Journey to Enlightenment Part 02

Author(s): Chitrabhanu, Nirmala Hanke
Publisher: Create Space

Page 62

I was born in Rajasthan, but I was brought up in the South in a little town of Tumkur. When I was 16, I was invited to a wedding in Rajasthan. They had bhang, an intoxicated drink. I was unaware, so I took a drink. Very tasty, so I took one more. All these things, alcohol, marijuana, LSD, make you forget who you are. Children don't like alcohol, it burns. But people drink to forget, they are miserable, unhappy, and not enjoying peace. So the next day I found out they had taken a picture of me, standing on a roof, naked. They would not give back the photo unless I gave 100 rupees. I gave them the money and got the photo and the negative back. I didn't want to do that again and learned without feeling guilty; otherwise, one has to pay a hundred times.
Namo Arihantanum—you have freedom of choice—to become whoever you want to be. For this you need meditation. When I came to Harvard and spoke, I told them: “Man is free to do what he wants to do. We don't need outside angels; recognize the angel in you. You can become what you want to. This is the inherent quality of consciousness."
Meditate on SO-HUM. You are Consciousness. Anyone who realizes one's self and conquers oneself is Jain, not as a creed, but as one who has conquered all inner weaknesses. All consciousness is the same. There is a process of purification—purify what is negative, take it out, let it go. Don't waste time.
We have a very precious life. Many people don't understand what we are talking about, they have limiting beliefs. Your own weakness is your enemy because it is limiting you. For anything that is limiting you, conditioning you, use NAHUM, I am not that. We are all born free.
The philosophy of Karma is liberation. Understanding of karma is freedom of action. You realize what you are, it does not limit you. You are not in any box. Watch your consciousness, be aware and be free. Watch your words. When you are emotionally charged, be silent, don't act. Be very watchful, every step you take has a consequence. Each step in awareness leads to liberation.
On the Wings of Light and Love - Volume Two - 61