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this is the other side of it。
if one exits from the gate of life with dignity and grandeur； in full knowledge； then the other gates will bee wide open and wele him with high regard and honor too。
so those who wish to determine their next lives should first go through death with their own willingness。
this was also the reason why mahavira gave his permission。
so the point is； an ordinary man wanting to mit suicide is not a man of will。
question 3
you have talked about how the subtle body can be separated from the physical body using ones willpower。
can the subtle body of a seeker who follows the discipline of witnessing； or that of a seeker who follows the discipline of tathata； suchness； be separated without exercising the will？
to follow the discipline of witnessing requires a great resolve。
following the discipline of tathata requires even greater resolve。
it is the greatest resolution ever。
when a man determines to live like a witness； that in itself is a great resolution。
for example； a man decides he will not eat。
he resolves to remain hungry for the day。
another man decides he will eat； but instead of watching himself eat； he will eat watchfully。
this is a more difficult resolution。
it is not too difficult to give up food。
the truth is； for those who have plenty to eat； it is easy to go without food for a day or two。
thats why in an affluent society the cults of dieting and fasting bee popular。
for example； in america the idea of dieting has bee very popular。
people immediately bee attracted to naturopathy。
when people have enough to eat； the idea of fasting once in a while appeals to them。
it seems to make one feel lighter and more cheerful。
in fact in a poor society； staying hungry may be a kind of use of ones willpower。
but in an affluent society its a matter of convenience。
actually； if food bees sufficiently available throughout the world； fasting will turn out to be a necessity for everyone。
people will have to remain with empty stomachs once in a while。
but witnessing is a very difficult thing。
lets understand it this way。
for instance； you make a decision that you wont walk； that you will remain seated in the same chair for eight hours。
now this is not a big thing。
you decided not to walk； so you are not walking。
someone else decides he will walk for eight hours …… this is not a big thing either； because since he decided to walk； he is walking。
but witnessing means youll walk； and at the same time you will also know that you are not walking。
what does witnessing mean？ it means youll walk as well as know that it is not you who is walking …… that you are simply witnessing the act of walking。
this is a much more subtle resolution； a supreme resolution indeed。
tathata； suchness； is the suprememost resolution； its the ultimate resolve。
there is no determination higher than this。
even the resolve to enter death voluntarily is not so great a resolve really。
tathata means accepting things as they are。
in a way； even the resolve to die voluntarily has its roots somewhere in nonacceptance。
that is； we want to know what death is； we want to verify whether death actually occurs or not。
tathata means； if death appears we will die； if life remains well continue to live。
neither are we concerned with life； nor with death。
if darkness falls well stay in the dark； if the light appears well settle with light。
if something good es to us well receive it； if something bad befalls us well bear it。
whatsoever happens； we are willing to accept it …… we deny nothing。
let me explain this to you with an example。
diogenes was passing through a forest。
he walked around naked …… had a beautiful body。
it seems quite possible man must have started wearing clothes in order to cover his ugliness。
this seems highly possible。
we are always interested in hiding the ugly parts of our body。
but this man diogenes was a very handsome man。
he lived naked。
so as he was passing through the forest； four men engaged in the business of capturing and selling slaves； saw him。
they figured if they could capture this man …… good looking； strong； powerful …… they may receive a good price for him。
but they felt very apprehensive and couldnt find any way to capture him without risking their lives。
somehow； they tried and managed to surround him。
diogenes stood in the middle； calm and unperturbed。
he asked； 〃what do you want to do？〃 the men were very surprised。
they took out chains。
diogenes stretched out his hands。
full of fear and with trembling hands； the captors began to chain him。
diogenes said； 〃no need to tremble。
e； let me tie the chains for you。
〃 he helped them put on the chains。
the men were simply flabbergasted。
after having chained him firmly； they said； 〃what sort of a man are you？ we are putting you in chains and you are helping us！ we were afraid this might lead to some fighting and trouble。
〃
diogenes said； 〃you are having fun chaining me； i am having fun in being chained。
where is the need for any trouble？ its great！ now tell me； where do we go from here？〃
the men said； 〃we feel very embarrassed in telling you that we are in the business of slavery。
well now take you to the marketplace and put you up for sale。
〃
diogenes said； 〃good； lets go。
〃 he took off with great excitement and began walking even faster than the captors。
they said； 〃please slow down a little。
whats the hurry？〃
diogenes said； 〃now that we are going to the marketplace； why not reach in time？〃
so finally they reached the marketplace。
it was very crowded。
those who had e to buy slaves turned their eyes toward diogenes。
they had rarely seen a slave of this quality； because he looked more like an emperor。
a huge crowd gathered around him。
he was made to stand on the platform where the slaves were auctioned。
raising his voice； the auctioneer said； 〃here is a slave for sale。
e forward and name your price。
〃
diogenes said； 〃shut up； you fool！ ask these men； did i walk in front； or did they？ did they tie the chains o