Activities of Mind

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Bhaghawan Sri Ramana Maharshi.:

 

The mind is something mysterious. It consists of 'satva', 'rajas' and

'tamas' ( the three fundamental qualities, tendencies or stresses

which undelie all manifestations; 'satva'- the principle of purity

and goodness; 'rajas'- the priciple of activity; 'tamas'- the

priciple of inertia; ). The latter two give rise to 'vikshepa'

(diversity). In the 'satva' aspect, it remains pure and

uncontaminated. So there are no thoughts there and it is identical

with the Self. The mind is like 'akasa' (ether). Just as there are

the objects in the 'akasa', so there are thoughts in mind. The akasa

is the counterpart of the mind and objects are of thought. One cannot

hope to measure the universe and study the phenomena. It is

impossible. For the objects are mental creations. To measure them is

similar to trying to stamp with one's foot on the head of the shadow

cast by oneself. The farther one moves the farther the shadow does

also. So one cannot plant one's foot on the head of the shadow.

A child sees his own shadow and tries to hold the head of the shadow.

As he bends and puts out his arm the head moves further. The child

struggles more and more. The mother, seeing the struggle, pities the

young one. So she takes hold of the young hand and keeps it on his

own head and tells the child to observe the head of the shadow caught

in the hand. Similarly with the ignorant practicer to study the

universe. The universe is only an object created by the mind and has

its being in the mind. It cannot be measured as an exterior entity.

One must reach the Self in order to reach the universe.

Again people often ask how the mind is controlled. I say to them,

"Show me the mind and then you will know what to do." The fact is

that the mind is only a bundle of thoughts. How can you extinguish it

by the thought of doing so or by a desire? Your thoughts and desires

are part and parcels of the mind. The mind is simply fattened by new

thoughts rising up. Therefore it is foolish to attempt to kill the

mind by means of the mind. The only way of doing it is to find its

source and hold on to it. The mind will then fade away of its own

accord. Yoga teaches 'chitta vritti nirodha' (control of the

activities of the mind). But I say 'Atma vichara'

(Self-investigation). This is the practical way. 'Chitta vritti

nirodha' is brought about in sleep, swoon or by starvation. As soon

as the cause is withdrawn there is recrudescence of thoughts. Of what

use is it then? In the state of stupor there is peace and no misery.

But misery recurs when the stupor is removed. So 'nirodha'

(control) is useless and cannot be of lasting benefit.

How then can the benefit be made lasting? It is by finding the cause

of misery. Misery is due to objects. If they are not there, there

will be no contingent thoughts and so misery is wiped off. " How will

objects cease to be?" is the next question. The 'shrutis' (scriptures)

and the sages say that the objects are only mental creations. They

have no substantive being. Investigate the matter and ascertain the

truth of the statement. The result will be the conclusion that the

objective world is in the subjective consciousness. The Self is thus

the only Reality which permeates and also envelops the world. Since

there is no duality , no thoughts will arise to disturb your peace.

This is Realisation of the Self. The Self is eternal and so also its

Realisation.

 

(From Talk # 485, Talks with Sri Ramana Maharshi - published by Sri Ramanasramam. )

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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