Brahman becomes truth only after eating!
There is no ultimate rule as to what is right or wrong. We all follow certain rules to understand and live happily and peacefully. We have an agreement amongst us. For example, you don't kill anyone. That is the social law. However, at the higher level, the idea of reward or punishment should not influence any of your actions or decisions. That is what I call morality. It is the awareness from the depths of your consciousness.
On the other hand, if you try to follow certain rules and regulations because of a social concept of morality, you will try to escape from them. It is your innate nature to resist any rules and regulations. It will lead to guilt. Do not carry guilt. There are no absolute rules which are the ultimate on planet Earth. These rules are created for social harmony. Do not internalize them. Only when you understand that will you be able to follow rules. I believe in consciousness, not conscience.
This is not a statement of fact but a statement of truth. Facts are expressed from words; truth can come only from experience. Experience is truth.
If you are in a state of enlightenment, the guru papa or sin against the master will not arise because He and you are in the same dimension. You will feel, 'There is only me, and not Him and me. He and I are one and the same thing. So where is the question of I committing sin against Him?'
Until then, the disciple tortures the guru and himself. Until he is enlightened, the disciple can never let go of ego. The moment he is enlightened, he surrenders his ego completely. He enters the zone of his guru, an egoless state where there is no I, no You, no Me. The small 'i' has merged with the big 'I'. Enlightened masters are the big 'I' because they are in the highest level of consciousness. The whole world merges in them. Krishna says in the Bhagavad Gita, 'I am everything.'
So understand clearly; there is no sin or merit when you reach the ultimate cosmic state. I want you to reach that state and so I tell you that sin and merit do not exist. As long as you are in the intermediate class, you have to be aware, careful and clear. In the NSP, I say that there is no sin and merit because I want you to reach that state immediately.
I am creating a space in which you can reach that state in 2-3 days; or at least get a glimpse of the state. That is why I tell the truths in an unedited way at the NSP. But when I made the guru papa statement, the statement about committing sin against the master, it was made in the context of non-dualistic consciousness. When you have not reached the ultimate state, there is still a little sin and merit.
When you have offended Brahma, you can go to Vishnu; when you have offended Vishnu, you can go to Shiva. When you have disturbed Shiva, you can go to Parvati; when you have disturbed Parvati you can still go to your guru. However, if you have done something against the master's mission, no one can take care of you. That is why the guru is Brahma Vishnu Maya. He is Brahma who gave birth to you. He sustains you and therefore he is Vishnu. He is Rudra who destroys your past karmas. He is the person beyond all these three energies. That is why any sin committed against him is the biggest sin and no one can help you.
I am passionate that you get at least one glimpse of satori. I break open all the ultimate secrets. Unless you experience satori, you cannot practice the truth of 'no sin' in your life. You can't kill a person and say there is no merit or no sin in it. It is not a statement of fact but a statement of Truth. Fact is the state in which you are staying now, unenlightened. Truth is the state in which you ARE now, enlightened. Guru papa or sin against the master, should be understood in the state in which you are staying, which is unenlightened.
With respect to the second part of the question, be very clear, nobody can leave me. They may think that they have left me, but they don't; they can't.
A small story:
King Akbar, the great Moghul King, became egoistic. He claimed himself to be God. He started a new religion, Din Ilahi.
Birbal, his spiritual guide tried to warn him. by standing in front of Akbar and saying, 'You are greater than God; you can do a few things that even God cannot do.'
Akbar was very pleased. He asked Birbal what it was that God could not do that he could. Birbal replied, 'If you are angry with somebody, you can throw him out of your kingdom but God cannot do that!'
So understand that nobody can leave me. I have two kinds of disciples: people who are living with me and people who think that they have left me. Both categories will always have my love and blessings. You ask them why they left me!
Q: When a disciple is enlightened, he becomes as aware of his inner divinity as his. Does the guru-disciple relationship exist then?
A: Only then does the real guru-disciple relationship start. Until then, the disciple tortures the guru and himself. Until then, he is oscillating between extremes. Even if they are staying around me, disciples will think that they are leaving me. Don't think my boundary is just a few acres in Bidadi or a few acres in Los Angeles; the whole world is mine! Just because they remove my mala or stop doing my meditations, it does not mean that they are not my disciples. I always feel connected to them. It is up to them to think what they want to. As long as I do what they want to, they are happy; they give me my gurudom. Otherwise, my gurudom is taken away! If I do their homework, I am their master, or else I am thrown out, that's all. Only after enlightenment, a real guru-disciple relationship starts. People wonder, 'Will I have my own mission after I become enlightened?' Only after enlightenment you will do my mission; till then you will be doing only your mission! After enlightenment, out of gratitude, you will do my mission.
