Apparently Nisargadatta Maharaj used to be a heavy smoker for the rest of his life. It was him who said something like: “I know and I have realized my true nature , and I just let the body play out its destiny that I came here for”. Also advaita master Ramesh Balsekar explains it very well in one of his teachings: “self realization does not mean that the body mind organism , that is based on dna/genes and condition changes behavior “ He even gives as an example that a psychopath can realize his true nature and still be a killer as long as his body/mind organism is programmed to kill. The only difference is that this psychopath understands that he is not the personal doer (ego) of these actions happening through this particular body/mind organism. Ramesh Balsekar’s teachings (although he is a famous advaita master) are in that way super practical and helpful. He just focused on happiness in daily living and how to acquire that. And apparently “enlightenment “ becomes a side effect. For me, it worked wonderfully well…and I’m still smoking and drinking …which I hope will change in time by just seeing through these deeply ingrained patterns of condition.
It seems that as the suffering eases there is less impulse to harm "others". It does seem that the conditioning of the body/mind can have strong momentum but changes.
Great video, John! Love your explanations. 😊
Thanks. Lovely feedback.
Please feel free to add to the conversation here with a comment. Any insights or experiences may help others.
Apparently Nisargadatta Maharaj used to be a heavy smoker for the rest of his life. It was him who said something like: “I know and I have realized my true nature , and I just let the body play out its destiny that I came here for”. Also advaita master Ramesh Balsekar explains it very well in one of his teachings: “self realization does not mean that the body mind organism , that is based on dna/genes and condition changes behavior “ He even gives as an example that a psychopath can realize his true nature and still be a killer as long as his body/mind organism is programmed to kill. The only difference is that this psychopath understands that he is not the personal doer (ego) of these actions happening through this particular body/mind organism. Ramesh Balsekar’s teachings (although he is a famous advaita master) are in that way super practical and helpful. He just focused on happiness in daily living and how to acquire that. And apparently “enlightenment “ becomes a side effect. For me, it worked wonderfully well…and I’m still smoking and drinking …which I hope will change in time by just seeing through these deeply ingrained patterns of condition.
It seems that as the suffering eases there is less impulse to harm "others". It does seem that the conditioning of the body/mind can have strong momentum but changes.