Help on the Quest for Self-realization-Reminders-20

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Help on the Quest for Self-realization-Reminders-20

 

>From Surging Joy

By Dr Sarada Nataragan

 

"What is death if scrutinized?"

-Curing Mother's Fever, V. 2

Sri Ramana Maharshi

 

What constitutes the scrutiny of death? First of all, "For whom is

this death?" If I should ask myself this question, my answer would

be, "For me". But, who am I? What is this "I"? If this "I" is

attentively observed it will be discovered that it is a feeling of

existence combined with a sense of identity. "I am Sarada" – "I am"

or I exist, as "Sarada", a given identity. But what happens to this

identity in deep sleep? In deep sleep one is not aware at all of

one's identity. For all practical purposes the "I" is good as dead

then. Where does it dissolve into to rise again only on waking? If

one consciously traces the "I"-thought to this source into which it

sets daily, one has discovered the meaning of death and life. For,

when one becomes aware of the source of the "I"-thought and (123)

abides there, then one has discovered one's own true immortal Self.

When this "I"-thought surrenders to the Lord, shining as the Self in

all beings, that is, when the "I"-thought dies, or dissolves

consciously into its source, the Self, then what remains is

immortality:

 

"For those who, out of fear of death,

Take refuge in the conqueror of Death,

The first to die is the "I"-thought.

Then, by nature they are immortal,

Can they ever again be assailed by the fear of death?" (124)

 

-Forty Verses on Reality, Prayer V. 2

Sri Ramana Maharshi