Chapter 36: Interested In Remaining Disinterested
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For example, when you see the moon reflected in a lake, to all intents and purposes it is in the water as long as your gaze is directed at the lake. The moon is not in the water. The reflection of the moon is in the water, but it appears as if the moon is in the water. So the consciousness of the one on the mental planes is not here. The reflection of his consciousness is here, but it appears as if he is conscious of the gross plane.
When one on the mental planes performs an action, that act cannot be comprehended by anyone having consciousness only of the subtle or the gross. That same act is interpreted differently by the ones on the subtle planes and the ones on the gross plane, in the light of their own respective consciousness.
In short, the function of mind expressed by one on the mental planes, when perceived by you on the gross plane, comes through the channel of your gross consciousness and reaches you in the shape or movement familiar to your range of awareness and capacity of comprehension.
On 16 August 1960 when a discussion arose over whether something Baba had stated was an order or not, Baba clarified:
I want you to do this means I would like you to do it if you can. That is, it is a request. I wish you to do this means I want you to obey whether you can or you cannot. That is, it is an order. In such cases there is a chance of the wish being thwarted by disobedience, by not obeying. I will you to do something means that you are definitely, automatically to do it, and you are able to do it because I make you do it — because it is my will.
Baba also once explained:
When I give an order, it is not like an order given by a commander in the field of battle. Rather, when I give an order, it implies my pleasure. It should not be equated with the order given by a general. In my case, it is an expression of my pleasure. Thus, I give you scope to exert your very most to please me.
On 23 August, Baba said:
"Seek and you shall find" has become such a commonplace slogan that spiritual aspirants have begun to wonder what it means. To them I say: "Do not seek and you will find."