Going Astray

 

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Going Astray

Don’t create any conflict about going astray and being centred. Float. If we create a conflict, if we become afraid of going astray, then there is more possibility that we will go astray – because whatsoever we try to suppress becomes very significant. Whatsoever we try to deny becomes very attractive. So, don’t create any condemnation of going astray. In fact, go with it.

If it is happening, allow it to happen; there is nothing wrong in it. There must be something in it, and that’s why it is happening. Sometimes even going astray is good. A person who really wants to remain centred should not be worried about centring. If we worry about it, the very worry itself will never allow us to be centred, because worrying can never be centred – we need a non-worried mind, an unworried mind. So, going astray is good, there is nothing wrong in it.

Stop fighting with existence. Stop all conflict and the idea of conquering – surrender. And when one surrenders, what can one do? If the mind goes astray, we go with it; if it doesn’t go, that too is okay. Sometimes we will be centred, and sometimes we will not. But deep down we will always remain centred because there is no worry. Is this understood? Otherwise, everything can become a worry. Then going astray becomes just like a sin one is not to commit – then the problem is created again.

If Adam was allowed to eat the fruit of the tree of knowledge there would have been no problem, but the Jewish god wouldn’t allow it. It was a small thing, isn’t it? and children are to be forgiven. It was just curiosity – and God Himself was responsible for the curiosity; He created it in the first place.

The moment He said, ’Don’t eat from this tree,’ He helped Adam to go astray. And when he fell a victim, he was thrown out. Never create any duality within the self. If we decide to always be true, then there will be an attraction to be untrue. If we decide to be non-violent, then violence will become the sin. If we decide to be celibate, then sex will become the sin.

If we try to be centred, going astray will become a sin – that’s how all religions have become rigid telling us - ‘do this, don’t do this’. Accept, go astray – there is nothing wrong in it.