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280
Aptavani-8
Dadashri: Yes, some may feel a sensation like water fountains, or even see a kind of light or other such things, just upon hearing about the Atma.
Questioner: It is not about the gushing fountains, but you feel so much joy within.
Dadashri: Yes, but they are a kind of imagining (kalpana), that happens inside. But when you think about things on that side, you feel so much joy, so can you imagine how much joy you would feel if you reached that side?
One man who was simple and pure at heart, goes to a holy man. Then he comes to me and says, 'I have had the experience.' I asked, 'An experience of what?' So he says, 'I have had the experience of the Atma.' I said: no one has ever seen even the Atma's shadow. No matter that one does not reach the Atma, however, just like the shadows that follow people around, which you can put your foot on; the Atma's shadow, once reached, will bring you the enlightened vision (samkit).
Many in India claim that they have attained the experience. Now if a person had the experience, then it would definitely make him Bhagwan (God); he would be considered Lord Krishna! And all this experience they have come proclaiming; is filled with controversy, and nothing has come out of it.
I said to that man, 'What are you calling experience (anubhuti)?' So he says, 'I do not know about that. But I do feel that when I feel this bliss (anand), that it has to be the bliss of the Atma.' Then I said, 'It cannot be the Atma's bliss (anand)! You have not attained the Atma yet. You have not even heard about the Atma. Hey, you have not seen its shadow. This is all the joy (anand) of the mind. When the circumstances (saiyogo) come together, the joy (anand) of the mind arises.' And he replies, 'Whenever I feel joy (anand), all I know is that it is the Atma's bliss (anand) which is coming out.' 'Goodness, this