Q: Is enlightenment possible for every being, rich or poor?
A: It is more likely for idiots, which means it is for every human being!
Someone went and asked the great enlightened master Ramana Maharishi from South Bharat, 'Master, am I qualified to become enlightened?' Ramana asked the devotee, 'Are you alive?' The devotee replied, 'Yes master.' Ramana said, 'Then you are qualified enough.'
All of us are actually enlightened, but we are not aware of this yet. We do not enjoy the state of enlightenment. An enlightened master is constantly reminding us to wake up to our own enlightened state. Master Vivekananda beautifully puts it, 'Awake and stop not until the goal is reached.'
I say, 'Arise, awake! The goal is reached!'
Q: I know you are my master but what do I mean to you?
A: The moment you ask this question, remember that you are operating from your ego. If you have really accepted me as your master, you will trust me totally. You will never have this doubt. The master is so compassionate even to people who throw stones at him; how can he not be compassionate to his disciple? He is continuously trying to elevate his disciples so that ultimately they will experience the ultimate, i.e. liberation. He may use different techniques for different people to lead them through different paths. But ultimately it is all the same. If you don't understand this, you will only get hurt and in turn create trouble for him.
Q: I don't understand the significance of the master-disciple relationship. I know that you are my master but what do I mean to you and how should I understand it?
A: If you don't know, relax; both of us will be happy, or else you will only create trouble. Try to internalize what I just said. Over time, understanding will happen.
Q: Tamas (lethargy) and Unconsciousness*.* Are there suggestions to penetrate these unconscious layers?
A: Whatever happens in your system without your knowledge, without your awareness or control is unconscious. Tamas means the inactive nature, not even allowing the unconscious to change.
Before going to sleep, do the Shakti Dharana meditation; you will penetrate the unconscious and clear it. Through this meditation, you become a channel or a conduit. You use your body as a channel for the cosmic energy to pass through to get connected to the earth energy.
The moment you come out of the unconscious, as you wake up in the morning, start doing Ananda Gandha meditation and you will break the unconscious layer. The moment you become aware of your body, if you take half an hour to get up and sit, it will not help. The moment you become aware of your body while waking up, do Ananda Gandha meditation. You can come out of the bed later. These are the two best ways to break the unconscious layers.
Apart from the seven major chakras, there is another more important chakra, the Ananda Gandha. Very few masters have spoken about this. It can be opened through life after life of penance or by the grace of an enlightened master. It is the gateway to the cosmic energy.
Q: How deeply can one visualize: what are the impediments to deeper visualization?
A: If you visualize something deeply, the thing that you visualize should be in your hand. Then it is perfect. When you can materialize, your visualization is perfect. Until then it is incomplete. Not believing the power of visualization is the only impediment to visualization. It is such a high power or energy. If you visualize a gold ring, it should be in your hand; or else you have not completely explored the visualization potentiality. You do not trust that it can do miracles to yourself; this is the only impediment to it.
Quantum Physics says matter can be converted to energy and energy to matter. Teleportation is possible. Just with your power of visualization you can teleport the ring from your room to your hand.
Q: What are the blocks to total awareness?
A: There are no blocks except the ones in your mind. You continuously believe that you have blocks. I have to give you a technique, an idea that you have a block and then teach you some nonsense to remove it. Your spiritual practice and bondage are illusions. Again and again you strongly believe that you are bound in life, so I tell you to do certain things so that you will be liberated. Your belief that you have blocks is the only block.
Q: In the context of Shiva Sutras, is Devi the perfect listener and disciple in the guru-disciple relationship?
A: Devi is the perfect disciple because she is already enlightened. She is a part of Shiva. Shiva talks to himself and therefore there is no editing required. When you speak to yourself, do you edit? No! You edit because you want to be culturally decent and socially polite. You can express the Truth as it is. She is totally in tune; she is in love with Shiva. She has already reached the consciousness of Shiva. That is why she is the perfect disciple and listener. She is a perfect disciple because she is already a guru! A perfect guru can be a perfect disciple but a perfect disciple is not necessarily a perfect guru.
Q: How should a disciple be?
A: Let him be as he is; that is all he can do! The other things, I will do. I never give rules or meditation to people who come to me because it will add to their already existing problems. If they have 10 problems, their 11th problem will be, 'I am not able to meditate.' If you are so intelligent to do it, you will not be a disciple; you will already be a master. The only thing is, don't resist and torture me. Resisting means you are suffering. I cannot do the process then.
Q: I don't understand seeking or enlightenment. I know not any God. You fill up my space and I am happy with you.
A: No one knows seeking. You have an honest understanding with me. Just be happy and enjoy!
Q: A true guru not only clears doubts but also showers blessings, so why the confusion about trusting the guru completely?
