to yourself. Disregard whatever you think yourself to be and

act as if you were absolutely perfect - whatever your idea of perfection may

be. All you need is courage.

 

Q: Where do I find such courage?

 

M: In yourself, of course. Look within.

 

Q: Your grace will help.

 

M: My grace is telling you now: look within. All you need you have. Use it.

Behave as best you know, do what you think you should. Don't be afraid of

mistakes; you can always correct them, only intentions matter. The shape

things take is not within your power; the motives of your actions are.

 

Q: How can action born from imperfection lead to perfection?

 

M: Action does not lead to perfection; perfection is expressed in action. As

long as you judge yourself by your expressions, give them utmost attention;

when you realize your own being, your behavior will be perfect -

spontaneously.

 

Q: If I am timelessly perfect, then why was I born at all? What is the

purpose of this life?

 

M:It is like asking: what does it profit gold to be made into an ornament?

The ornament gets the color and the beauty of gold; gold is not enriched.

Similarly, reality expressed in action makes the action meaningful and

beautiful.

 

Q: What does the real gain through its expressions?

 

M: What can it gain? Nothing whatsoever. But it is in the nature of love to

express itself, to affirm itself, to overcome difficulties. Once you have

understood that the world is love in action, you will look at it quite

differently. But first your attitude to suffering must change. Suffering is

primarily a call for attention, which itself is a movement of love. More

than happiness, love wants growth, the widening and deepening of

consciousness and being. Whatever prevents becomes a cause of pain and love

does not shirk from pain.

[Guest guest]

Hi Gloria,

 

Thanks for the wonderful excerpt. I'm doing it because consciousness

made me do it! I wash my hands of it all!

 

Hi to Biff.

 

Love,

 

Victor

[Guest guest]

gloria, thanks for this... i have been wondering about this insane little

game...

 

i'm still a bit upset about 'evil', but i guess that's part and parcel...

 

-j

 

>

> Q: If I am timelessly perfect, then why was I born at all? What is the

> purpose of this life?

>

> M: It is like asking: what does it profit gold to be made into an ornament?

> The ornament gets the color and the beauty of gold; gold is not enriched.

> Similarly, reality expressed in action makes the action meaningful and

> beautiful.