Omkara's answer to Alison's question regarding Ramana's response to Q

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-Message: 11 Fri, 15 Jun 2001

15:31:06 -0000 Q: Are the past and future mere imagination?Ramana

Maharshi: Yes, even the present is mere imagination, for the

sense of time is purely mental. Space is similarly mental.

Therefore birth and rebirth, which take place in time and space,

cannot be other than

imagination.-------------------------------->I

am the first one to admit that I am phisophically challenged, but >if

anyone can give me a better understanding it would be

welcomed.(Omkara)What Ramana said wasn't intended as something to be

mentally contemplated, but only descriptive of a "state" and the type

of perceiving that takes place 'within' that state.>Is Ramana only

saying that all of mindville are concepts and >therefore just

imaginary?(Omkara)In a sense. For example, the word lemon does not

refer to the actual fruit, but only a mental concept. If someone had

never actually seen, smelled or tasted a lemon, the word means

nothing... thus the word "lemon" and the idea of a lemon is entirely

conceptual and imaginary.>Does that not include the concept of the

SELF?The Self is only conceptual until 'experienced' or "Known"

directly. Imagine someone who had never been in love... one could

try to describe the sense or feeling of being in love, but the actual

love is not communicated... The only 'answer' is to follow the

instructions given and Realize the Self, then all questions are

answered. That's not a dismissal but an honest statement... once the

Self is Realized, all "spiritual" questions are answered once and for

all.>Don't we have to differentiate here between a brick wall and a

blue >sky to function?Certainly, in the usual sense... but when Self

knows Self, everything happens automatically, there isn't a "we" or a

"me" to be found anywhere. Again, it can't really be communicated

what Ramana is saying in words... if the words spark an "intuition"

within you, then maybe you will get a sense of it... if not, then

practice or sadhana is necessary, and the "philosophy" is only empty

words, in fact something to be disregarded if not helpful. Trying to

"puzzle these words out" only continues the endless momentum of

seeking and questioning (which tends to obscure the Self). Instead,

go within and Realize the Self according to the path of "Who Am I?"

or whatever path has presented itself to you.>Thanks in

advance,>Love>AltonNamaste,Omkarahttp://coresite.cjb.net

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