A Thousand Times...
“Jehan – o kare jehan,
Jumla heech,
Der heech ast,
Hazar bar mun in nukta karda-am tehqiqe.” – Hafez
“A Thousand times I have looked,
And found it to be true,
That the universe and all its affairs,
Are totally nothing into nothing.” – Hafez
Andy approached his Guru.
“Baba, Hafez says that the universe and all its affairs are totally nothing into nothing.”
“Hafez was a Perfect Master. What He said was correct,” He replied.
“It certainly seems real to me Baba.”
“Still, what Hafez said is true; Brahma’s creation is a mere pouring from the empty into the void.”
“If it is true, I want to know it.”
“Be careful what you ask for.”
“I want to know,” Andy persisted.
“Well maybe, sometime, but now look around—it is a beautiful day today, is it not?”
“Yes Baba, it is very beautiful today.”
“The sun is shining, the birds are singing; why not forget your question for now?”
“If you say so Baba.”
“Good,” Baba smiled, “then why don’t you go to a movie, I hear there are some very good movies playing in town. Now is not the time for such serious questions.”
“Okay Baba, if you say so, I’ll go and see a movie this afternoon.”
...
“Jehan – o kare jehan,
Jumla heech,
Der heech ast,
Hazar bar mun in nukta karda-am tehqiqe.” – Hafez
“A Thousand times I have looked,
And found it to be true,
That the universe and all its affairs,
Are totally nothing into nothing.” – Hafez
… “So, Andy, did you see a movie?”
“Yes Baba, I did as you requested.”
“Was it a good movie?”
“I am no judge, but I did enjoy it.”
“What was it about?”
“Well, Baba, it was about a man who had it all—wealth, health, family, and friends, who then fell on hard times and lost it all.”
“All, he lost it all?”
“Yes Baba, even his wife left him for another man.”
“Such a pity, what happened then?”
“His circumstances began to improve; he began a new life and found happiness.”
“Happiness?”
“Yes Baba, when his circumstances improved, he never forgot the time when he was down and out. It made him a better person.”
“And his story—the movie—affected you?”
“Yes Baba, I laughed and I cried.”
“But it was a movie was it not—just images projected on a screen—images of actors playing various roles?”
“Yes.”
“Still you were affected—still you became lost in the show?”
“Yes Baba.”
“Andy, I would like you to go to another movie.”
“Another movie Baba?”
“Yes, I want you to go to another movie but not get lost in it. Just sit there and watch it, but do not become absorbed in it—remembering all the time that it is just a movie, images projected on a screen. Can you do it?”
“If You want me to, I will try.”
...
“Jehan – o kare jehan,
Jumla heech,
Der heech ast,
Hazar bar mun in nukta karda-am tehqiqe.” – Hafez
“A Thousand times I have looked,
And found it to be true,
That the universe and all its affairs,
Are totally nothing into nothing.” – Hafez
“So Andy, did you see another movie?”
“Yes, as you requested Baba.”
“And were you able to follow my order—to watch but not become involved with the movie?”
“No Baba, I tried, but then I got lost in the movie.”
“It must have been a very good movie then?” Baba said smiling, “What was it about?”
“Well, it was a romance Baba, about two people, lost souls who were always searching for each other, always disappointed with relationships, who somehow found each other and fell in love.”
“And you could remain aloof?”
“No Baba, I tried, but within a few minutes I forgot and became lost in the story.”
“But for a few minutes you tried—you were able to resist? Tell me about that Andy.”
“Well it was very uncomfortable Baba.”
“Uncomfortable? How so?”
“It’s difficult to describe, but I was just sitting there as the images and sounds began, and for a while I just tried to watch—and I became aware of the other people in the theater, and I could see that they were lost in the movie, and I began to experience a deep loneliness—a deep onlyness.”
“They had gone to sleep, but for a moment you were awake.”
“It was very uncomfortable Baba.”
“Yet you said before that you wanted to experience the truth of what Hafez said. To experience that truth you have to remain awake in a sleeping world. Are you sure you want that?”
“Well Baba, I’m not sure; is there another way?”
The Master smiled. “Yes,” He said.
