15. MERGING OF BEINGNESS WITHIN ITSELF IS THE VERY FOUNT OF BLISS


MAHARAJ: Before the emanation of any words, “I” already exist; later I say mentally “I am.” The word-free and thought-free state is the atman. The atman per se is self-sufficient. But when it clings to the body, “treatments” such as mental and physical recreation or occupation are necessary; without these the atman cannot be tolerated by a person. For spiritual evolution, which is a requisite in the disengagement of the atman from body-identity, various disciplines have been recommended. Amongst these, the best is namasmarana—trecitation of a holy name of God. But here God means the indwelling principle within you—the atman, which is given various names. These represent this “inner-God” who will respond no matter what names of other Gods you chant. The custom of counting beads of a rosary is merely to give occupation to your hands, but it is this inner God that you are supposed to invoke. This God is awakened when you tell the beads by reciting his name. Just as the cow's udders ooze out milk upon the sight of its calf who runs to its mother mooing “ama-ama,” so also the beingness showers grace on the one who chants its holy name and tells beads in all earnestness by leading him into quietude. The keynote of recitation is to confine this “I-am-ness” within itself. The listener in you listens to the chantings and feels greatly pleased. This is the reason that people used to the daily chantings and telling of beads get restless when unable to do so. 

Tukaram, the poet-saint of Maharashtra, affirms this same principle, when he sings in one of his couplets: 

Triumphant am I, in locking in my beingness in itself, with my devotion. 

Thus have I reached the very pinnacle of my spiritual search, resulting in the drying up of my mental inclinations.’ 

The merging of beingness within itself is the very fount of bliss. Many sages who are in such a state are quite oblivious of their physical condition and simply lie on the ground, revelling in themselves. Some misguided seekers, with the aid of drugs such as marijuana, artificially induce a state of forgetfulness. But this is benumbing the senses by extraneous means. Such people will not have enduring peace, only hangovers and sour heads. If you want eternal peace, you can have it and be it through the absorbing devotional path—the nama-japa or bhakti-yoga. 


March 30th 1980 

Share: