Question: The desire for realisation, does it originate in consciousness or beyond? Nisargdatta Maharaj : In consciousness, of course. All desire is born from memory and is within the realm of consciousness. What is beyond is clear of all striving. The very desire to go beyond consciousness is still in consciousness. Q: Is there any trace, or imprint, of the beyond on consciousness? M: No, there cannot be. Q: Then, what is the link between the two? How can a passage be found between two states which have nothing in common? Is not pure awareness the link between the two? M: Even pure awareness is a form of consciousness. Q: Then what is beyond? Emptiness? M: Emptiness again refers only to consciousness. Fullness and emptiness are relative terms. The Real is really beyond -- beyond not in relation to consciousness, but beyond all relations of whatever kind. The difficulty comes with the word state. The Real is not a state of something else -- it is not a state of mind or consciousness or psyche -- nor is it something that has a beginning and an end, being and not being. All opposites are contained in it -- but it is not in the play of opposites. You must not take it to be the end of a transition. It is itself, after the consciousness as such is no more. Then words I am man, or I am God have no meaning. Only in silence and in darkness can it be heard and seen.
Posted on: Sat, 11 Oct 2014 14:16:21 +0000