Transcending Spiritual Experience

“So many people talk of spiritual experiences they have undergone, realizations, they have had, just to show people, "I am something"!

Looking outside for light and sound, all such "seekers" undergo some spiritual experience without yet realizing that that itself is bondage. They compare their experiences with others, thinking they are very advanced. They are attracted to the experiences of light and sounds because they identify themselves with the body. They want a shape and design; therefore they revel in experiences which indicate shape and design.

Unless you have "realized" whatever you think of as spiritual experience or knowledge was gained in the realm consciousness; such knowledge and experience, though very inspiring, is merely a burden upon your head and will ultimately add more misery. It is nothing more than phenomenon and spiritual jargon. You pray, meditate, do yoga, go to workshops and retreats and then go on writing a diary of your concepts and "patterns" and those of others.

I tell you, it is utterly useless. It will only serve as an instrument of bondage. You are conditioned by name and form, any image you have of yourself is not true.
Your body is only an accumulation of water, made up of the five elements and it is certainly not you! If you have any problems or questions with which you are concerned, you will find these problems and questions are based on your identity with the body and mind as an individual. If that identification is not there, then no questions can arise, you will realize this.

All paths lead to unreality. Paths are creations within the scope of knowledge. Therefore, paths and movements cannot transport you into Reality, because  their function is to enmesh you within the dimension of knowledge, while the Reality prevails prior to it“. ~ Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj

Prior to Birth, is there any need for anything?

“In this objective world is there anything permanent? You are trying to do so many things, such as social services, to make people happy.

You shave today, and tomorrow again you have to shave as your beard grows, and so on. Similarly, you make people happy today, and tomorrow they are unhappy, and again you proceed to make them happy, and so the cycle goes on, and you are caught in it. Initially, when I wanted to pursue spirituality, I gave up prapancha, the worldly life. Later I understood the meaning of spirituality and came to the conclusion that it is as discardable as used dishwater. Therefore, at present, I am in no way concerned with spirituality, since I have transcended it. I cannot discuss the topic in this manner before the general public. They would throw stones at me. What are you? What is your identity? Have you seen yourself correctly? Can you take photographs of your true identity bereft of body-mind? With this type of talk, will you care to see me again“?

Final Teachings of Sri Nisgargadatta Maharaj

Love of Self

That which you are, your true Self, you love it, and whatever you do, you do for your own happiness. To find it, to know it, to cherish it is your basic urge. Since time immemorial you loved yourself, but never wisely. Use you body and mind wisely in the service of the Self, that is all. Be true to your own Self, love your Self absolutely. Do not pretend that you love others as yourself. Unless you have realized them as one with yourself, you cannot love them. Don't pretend to be what you are not; don't refuse to be what you are. Your love of others is the result of Self-knowledge, not its cause. Without Self-realization, no virtue is genuine. When you know beyond all doubting that the same life flows through all that is, and you are that life, you will love all naturally and spontaneously. When you realize the depth and fullness of your love of yourself, you know that every living being and the entire universe are included in your affection. But when you look at any thing as separate from you, you cannot love it for you are afraid of it. Alienation causes fear and fear deepens alienation. It is a vicious circle. Only Self-realization can break it. Go for it resolutely.

The sum and substance of my teaching is this: Don't be dishonest to your vital breath; worship that only, abide in that only, accept it as yourself. And when you worship in this manner, it can lead you anywhere, to any heights- this Is the quintessence of my talks.
~ Nisargadatta