280
Aptavani-8
Dadashri: Yes, some may feel a sensation like water
fountains, or even see a kind of light or other such things, just
upon hearing about the Atma.
Questioner: It is not about the gushing fountains, but you
feel so much joy within.
Dadashri: Yes, but they are a kind of imagining (kalpana),
that happens inside. But when you think about things on that
side, you feel so much joy, so can you imagine how much joy
you would feel if you reached that side?
One man who was simple and pure at heart, goes to a
holy man. Then he comes to me and says, ‘I have had the
experience.’ I asked, ‘An experience of what?’ So he says, ‘I
have had the experience of the Atma.’ I said: no one has ever
seen even the Atma’s shadow. No matter that one does not
reach the Atma, however, just like the shadows that follow
people around, which you can put your foot on; the Atma’s
shadow, once reached, will bring you the enlightened vision
(samkit).
Many in India claim that they have attained the experience.
Now if a person had the experience, then it would definitely
make him Bhagwan (God); he would be considered Lord
Krishna! And all this experience they have come proclaiming; is
filled with controversy, and nothing has come out of it.
I said to that man, ‘What are you calling experience
(anubhuti)?’ So he says, ‘I do not know about that. But I do
feel that when I feel this bliss (anand), that it has to be the bliss
of the Atma.’ Then I said, ‘It cannot be the Atma’s bliss (anand)!
You have not attained the Atma yet. You have not even heard
about the Atma. Hey, you have not seen its shadow. This is all
the joy (anand) of the mind. When the circumstances (saiyogo)
come together, the joy (anand) of the mind arises.’ And he
replies, ‘Whenever I feel joy (anand), all I know is that it is the
Atma’s bliss (anand) which is coming out.’ ‘Goodness, this