The Sage's Secret: Stay as the Self
Mooji's closing words at the Rishikesh Open Satsangs
17th of March 2013
[Mooji] Find that which is not changing.
First, everything that's changeful is coming. Phu-phu-phu - ninja.
And I said, No, pay attention to what's not changing.
And gradually, only what's not changing is there.
That even what is changing becomes what's not changing.
Do you hear what I am speaking like this?
At first all the changeful, phu-phu-phu, and your head ...
Pay attention to that, that even the head is moving, is watched.
Something is still. You stay in this stillness.
Another thought comes, and still, you stay here.
It says, 'Yes, your mother is on fire ...' 'Yes, but it is OK.'
'I know this is a trick.' Phu-phu-phu - things are coming.
And then somehow - phuu - no effort at all.
Then what was changeful becomes unchanging.
Isn't it like that?
I gave the example before,
and I'm going to leave today's satsang with this example,
because I think it is for everybody.
You are going out to drive, can you imagine?
You are in the car and you are learning, you have studied.
Imagine a driver like that. They have studied all the book of driving.
Now, today, after a few lessons, the instructor says,
'We're going to go on the highway'. You say, 'Are you sure I can do it?'
'Yes, we're going to go on the highway today.'
So, on the highway you are going, driving now.
And then suddenly it starts to rain.
A little bit at first, and the instructor says,
'Put on the windscreen wiper now'.
And you, 'OK'. [imitates the sound of wiper]
And suddenly you start to go with the windscreen wiper.
[Mooji] And the car is going. [laughter]
You panic. People go, 'Pa, pa, pa! What are you doing?'
'Wow! Sir, can I turn off the windscreen wiper?'
He says, 'No, just focus on the road'.
But the windscreen wiper, your car is going.
'No, just focus on the road.' You say,
'But other cars are coming in very fast, I think I am going to crash'.
'Focus on the road.'
Then more rain is coming. He says, 'Could you turn the speed up?'
Now [imitates driving side to side].
Then you say, 'No, no, no, please, please, I am losing control'.
'Focus on the road.'
'Can I go into the slow lane?'
'Stay in this lane, focus on the road.'
'Can I slow down?'
'No. Focus on the road.'
'But I can't control the car.'
'Focus on the road.'
Then, at some point, focusing happens.
When focusing happens,
it doesn't matter if the windscreen wiper is going like this,
or [imitates slower pace],
or [imitates even slower pace].
It doesn't make any difference because the focus has happened.
It's the same thing.
'Mooji, but my thoughts are getting ...' Focus on the Self.
'Yes, but it is a big thought, Mooji, it's too big!'
Focus on the Self.
'Oh, but there are now lots of thoughts coming, my feelings.
I just feel like, I can't do it.'
Stay as the Self.
'Yes, but my mind is going to explode.' Let it explode.
Stay as the Self. [laughter]
'But help me, teach me some mantras or something.'
Stay as the Self.
'But how can I stay? Show me how, what techniques?
I understand intellectually.'
Stay as the Self.
'Eh, aah.' [exhales deeply]
Now, thoughts - 'Wah!'
Are you OK? [nodding]
[laughter]
'Wah!'
Are you sure? 'Yes.'
Are you tied? 'No, it's good.'
Stay as the Self.
You are panicking, 'But how am I going to do when I leave here?'
Stay as the Self.
'But what happens when you are gone, Mooji?'
Stay as the Self.
[applause]
It may sound over-simplistic, even naive as advice,
but it is the sage's secret.
And it works.
Don't keep picking up thoughts.
'Oh, I must do that. I do this first.' Just stay there.
When you are staying in that Self-aware state,
you are not paralysed. You can breathe.
You can answer your emails, but still here [points heart].
I don't tell you to go out of life, to go into some monastery.
No, I say, this is your monastery. This is your ashram. [points heart]
This is your temple. This is your home. This is your Self.
Notice and move, wherever your heart and life
and the winds of life and existence take you.
Because you will always be fine.
And even the day when this body shall fall,
you will be here to watch it also.
So, it has been a beautiful time, a beautiful season.
A chance to be with you. You are all inside my heart.
Whenever you have that call to be home, to pay attention,
do like I point you, not more, not less.
It's simple enough as it is.
Stay as you are, as I have pointed to you.
I have total confidence in you,
because everything you need is already with you.
I have not told you that you have to have some instrument
from another room or from another place.
Pay attention to only That.
And by and by you will find a right balance with the outer life.
It's all passing anyway.
That's not your real place.
This is our playground for now. But your real place is Here.
Whichever dimension you go to, it will serve you to still be Here.
This is what I have to share with you.
Pay attention to what's not changing, and gradually
only what's not changing is there -
that even what is changing becomes what's not changing.
It may sound over-simplistic, even naive as an advice ...
but it is sage's secret, and it works.
Don't keep picking up thoughts; just stay Here.
An extract from the Satsang DVD 'Satsang is the Mid-Wife to Awakening'
17th Match 2013 Rishikesh, India