“Perhaps if we go to the movie together it will be different. Is there yet another good movie in town?”
“Yes Baba.”
“Good, we will go after lunch.”
...
“Jehan – o kare jehan,
Jumla heech,
Der heech ast,
Hazar bar mun in nukta karda-am tehqiqe.” – Hafez
“A Thousand times I have looked,
And found it to be true,
That the universe and all its affairs,
Are totally nothing into nothing.” – Hafez
“So Andy, what did you think about the movie?”
“Not much Baba, I was very distracted—and then You got up to leave before the movie was half over.”
“Yes, I left when My work was done. You said you were distracted?”
“Well Baba, You kept distracting me with your fidgeting and requests for this and that—You were like a child.”
“Baba is a name that is used for children as well as respected elders and Masters—we often resemble each other quite a bit.”
“Apparently Baba.”
“But Andy, you could have changed your seat if I was bothering you.”
“I did say distracted Baba, I didn’t say bothered.”
“You are very clever Andy, still you could have changed your seat—why didn’t you?”
“Well Baba, no matter what You do, I’d still rather be with You than anyone or anything—I’d never change my seat.”
“You do know Andy that if I wanted to push you away you would be unable to resist?”
“Yes Baba, I pray You never would.”
“I would push you away only to bring you closer.”
“I know Baba; it is Your game.”
“Yes, it is My game, for in Reality, ‘you and I are not we, but One.’ – (Meher Baba)
“And Baba, I was able to watch the movie without getting absorbed in it.”
“That is the key Andy, remember Me always—keep Me with you in your mind and heart and you will be able to be in the world, yet not of the world. As Hafez says, the world does not disappear, it is just seen for what it is, ‘nothing into nothing.’”
...
“Jehan – o kare jehan,
Jumla heech,
Der heech ast,
Hazar bar mun in nukta karda-am tehqiqe.” – Hafez
“A Thousand times I have looked,
And found it to be true,
That the universe and all its affairs,
Are totally nothing into nothing.” – Hafez
“Andy, you said you wanted to experience this truth and I sent you to the movies. If remaining aloof to a movie made you uncomfortable then how much more uncomfortable would it be for you to be in a state detached from the universe.”
“I take your point Baba. Perhaps it would be better if I did not request and just leave it to You to decide what it best for me?”
“Yes Andy, just leave it to Me and I will help you.”
“Yes, that is what I want. I give You the responsibility for my journey. But then I wonder; what is it that I am to do in the meantime?”
“Andy, in the meantime, try to remember and do the following: Think thoughts you would not hesitate to think in My presence; speak words you would not hesitate to speak in My presence; and do actions you would not hesitate to do in My presence.” – Meher Baba
“I will try Baba.”
Baba nodded His head with pleasure and then said the following:
“It is the nature of intelligence to know. To know, intelligence must think. To think, mind is necessary. The projector at the movie theater represents the mind. When it is turned on, it projects images for you to see. But the projector of the mind differs from the projector at the theater because not only does it project the movie, it also has the capacity to experience its own projection. In short, mind projects and mind experiences its own projection—and this is how intelligence becomes conscious—how intelligence realizes its nature to know.”
“But what is the movie Baba? Where does it come from?”
“Andy, the movie comes from the original urge of intelligence to know. Remember, to think is to know and to experience this thinking is to be conscious. But in the beginning, the mind’s ability to think is most limited and consequently the consciousness derived from the experiencing of that thinking is also most limited. Now, what is it that intelligence wishes to know? The answer is itself. But this intelligence of which I speak is Infinite Intelligence—it is God, and the original urge of God is to know Itself. It is this original urge—this original thought ‘Who am I?’ that starts the mind working—thinking. But, at first, this thinking is most limited and since God is Infinite, the thoughts—the answers—the mind thinks in response to its own question are false. Andy, the self and the universe the mind thinks are nothing in relationship to the everything that God is. Hence Hafez says, ‘… the universe and all its affairs are totally nothing into nothing.’”
...
