August 31, 2026
A correspondent has written about problems, their understanding and solution. Nothing can really be understood intellectually. The intellect only thinks it understands. The intellect creates the problem and then it thinks that it has produced a solution or, if the solution is suggested by someone else, it thinks it has understood the solution. All this unfortunately is in the field of ignorance. If the problem concerns an action, the solution is action, too, and is not a question of words and formulae.
"All I understand is that only this moment counts," says the correspondent "and to understand this there must be awareness moment to moment of that inner consciousness." There is a snag here. The inner consciousness 'is' the awareness and you cannot make it the object of your awareness. When the obstacles that stand in the way of the awareness - which is the very nature of the consciousness - are removed, the awareness exists and shines in its own light.
It is obvious that an imposed solution is a problem, whether this imposition comes from your mind or from the mind of another person. Hunger does not arise in the mind, but from a deeper level; the mind merely calls it hunger. Unless something happens at that deeper level, no change is possible in the hunger-satisfaction pattern. Is it possible for the intelligence to probe the very source of all this? That is what is meant by saying, "If this is what you want, have it, but watch it and know what you are doing." It does not suggest that what is done is right or wrong. 'If this is what you want' you will of course have it, without anyone suggesting you should. From the moment the urge is noticed, is it possible to watch it and to discover its deeper source? If this is possible, then in all probability it will drop away. The watching intelligence is free from anything unnatural.
Spiritual life or Sadhana is a great art. Every stroke of the brush matters very much - we should carefully plan it and do every action after great thought. Thought, word and deed must be delicate and purposeful.