Nirupana 34
Thursday, June 8, 1978
The meaning of the mantra is your consciousness. You should make it known to you. While reciting the mantra, whatever you feel, let it be felt. It will go away. The import of the mantra is your beingness. In order to realize it, become more and more quiet. You are not dependent on the five elements, or sleep, or wakefulness. Until such time that this becomes clear, go on contemplating. In the end you will realize that you were never born, neither have you carried out any worldly action. When you are enlightened you will say, ‘It was not necessary for me to gain the world or worldly knowledge’. Renunciation means to detach from the five elements and consciousness.
Without air, fire has no soul. Without the light of Brahman (consciousness) there is no space and without space there is no air. In the five elements there is no static form as such. To know this thoroughly is called renunciation. We know that ‘we are’ because of the five elements and consciousness. They will not last. One who has recognized this cannot be seasonal. If there is no consciousness, what can be known? One who has not thought of his own nature, has to believe in things he hears in the world. A rare one, by the grace of the Guru, will pay attention to That through which the worldly phenomenon is sensed. He will not be attracted to the world. He will only pay attention to his consciousness.
This knowledge is about Him through whom the world is visible. The sense ‘I am’ is known through Him. This is the work of consciousness. As a result of the Guru-word, this knowledge will be created spontaneously. When the atomic consciousness in the body awakens, it pervades the universe. When asleep, it pervades the dream world. The universe is filled with consciousness and it continues its existence. The one who knows this is called a jnani. A person may get to be the king of the world but as long as he has not realized his consciousness, his achievements are like a mirage.
All religions are the religions of tradition. The true religion is to know the nature of the Self. Be in That.
One who is dead – does he get the experience that he is dead? Someone else says that he is dead. Such is tradition. The sight of the knower is consciousness. In view of that sight, all this performance is going on. After realization, there is no place for individuality. But there remains a memory, in some form or the other, of being an individual. Consciousness that has pervaded the universe does not pertain to someone in particular. It belongs to all. However, it is seasonal, temporary, time-bound. When its duration is over, it is gone.
People take to saffron robes just to take advantage of a tradition. Other people fold their hands and bow before them. Catch hold of consciousness so that your renunciation has a true meaning. Meditate on consciousness. It will show you its Source. The world is seen within consciousness, which itself has been created through ignorance.
What you have heard from other people is the source of fear, bondage, and liberation for you. Can the one who has understood time see death? Consciousness has no support. It does not depend on the five elements or the three gunas. One’s own nature is the true knowledge. It is not dependent on anyone or anything.
First you must see your own Self. Renunciation happens through Self-knowledge. One who has understood the ultimate meaning knows his Self. The rest are all selfish (who look after the well-being of their own individual self – ego). Call your consciousness as the Guru. Then it will show you the right way. It is consciousness that takes renunciation. A rare one out of millions can give initiation by saying, ‘you will not die’.
Meditations With Sri Nisargadatta