MIND THE BUSINESS FOR WHICH YOU HAVE COME

[Guest guest]

MIND THE BUSINESS FOR WHICH YOU HAVE COME

 

All events in life are shaped according to the divine plan. What is

not to happen cannot be brought about by any human effort. On this

point, Ramana was quite categoric. When Devaraja Mudaliar questioned

Him as to whether only important things in one's life such as major

occupation or profession alone are pre-determined or even trifling

acts, Ramana replied, "Everything is pre-determined". One of the

purposes of birth is to go through certain experiences, which have

been marked out in the karmic unfoldment of this life. "The whole

programme is chalked out". This would apparently be a dampener to

all effort for one would be puzzled as to what the responsibility of

man is. Is he an automation of karmic forces? Where do his free will

and effort come in? Ramana points out that there is another, deeper

purpose to life, that is to search and find out the truth for

oneself. He would say that "the only useful purpose of life is to

turn within and realize. There is nothing else to do".

 

Ramana would therefore constantly din into everyone the fact that

the ultimate truth is "Sakshat", immediately available here and now.

When Natanananda asked Ramana "Is it possible for everyone to know

directly, without doubt, what exactly is one's true nature?" prompt

came the reply, "Undoubtedly it is possible". The ultimate truth is

so simple, Ramana would say. It is nothing more than abiding in

one's own state. This is the essential message of all religions and

creeds. Leaving aside the automatic course of our lives, regulated

by the Creator according to His law, one's duty is to channel effort

to be Self-aware. Steadfastness of purpose is in treading the inner

path through vigilant self-enquiry. On such enquiry as to the source

of the individual the enquirer merges in the conscious source. The

inner odyssey is seldom smooth sailing. Full many a delusion would

wean one away. For instance, people would go to Sri Ramanasramam to

breathe its rarified atmosphere. While there, instead of

surrendering to His flowing grace, they would get involved in the

happenings of the Ashram management. Ramana used to jocularly remark

of some visitors, "on their first visit to Sri Ramanasramam they

seem to be all right. On their second visit, they discover that the

Ashramam is not properly run; on the third visit, they start giving

advice; on the fifth, they discover that the management is not

responsive; on the sixth, they suggest that the present staff should

walk out leaving the Ashram to them". They would thus get bogged

down in things which are irrelevant for the search. When such people

complained, Ramana would say, "mind the business for which you have

come". This would apply of course not only to their visit to Sri

Ramanasramam, but also [to] the purpose of human life itself. One

has to constantly keep before the mind's eye the liberating purpose –

the only worthwhile one of freeing oneself from the karmic chain by

discovering the hidden truth.

 

Ramana would even seemingly chide if one failed to pursue one's own

sadhana (method of spiritual practice) but wasted time thinking and

talking of "others". A devotee once told Ramana, "I have been here

for many years. People get into samadhi (a direct but temporary

experience of the Self, usually in a trance - like condition with no

outer awareness). I close my eyes for a minute and my mind travels

round the world". Ramana replied, "Why do you think about others?

Let them meditate, sleep or snore; look to yourself, whenever your

mind goes astray, bring it back to the quest". Once Bhagavan told a

devotee, "You wake up, look at the mirror, it shows the growth to be

got rid of. Instead of wasting time, start shaving". Similarly,

heaven knows when the allotted time would end. Hence, not to seek

the truth by vigilant self-enquiry is truly suicidal.

 

Many would like to blame their circumstances for their indolence and

failure to pursue self-enquiry. Ramana would ask, "why depend on

that which is not in your hands? Go ahead with the business which is

in your hands, under your control, leaving aside what you cannot do

anything about". Proper utilization of God given freedom of turning

the mind within is what is needed all the time. As for adverse

circumstances in life, of which everyone has a bellyful, while

sympathizing Ramana would at the same time say, "you are always free

not to be affected by the pleasure and pain consequent on action".

The teeth have to be taken out of the event by an attitudinal change

which neutralizes it.

