The Three Root Desires : 10.

Many people say that to believe that something exists, it should be capable of observation; it must be visible. The greatest thing in the world, which is name, fame, power, authority—for which people can die—is not visible. That shows we have a personality in us which is not necessarily a visible phenomenon like the body. There is an invisible person inside, which is more important than the physical, visible person.

You must listen carefully. The first thing you require is to exist in this body; and you want to exist for a very long time—not only for three days. So the struggle for existence involves, on the one hand, the worry about appurtenances necessary for the maintenance of the body and, on the other hand, the qualification that they should be enduring. Why should you add that qualification? If you are comfortable today, is it not sufficient? Why do you worry about tomorrow? Because you feel that you must exist tomorrow also.


What is this peculiar thing that the mind is thinking? What has happened to it? What is the harm if you exist very comfortably today and tomorrow you do not exist? One day is as good as any other day. What is the harm? No, no. This is no good. If you give for only one day and afterwards deny everything, it is as good as giving nothing. This is no good; but why?


There is a desire for continuity in the durational process of time, about which you must also bestow sufficient thought: existence of the body for a long time—if possible, endlessly. You do not want to die physically. You would like to continue your existence. How long would you like to live in the world? You cannot say.


Swami Krishnananda

To be continued  ...