The Essential Advaitic Knowledge - Talks with Sri Ramana Maharshi

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The one infinite Unbroken Whole

(plenum) becomes aware of Itself as 'I'. This is the original name. All

the other names, e.g., OM, are later growths. Liberation is only to

remain aware of the Self. The Mahavakya 'I am Brahman' is

its authority. Though the 'I' is always experienced, yet one's

attention has to be drawn to it. Then only knowledge dawns. Thus

the need for the instruction of the Upanishads and of wise sages. (Talks,

92)

--

Reality is one only. How can it be

realised? Realisation is thus an illusion. Practice seems to be

necessary. Who is to practice? Looking for the doer, the act and the

accessories disappear. Moreover, if realisation is not present here and

now, how can it, newly got, be of any use? Realise what is present here

and now. The sages did so before and still do that only. Hence they say

that it looks as newly got. Once veiled by ignorance and later

revealed, Reality looks as if newly realised. But it is not new. (Talks,

439)

--

Dvaita and Advaita

are relative terms. They are based on the sense of duality. The Self is

as It is. There is neither dvaita nor advaita, I AM

THAT I AM. Simple Be-ing is the Self. (Talks, 433)

--

One's efforts are directed only to

remove one's ignorance. Afterwards they cease and the real Self is

found to be always there. No effort is needed to remain as the Self. (Talks,

66)

--

The Truth is that the Self is constant

and unintermittent Awareness. The object of enquiry is to find the true

nature of the Self as Awareness. Let one practice enquiry so long as

separateness is perceived. Once realisation arises there is no further

need for enquiry. The question will not arise. Can awareness ever think

of questioning who is aware?. Awareness remains pure and simple. (Talks,

454)

Harsha wrote:

He who is described in the scriptures

as

the unborn and the Lord, I am He, the Atman (Self), who is forever

without form and qualities. There is absolutely no doubt about it.

>From the Collected Works of Ramana Maharshi (Devikalottra, verse 52)

 

"Love itself is the actual form of God."

Sri Ramana

In "Letters from Sri Ramanasramam" by Suri Nagamma