N.MAHARAJ: Visitor: As a child, fairly often I experienced states of complete happiness verging on ecstasy. Later, they ceased. But, since I came to India they reappeared, particularly after I met you. yet, thes states, however wonderful, are not lasting. They come and go and there is no knowing when they will come back.
Maharaj:" How can anything be steady in a mind which is not steady? "
V: How can I make my mind steady?
M:" How can an unsteady mind make itself steady? Of course it cannot. It is the nature of the mind to roam about. All you can do is to shift the focus of Consciousness beyond the mind. "
V: How is it done?
M" Refuse all thoughts except one, the thought ' I Am'. The mind will rebel in the beginning, but with patience and perseverance it will yield and keep quiet. Once you are quiet, things will begin to happen spontaneously, without any interference on your part. "
V: Can I avoid the protracted battle with my mind?
M:" Yes, you can. Just live your life as it comes, but alertly, watchfully, allowing everything to happen as it happens, doing the natural things the natural way, suffering, rejoicing, -as life brings. This also is a way. "
V: Well then, can I marry, have children, run a business....be happy?
M:"Sure. You may or may not be happy, take it in your stride. "
V: Yet, I want happiness.
M:" True happiness cannot be found in things that change and pass away. Pleasure and pain alternate inexorably. Happiness comes from the Self and can be found in the Self only. Find your real Self (Swarupa) and all else will come with it. "
V: If my real Self is peace and love, why is it so restless?
M:" It is not your real being that is restless, but its reflection in your mind appears restless, because the mind is restless. It is just like the reflection of the moon on the water stirred by the wind. The wind of desire stirs the mind and the 'me', which is but a reflection of the Self in the mind, appears changeful. But these ideas of movement, of restlessness, of pleasure and pain are all in the mind. The Self stands beyond the mind, aware, but unconcerned. "
V: How can I reach it?
M:" You 'are' the Self, here and now. Leave the mind alone, stand aware and unconcerned and you will realise that to stand alert but detached, watching events come and go is an aspect of your real nature. "
V: What are the other aspects?
M:" The aspects are infinite in number. Realise one, and you will realise all. "
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