Nature of Body-Consciousness

The basic cause for the occurrence of feelings like hatred, jealousy and anger is body consciousness. As long as body consciousness remains, the body will be subject to these types of feelings. For instance, all experiences derived through the senses and the mind occurs only during the waking state. When you go to sleep none of these experiences are present. The experiences in the dream state are real as long as the dream lasts. The experiences in the waking state are real in that state. The Reality or Truth, is the ‘I’ that remains in all the states. Over the ages, by identifying the ‘I’ with the body, its true nature has been grossly underrated. The truth is, this ‘I’ is subtle and incomparable. It is beyond change. This is the characteristic of Divinity. You must be aware of this and make efforts to recognise this inherent Divinity.

- Divine Discourse, 5 Mar, 1995