“Jehan – o kare jehan,
Jumla heech,
Der heech ast,
Hazar bar mun in nukta karda-am tehqiqe.” – Hafez
“A Thousand times I have looked,
And found it to be true,
That the universe and all its affairs,
Are totally nothing into nothing.” – Hafez
“Andy, unlike the projector at the movie theater, the projector of the mind acquires consciousness through the process of creating and identifying with its universe. This process continues until consciousness is perfect, yet the impressions—the movies—still continue to run in the projector. What remains to be accomplished is that all vestiges of the movies be removed without turning off the projector light—the consciousness. It was that consciousness that began as the most finite light and grew in intensity through the process of creating and identifying movies which now, as Infinite light, must be projected on the screen; for it is that Infinite Light by which Infinite Intelligence sees Itself.”
“That is Your experience Baba?”
“Yes Andy, with the exception that after I experienced, without doubt, that I was, am and always will be that Infinite Intelligence, it was My destiny as Avatar, to regain consciousness of the universe without losing the consciousness of Myself.”
...
[While writing this latest blog, it so happened that a most appropriate excerpt from Meher Baba’s biography, Lord Meher, 1st. ed., Bhau Kalchuri, came my way. Though it is not my policy to include such lengthy quotations without permission, I am making an exception in this case.]
MARCH 20, 1954 - THE DREAM OF CREATION.
Meher Baba asked Gulmai to relate what Upasni Maharaj had told her about him years before in Sakori. Gulmai said, "Maharaj once told me that Merwan would come here and sit in this place. You are sitting on the very spot pointed out by Maharaj. Maharaj also said that many persons would be present here before you and you would deliver a discourse. All this has been fulfilled today."
In response, Baba explained about the dream of creation:
“All this is a delusion. Whatever you see, what you hear and what you think is all illusion. Whatever you see externally, that, too, is imagination. But its grip is so tight that you cannot free yourselves. You are the possessors of Infinite Knowledge, Infinite Power and Infinite Bliss; but you are so helpless due to the grip of illusion that Reality has slipped out of your hands.
“For instance, you are all sitting here; but, in actuality, you are not sitting here, nor will you get up and go anywhere. Because of this illusion, you feel as if you do. You have to free yourselves from this illusory grip, which in fact does not exist. It is actually as if you are dreaming. In the dream you play, you eat and do many things; but, in truth, you do not do a thing! While you are dreaming, suppose I appear in your dream and tell you that you are dreaming. Still, you will go on dreaming, and my telling will not help awaken you in the least. However much you are told that you are dreaming, that will not put an end to your dream. You would only go on dreaming. But, when I slap you soundly, you will immediately be awakened, and your dream will end.
“In the same way, to awaken you from your present dream of sitting here, such a slap is necessary! However much I explain to you now that you are dreaming, and that all this – your sitting in front of me, talking, moving about, eating, drinking, and so forth – is all a dream, it will be of no use to you, because you will not understand it. But, if I were to slap you – if my grace were to descend on you – you will be awakened automatically and instantly you will realize me. You will then know that all this is a dream; the whole creation is a dream and that you are dreaming day and night.
“Japa and tapa (repetition of God's name and penance or austerities) are also a dream. All these acts create bindings. Fasting, too, is a binding. To eat is a binding. To escape from this bondage, leave everything to Baba and dedicate to him, in all honesty and with full sincerity, your everything. The meaning of dedication is that whatever good or bad you do during the twenty-four hours, attribute them to me. The meaning of this is that you must have full and firm faith that Baba is the sole doer, and you do nothing. You should not even have a thought of doing anything, and the belief that I do everything should be so rocklike and natural that you truly feel that Baba does all. But, it is extremely difficult to follow this.
“All my discourses and other spiritual literature have no meaning. They have no substance in them. My present State is due to one kiss from Babajan. Never will this State be realized by studying any literature – religious or spiritual!” -
Lord Meher, 1st. ed., Bhau Kalchuri, Vol. 12, p. 4389 - 4390.
The Avatar Meher Baba Perpetual Public Charitable Trust, Ahmednagar, India is the copyright holder of all of Meher Baba's messages, discourses and photographs, unless otherwise stated.
