Ramana Disciple Ganapati Muni #6

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In 1917, the Muni spent a few months questioning Ramana directly and through

seven of his disciples on problems covering the entire gamut of spiritual

practice. Hence through these question and answer sessions we have the

authoritative clarifications of Ramana on such important issues. Besides Ramana

has also thrown clear light on his direct path termed as "The Science of the

Heart". Finding that these ruling were as epoch making to seekers of truth as

the message of Sri Krishna through the Bhagavad Gita', the Muni decided to

record the questions and answers recorded in sanskrit into eighteen chapters

covering 300 verses.

 

One cannot be too grateful to the Muni for this monumental work. For 'Ramana

Gita' represents the quintessence of wisdom. This work is a pathfinder in many

ways. The subjects dealt with, such as ;Paramount Duty'. Science of the Heart',

'Mind Control', Self-enquiry', 'Cutting the knot', just to mention a few, are

significant for truth seekers. A bird's eye view of the contents will help in

understanding the profound significance of the work for a meaningful life.

 

Ramana emphasizes that the purpose of all spiritual practice is to discover the

natural state. What is this natural state: It is a state when the mind is

silent, when bliss inundates, and consciousness shines in all its fullness. Why

natural? It is termed natural because it is one's own, it is not given and

therefore cannot be taken away. What hides it? the externalization of the mind

prevents awareness of the natural state. By appropriate spiritual practice the

mind must be made to turn within. This is one's paramount duty. The best method

for turning the mind within is Self-enquiry. What constitutes self-enquiry? It

is an enquiry about the subject, about the 'I'. When attention is so focused on

the 'I' it would be seen to be the center of the mind. Other thoughts exist only

in relation to it. The 'I'-thought and the mind are understood to be identical.

Self-enquiry also reveals that what we call the mind is only a phenomenon of the

waking state. It is non-existent in deep sleep. It rises on waking and sinks

when sleep overtakes. Hence the necessity to search for its source. This search

would lead one to the spiritual heart from which all thought spring. Ramana has

explained, in great detail, the working of the spiritual heart and how its

consciousness spread to the mind and thereafter permeates the whole body. The

analogy of the sun and the moon is given to bring out the essential relationship

between the spiritual heart and the mind. The heart is the source of

consciousness and the mind only reflects it. If the mind consciously merges in

the heart by vigilant self-enquiry a new way of life is thrown open. It is a

heart bases life instead of a mind-centered life with all the limitations

arising from attachments. Then it does not make any difference if one is in a

jungle hermitage or in a London flat. For a steady river of bliss will flow

though all actions.

 

To be continued from "Timeless in Time" by Natarajan