Today's Considerations
37. [To continue with excerpts from the eBook Your Original Nature]
To continue with the contrast between those that abide as their Original Nature and those who do not, and to understand Maharaj's "take" on the actual contrast between a noisy person absorbed in self vs. a little girl that was capable of enjoying the quiet and maintaining the silence, understand the non-dual pointer that
"If you would come to Me, come to Me as a child."
To continue with the contrast between those that abide as their Original Nature and those who do not, and to understand Maharaj's "take" on the actual contrast between a noisy person absorbed in self vs. a little girl that was capable of enjoying the quiet and maintaining the silence, understand the non-dual pointer that
"If you would come to Me, come to Me as a child."
Part of the
difference deals with feeling vs. emoting. The difference in feelings (which
are merely witnessed by the Realized as feelings rise and fall) and emotions
(which ego-states attach to and which lead to emotional intoxication and
disruptive or even destructive actions - relatively speaking) is discussed in
detail on the site. [You may use the search feature to find information on the distinction between feeling and emoting.] In the example being
discussed here, the little girl was feeling; the loud woman was emoting.
So, when a small girl is enjoying a quiet encounter with a few deer and a woman . . .
. . . runs up next to her and
. . . yells loudly and
. . . disturbs the peace and
. . . frightens the deer and causes them to run away and
. . . brings an end to both the silence and a moment of joy for the young girl and
. . . then runs away without caring at all about the effects she has had on the little girl . . .
then the evidence is clear that the woman is embroiled in ego and egotism and self which lead to emotional intoxication and to disruptive or even destructive actions - relatively speaking.
Further evidence of her being driven by ego and egotism is the fact that the woman is noisy, that she has no respect for the quiet, and that the silence is of no value at all to her. The ego hates the silence, is forever at war with the silence, and will do all in its power to destroy the silence.
Regarding such emotional reactions as displayed by that woman, Maharaj said:
"Emotional reactions, born of ignorance or inadvertence, are never justified. Seek a clear mind and a clean heart. All you need is to keep quietly alert, enquiring into the real nature of YourSelf" [that is, the real nature of Your Original Nature]. "This is the only way to peace"
and
"It is desires and fears that make the mind restless. Free from all negative emotions, it is quiet"
and
"If you could only keep quiet ..., you would be able to discern the beautiful pattern of events. It is your restlessness that causes chaos."
It was made clear earlier that Awareness, not just consciousness, is required to avoid chaos by being aware of One's Original Nature which can, in turn, trigger a return to the early "primordial cooperation" that prevented one from subjecting others to chaos and noise and disruptions.
Maharaj: "Awareness, being lucid harmony (sattva) in action, dissolves dullness and quietens the restlessness of the mind and gently but steadily changes its very substance. This change need not be spectacular; it may be hardly noticeable; yet it is a deep and fundamental shift from darkness to light, from inadvertence to awareness."
He said: "When the mind is kept away from its preoccupations, it becomes quiet. If you do not disturb this quiet and stay in it, you find that it is permeated with a light and a love you have never known; and yet you recognise it at once as your own nature."
Maharaj's message would have been quite relevant for the woman: "Just stop running away by running after. Stand still. Be quiet."
He also said: "Once you are quiet, things will begin to happen spontaneously and quite naturally without any interference on your part."
Consider as well the pointer in this exchange:
Questioner: "If it is the inner that is ultimately responsible for . . . development, why is the outer so much exhorted and encouraged?"
M: "The outer can help by keeping quiet . . . ."
He advised: "Stay open and quiet, that is all."
Of those who say, "But I have to talk all day. It's my job," the point has been made that one can change one's style. The teacher who lectures all day destroys student interest. The teacher who sets forth a topic and can wisely inspire students to delve deeper and to discuss what is and is not understood will not only be a quieter teacher but will also engage students in the process far more. In that regard, Maharaj taught:
"As long as you allow yourself an abundance of moments of peace, you can safely practice your . . . profession. These moments of inner quiet will burn out all obstacles without fail. Don't doubt its efficacy. Try it"
and
"Keep quiet. Do your work in 'the world' but inwardly keep quiet. Then, all will come to you. Do not rely on your work on Realisation. Your hope lies in keeping silent in 'your mind' and quiet in your heart. Realised people are very quiet."
To be continued.
Please enter the silence of contemplation.
