The True Nature of Reality

This series is a collection of pointers or teaching aphorisms by Nisargadatta Maharaj on realizing Yourself beyond the sense “I Am”. If the sense "I Am" can be perceived, it cannot be Who You Are. What perceives? Who or what are You?  Remember, to know Yourself, return to the silence before words. There is the true Awareness, from which comes consciousness, which is your feeling ‘I am’, be one with your consciousness and that is all that you can do, the Ultimate must come to you. You can only watch what happens – there is nothing you can do to get it.  –       Nisargadatta Maharaj

This series is a collection of pointers or teaching aphorisms by Nisargadatta Maharaj on realizing Yourself beyond the sense “I Am”. If the sense "I Am" can be perceived, it cannot be Who You Are. What perceives? Who or what are You?  Remember, to know Yourself, return to the silence before words. The ‘I am’ means all this spectacle that you are seeing. Later, you also see that a number of universes are playing in that ‘I am’. When you understand all this verbally, you may become a pseudo-Guru, which is not realization. You must realize that you only observe, and you are not that; you are not that ‘I am’ in which universes are playing.  –       Nisargadatta Maharaj

This series is a collection of pointers or teaching aphorisms by Nisargadatta Maharaj on realizing Yourself beyond the sense “I Am”. If the sense "I Am" can be perceived, it cannot be Who You Are. What perceives? Who or what are You?  Remember, to know Yourself, return to the silence before words. You cannot transcend activity until you return to the Source. That you exist (in the ‘I am’ sense) is the illusion, its nature is to divide and appear as many. When the feeling ‘I am’ arises you attach reality to the objective world, which is constantly undergoing transformation and change. I know that it is ‘Maya’ (‘whatever is not’).  –       Nisargadatta Maharaj

This series is a collection of pointers or teaching aphorisms by Nisargadatta Maharaj on realizing Yourself beyond the sense “I Am”. If the sense "I Am" can be perceived, it cannot be Who You Are. What perceives? Who or what are You?  Remember, to know Yourself, return to the silence before words. All this is the play of concepts. The primary concept ‘I am’ appears spontaneously. It likes ‘I am’; it loves that ‘I am’ state. Devouring ever more concepts, it gets totally enmeshed in them. And what is the source of all concepts? This primary feeling ‘I am’. But never forget the fact that it itself is a concept, time-bound. And so it is all mental entertainment.  –       Nisargadatta Maharaj

This series is a collection of pointers or teaching aphorisms by Nisargadatta Maharaj on realizing Yourself beyond the sense “I Am”. If the sense "I Am" can be perceived, it cannot be Who You Are. What perceives? Who or what are You?  Remember, to know Yourself, return to the silence before words. One who is completely rid of coming and going, and finally, one who is completely rid of one’s very own concept that ‘I am’, is completely liberated.  –       Nisargadatta Maharaj

This series is a collection of pointers or teaching aphorisms by Nisargadatta Maharaj on realizing Yourself beyond the sense “I Am”. If the sense "I Am" can be perceived, it cannot be Who You Are. What perceives? Who or what are You?  Remember, to know Yourself, return to the silence before words. You are afraid because you have assumed something as ‘I am’, which actually you are not. Suppose you find a diamond ring on the road and you pocket it. Since it is not yours, a fear overcomes you. When you put on an identity that is not yours, you are afraid, but when you are the pure ‘I amness’ only, there is no fear. Presently you are this ‘I am’, but this ‘I am’ is not the truth. Whatever you are prior to the appearance of the ‘I am’, that is your real nature.  –       Nisargadatta Maharaj Note: Posts will continue on Monday after a trip along the West Coast of Cape Town to enjoy the wild flowers.

This series is a collection of pointers or teaching aphorisms by Nisargadatta Maharaj on realizing Yourself beyond the sense “I Am”. If the sense "I Am" can be perceived, it cannot be Who You Are. What perceives? Who or what are You?  Remember, to know Yourself, return to the silence before words. Who is talking? Who is walking? Who is sitting? These are the expressions of the chemical ‘I am’. Are you that chemical? You talk about heaven and hell, this Mahatma or that one, but how about you? Who are you? You are not this chemical ‘I am’.  –       Nisargadatta Maharaj

This series is a collection of pointers or teaching aphorisms by Nisargadatta Maharaj on realizing Yourself beyond the sense “I Am”. If the sense "I Am" can be perceived, it cannot be Who You Are. What perceives? Who or what are You?  Remember, to know Yourself, return to the silence before words. There must be love in the relation between the person who says ‘I am’ and the observer of the ‘I am’. As long as the observer, the inner self; the ‘higher’ self considers himself apart from the observed, the ‘lower’ self, despises it and condemns it, the situation is hopeless. It is only when the observer (‘vyakta’) accepts the person (‘vyakti’) as a projection or manifestation of himself, and so to say, takes the self into the Self, the duality of  'I' and ‘this’ goes and the identity of the outer and the inner, the Supreme Reality manifests itself.  –       Nisargadatta Maharaj

