Observation of a friend

Your past few blogs have been very nourishing, thank you, sometimes though knowing all this again and again and again is tiring. If the 'isness' and greatness is so apparent and evident, how come there are only a handful saints who truly are able to live what they know, this has been one of the discouraging things on the path for me. Sometimes i get tired of knowing and practice is just too slow in building a strong mind, with a new thing blasting each day in your face, it seems that the TRUTH will only remain a good read and not an experience.

Response

Dear Shilpaji, thank you for your appreciation. As for your observations, I would respond by saying that when one makes a move to explore the reality (undertakes sadhana in any form), mind which is an illusion (nothing real – mere collection of thoughts and emotions) feels shaky and for continuing to remain relevant tries to avoid such exploration. It gives seemingly irrefutable arguments against efficacy of sadhana or emphasises its arduous nature. Discourage one with arguments like, "How will I succeed when there are only a handful saints who truly are able to live what they know."

The number of saints in fact is not as small as it appears.  Osho used to say that a large number of saints have no attachment with their bodies and leave it soon after realisation.  Many others have no intention of revealing themselves.  They hide themselves in Himalayas and such other places. Only a handful – particularly those who are not that evolved (with few exceptions), are still left with some gunas – reveal themselves to the world – obviously they do not appear to be living what they know.  It is a rare occurrence where a realised person continues to live, has intention to reveal himself and also has ability to express himself.  Only such rare saints, like Buddha, Kabir etc. become known to us.  That is why saints appear to be only handful.

As for tiredness arising from reading of the same assertions about truth again and again, it happens when we try to understand them through the mind – only instrument we have. In this state one would have a doubt whether the “TRUTH will only remain a good read and not an experience”. 

But when one gets a little taste (experience) of the reality, the mind and body get flooded with tranquility and joy. Then on, sadhana is no more an effort, it becomes an enjoyable occupation. One can relate with the truths saints have spoken of and is no more bothered about how long – how many lives – this beautiful journey will take. For experiencing the infinite, one needs that much patience. And beauty is that with little experience of reality, it (patience) comes on its own.

I may add that on this path mind is not to be strengthened. On the contrary it is slowly but surely dissolved (transcended) on being confronted with the mystries and immensity of existence. Mind is overwhelmed and logic and arguments (mind’s armoury) appear to be superfluous and irrelevant. 

I would conclude by saying that one of the most crucial aspect of sadhana is Satsang (being in the company of saints and fellow travellers). It makes the journey less arduous in the beginning and enjoyable after a while!