Who am I, Paragraph 30

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Paragraph 30

 

That which is Bliss is also the Self. Bliss and the Self are not

distinct and separate but are one and the same. And That alone is

real. In no single one of the countless objects of the mundane world

is there anything that can be called happiness. It is through sheer

ignorance and unwisdom that we fancy that happiness is obtained from

them. On the contrary, when the mind is externalized, it suffers pain

and anguish. The truth is that every time our desires get fulfilled,

the mind, turning to its source, experiences only that happiness

which is natural to the Self. Similarly in deep sleep, in spiritual

trance (samadhi), when fainting, when a desired object is obtained,

or when evil befalls an object considered undesirable, the mind turns

inwards and enjoys that Bliss of Atman. Thus wandering astray,

forsaking the Self, and returning to it again and again is the

interminable and wearisome lot of the mind.

 

COMMENTS

 

Sat-Chit-Ananda -- Being-Consciousness-Bliss – is one ancient name

for the Absolute (or Self, God, Brahman, Atman, Buddha-nature or

whatever other name is used). They are used together because, in a

seeker's actual experience they are all one and the same, just

different names or aspects. Can there be Bring without

Consciousness? Can there be Consciousness without Being? For most

seekers, this is something that can easily be verified in

meditation. Bliss is seen also to be of this same unitary nature, so

much so that when all the `noise' of the mind and ego are stilled,

bliss is the common experience.

 

Happiness, Ramana says, is not intrinsic to any object, person, place

or experience. Ramana started "Who am I?" writing about happiness,

saying that all want happiness. But where is the source of

happiness? In this paragraph Ramana shows that the source of all

happiness is `within.' In fact, the source of happiness is our very

Being. One seeks happiness in external objects, events,

circumstances, people. Even the best of this happiness comes and

goes. The spiritual path is a search for happiness that does not

come and go. The only happiness that does not come and go is the

Bliss of Being. This can be continuous only when the identity is

moved to the solid Knowledge that "I am That."

 

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Your comments are invited.

 

WE are Not two,

Richard