Aptavani-4 115
( 11) The Atma and The Ego Eternal Self
Questioner: Where did the Self( chetan) come from? Where does it originate?
Dadashri: It has no origin, neither does it have an end. These are just the phases and stages( avastha) of a living being( jiva). The phases( avastha) will keep changing, but the Self( vastu) remains the same.
Nature Questioner: What is nature?
Dadashri: Nature means“ scientific circumstantial evidences”.
Questioner: All these scientific circumstantial evidences that come together, isn’ t there some sort of energy( shakti) behind it?
Dadashri: It is not a living energy; it is an inanimate energy. It is an energy that is a mixture of jada( inanimate matter; non-Self) and chetan( life-energy; the Self) in which jada happens to be in vishesha bhaav( extra-expression of intent). In all this, the Self has remained the same from time immemorial.
Who Controls Whom?
Questioner: Does the embodied soul( jiva) exert control over the body, or does the body exert control over the jiva?