Jumla heech,
Der heech ast,
Hazar bar mun in nukta karda-am tehqiqe.” – Hafez
“A Thousand times I have looked,
And found it to be true,
That the universe and all its affairs,
Are totally nothing into nothing.” – Hafez
Andy approached his Guru.
“Baba, Hafez says that the universe and all its affairs are totally nothing into nothing.”
“Hafez was a Perfect Master. What He said was correct,” He replied.
“It certainly seems real to me Baba.”
“Still, what Hafez said is true; Brahma’s creation is a mere pouring from the empty into the void.”
“If it is true, I want to know it.”
“Be careful what you ask for.”
“I want to know,” Andy persisted.
“Well maybe, sometime, but now look around—it is a beautiful day today, is it not?”
“Yes Baba, it is very beautiful today.”
“The sun is shining, the birds are singing; why not forget your question for now?”
“If you say so Baba.”
“Good,” Baba smiled, “then why don’t you go to a movie, I hear there are some very good movies playing in town. Now is not the time for such serious questions.”
“Okay Baba, if you say so, I’ll go and see a movie this afternoon.”
...
“Jehan – o kare jehan,
Jumla heech,
Der heech ast,
Hazar bar mun in nukta karda-am tehqiqe.” – Hafez
“A Thousand times I have looked,
And found it to be true,
That the universe and all its affairs,
Are totally nothing into nothing.” – Hafez
… “So, Andy, did you see a movie?”
“Yes Baba, I did as you requested.”
“Was it a good movie?”
“I am no judge, but I did enjoy it.”
“What was it about?”
“Well, Baba, it was about a man who had it all—wealth, health, family, and friends, who then fell on hard times and lost it all.”
“All, he lost it all?”
“Yes Baba, even his wife left him for another man.”
“Such a pity, what happened then?”
“His circumstances began to improve; he began a new life and found happiness.”
“Happiness?”
“Yes Baba, when his circumstances improved, he never forgot the time when he was down and out. It made him a better person.”
“And his story—the movie—affected you?”
“Yes Baba, I laughed and I cried.”
“But it was a movie was it not—just images projected on a screen—images of actors playing various roles?”
“Yes.”
“Still you were affected—still you became lost in the show?”
“Yes Baba.”
“Andy, I would like you to go to another movie.”
“Another movie Baba?”
“Yes, I want you to go to another movie but not get lost in it. Just sit there and watch it, but do not become absorbed in it—remembering all the time that it is just a movie, images projected on a screen. Can you do it?”
“If You want me to, I will try.”
...
“Jehan – o kare jehan,
Jumla heech,
Der heech ast,
Hazar bar mun in nukta karda-am tehqiqe.” – Hafez
“A Thousand times I have looked,
And found it to be true,
That the universe and all its affairs,
Are totally nothing into nothing.” – Hafez
“So Andy, did you see another movie?”
“Yes, as you requested Baba.”
“And were you able to follow my order—to watch but not become involved with the movie?”
“No Baba, I tried, but then I got lost in the movie.”
“It must have been a very good movie then?” Baba said smiling, “What was it about?”
“Well, it was a romance Baba, about two people, lost souls who were always searching for each other, always disappointed with relationships, who somehow found each other and fell in love.”
“And you could remain aloof?”
“No Baba, I tried, but within a few minutes I forgot and became lost in the story.”
“But for a few minutes you tried—you were able to resist? Tell me about that Andy.”
“Well it was very uncomfortable Baba.”
“Uncomfortable? How so?”
“It’s difficult to describe, but I was just sitting there as the images and sounds began, and for a while I just tried to watch—and I became aware of the other people in the theater, and I could see that they were lost in the movie, and I began to experience a deep loneliness—a deep onlyness.”
“They had gone to sleep, but for a moment you were awake.”
“It was very uncomfortable Baba.”
“Yet you said before that you wanted to experience the truth of what Hafez said. To experience that truth you have to remain awake in a sleeping world. Are you sure you want that?”
“Well Baba, I’m not sure; is there another way?”
The Master smiled. “Yes,” He said.
“Perhaps if we go to the movie together it will be different. Is there yet another good movie in town?”