 

Sometimes Ramana would advise leaving things to the sure hands of

the Sadguru and to stick single – mindedly to the effort which would

make one Self-aware. Ramana would say, "Why don't you do what the

first class railway passenger does – he tells the guard his

destination, locks the door and goes to sleep. The rest is done by

the guard. If you can trust your Guru, as much as you trust the

railway guard, it will be enough to make you reach the destination".

Again, when someone pestered Him for the darsan (seeing; vision) of

Sri Krishna, He said, " Why don't you leave the Satshatkara of

Krishna to Krishna?" We also have the pointed advice given by Him to

Ganapati Muni, "Remain all the time steadfast in the Heart. God will

determine the future for you and accomplish the work. What is to be

done will be done at the proper time. Don't worry. Abide in the

Heart."

 

Life becomes meaningful if we joyously tread the inward path

remembering that ours is to do vichara (enquiry) and it is for the

Inner Force to do the rest. Then bliss is not the end product to be

found on reaching the goal, but is felt all along the homeward,

Heartward, journey.

 

NOTE: TAKEN FROM THE "SILENT MIND", BY A, R. NATARAJAN, PAGES 60 TO

62.

[Guest guest]

Sri Ramana emphatically has said "The whole programme is chalked out".

 

He also would say that "the only useful purpose of life is to

turn within and realize. There is nothing else to do".

 

When I try to 'turn within and realise' but lose interest after a

while, I start to wonder that may be it is 'not chalked out' for me

to succeed in this project.

 

What would Sri Ramana say for this dilemma?

 

sundar

 

RamanaMaharshi, "saikali6362"

<saikali6362> wrote:

> MIND THE BUSINESS FOR WHICH YOU HAVE COME

>

> All events in life are shaped according to the divine plan. What is

> not to happen cannot be brought about by any human effort. On this

> point, Ramana was quite categoric. When Devaraja Mudaliar

questioned

> Him as to whether only important things in one's life such as major

> occupation or profession alone are pre-determined or even trifling

> acts, Ramana replied, "Everything is pre-determined". One of the

> purposes of birth is to go through certain experiences, which have

> been marked out in the karmic unfoldment of this life. "The whole

> programme is chalked out". This would apparently be a dampener to

> all effort for one would be puzzled as to what the responsibility

of

> man is. Is he an automation of karmic forces? Where do his free

will

> and effort come in? Ramana points out that there is another, deeper

> purpose to life, that is to search and find out the truth for

> oneself. He would say that "the only useful purpose of life is to

> turn within and realize. There is nothing else to do".

>

>

> NOTE: TAKEN FROM THE "SILENT MIND", BY A, R. NATARAJAN, PAGES 60 TO

> 62.

[Guest guest]

Sundar:

 

The 'chalked out' doesn't refer to internal sadhana; don't think that

'success' in this venture is 'chalked out'.

 

Of course you can do it!

 

Many have done so!

 

Thus sings Ramana

 

anbudan

 

John

 

RamanaMaharshi, "sundar22ca" <sundar22ca>

wrote:

> Sri Ramana emphatically has said "The whole programme is chalked out".

>

> He also would say that "the only useful purpose of life is to

> turn within and realize. There is nothing else to do".

>

> When I try to 'turn within and realise' but lose interest after a

> while, I start to wonder that may be it is 'not chalked out' for me

> to succeed in this project.

>

> What would Sri Ramana say for this dilemma?

>

> sundar

>

>

[Guest guest]

Dear Sundar,

 

I do not know wht Ramana would say, but ...

 

Adi Sankara, in his Requisites for Realization, said that foremost is

desire for liberation. My teacher, Nome, has said a number of times

that when one's practice gets less focused, to reflect: why do you

practice? What is your desire for liberation? Why are you on a

spiritual 'path?' etc.

 

I have found that this helps my focus and inquiry.

 

Not two,

Richard

 

RamanaMaharshi, "sundar22ca" <sundar22ca>

wrote:

> Sri Ramana emphatically has said "The whole programme is chalked out".

>

> He also would say that "the only useful purpose of life is to

> turn within and realize. There is nothing else to do".

>

> When I try to 'turn within and realise' but lose interest after a

> while, I start to wonder that may be it is 'not chalked out' for me

> to succeed in this project.

>

> What would Sri Ramana say for this dilemma?

>

> sundar