April 10, 1981
Maharaj: The Unmanifest ever exists but this manifest knowingness arises and departs. Presently I do not have any individuality — what is available is only the consciousness for the expression of which this mate- rial instrument is available. This consciousness is not a very desirable thing, it is an imperfect state.
There is no reason or law of cause and effect for the functioning of this universal consciousness. Why ‘something happens at a particular time cannot be explained in this dualistic state. We can only watch the functioning and cannot ask for any reason for any functioning which takes place. If we had the choice of taking on this body-cum- consciousness, who would be foolish enough to accept it? It is only because there has been no choice, everything has been spontaneous. Phe suffering also has to be taken on because it is part of the total func- tioning, and there is no entity who can pick and choose.
There is no individuality left; nevertheless, so long as this body is part of the total functioning, whatever comes in the total functioning has to be suffered. There is any amount of suffering in the total functioning I — this body is one of the millions of forms and the share of this body from the total suffering has to be experienced.
Questioner: I am trying to understand this.