Help on the Quest for Self-realization-Reminders-69

September 25, 2006

The nature of the mind is consciousness, intelligence, knowledge or

Self. It knows anything on which its attention is focused. If it

fixes it on the objects, it will end by identifying itself with, and

losing itself in the distracting world of objects. It is then

called "ego" or "jiva" (individuality). On the other hand if it

gathers itself from the variety to the thought-free unity of itself,

it will enjoy freedom from distraction as well as the bliss of Self-

awareness (jnana). It is then the Self itself. The mind which used

to see things outside has now turned its gaze upon itself and has

discovered the truth of its own nature. This is true Liberation,

true resurrection from the bondage and misery of the ignorant ego to

the freedom of pure spirit. It is the crucifixion of the ego and

its ascension to the beatitude of the Godhead, the Supreme Atman.

The fact is that the mind is only a bundle of thoughts. How can you

extinguish it by the thought of doing so or by a desire. Your

thoughts and desires are part and parcel of the mind. The mind is

simply fattened by new thoughts rising up. Therefore it is foolish

to attempt to kill the mind by means of the mind. The only way to

do it is to find its source and hold on to it.

According to Ramana, the mind is only a collection of ignorant

ideas, and unless one steps completely outside this mental realm by

keeping attention on the being from which the mind emerges, then the

ignorance and the wrong ideas will inevitably continue. It is

important to note that Ramana never explains Self-enquiry as a

practice by which an individual self is eliminated, he always

phrases his advice to indicate that when one looks for the source of

the mind or the ego, then both disappear, and it is discovered that

neither of them ever existed.

Source: Various reliable publications of / on Sri Ramana Maharshi's

teachings.

Recommended Posts