The Liberated Sage in Action: Playful Detachment and Unwavering Self-Knowledge

Day 156

The Liberated Sage in Action: Playful Detachment and Unwavering Self-Knowledge

Vasistha continues his discourse on the characteristics of a liberated sage while living in the world:

The Disinterested Observer

The liberated sage is a disinterested observer of the world's happenings, finding amusement in its ever-changing nature. They act appropriately without clinging to extremes or forming attachments. They remain unruffled by worldly events, established in a state of fullness. They are neutral in conflicts yet compassionate towards all. They speak only when necessary and are neither seeking nor hating anything.

The Wise Counselor

The liberated sage offers good advice, explains their views convincingly, and understands multiple perspectives. They remain calm and composed while observing the world with amusement. This is the state of liberation while living.

Beyond Rituals and Materialism

Vasistha emphasizes the futility of teaching those consumed by desires and worldly pursuits. He advises Rama to live with "unlimited vision," free from desires inwardly but fulfilling necessary actions outwardly. He encourages Rama to constantly contemplate the infinite while living in the world. He instructs Rama to act outwardly without clinging to the idea of being the "doer."

The Illusion of Bondage and Liberation

Vasistha reveals a profound truth: bondage and liberation are ultimately illusions. The world itself is like a juggler's trick, and the infinite Self can never be truly bound. Confusion arises from ignorance, dissolving like a perceived snake in a rope upon realizing the truth.

Living Egolessly

Vasistha advises Rama to be firmly established in egolessness, untouched by the world. He emphasizes that the Self is not involved in notions of relatives, pleasure, pain, or good and evil. One who is unborn is free from the concept of relatives and their associated sorrows.

Beyond the Cycle of Birth and Death

Vasistha instructs Rama to recognize the cyclical nature of existence – being someone in the past, present, and future. This applies to everyone, and realizing this can dispel delusion. He advises Rama to remain balanced, neither grieving nor rejoicing, and to recognize his true nature as the infinite light.

The World as an Illusion

Vasistha compares the world to an illusion or a dream. It appears and disappears, existing only for the ignorant. He encourages Rama to be happy, knowing that sorrow is inherent to the world and is magnified by ignorance.

The Flow of Relationships

Vasistha explains that relationships are constantly changing. What's high becomes low, and vice versa, like a cartwheel. Those in heaven can end up in hell, and vice versa. There's no permanence in the universe. He advises Rama to see all beings as relatives, understanding that true separation doesn't exist.

Beyond Duality

Vasistha emphasizes the limitations of concepts like friend, foe, relative, and stranger. Magnanimous people don't make such distinctions. The wise see their connection to everything in the universe.