“Yes Baba.”
“Good, we will go after lunch.”
...
“Jehan – o kare jehan,
Jumla heech,
Der heech ast,
Hazar bar mun in nukta karda-am tehqiqe.” – Hafez
“A Thousand times I have looked,
And found it to be true,
That the universe and all its affairs,
Are totally nothing into nothing.” – Hafez
“So Andy, what did you think about the movie?”
“Not much Baba, I was very distracted—and then You got up to leave before the movie was half over.”
“Yes, I left when My work was done. You said you were distracted?”
“Well Baba, You kept distracting me with your fidgeting and requests for this and that—You were like a child.”
“Baba is a name that is used for children as well as respected elders and Masters—we often resemble each other quite a bit.”
“Apparently Baba.”
“But Andy, you could have changed your seat if I was bothering you.”
“I did say distracted Baba, I didn’t say bothered.”
“You are very clever Andy, still you could have changed your seat—why didn’t you?”
“Well Baba, no matter what You do, I’d still rather be with You than anyone or anything—I’d never change my seat.”
“You do know Andy that if I wanted to push you away you would be unable to resist?”
“Yes Baba, I pray You never would.”
“I would push you away only to bring you closer.”
“I know Baba; it is Your game.”
“Yes, it is My game, for in Reality, ‘you and I are not we, but One.’ – (Meher Baba)
“And Baba, I was able to watch the movie without getting absorbed in it.”
“That is the key Andy, remember Me always—keep Me with you in your mind and heart and you will be able to be in the world, yet not of the world. As Hafez says, the world does not disappear, it is just seen for what it is, ‘nothing into nothing.’”
...
“Jehan – o kare jehan,
Jumla heech,
Der heech ast,
Hazar bar mun in nukta karda-am tehqiqe.” – Hafez
“A Thousand times I have looked,
And found it to be true,
That the universe and all its affairs,
Are totally nothing into nothing.” – Hafez
“Andy, you said you wanted to experience this truth and I sent you to the movies. If remaining aloof to a movie made you uncomfortable then how much more uncomfortable would it be for you to be in a state detached from the universe.”
“I take your point Baba. Perhaps it would be better if I did not request and just leave it to You to decide what it best for me?”
“Yes Andy, just leave it to Me and I will help you.”
“Yes, that is what I want. I give You the responsibility for my journey. But then I wonder; what is it that I am to do in the meantime?”
“Andy, in the meantime, try to remember and do the following: Think thoughts you would not hesitate to think in My presence; speak words you would not hesitate to speak in My presence; and do actions you would not hesitate to do in My presence.” – Meher Baba
“I will try Baba.”
Baba nodded His head with pleasure and then said the following:
“It is the nature of intelligence to know. To know, intelligence must think. To think, mind is necessary. The projector at the movie theater represents the mind. When it is turned on, it projects images for you to see. But the projector of the mind differs from the projector at the theater because not only does it project the movie, it also has the capacity to experience its own projection. In short, mind projects and mind experiences its own projection—and this is how intelligence becomes conscious—how intelligence realizes its nature to know.”
“But what is the movie Baba? Where does it come from?”
“Andy, the movie comes from the original urge of intelligence to know. Remember, to think is to know and to experience this thinking is to be conscious. But in the beginning, the mind’s ability to think is most limited and consequently the consciousness derived from the experiencing of that thinking is also most limited. Now, what is it that intelligence wishes to know? The answer is itself. But this intelligence of which I speak is Infinite Intelligence—it is God, and the original urge of God is to know Itself. It is this original urge—this original thought ‘Who am I?’ that starts the mind working—thinking. But, at first, this thinking is most limited and since God is Infinite, the thoughts—the answers—the mind thinks in response to its own question are false. Andy, the self and the universe the mind thinks are nothing in relationship to the everything that God is. Hence Hafez says, ‘… the universe and all its affairs are totally nothing into nothing.’”
...
