An end to tyranny

17. So long as we do not realize that we are distinct from the body wicked people will tyrannize over us and enslave us. There is no knowing what injury they will do t  us. It is because of fear that tyranny becomes possible. A raakshasa caught hold of a man, and made him work for him ceaselessly. If he paused a little, the threatened him saying, "I shall eat you up. I shall destroy you." At first the man was afraid, but when he could stand it no longer, he said, "All right  eat me up if you want to." 

But how could the raakshasa afford to eat him up? What he wanted was a servant, a slave. If he were eaten up, who would do the work? The raakshasa was merely threatening. When he got the reply. "All right eat me up," his power came to an end. Tyrants know that their subjects cling to the body. By inflicting pain on the body, they enslave and control others. But when you give
up attachment to the body, you become an emperor, you achieve freedom. All power comes into your hands. 

No one can exercise authority over you. The very basis of tyranny breaks down. For the basis of tyranny is the bhavana, "I am the body." Knowing that through suffering inflicted on the body they can tyrannize over others, they use threatening language. 

18. "I am the body" - this bhavana of mine arouses in others the desire to tyrannize, to inflict pain. But what did the great English martyr Cranmer say? "If you would burn me, by all means, do. Here, burn this right hand first, for this hand hath offended." In the same way, Latimer said, "Be of good comfort, Master Ridley, and play the man.

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