Materialism

[Guest guest]

Namaste

 

 

 

All the responses to Sri Sundaram's posting on the subject are enlightening

and help devotees of Sri Ramana immensely. I congratulate Sri Sundaram for

his frank expression of genuine problems encountered in the saadhana

following Sri Ramana's path. I consider that devotees are extremely

fortunate as the we have the benefit of following a most simple and direct

method given by Sri Ramana- Self Inquiry. We know that even great scholars

even after mastering all the scriptures could not have the benefit of a

correct approach in their spiritual aspirations. (E.g. Kaavya kantha

Ganapathi muni). We are all very fortunate in the sense that without

undergoing all the ordeals which Kaavya kantha underwent, we came directly

into Sri Ramana's fold. Without the necessity of reading voluminous

scriptures, without any necessity of running around in search of Gurus Sri

Ramana gave us Self Inquiry to carry us to the Goal. I very strongly feel

that without His Grace we could not have come in to his fold. I feel Lord

Siva incarnated in the body of Sri Ramana to give this benefit to all his

devotees. A few years of Self-Inquiry would bring benefits, which in normal

course would have required several incarnations.

 

I cannot express in words the benefits I derived after coming in to the fold

of Sri Ramana.Initially I had the same problem, which many devotees

expressed in their questions to Sri Bhagavan.Belief and firm faith in

SriRamana's statement that every thing in our life happens as per a Divine

plan and we have freedom only to identify or not to identify ourselves with

the body- would greatly help in the process of Self inquiry. In the initial

stages when thoughts disturb us about our material problems, the above said

statement of Sri Bhagavan comes to our mind and help us turn inwards.

 

Similarly a firm faith in his statement that Self alone is real and every

thing else is mind and mere thought

And only nonexistent like the superimposition of a nonexistent snake on the

rope.

 

How do we get a firm faith in the above two statements? Of Course by His

Grace and our effort. To some extent I go this after reading all the answers

of Sri Ramana to the questions of devotees. Three different volumes relating

to three different periods were published, the main one being Talks With

Maharshi. Though it appears repetitive one should go through all the 600

pages and by the time one completes He will bless us with s firm faith in

both the statements mentioned above.

 

Whenever we get doubts, or problems we can ask ourselves what would be

Maharshi's reply if we pose them to Him, we would ourselves know from inside

if one has already read His Talks.

 

Most important problem we face in our saadhana is control of desires

emanating from the five senses and we miserably fail if we try to control

them directly. The best way is practicing Self-Inquiry and continues to do

it even if we face some problems, praying for help from Sri Bhagavan who is

residing within us as Guru and Self. After some time we wonder at ourselves

the benefits it brings us. Slowly we find ourselves getting a little control

over mind and desires. Only recently Vicky posted a question about progress

in saadhana. Sri Bhagavan stated that progress could be felt by the degree

of control one acquires in control of thoughts and mind. When we practice

Self Inquiry for some time what we considered very important earlier become

insignificant and we would be able to give up certain things which we

considered impossible to give up. Once we get over initial problems, there

will be acceleration and I am very very sure that we need not take any other

body again after the present one Some may progress in a few days and some

may take few months. But the result is definite. He will not leave us till

the goal is reached

 

My intention is not to preach but only to share what I experienced.

 

May the minds of all the devotees rest at the lotus feet of Sri Bhagavan

 

Yours in Sri Bhagavan

 

Ramana Sarma