Maharshi's Gospel - Silence and Solitude 1

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Disciple: Is a vow of silence useful?

 

Maharshi: The inner silence is self-surrender. And that is living

without a sense of ego.

 

D. Is solitude necessary for the sannyasin?

 

M. Solitude is in the mind of a man. One might be in the thick of

the world and yet maintain perfect serenity of mind; such a person

is always in solitude. Another may stay in the forest but still be

unable to control his mind. He cannot be said to be in solitude.

Solitude is an attitude of the mind; a man attached to the things of

life cannot get solitude, wherever he may be. A detachend man is

always in solitude.

 

(From Maharshi's Gospel, published by Sri Ramanasramam and available

for download from http://www.ramana-maharshi.org/ )