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self-effort come in? Therefore, one should keep the chit in its natural state and not waste its energy. One will have to understand the essence of this life, yes?
[7] Obstacles
'I am Chandubhai’. Once you say this, an obstacle (antaray) arises. You are the absolute Self (Parmatma) and you call yourself 'Chandubhai’? You are the master of the universe, the owner of infinite energies, and capable of attaining whatever you want; yet in spite of that, why you cannot get anything? It is because of obstacles. Obstacles veil the energy (shakti)!
Desire (ichchha) invites obstacles. When there is no desire for air, is there any obstacle for it? The Gnani has no desire (nirichchhak) and is in an obstacle-free state (nirantaray pad). He does not have ‘want for anything at all.
How is an obstacle created? When someone is donating something and you interfere by saying, “Why are you doing that?' then in your next life, you may be hindered from receiving a donation.
In the state of ignorance, one protects hurtful and negative thoughts when they occur; whereas in the state of Gnan (knowledge of the Self), one does repentance and ask for forgiveness (pratikraman) immediately when such thoughts arise. Approval and support for the good or positive actions become beneficial for one's self and for the rest of the world. If approval and support is given to others, they will reciprocate! If one calls the other person “stupid,' it will create an obstacle to one's own intelligence.
If there is a strong determination (nischay) against the obstacles arising in the path of liberation (moksha), the energy of the Self (shakti) will grow. Obstacles occur when there is
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