Yoga philosophy teaches that real man is not his body, but that the immortal I, of which each human being is conscious to some degree according to his mental evolution, is not the body but merely occupies and uses the body as an instrument.
Interpretation
The essence of a person is their consciousness, not their physical form.
This quote suggests that human identity transcends the physical body. It posits that the true self, the immortal 'I', is conscious and is part of a deeper mental evolution, and that the body is merely a temporary vessel or instrument for expressing that consciousness.
In practice
In a lecture about the nature of self, one could mention this quote to illustrate the distinction between the mind and body.
These two are the parts. The inner silence - the silence so deep that there is no vibration in your being. You are, but there are no waves. You are just a pool without waves, not a single wave arises. The whole being silent, still. Inside, at the center, silence, and on the periphery, celebration and laughter. And only silence can laugh, because only silence can understand the cosmic joke.
It seems to me, Golan, that the advance of civilization is nothing but an exercise in the limiting of privacy.
My real self wanders elsewhere, far away, wanders on and on invisibly and has nothing to do with my life.
I believe we are going to have to prepare ourselves for the difficult and patient task of outgrowing rigid and intransigent nationalism, and work slowly towards a world federation of peaceful nations. How will this be possible? Don't ask me. I don't know. But unless we develop a moral, spiritual, and political wisdom that is proportionate to our technological skill, our skill may end us.
I've been thinking of death a lot, and I am amazed by its inevitability, frightened, as we all are, of the totally unknown, and yet feel a long sleep is somehow earned by those of us who live on the edge.
The fallen angel becomes a malignant devil.
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