Sri Bhagavan

[Guest guest]

"The Spiritual Teaching of Ramana Maharshi"

"Maharshi's Teachings"

 

 

D. If the mind is merely a shadow how then is one to know the Self?

 

 

M. The Self is the Heart, self-luminous. Illumination arises from the Heart

and reaches the brain, which is the seat of the mind. The world is seen with

the mind; so you see the world by the reflected light of the Self.

 

The world is perceived by an act of the mind. When the mind is illumined it

is aware of the world; when it is not so illumined, it is not aware of the

world.

 

If the mind is turned in, towards the Source of Illumination, objective

knowledge ceases, and the Self alone shines as the Heart.

The moon shines by reflecting the light of the sun. When the sun has set,

the moon is useful for displaying objects. When the sun has risen no one

needs the moon, though its disc is visible in the sky. So it is with the

mind and the Heart. The mind is made useful by its reflected light. It is

used for seeing objects. When turned inwards, it merges into the Source of

illumination which shines by Itself and the mind is then like the moon in

the day-time.

 

When it is dark, a lamp is necessary to give light. But when the sun has

risen, there is no need for the lamp; the objects are visible. And to see

the sun no lamp is necessary, it is enough if you turn your eyes towards the

self-luminous sun. Similarly with the mind, to see the objects the light

reflected from the mind is necessary. To see the Heart it is enough that the

mind is turned towards it. Then the mind does not count and the Heart is

self-effulgent.

 

Love,

Mazie

 

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