The Maharshi and the Impersonal Self

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THE MAHARSHI

January/February 2004Vol. 14 - No. 1

Produced & Edited byDennis HartelDr. Anil K. Sharma

 

 

Letters and Comments

 

The Maharshi and the Impersonal Self

 

I have one question after reading this newsletter [Nov/Dec 2003

issue], and that is, what exactly does it mean to say that the

Maharshi still exists as the Self. The Maharshi is there spoken of as

if he had a specific identity to whom one could relate. The problem

becomes obvious when one considers that if he has indeed merged with

the Absolute, he could not be distinguishable from it as Maharshi. I

don’t object to saying that he has merged with the Ocean of Being, or

the Absolute; the confusion is that, having done so, he would no

longer be Maharshi any more than any other who has thus merged. To

speak of Maharshi, as opposed to Buddha, or Franklin Merrell-Wolff,

etc., would be contradictory. So, does the Maharshi exist separate

from the Self, or is he identified (if one can say this) as the

Absolute, indistinguishable from it? To say that he still exists

without a body, as if he

were different from the Self, makes little sense. I don’t see how one

can have it both ways. Can you have your Maharshi and the impersonal

Self? Is the Self somehow aware as Maharshi...? What do you think?

Steven, USA

 

Did the Maharshi extend his guidance and grace to seekers while he was

embodied? If you put this question to those who earnestly sought his

company and guidance, undoubtedly the answer would be a resounding

“Yes”. Many felt his influence from both far and near during the

years he resided at Arunachala. If that was so then, what obstructs

the same guidance and grace now? The disappearance of a physical

body, you say.For those with a limited vision of Reality the Maharshi

‘appeared’ to occupy a body and responded to seekers who sought his

grace and guidance. This was perceived by the seekers and existed in

accordance with the Divine scheme for the ultimate liberation of

souls.

We must remember that the Maharshi existed as the ‘Self’ alone. With

our limitations we perceived him to be embodied. He was not a body or

a personality. We identify our self with our limited body and mind. He

did not. “Maharshi: The error lies in the identification of the Self

with the body. If Bhagavan is the body you may ask that body. But

understand him whom you address as Bhagavan. He is not the body. He

is the Self.”

The Maharshi was totally merged in the Absolute even before he arrived

at Tiruvannamalai in 1896. There was no question of a body or

personality for him then, even as there is no question of a body or

personality for him now.

For their own edification, seekers sought his company while he

appeared in time and space and occupied a body. This was their

perception only, from their limited level of understanding. As I

already said, he was not a body then nor is he now. His parting words

on the matter are telling: “People say I am going away. Go! Where can

I go? I am here.”

Therefore the question of the Maharshi merging in the Absolute at the

time of death cannot be posed. He was and ‘is’ the Absolute now and

always.

The Maharshi was very reserved in expressing any outward signs of

influence upon the spiritual state of those who came to him.

Nevertheless he did so, and in dramatic ways; sheltered from public

gaze, he acted within the consciousness of those seekers who

approached him physically, or just mentally from a distance. Since

his Mahasamadhi, I have heard untold number of testimonies from those

who have experienced his presence and grace in dreams or in the waking

state, or stories of rapturous encounters by simply looking at his

photo. I have also seen and heard of marvelous occurrences of

intervention which go far beyond the barriers of coincidence or

rational thinking. But normally, for most devotees, his influence

remains unobtrusive though potent, just as when he walked amongst us.

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So, if the Maharshi responded to those who invoked his grace in the

past while he appeared to occupy a body, what is it that obstructs

this same response now that there is no body?

We, as seekers and devotees, should sincerely inquire within and

answer this question. Metaphysical explanations can perhaps satisfy

the intellect, but not our burning need for a permanent peace, a

resting place wherein mortality has lost its hold and the Eternal

Being of Awareness remains unbroken.In 2003, can Sri Ramana Maharshi

help you in this quest for freedom? Only you can answer that.

–Editor

 

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