FW: [The_Sage_of_Arunachala] refraining from action

[Guest guest]

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Alan Jacobs <alanadamsjacobs (AT) (DOT) co.uk>

The_Sage_of_Arunachala

Tue, 24 Feb 2004 17:11:45 +0000 (GMT)

The_Sage_of_Arunachala

Re: [The_Sage_of_Arunachala] refraining from action

---Dear Miles .

It would be very good if this significant posting could also be sent to the main Ramana Group It

is a valuable clarification and the first time i have come across it .Warmest

regards , as ever,

Alan

_________

Forwarded post follows:

<miles.wright (AT) btopenworld (DOT) com> wrote:

om namo bhagavate sri ramanaya

Dear Alakeshwar,

> I find a lot of people in this group saying that one should

> refrain from doing anything to free ourselves from the bondage of the

> self.One should be in a state of being and so on.

This idea is primarily tAmasika and is, indeed, rife amongst the neo-advaitists.

If it has been mentioned on this site it has also been countered elsewhere by

the assertion that intense effort is needed by one who would 'break the bonds'.

There are three categories of teacher, who correspondingly teach under the sway

of the three gunas - sattva, rajas, and tamas. Where sAttvika principles are

uppermost, the teaching of intense Self-enquiry predominates, along with bhakti

leading to Self-enquiry. Where rAjasika tendencies are uppermost, the various

yogas, hatha, raja, tantra, ritual worship etc are taught. Where tAmasic

tendencies are uppermost, lethargy leading to nihilism, holds sway.

Unfortunately the simple injunction 'hrdi nama' - 'be still in the Heart' has

been taken, by some, to mean that one should/can do nothing. This, then,

changes what is clearly a sAttvika injunction into a tAmasika one. By means of

sAttvika the other two are overcome. Of the three, the tAmasika tendencies are

to be avoided. Remember the injunction, 'Be still!', is an impetus to act.

> I agree that all the misery in the world is a result of people trying to do this and

> that.However as long as the ego is there man will continue to act.He

> cannot refrain from action.I think Ramana was very clear about

> this;he said we need to make an effort.Papaji who has attained

> realisation says one should simply give up the notion of being in

> bondage.I think that is easier said than done.It is true that the

> maker of effort is the problem but he/she cannot be wished away.The

> atma vichara is an investigation into the 'I' or the maker of

> effort.

Intense vichara is essential. One must enquire into this individual as long as

the sense of 'doing' is there. This leads to enquiry into the ego's aspect of

seeking no less than the everyday aspects of judging, being still, etc. The

task is one of growing attentiveness to the quest. This attentiveness is

dependent on intensity of enquiry.

 

> not fool ourselves into believing realising the self can be so

> easy.One can ofcourse sit quietly for awhile without making any

> effort to do anything.It may work for a while but then the mind will

> get absorbed in 'doing'.Your boss rings you and tells you , you have

> a report to write up for the nextday's meeting and your mind will

> start to run around in circles.

In the midst of work vichara should become intense. Indeed work and the trials

of working life are excellent fuel for vichara.

Ever Yours in Sri Bhagavan,

Miles

=====

alan

_________

om namo bhagavate sri ramanaya

"'Who am I?' is the best japa.

What could be more concrete than the Self? It is within each one's experience every moment."

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