This series is a collection of pointers or teaching aphorisms by Nisargadatta Maharaj on realizing Yourself beyond the sense “I Am”. If the sense "I Am" can be perceived, it cannot be Who You Are. What perceives? Who or what are You?  Remember, to know Yourself, return to the silence before words. As long you have an attribute you have desire. From where has this attribute come? It has come from this consciousness ‘I am’, but this again has only appeared on your true State, which does not change.  –       Nisargadatta Maharaj

This series is a collection of pointers or teaching aphorisms by Nisargadatta Maharaj on realizing Yourself beyond the sense “I Am”. If the sense "I Am" can be perceived, it cannot be Who You Are. What perceives? Who or what are You?  Remember, to know Yourself, return to the silence before words. ‘You’ are above the waking and dreaming states, because those are only expressions of your Beingness. The waking and dreaming states pertain only to your ‘I amness’. We are only able to observe because of the ‘I amness’. When the ‘I amness’ is not there the tool to observe is also not there. If you are deep inside everything is gone! And there is no ‘I am’. Then the ‘I am’ merges in the Absolute.  –       Nisargadatta Maharaj

This series is a collection of pointers or teaching aphorisms by Nisargadatta Maharaj on realizing Yourself beyond the sense “I Am”. If the sense "I Am" can be perceived, it cannot be Who You Are. What perceives? Who or what are You?  Remember, to know Yourself, return to the silence before words. Without the intake of food, there is no opportunity to say ‘I am’, out of the essence of the earth sprouts vegetation and out of that sprouts the ‘I am’, realize this without eyesight or intellect. That principle likes to cry, enjoy, and laugh, but you are not that, realize this only. Become one with the ‘I am’, then you can transcend it, then ‘I the Absolute’ am not the ‘I am’.  –       Nisargadatta Maharaj

This series is a collection of pointers or teaching aphorisms by Nisargadatta Maharaj on realizing Yourself beyond the sense “I Am”. If the sense "I Am" can be perceived, it cannot be Who You Are. What perceives? Who or what are You?  Remember, to know Yourself, return to the silence before words. The Absolute is watching this ‘I amness’ that is sustained by the food body. Is it clear? After some time passes in the waking state, rest is required, so the ‘I amness’ goes into oblivion. It goes to rest and forgets itself. You may not comprehend exactly what it means now, but as you get established in the Beingness you will understand how.  –       Nisargadatta Maharaj

This series is a collection of pointers or teaching aphorisms by Nisargadatta Maharaj on realizing Yourself beyond the sense “I Am”. If the sense "I Am" can be perceived, it cannot be Who You Are. What perceives? Who or what are You?  Remember, to know Yourself, return to the silence before words. My true position is at all times beyond this consciousness of  ‘I am’. Whatever comes out of this ‘I’ consciousness (mind, body, world etc) – when I know that I am not this, why should I depend on any mind, method, idea or technique which come out of this illusory consciousness?  –       Nisargadatta Maharaj

This series is a collection of pointers or teaching aphorisms by Nisargadatta Maharaj on realizing Yourself beyond the sense “I Am”. If the sense "I Am" can be perceived, it cannot be Who You Are. What perceives? Who or what are You?  Remember, to know Yourself, return to the silence before words. You cannot transcend activity until you return to the Source. That you exist (in the ‘I am’ sense) is the illusion, its nature is to divide and appear as many. When the feeling ‘I am’ arises you attach reality to the objective world, which is constantly undergoing transformation and change. I know that it is ‘Maya’ (‘whatever is not’).  –       Nisargadatta Maharaj

This series is a collection of pointers or teaching aphorisms by Nisargadatta Maharaj on realizing Yourself beyond the sense “I Am”. If the sense "I Am" can be perceived, it cannot be Who You Are. What perceives? Who or what are You?  Remember, to know Yourself, return to the silence before words. This ‘I amness’ quality is the Sattva guna (food essence quality). I am The Absolute, I am not that touch of ‘I amness’, so long ‘I am’ is there witnessing will happen to The Absolute spontaneously. The dawn and sunlight depend on time, but their observer does not depend on time. .  –       Nisargadatta Maharaj

This series is a collection of pointers or teaching aphorisms by Nisargadatta Maharaj on realizing Yourself beyond the sense “I Am”. If the sense "I Am" can be perceived, it cannot be Who You Are. What perceives? Who or what are You?  Remember, to know Yourself, return to the silence before words. This ‘I am’ consciousness is great for it creates the vast world, but You are greater,  for You are the Reality behind and beyond this ‘I am’ consciousness. You have come to me to ask me something and I have told you that ‘You are the Reality’,  so remember this,  stick to this and live by this knowledge. You are the Reality.  –       Nisargadatta Maharaj

This series is a collection of pointers or teaching aphorisms by Nisargadatta Maharaj on realizing Yourself beyond the sense “I Am”. If the sense "I Am" can be perceived, it cannot be Who You Are. What perceives? Who or what are You?  Remember, to know Yourself, return to the silence before words. The one, who tries to abide in the Self, loses identity with his ego. The very identity that ‘I am’ gets dissolved. Your true identity – The Absolute – is prior to the "I am".  –       Nisargadatta Maharaj

