"Because everyone agrees upon it, it becomes a truth.

"Adolf Hitler based his whole philosophy on this simple maxim, that a lie repeated often is truth, and a truth not repeated often is forgotten. And the trouble is, the lie is going to be repeated often because it is consoling; it hurts nobody. It is at the cost of others, it costs you nothing. And truth is not even mentioned; it is one of the most unmentionable things in the world for the simple reason that it will disturb too many people.

"It is not coincidence that many mystics became silent and remained silent – because there were only two alternatives: either to say the truth and be crucified, or to tell a lie, which is consoling, comfortable, respectable. Certainly a mystic does not bother about respectability – who cares to be respected by people who are absolutely unconscious and asleep? What they think is their problem.

"But the trouble is, if we are also asleep, then who knows? – they may be right. Because we don't know what we are, who we are, we are nothing but the public opinion…and then gossip becomes a very significant factor. The only way to get rid of it is to know yourself on your own. Then you are neither old nor young, neither man nor woman. You are simply a pure consciousness which has no age because it is eternal. And it has no genital differences; a woman does not have a different consciousness from a man.

"At the height of consciousness all duality disappears.

"So the best thing that I can say to you is, Discover yourself; otherwise you have to depend on other people's opinions who don't know themselves.

"And you want a few words of comfort….

"In Germany there is a proverb: Many a good tune is played on an old violin. So don't be worried; just being old is not a condemnation. Many a good tune is played on an old violin. And there are things which become more precious as they become old. Just like wine or holy scriptures, they become holier as they become older.

"You just wait. These gossipers are going to run to the logical conclusion."