The same gentleman later, after quoting a verse from Kaivalya, asked: “Can be lost after being once attained?”
M.: , once revealed, takes time to steady itsef. The Self is certainly within the direct experience of everyone, but not as one imagines it to be. It is only as it is. This experience is . Just as fire remains without scorching against incantations or other devices but scorches otherwise, so also the Self remains veiled by and reveals itself when there are no vāsanas. Owing to the fluctuation of the vāsanas, jnāna takes time to steady itself. Unsteady jnāna is not enough to check rebirths. Jnāna cannot remain unshaken side by side with vāsanas. True, that in the proximity of a great master, the vāsanas will cease to be active, the mind becomes still and samādhi results, similar to fire not scorching because of other devices. Thus the disciple gains true knowledge and right experience in the presence of the master. To remain unshaken in it further efforts are necessary. He will know it to be his real Being and thus be liberated even while alive. Samādhi with closed eyes is certainly good, but one must go further until it is realised that actionlessness and action are not hostile to each other. Fear of loss of samādhi while one is active is the sign of ignorance. Samādhi must be the natural life of every one.
There is a state beyond our effort or effortlessness. Until it is realised effort is necessary. After tasting such Bliss, even once, one will repeatedly try to regain it. Having once experienced the Bliss of Peace no one would like to be out of it or engage himself otherwise. It is as difficult for a to engage in thoughts as it is for an to be free from thought.
The common man says that he does not know himself; he thinks many thoughts and cannot remain without thinking.
Any kind of activity does not affect a ; his mind remains ever in eternal Peace.