This series is a collection of pointers or teaching aphorisms by Nisargadatta Maharaj on realizing Yourself beyond the sense “I Am”. If the sense "I Am" can be perceived, it cannot be Who You Are. What perceives? Who or what are You?  Remember, to know Yourself, return to the silence before words. The consciousness of ‘I am’ is ultimately the same as the mind. The whole vast universe is really in this mind or the consciousness of ‘I am’,  which is an appearance only.  –       Nisargadatta Maharaj

This series is a collection of pointers or teaching aphorisms by Nisargadatta Maharaj on realizing Yourself beyond the sense “I Am”. If the sense "I Am" can be perceived, it cannot be Who You Are. What perceives? Who or what are You?  Remember, to know Yourself, return to the silence before words. The objective world is nothing but a sport or art of this ‘I am’ consciousness. Your true nature is beyond this. There is no intrinsic value in this consciousness of ‘I am’, except to know and realize its illusory nature.  –       Nisargadatta Maharaj

This series is a collection of pointers or teaching aphorisms by Nisargadatta Maharaj on realizing Yourself beyond the sense “I Am”. If the sense "I Am" can be perceived, it cannot be Who You Are. What perceives? Who or what are You?  Remember, to know Yourself, return to the silence before words. The consciousness of ‘I am’ is the first and foremost thing. This feeling (that ‘I am conscious’) comes to you only because there is something older or earlier to which this ‘I am’ consciousness appears. All change appears superimposed upon the changeless substratum.  –       Nisargadatta Maharaj

This series is a collection of pointers or teaching aphorisms by Nisargadatta Maharaj on realizing Yourself beyond the sense “I Am”. If the sense "I Am" can be perceived, it cannot be Who You Are. What perceives? Who or what are You?  Remember, to know Yourself, return to the silence before words. Any knowledge, art or science, comes through this ‘I am’ consciousness. You can become perfect in any art, skill, or science, but this is still ultimately all false or impermanent, for the ‘I am’ itself is a false or impermanent thing. I cannot really tell you the story of Myself for It cannot be expressed in words.  –       Nisargadatta Maharaj

This series is a collection of pointers or teaching aphorisms by Nisargadatta Maharaj on realizing Yourself beyond the sense “I Am”. If the sense "I Am" can be perceived, it cannot be Who You Are. What perceives? Who or what are You?  Remember, to know Yourself, return to the silence before words. The first step is to go to the ‘I am’ and dwell there and from there you go beyond consciousness and no-consciousness to infinite consciousness. In that permanent ‘Parabrahman’ state you become completely desireless and silent and even the thought ‘I am’ doesn’t arise. The mind dwelling in the pure ‘I am’ state is a very subtle and purified mind, but Reality is beyond that.  –       Nisargadatta Maharaj

This series is a collection of pointers or teaching aphorisms by Nisargadatta Maharaj on resting in the sense “I Am” without attributes. Remember, to know Yourself, return to the silence before words. You must pay attention to the ‘I am’, being constantly alert and focused on the ‘I am’ only. The five elements are only an extension of your own Self, you must be fully acquainted with the ‘I am’ in order to go inwards.  –       Nisargadatta Maharaj Notes on this preliminary stage can be found  here . Later this week: Maharaj's pointers on seeing the "I Am" as not real.

This series is a collection of pointers or teaching aphorisms by Nisargadatta Maharaj on resting in the sense “I Am” without attributes. Remember, to know Yourself, return to the silence before words. ‘I amness’ is without ego. The subsequent products are the mind and the ego. The quality of ‘I amness’ or Beingness is intuition and inspiration. Just like when you have a seed and plant it,  it must sprout. Similarly the quality of Beingness must sprout.  –       Nisargadatta Maharaj Notes on this preliminary stage can be found  here . Later this week: Maharaj's pointers on seeing the "I Am" as not real.

This series is a collection of pointers or teaching aphorisms by Nisargadatta Maharaj on resting in the sense “I Am” without attributes. Remember, to know Yourself, return to the silence before words. The knowledge ‘I am’, without memories and concepts, is everything. The idea ‘I am the body and mind’ is not that knowledge. No effort is required, the main thing is that ‘you are’ (or ‘I am’) when you listen to me and stay there, you’ll understand that the knowledge ‘I am’ is independent of body-mind.  –       Nisargadatta Maharaj Notes on this preliminary stage can be found  here . Apologies for interruptions to daily postings as a result of i nternet connection problems in Cape Town. Next week: Maharaj's pointers on seeing the "I Am" as not real.

This series is a collection of pointers or teaching aphorisms by Nisargadatta Maharaj on resting in the sense “I Am” without attributes. Remember, to know Yourself, return to the silence before words. If you identify yourself as the body, such an identity must be let go off, sacrificed. Your real identity has no body and no thought. And that self, the spontaneous knowledge ‘I am’ is what you are. Since the self is not the body, the self is neither male nor female. You must fulfill the vow that you are not the body but solely the indwelling principle ‘I am’.  –       Nisargadatta Maharaj Notes on this preliminary stage can be found  here . Apologies for interruptions to daily postings as a result of i nternet connection problems in Cape Town. Next week: Maharaj's pointers on seeing the "I Am" as not real.