A: A true guru should not only clear doubts but also the fears. Then only he is a real guru; otherwise, the problem is with the guru. Wait till this doubt clears; then only am I your master. Just surrender both doubt and trust to the master because he is the one who gave you both. Then the real wisdom happens.
Q: Does the guru-disciple relationship continue till Buddhu, the idiot, becomes Buddha, the enlightened one over several cycles of life and death? Does the master take on the responsibility of converting the Buddhu to Buddha? Or is the onus on the Buddhu to realize it?
A: When a master takes on the responsibility, it is called surrender. Otherwise it is called responsibility of the disciple. In some cases, it is the former and in some cases the latter. It is like this: for the master to lift the disciple, the disciple at least has to raise his hand to allow the master to lift him. They sometimes move away from me when I hold my hand out. Disciples should understand that the master has taken full responsibility. That is enough.
A small story:
A man wants special powers; he goes to a master and asks for a technique. When an enlightened master gets special powers, it benefits humanity and the universe but ordinary people with such powers may be harmful to themselves and others. The master tries to dissuade him but he does not listen. He says, 'If you cannot give me this, I shall go elsewhere.'
The guru gives him a medicine and tells him, drink this but do not think of a monkey. He says, 'I will take the medicine, but what if I do think of a monkey?' The master tells him that he must have a bath and try again. Each time he tried, the monkey kept springing to mind so he takes a bath and repeats the process without success. In frustration he ran to the master, fell at his feet and begged to be relieved of the torture. He no longer wanted special powers!
Ordinary people have vision across 120 degrees, while the master has vision across 360 degree. He knows when to give and to whom and how much. He is so compassionate that he will not do anything to harm a disciple. When he has the power to give, he also has the intelligence to know when and how to give. But our egos will not allow us to accept this. Our want makes us blind to the reality of the situation. One must have total trust in the master. Hold his hand and he will lead you to salvation.
Q: When you say 'keep testing me', what are you referring to?
A: It means that you can't do anything! Your foolish brain can't do much. You can't even do what I say. How can you then test me? The more you try to test me, the more you torture yourself. You will naturally stop testing. These are all business secrets. When I say 'Don't believe me', it means you have already started believing me! It is just a technical idea that I give you. As Vivekananda tested Ramakrishna, they think they can test me. Fools! What test can they do on me?
Q: You asked, 'Why should I come down?' What does it mean? From where do you have to come down?
A: You also have come down from where I have. If you have come down from that place, can't you reach that place again? You have a passport. Understand your origin, your nationality. See the other sheets of your passport as well. Your eyes are stuck only on the visa to the place where you are. Drop the attachment to the purpose of taking a visa. When you open your eyes and see, you will realize that there are more pages in your being. You will then fly back to that original plane where you came from. If you say that a master can reach that place, then you can also reach it.
Q: Is there a code of conduct between a guru and disciple?
A) I have no code of conduct. I have no need. If you want any, keep it. A master has no rules or regulations. In my system, there are no rules. There are two kinds of people: ones who curtail your freedom and destroy you and others who give rules only when you make a mistake. How much freedom you have then! In the former case, there is no freedom. Some people tell you what you should do and others tell you what you should not do.
This is a big group. But I don't think the love amongst you is enough. The moment I leave you, you start barking at each other. Only some will listen to me, others won't. Love amongst disciples is the real scale of measure to know that you are growing. Loving me and respecting me is very easy. Seeing God in me is easy. Loving others and respecting others, your co-disciples is difficult. It is then that you actually respect me. When you see me, you just show your teeth; it is very easy.
Q: Does a master have the liberty to choose disciples?
A: I will only choose my disciples. You can choose your disciples, not mine!
Q: What is Bliss? How do we remain in a blissful state in day-to-day life?
A: Bliss is internal. It is your true nature. The moment you understand that you are part of the divine, you become blissful. What stands in your way is your ignorance, your ego in understanding this simple truth.
Q: Please explain the Sri Chakra (a 2-dimensional representation of the Cosmos). Why do we sit down and meditate on it?
A: It is the pictorial representation of enlightenment. If you look at it carefully, there are so many complicated diagrams together in it. But with patience and in a relaxed manner if you analyze it, it is a very simple diagram. In the same way, enlightenment also when superficially seen appears very complicated. But in a relaxed way if you analyze it, it is very simple. The Sri Chakra can be energized so the lines in it can hold the energy. That is why you sit on it and meditate. It is like an appetizer when you are hungry. When you don't feel like meditating, sit on it and you will start meditating! These are all instruments to make you meditate.
Q: Can surrender be cultivated and how?
