19.
I AM NOT TALKING TO YOU!

MR. Noles, an Italian, not more than 30 years old
yet well-read in philosophy, both Eastern and
Western, and eager to imbibe the spirit of Sri Maharshi's
teachings, was at our Ashram once, and he had very many
interesting talks with Bhagavan.

      One morning Sri Bhagavan was telling of the state of
a jivanmukta; how he is the ever-aware Self, the Witness-
Consciousness transcending space and time and causation,
the fullness of Being; how he is the non-actor, non-enjoyer,
and yet at the same time the greatest of actors, the greatest
of enjoyers, and so forth.

      Well, this was too much for Mr. Noles to digest. He
put a straight question to Sri Bhagavan: "Are you, or are
you not, now talking to us?" By an answer to this question
he wanted to know how Sri Bhagavan expressed Himself
consistently. Others around eagerly watched for what
would fall from Sri Bhagavan's lips.

      Sri Bhagavan gave Mr. Noles a meaningful look
and said in a most emphatic tone: "No, `I' am not
talking to you." In an ecstatic mood Mr. Noles echoed:
"No; Sri Bhagavan is not talking to us; Sri Bhagavan
simply IS."

      The devotees present greatly enjoyed this
conversation.

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