Enquiry and/or Devotion -Extracts from Sri Ramana's Talks.

[Guest guest]

Maharshi: An examination of the ephemeral nature of external phenomena

leads to vairagya. Hence enquiry (vichara) is the first and foremost step to

be taken. When vichara continues automatically, it results in a contempt

for wealth, fame, ease, pleasure, etc. The 'I' thought becomes clearer for

inspection. The source of 'I' is the Heart - the final goal. If, however,

the aspirant is not temperamentally suited to Vichara Marga (to the

introspective analytical method), he must develop bhakti (devotion) to an

ideal - may be God, Guru, humanity in general, ethical laws, or even the

idea of beauty. When one of these takes possession of the individual, other

attachments grow weaker, i.e., dispassion (vairagya) develops. Attachment

for the ideal simultaneously grows and finally holds the field. Thus

ekagrata (concentration) grows simultaneously and imperceptibly - with or

without visions and direct aids.

(Talk 27.)

 

Maharshi :...All people cannot be expected to do the same kind of action.

Each one acts according to his temperament and past lives. Wisdom, Devotion,

Action (jnana, bhakti, karma) are all interlocked. Meditation on forms is

according to one's own mind. It is meant for ridding oneself of other forms

and confining oneself to one form. It leads to the goal. It is impossible

to fix the mind in the Heart to start with. So these aids are necessary.

(Talk 40)

 

 

Disciple: Siva, Vishnu, and Gayatri are said to be equally efficacious.

Which should I meditate upon?

 

Maharshi : Any one you like best. They are all equal in their effect. But

you should stick to one.

 

Disciple: How to meditate?

 

Maharshi : Concentrate on that one whom you like best. If a single thought

prevails, all other thoughts are put off and finally eradicated. So long as

diversity prevails there are bad thoughts. When the object of love prevails

only good thoughts hold the field. Therefore hold on to one thought only.

(Talk 371)

 

 

M.: Among the Vaishnavites too, Saint Nammalvar says, "I was in a maze,

sticking to 'I' and 'mine'; I wandered without knowing my Self. On realising

my Self I understand that I myself am You and that 'mine' (i.e., my

possessions) is only You." Thus - you see - Devotion is nothing more than

knowing oneself.

(Talk 208)

 

Really there are only two methods: enquiry and devotion. One leads to the

other.

(Talk 196)