So,
Establish yourself here in the present.
In the present moment.
Just experiencing the body.
Noticing any sensations without attaching any meaning to that.
Just feeling the warmth.
The touch of your seat underneath.
The space in which the body appears.
The breath moving in and out.
Gentle movement of the belly and chest.
So,
Today I'd like to read you a quote from Sri Nizakadatta Maharaj.
And it's very powerful and simple.
And we can take it from there,
Just applying what he suggests.
So he says,
There is nothing to practice.
To know yourself.
Be yourself.
To be yourself,
Stop imagining yourself to be this or that.
Just be.
Let your true nature emerge.
And disturb your mind with seeking.
So the first line is,
There is nothing to practice.
So often when we sit down for meditation,
There is the idea that we have to do something,
Accomplish something,
Even very subtly.
Now,
Don't practice anything.
Just be.
Just be here.
Now,
Of course,
The mind may be noisy or busy.
Acknowledge it,
But don't pay attention.
Don't go into the stories of the mind.
Don't get involved.
Also don't fight it.
Just notice their thoughts.
And that's it.
Try to control or to contradict.
So Maharaj says,
To know yourself,
Be yourself.
You might imagine,
Like,
Who am I really and how can I be myself?
So as long as there is an image,
This is still thinking.
So let go of that image,
Of any idea of who you are,
How it looks.
He says,
To be yourself,
Stop imagining yourself to be this or that.
Just be.
So you may think,
But it's difficult.
In fact,
It is not.
You already are.
So you don't even have to start being.
That would be silly.
You already are.
Just notice this.
And if we get interested in the many thoughts that may come up,
Then we get deluded.
Think something's happening,
Something is important or anything.
So just notice that and that goal.
Stop imagining yourself to be this or that.
Withdraw your investment in anything,
Any thought.
Just not moving forward.
And find this natural silence and peace.
Just be.
So Maharaja says,
Let your true nature emerge.
When we let go of everything extra,
Then what is true can emerge.
So letting go of any ideas,
Any intentions,
Any expectations,
Any desire,
Any self-image,
Any concept,
What remains?
You are still here.
Let your true nature emerge.
To know yourself,
Be yourself.
So you don't have to know as in having an image or a concept.
But just by being,
Being this presence.
Don't overlook that.
So Maharaja says,
Don't disturb your mind with seeking,
Looking for something,
Something special.
Something that looks like this or that,
That is something.
So there's even a subtle restlessness in the mind,
Still looking for something.
You can let go of that.
If there's still an image of silence,
Then let go of that image.
And you are still here.
If there's an image of your true nature,
Let it go.
And just be.
If there's an image of just be or a holding on to a special feeling,
Then let that go.
Don't hold on.
You don't have to push it away,
But just don't hold on.
Don't hold on to anything.
So our mind will subtly do that,
Create a subtle image,
Vaguely,
Or hold on to a subtle feeling.
It's fine,
But don't go there.
Let the mind do that and then let it go.
Know that you don't need it.
You are here and it is quite enough.
Be tasteful,
Don't leave any changes.
Can you bear to be so shapeless?
So empty?
There is nothing to practice.
To know yourself,
Be yourself.
To be yourself,
Stop imagining yourself to be this or that.
Just be.
Let your true nature emerge.
Do not disturb your mind with seeking.
So easy and unusual.
Pure joy.
Thank you,
Dear Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj.
Thank you.
Thank you.