“Jehan – o kare jehan,
Jumla heech,
Der heech ast,
Hazar bar mun in nukta karda-am tehqiqe.” – Hafez
“A Thousand times I have looked,
And found it to be true,
That the universe and all its affairs,
Are totally nothing into nothing.” – Hafez
“Andy, unlike the projector at the movie theater, the projector of the mind acquires consciousness through the process of creating and identifying with its universe. This process continues until consciousness is perfect, yet the impressions—the movies—still continue to run in the projector. What remains to be accomplished is that all vestiges of the movies be removed without turning off the projector light—the consciousness. It was that consciousness that began as the most finite light and grew in intensity through the process of creating and identifying movies which now, as Infinite light, must be projected on the screen; for it is that Infinite Light by which Infinite Intelligence sees Itself.”
“That is Your experience Baba?”
“Yes Andy, with the exception that after I experienced, without doubt, that I was, am and always will be that Infinite Intelligence, it was My destiny as Avatar, to regain consciousness of the universe without losing the consciousness of Myself.”
...
[While writing this latest blog, it so happened that a most appropriate excerpt from Meher Baba’s biography, Lord Meher, 1st. ed., Bhau Kalchuri, came my way. Though it is not my policy to include such lengthy quotations without permission, I am making an exception in this case.]
MARCH 20, 1954 - THE DREAM OF CREATION.
Meher Baba asked Gulmai to relate what Upasni Maharaj had told her about him years before in Sakori. Gulmai said, "Maharaj once told me that Merwan would come here and sit in this place. You are sitting on the very spot pointed out by Maharaj. Maharaj also said that many persons would be present here before you and you would deliver a discourse. All this has been fulfilled today."
In response, Baba explained about the dream of creation:
“All this is a delusion. Whatever you see, what you hear and what you think is all illusion. Whatever you see externally, that, too, is imagination. But its grip is so tight that you cannot free yourselves. You are the possessors of Infinite Knowledge, Infinite Power and Infinite Bliss; but you are so helpless due to the grip of illusion that Reality has slipped out of your hands.
“For instance, you are all sitting here; but, in actuality, you are not sitting here, nor will you get up and go anywhere. Because of this illusion, you feel as if you do. You have to free yourselves from this illusory grip, which in fact does not exist. It is actually as if you are dreaming. In the dream you play, you eat and do many things; but, in truth, you do not do a thing! While you are dreaming, suppose I appear in your dream and tell you that you are dreaming. Still, you will go on dreaming, and my telling will not help awaken you in the least. However much you are told that you are dreaming, that will not put an end to your dream. You would only go on dreaming. But, when I slap you soundly, you will immediately be awakened, and your dream will end.
“In the same way, to awaken you from your present dream of sitting here, such a slap is necessary! However much I explain to you now that you are dreaming, and that all this – your sitting in front of me, talking, moving about, eating, drinking, and so forth – is all a dream, it will be of no use to you, because you will not understand it. But, if I were to slap you – if my grace were to descend on you – you will be awakened automatically and instantly you will realize me. You will then know that all this is a dream; the whole creation is a dream and that you are dreaming day and night.
“Japa and tapa (repetition of God's name and penance or austerities) are also a dream. All these acts create bindings. Fasting, too, is a binding. To eat is a binding. To escape from this bondage, leave everything to Baba and dedicate to him, in all honesty and with full sincerity, your everything. The meaning of dedication is that whatever good or bad you do during the twenty-four hours, attribute them to me. The meaning of this is that you must have full and firm faith that Baba is the sole doer, and you do nothing. You should not even have a thought of doing anything, and the belief that I do everything should be so rocklike and natural that you truly feel that Baba does all. But, it is extremely difficult to follow this.
“All my discourses and other spiritual literature have no meaning. They have no substance in them. My present State is due to one kiss from Babajan. Never will this State be realized by studying any literature – religious or spiritual!” -
Lord Meher, 1st. ed., Bhau Kalchuri, Vol. 12, p. 4389 - 4390.
The Avatar Meher Baba Perpetual Public Charitable Trust, Ahmednagar, India is the copyright holder of all of Meher Baba's messages, discourses and photographs, unless otherwise stated.
Labels: Hafez, Lord Meher, Meher Baba, Michael Kovitz, Sufi Teachings
posted by Michael Kovitz at 8:45 AM
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