“”You simpleton, I am trying to tell you that there is nothing like suffering! It is the mind that creates pain and misery. In reality, neither happiness nor misery exist. Only bliss is real, which the soul enjoys after emancipation. So to attain emancipation, first destroy the mind. First free yourself and then enjoy bliss. Become one — merge with the bliss!
What is the meaning of God-realization? It means to become one with God. By thinking and imagining, one can never become one with God. Union is possible only after the death of thoughts and imagination — the mind must die.
"But how is a person to know that he has realized God?" someone posed.
“”It is automatic. You are a human being. Do you ever think to yourself, "Am I a human being?" You do not ask yourself this because you are a human being. In the same way, once a man realizes God, he spontaneously knows that he is God. He has the full experience of it by personal experience.
Being in the mood, Baba continued:
“”The difference between God and man is more than between heaven and earth! Man is bound by cravings and desires. You eat and drink, and whatever you do binds you. I too eat and drink, but I am quite free. Animals also eat and drink, but so do men. Is there no difference between the two? There is a vast difference. Similarly there is a difference between you and me. You are humans; I am God.
A man has full faith in me today and sticks to me. But if tomorrow his thoughts change and he goes against my wishes and orders, becomes a turncoat, slanders and loses all faith in me, still I will be as I am. The change has taken place in him, not in me. I am always changeless; I am ever equable.
For instance, look into a mirror; it will reflect you as you are. If you are serious, you will look serious in the mirror; if you are smiling, you will be seen smiling. If you contort your features, you will be seen with your face contorted. If you laugh, you will be seen laughing. The difference will be in you, not in the mirror. There is no change in the mirror; the change is in your facial expressions. The mirror is changeless, immovable and always steady.
