Activities of Mind

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Bhaghawan Sri Ramana Maharshi.:

 

The mind is something mysterious. It consists of 'satva', 'rajas' and 'tamas' (

the three fundamental qualities, tendencies or stresses which undelie all

manifestations; 'satva'- the principle of purity and goodness; 'rajas'- the

priciple of activity; 'tamas'- the priciple of inertia; ). The latter two give

rise to 'vikshepa' (diversity). In the 'satva' aspect, it remains pure and

uncontaminated. So there are no thoughts there and it is identical with the

Self. The mind is like 'akasa' (ether). Just as there are the objects in the

'akasa', so there are thoughts in mind. The akasa is the counterpart of the

mind and objects are of thought. One cannot hope to measure the universe and

study the phenomena. It is impossible. For the objects are mental creations. To

measure them is similar to trying to stamp with one's foot on the head of the

shadow cast by oneself. The farther one moves the farther the shadow does also.

So one cannot plant one's foot on the head of the shadow.

A child sees his own shadow and tries to hold the head of the shadow. As he

bends and puts out his arm the head moves further. The child struggles more and

more. The mother, seeing the struggle, pities the young one. So she takes hold

of the young hand and keeps it on his own head and tells the child to observe

the head of the shadow caught in the hand. Similarly with the ignorant

practicer to study the universe. The universe is only an object created by the

mind and has its being in the mind. It cannot be measured as an exterior

entity. One must reach the Self in order to reach the universe.

Again people often ask how the mind is controlled. I say to them, "Show me the

mind and then you will know what to do." The fact is that the mind is only a

bundle of thoughts. How can you extinguish it by the thought of doing so or by

a desire? Your thoughts and desires are part and parcels of the mind. The mind

is simply fattened by new thoughts rising up. Therefore it is foolish to

attempt to kill the mind by means of the mind. The only way of doing it is to

find its source and hold on to it. The mind will then fade away of its own

accord. Yoga teaches 'chitta vritti nirodha' (control of the activities of the

mind). But I say 'Atma vichara' (Self-investigation). This is the practical

way. 'Chitta vritti nirodha' is brought about in sleep, swoon or by starvation.

As soon as the cause is withdrawn there is recrudescence of thoughts. Of what

use is it then? In the state of stupor there is peace and no misery. But misery

recurs when the stupor is removed. So 'nirodha'

(control) is useless and cannot be of lasting benefit.

How then can the benefit be made lasting? It is by finding the cause of misery.

Misery is due to objects. If they are not there, there will be no contingent

thoughts and so misery is wiped off. " How will objects cease to be?" is the

next question. The 'shrutis' (scriptures) and the sages say that the objects

are only mental creations. They have no substantive being. Investigate the

matter and ascertain the truth of the statement. The result will be the

conclusion that the objective world is in the subjective consciousness. The

Self is thus the only Reality which permeates and also envelops the world.

Since there is no duality , no thoughts will arise to disturb your peace. This

is Realisation of the Self. The Self is eternal and so also its Realisation.

 

(From Talk # 485, Talks with Sri Ramana Maharshi - published by Sri Ramanasramam. )

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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