We are standing at the banks of Gangaji. Many broken sticks were floating and went past by, we laughed aloud, saying today was a joyful day! Another day we once again stood there, not a single broken stick floated past us, all went in another direction on the shore across, and loudly we began to cry. Someone asked that why are you crying Brother? Then we said, not a single piece of wood went past us today. Now think about this, whether the sticks go past us or they go from the other side, what difference does it make to us? We do not even touch the sticks. The sticks do not remain with us, it simply flows and we are standing in one place. However, when it flowed from nearby we were thrilled, and when it went from the other side, we were upset and began to cry – this is foolishness indeed! Similarly, if a son is born in your home, you are happy, and if he dies you begin to cry. In another man's home as well, a son is born and dies, but there you do not cry. In his household lot of wealth came in and went away, but you were not crying. But if wealth came to you and went away, then you begin to cry. Before you did not have any, in the middle you got some, and later it went away, then you are as you were before, you remained the same, then what is there to cry? If you remain established in the Self, then you will not cry. But if you cling to the things that come and go then you will have to simply cry.
You have held on to worldly sorrows, for no reason. As such there is no sorrow. God has not created sorrow at all. You alone are creating that sorrow. Why the eagerness, I simply don't know! Do not mingle with that which is changing. If you meet then you will have to experience sorrow. I am apart from that which changes - continue to see this. On having a clear experience of being separate, all sorrows, all modifications will come to an end.
Questioner - We are already one with the body, how to separate from that?
Swamiji - You are not at all one with the body. If you were one with it then till now you would remain a child, you would not grow old. But you say that what I was during childhood, that I am not today, when the childhood did not remain with you and you did not remain with the childhood. Then how are you blended and one with it? The body is changing, and you are unchanging. You have erroneously considered yourself to be one with it. Now simply do not consider it so. Even though you may see yourself as blended (one) with the body, then too do not give it that much importance, rather respect your experience that you are separate from it. How are you separate that from childhood to now the body has changed, but I am the same. This is clearly evident and something that we have experienced. You are separate from the body, therefore childhood has passed away, and you have remained. Likewise this youth and old age too will pass away, but you will remain. Just like in childhood you were apart from that, similarly in youth and old age, you will be apart from that. If then too you do not clearly experience this, then in deep distress tell God, that "Maharaj! I am unable to experience my separateness from this body." However, firmly know that you are separate, whether you experience it or not. If you were not separate then on death, the body would not remain here, it would go along with you, or along with the body, you too would remain here. However, neither you stay with the body, nor the body goes with you, then how did the two become one? If you live in the house, then how did you become the house? You come into the house and you leave the house, then you and the house are separate. Similarly this body is also a house, you are staying in it. You come in and you leave the body. You are not one with it.
Even if you do not experience that – "I am separate from the body", then too compulsory accept it. Just like when you are very sick, then even the most bitter medicines you are willing to take with your eyes closed, similarly, for becoming healthy (sound, settled) you accept that "I am separate." Then too if you do not clearly see that separation, than become intensely distressed that how am I to experience that separateness? On having intense distress and longing to know the truth, immediately you will experience it. However, if you continue to indulge in sense pleasures, continue to relish them and gain happiness from them, then however much you study, become a learned man, deeply study the four Vedas, but you will not experience the separation from this body.
Narayana! Narayana! Narayana!
From book in Hindi "Kalyankari Pravachan" by Swami Ramsukhdasji
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