6

CONSCIOUS IMMORTALITY

Q: Is there not an unchanging Self and a changing self?

M: The changefulness is mere thought. All thoughts arise after the 'I'-thought. See to whom these thoughts arise. Then you will transcend them and they will subside. That is to say, by tracing the source of the 'I'-thought, you will realize that the perfect 'I-I'. 'I' is the name of the Self.

Q: But how shall I reach the Self?

M: There is no reaching the Self. If it were to be reached, it would mean that the Self is not here and now, but would have to be gained. What is got afresh, will also be lost. So it will beimpermanent. What is not permanent is not worth striving for. So I say, the Self is not reached. You are the Self. You are already That. 

The fact is that you are ignorant of your blissful state. Ignorance draws a veil over the pure Bliss. Direct your attempts only towards removing the ignorance. This ignorance is just wrong knowledge. The wrong lies in the false identi­fication of the Self with the body and mind. This false iden­tity must go by enquiry into the Self.

The Self is beyond duality. If there is one there will also be two. Without one there are no other numbers. The truth is neither one nor two. It is as it is.

Be always feeling and reflecting on the real Being. Be That. Cling close to It. Let your quest be constant and sustained until you catch the Self and thereby find eternal happiness.

p. 157