study & intuitive understanding

[Guest guest]

"Ram Chandran" <rchandran@c...>

Mon May 7, 2001 11:46 am

Re: FW: study & intuitive understanding

 

 

Namaste:

 

The forwarded message from needs to be understood

properly with appropriate caveats and cautions. What Bhagawan Ramana

says is that the study of science, philosophy, scriptures etc. alone

will not take us directly to "God Realization." Bhagawan is quite

right and similar statements are plentiful in the Upanishads and Gita.

 

Only those who have spiritually evolved to the level of the

Bhagawan can abandon all learnings. They should be prepared to conduct

the Tabas (Deep Meditation as a True Sanyasi)and surrender their body

and mind to the Lord just like how Bhagawan did it in the Sanctum

Santorum of Arunachal. Bhagawan didn't seek food or drink or fame and

completely immersed with the SELF. When we reach that stage, we can

also abandon all methods of learning and interaction.

 

Any interpretation that leads to abandoning reading the Upanishads and

Gita will be also misleading because they have to read the book of

Bhagawan to get their guidance. The idea of abandoning doesn't come in

the flash of the mind but it also comes from a BOOK!

 

Finally, we should be aware that the Upanishads contain the

personal experiences of sages like Bhagwan Ramana Maharishi and are

consequently quite relevant. In conclusion, be aware that catch

phrases such 'abandonment' needs to be understood with proper

perspective and any hasty conclusions have pitfalls!

 

warmest regards,

 

Ram Chandran

 

Well put Sri Ramji! There is nothing to give up or abandon. One needs to

grasp the essence of the scriptures. Scriptures say, "Know That by which all

else is known." The nature of movement towards Knowing That is dictated by

inherent tendencies and certainly involves scriptural studies and discussion

and inspirational fellowship. The saying of our sages reflect such

understanding, beauty, simplicity, and purity that for us every word and

sentence has the fragrance of Self-Knowledge that takes the breath away in

utter wonder. Although there may be diversity of views on what constitutes

Tapas due to differing backgrounds and perspectives, Ramana Maharshi

beautifully gave the essential meaning of Tapas to Ganapati Muni who had

practiced mantra japa for many years.

 

Anandaji had related the following earlier. To understand the dialogue one

should keep in mind that Ganapati Muni had practiced penance and japa for

many years. Not satisfied, and in great spiritual anguish he went to Sri

Ramana and explained to him the nature of his mantra practice. Falling to

the feet of Sri Ramana, Ganapati Muni asked for the meaning of Tapas.

 

In answer to Sri Vashishta Ganapati Muni as to What is Tapas (penance)? Sri

Ramana Maharshi replied, "When a Mantra is repeated if you look to the

source of the Mantra sound, from where it arises, the mind will be absorbed

in That. That is Tapas."

 

The essence of the teachings of the Sage of Arunachala is to follow with

attention and awareness the "I" sense to see from where it rises and

subsides.

 

Love to all

Harsha

[Guest guest]

Namaste,

 

Sri Ramana distilled this in the very last verse or 'suutra'[#30]

of 'upadesha-saaram'[upadesha undiyar in Tamil]:

 

ahamapetaka.n nija-vibhaanakam.h .

mahadida.n tapo ramaNa vaagiyam.h ..

 

aham = ego [aha~Nkaara]

apetaka.n = devoid of

 

nija = Self

vibhaanakam = illumunator

 

mahat = great

ida.n = this

tapaH = austerity, penance

 

ramaNa = Ramana

vaak = utterance

iyam = this

 

"The Realisation of THAT which subsists when all trace of 'I' is

gone,is great austerity. So sings Ramana, the Self of all."

 

[tr. by B.V. Narasimshaswami, from original Tamil].

 

 

Regards,

 

s.

 

 

 

 

 

advaitin, "Harsha \(Dr. Harsh K. Luthar\)" <hluthar@b...>

wrote:

> "Ram Chandran" <rchandran@c...>

> Mon May 7, 2001 11:46 am

> Re: FW: study & intuitive understanding

>

> In answer to Sri Vashishta Ganapati Muni as to What is Tapas

(penance)? Sri

> Ramana Maharshi replied, "When a Mantra is repeated if you look to

the

> source of the Mantra sound, from where it arises, the mind will be

absorbed

> in That. That is Tapas."

>

> The essence of the teachings of the Sage of Arunachala is to follow

with

> attention and awareness the "I" sense to see from where it rises and

> subsides.

>

> Love to all

> Harsha