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Aptavani-8
269
on well. Even Gnanis, eat, drink, bathe, and do everything. They do the same kind of activities (kriya) that you do; however, they have the awareness (bhaan) of 'I am not the doer'. Whereas, in the state of ignorance (agnan) the awareness (bhaan) that prevails, is 'I am the doer'. So the difference is only in the awareness (bhaan).
No Adversity in Development Towards the Atma
Questioner: Why does it seem that although I have an internal desire, the difficulties I face in the work related to progress towards the Atma (Self), are greater?
Dadashri: There is never any difficulty in work related to progress towards the Atma. Only that one does not have the internal desire. If there is an internal desire, then there is never any difficulty in the work of progression towards the Atma. This is really because one has more love towards the worldly life; there is attraction there. That is why you feel the difficulty. Besides, attaining the Atma is natural, easy and simple. How long can it take for the Atma to turn homeward?
I asked a farmer, 'When you take your buffalo from here to the farm, what kind of temperament does he have?' And he replied, 'When we take him to the farm, he walks very slowly.' 'And on the way back home?' So he says, 'Home? He understands that he is going home, so he walks ever so fast!' In the same way, when the Atma knows that it is going to the final liberation (moksha), it moves really fast. It is going to its own home! And everywhere else, it moves slowly, as though it is being goaded there.
Take Advantage of the Living Gnani Purush
Questioner: How much strong endeavor (purusharth) is required to attain the state that is beyond the body (deha)? And how much of it is God's grace (krupa)?