The importance of the Feeling of Existence
The Feeling of Existence is the only original feeling. The true identity. And yet we keep missing it continuously. And we look for it outside, through various Achievements. This short and beautiful talk contrasts the solution – Acceptance, with the problem – Achievement. Sri Mahaprabu had just ridden a bike all the way from Chennai to Tiruvannamalai (since cars were not allowed during the Covid lockdown) in order to be here for Satsang as usual. An amazing feat if you know what Indian roads are like.
The Original Feeling
We can hide our sorrow but we cannot hide our happiness. ALL Feelings are generated based on identification. Only one feeling doesn’t depend on anything. It is the Feeling of Existence (Unarvu). (That I exist is not an inference, not a perception nor means of knowledge. It is a direct experience. It is the only direct experience). That’s why Bhagavan said try to hold on to the Feeling of Existence. All have it. How does a man in a dark room confirm he is there? A dead body cannot confirm. Existence manifests in living and non-living things, but it can be felt in living beings, especially human beings. That is why the human form is special. That is why we must make use of this extremely rare opportunity of this birth. But at the same time in a human birth there is a much higher probability of missing this Feeling of Existence. Dogs don’t need to worry about dressing well to go out. But even they have an ego. Imagine humans, how much ego they have. So many things we worry about (dress, hair, wealth, roles, status, etc). Human birth is like walking on a knife’s edge.
The original feeling is the true identity. All other feelings are mind-made. That’s why Jnanis don’t give importance to the disciple’s feelings. That’s why Buddha was called Sunyavadhi. Someone died, no reaction on his face. Someone born, no reaction. Even if the stars said this baby will destroy the world one day. Buddha is a man of real feeling. He always enjoyed the Feeling of Existence. So many kings and beggars existed in front of Buddha. But they were all mere identities. Buddha just Existed. He was so pure. Original existence. No oscillation. That is true Surrender. That’s why all Jnanis refer to Buddha.
Acceptance is needed, not Achievement
Worldly success is not possible for all. But enlightenment IS possible. Because it is an Acceptance not an Achievement. Sadhana, books, Yoga, who asked for all those things? Basic Acceptance we aren’t able to do! A child accepts the father as his when the mother says he is your father. The same faith is needed in the Master-Disciple relationship. That Acceptance is needed. Faith is needed. Have faith in my words that you are not a human being. I’m not expecting anything from you. Just out of love I’m telling you, if you have faith in my words, remember my words, again and again throughout the day, no matter what you are doing if you remember this, everything will be alright. This was said by the Master of Nisargadatta Maharaj. Is there any loss for you in remembering this? That’s all his Master said. Nisargadatta’s Master.
But so many are doing all kinds of things that are just not required. Only do what is required. You do so many things other than what is required. This gap (despite your efforts) makes you feel unfulfilled. Because still you have not done what should be done. Achievement is at the mind level. Acceptance is heart level. Come from mind to heart. Atma is the heart of all. Acceptance’s other name is Surrender. When you are in Surrender you’ll Accept everything. I’m talking about Acceptance in a Master-Disciple relationship. Not a general acceptance of everything.
This is the only way to attain. Whoever accepted Buddha attained. Whoever analyzed Budhha, did not. Acceptance is the end point. Analysis is the beginning and stays there.
Surrender will give you energy (Mahaprabu riding on a bike for 200 Kilometers during the lockdown to Tiruvannamalai for Satsang). Surrender means you aren’t giving anything. You are only going to get. Still, people are afraid to Surrender. If you are afraid of giving you’ll be afraid of getting also. When the Master says Give, he is preparing you to Get. People who are afraid of Love, never get Love.
Effort is needed to achieve something. No effort is needed to Accept something. Achievement is through performance. But Acceptance needs a behavioral change. If you want, if you decide, you can. But the decision must be very strong, and for that you need to come to Satsang. Your head portion is not allowing it. If your head could be removed for an hour and put back, you will Realize what is existing here and now. So erase everything. Head should be like a clean slate. Only whatever is here will be reflected. Now, you are soaked in various colors (female, male, father, husband). So, you should always have that Awareness (that I’m not a human). Meditation is 24 hours.
Keep feeling that Existence in you. In front of that Intelligence your ignorance cannot win. Ignorance can never know Intelligence. So as you keep feeling that presence in daily life, that intelligence will begin to shine. And whenever ignorance comes in front of you, that intelligence will correct it. Over time, the mind will stop. This practice must be done in daily life. Don’t entertain the idea that you are in an ashram and are allocating time for Dhyanam when you sit. That is a Maya too. Your mind will be quiet then and disturb you at all other times.
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