A: Only by love can it be cultivated. Consciously, tell your mind to surrender, everytime you remember surrender. It will help the mind let go. The moment you start feeling in tune with the master, surrender will happen. Once in a while, you can have your spiritual friends remove your doubts about how to surrender. Friends are like the televison repairman. When there is a problem with the television, you call the repairman. You can also contact my acharyas (teachers ordained by me). They will confuse you a little more! I am just joking; they will help bring in clarity for you..
Q: As a young disciple, I feel I have to choose between family and spiritual life. I think I should abandon family in order to follow you.
A: Your understanding is wrong. You are still young; your attitude is wrong. There are so many couples who are my disciples! I myself have not abandoned my parents; why should you! I don't have a psychological or special relationship with them. I treat them just as I treat other disciples. You need to renounce only the possessiveness and negative attitude that you have towards family. When this happens, real spirituality has started happening in you.
Q: How do I surrender to you?
A: Get out and get lost. Even if I answer, you won't understand.
Q: How does one avoid deep memories or samskaras as you call it, being recorded in the unconscious mind?
A: If you remain conscious, you will not have trouble. Engrams, karma and s*amskaras* are one and the same. Karma is something that is long term while samskara is short term. Archive files can be called karma. Table files can be called samskaras! If you are aware and conscious, you will never create trouble for others. Only unconscious people can eat non vegetarian food. When consciousness steps in, automatically you will drop it. You cannot injure somebody if you are conscious.
My discourse 'Nirvana: The Dead End' talks about the whole concept of karma and samskara. Listen to it.
Q: Why can't people reach the master? Is it lack of faith or destiny or is it that they have not made the right efforts?
A: They have not made the right efforts. That is their destiny also. That is their fate also. All three are one and the same.
Q: In the case of Ramana Maharishi, most of his teachings were in silence. Is it that we should keep our mouths shut and our questions will get answered?
A: Saying that Ramana Maharishi was in silence most of the time is wrong. If you read the books of people who were close to him, you will come to know that he was a very talkative person. On spiritual issues he was silent because talking about it would not work. By you shutting your mouth, it won't help. You should open; I should tell you to shut up, and then you will grow!
I think we can release 2 books: Your questions answered – as you want will be one title and Your questions answered – as I want will be another!
If you digest whatever answers I have given you today, that is enough. Don't vomit them out and don't ask for Digene digestive tablet either. If you do any of these, it means that you are looking for more explanation. If I have said that you are an idiot in response to your question, just be an idiot. If you start saying, 'Master, it was I who asked that question…', then I will say, 'Oh I did not know that it was you; you are not an idiot etc.' and then that will be a lie; so understand the truth directly.
Q: You mentioned that satori is a glimpse of enlightenment. When one is not in a totally enlightened state as you are, but they are in a state of satori where the body relationship is very fragile, is it dangerous to let them be or should they be taken care of?
A: It is not dangerous. They will not leave the body. When real satori happens, you will be fresh and alive. Have you ever seen me imbalanced while dancing? So much is happening inside my body. Last night, I could not even move my hand to the music. I made a great effort to walk well because otherwise there would have been a big commotion. I came out of the room just to tell you all that I am alright. This is an atomic power station that is inside me. It is actually 10 times more powerful than what I say. Still it is moving and balanced. It is like this: I touch the honey in which I am drowned, I lick it completely and then give my finger to you. That is about all the experience that you have during satori.
Q: In some cultures, the guru-disciple relationship harbors physical hardship measures, almost like ill treatment. Is this normal?
A: Ill treatment is not necessary. But when the process is done, it will look like ill treatment for an outsider. For an insider it will not look like that. In the master-disciple relationship, you cannot describe anything that happens with your own dictionary. When a master fires you, it cannot be called anger. Love cannot be called lust. It cannot be addressed with the regular social words. Whatever happens is otherworldly.
Someone said that J.Krishnamurthi had so many relationships. How was that possible? I told them, the term 'relationship' cannot be used in the regular fashion when it comes to him. You can say that Ramana was silent, but what you understand by silence is not the silence of Ramana. You need two dictionaries, one Oxford dictionary and the other - the master's dictionary. The Oxford dictionary will not work out for the master. I think it is up to us now to release the master-disciple relationship dictionary.
Q: Is it that Krishna and some of the other masters had a small number of disciples, so there was no need for explaining the guru-disciple relationship?
A: Yes. Also, they were all simple fellows so it was easy to explain. Now people have become so complicated and the spontaneity is lost. If the process is allowed to happen without the disciple asking questions, it will be wonderful. Whether I fire or am compassionate, they ask for clarification. Firing and compassion are the same. When I fire, I teach; when I am compassionate I cheat! With compassion, I give a cozy feeling like this heater here. Otherwise, your blood will freeze and you will die!