Unsent Letter #9: Words Are Not True

March, 2004

Dear Friend

For me, this is pretty much the end of the road as far as knowledge is concerned. More and more, I feel the inclination to forget all about this knowledge. When understanding came, in 2002, there was already no need for any more knowledge and there were no more questions. However, the desire arose to verify for myself that it had really happened--that overnight there had been a transformation from ignorance to a full understanding of what Maharaj had said. And so knowledge continued to express itself in words, a lot was written in the last year or so, and it is all there on the pages of this Web site, for those who find it useful. But that is done now.

At this point, I would like to gently remind you that everything you read here (or anywhere else) is just a concept. Words are not true. They move in a circle, unable to touch anything outside of that circle. When you have a question, it comes out of the knowledge that you already have. Even if you get an answer to that question, you will find that you file it away somewhere and move onto another question. It's actually knowledge itself that wants to continue this process of asking questions and finding answers. What does that process really have to do with you? Did you ask it to start seeking? Has that concept been fruitful? Has it brought fulfillment?

Recognize the limitations of the mind, or rather, recognize that the mind is the limitation, the circle in which all of these concepts are contained. Words are not true and the concept of someone who is writing is not true either. There is nobody who has written all this. Likewise, there is nobody who is reading this. The conviction that there is a person is ignorance, Maya. And that is another concept. None of this is necessary when you see.

We can talk about "the way of the bird," but it is not a way that goes from "here" to "there," or which takes time to travel. It can be over right now if you see that you already are yourself and recognize that you yourself are what you are seeking.

I'll be off in a month or so for a long vacation (or maybe extended retreat) in the Himalaya. I'll check in with you when I get back in June. Till then, good luck and best wishes!

A.