Nisargadatta on The Self
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 ...