Maharshi's Gospel - Mind Control 2

[Guest guest]

Disciple: After leaving this asrama, in October, I was aware of the

Presence that prevails in Sri Bhagavan's Presence enfolding me for about ten

days. All the time, while busy in my work, there was an undercurrent of

that peace and unity; it was almost like the dual consciousness which one

experiences while half-asleep during a dull lecture. Then it faded out

entirely; and the old stupidities came in instead. Work leaves no time for

separate meditation. Is it enough constantly reminding oneself 'I am' while

at work?

 

Maharshi: (After a short pause) If you strengthen the mind, that peace will

continue for all time. Its duration is proportional to the strength of mind

acquired by repeated practice. And such a mind is able to hold on to the

current. In that case, engagement or no engagement in work, the current

remains unaffected and uninterrupted. It is not the work that hinders but

the idea that it is you who are doing it.

 

D: Is a set meditation necessary for strengthening the mind?

 

M. Not if you keep the idea always before you that it is not your work. At

first, effort is needed to remind yourself of it, but later on it becomes

natural and continuous. The work will go on of its own accord, and you peace

will remain undisturbed.

Meditation is your true nature. You call it meditation now, because

there are other thoughts distracting you. When these thoughts are dispelled,

you remain alone - that is, in the state of meditation, free from thoughts,

and that is your real nature, which you are now trying to gain by keeping

away other thoughts. Such keeping away of other thoughts is now called

meditation. But when the practice becomes firm, the real nature shows itself

as true meditation.

 

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

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