This explanation of Rene Girard’s model of social functioning, based on the ego’s uncertainty about what it wants, brings new clarity to our personal difficulties and those in the realm of macropolitics. The discourse describes the chain of effects brought about by coveting the attributes or possessions of a chosen other. These cascade from envy to imitation, to rivalry, and to some level of symptomatic violence. We must become free of scapegoating and being victimized, as well as from all rescue fantasies. There is an easy way out.

The ego is addicted to its distractions. Because at the core, the ego lacks inherent essence, and thus has subconscious negative self-esteem, it is always running away from—and defending against feeling—its vulnerable and wounded heart. There are ways to overcome this once we recognize the reality of our suffering and its inner cause.

As one goes ever deeper into one’s inner being, past the ego and its shadow, the paradigm of reality shifts repeatedly as the perception is purified and accurate discernment of the Real comes more into focus. The enigmas presented by the false beliefs we were taught and then, more deeply, by the pairs of opposites that keep the mind split and in internal conflict and confusion, are gradually overcome. The outer becomes recognized as the inner. The Other is reclaimed as the Self. Unity is perceived pervading the multiplicity. The ultimate mystery is at last revealed. Freedom is regained.

In this extraordinary conversation, the secrets of history and eschatology are revealed. The story of our collective loss of grace—and the fall of the world from a paradise to a hell realm—and our current struggle to repair the creation by transforming ourselves through sacrifice of the ego and returning to our divine essence, will end in victory for the forces of light over those of darkness and evil. But for now, we must enjoy the suspense of not knowing the outcome—until we have become saturated by the purifying Presence of the Supreme Self within and beyond.

A realized yogi sheds his skin, but does not grow a new one. Since there is no outside and no inside to the Real, no skin boundary or defensive shield is either necessary or possible. The Self has no other, no enemy, and no limit. All fear drops away.

The application of reason and Self-enquiry will cut through all confusion about the nature of reality and unveil the truth of the omnipresent power of the God-Self and the fact of nonduality. One will be moved spontaneously to serve God by performing good works and accumulating merit that nullifies the tendencies to egocentric behavior and thus completes the process of atonement leading to attunement and re-absorption in the great bliss of the zero point of the Supreme Real.

Essential insights into the discernment of an accurate path, guide, methodology of purification of the doors of perception, and subtle preparation for service in one’s body of light—crowned by final graduation from the wisdom school of life—are offered in this outstanding interchange of ideas and energies: A conversation that can bring about a sublime conversion.

In this selection of recent questions asked in satsangs, every ego’s doubts, confusions, agonies, and theoretical speculations orbit around the same illusory premise that the ego mind’s ontological status is real and has a grasp of the true nature of reality, rather than emerging as a bubble monad entranced in a dream. The solution is always to awaken and pop the bubble.

Cannabis (known in India as ganja or bhang) has been since time immemorial an herb sacred to Lord Shiva and still used ritually (and legally) by yogis of some lineages in Bharat. Unfortunately, in the West this psychoactive agent is often misused and limited to profane or recreational abuse, or used therapeutically but not spiritually. But its proper employment is as an aid to meditation, to bring one’s mind more easily into presence without thought—and to download inspired ideas and to function in a flow state. But one must avoid the pitfall of dependency. Nor is THC useful for everyone. Some become paranoid or even drop into malignant depersonalization under its influence. Follow your inner guidance.

By cultivating resonance with the vibrational frequency of pure and total presence—the Supreme Real—new meanings and insights precipitate from the Infinite Intelligence, the Mind of God. These downloads re-program the destiny of one’s becoming, leading to the attainment of eternal Being.