Ramana: The Heart is the self #9

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D: Since Sri Bhagavan says that the Self may function at any of the

centers or chakras while its seat is in the Heart, it is not

possible that by the practice of intense concentration or dhyana

between the eyebrows this center may itself become the seat of the

Self?

 

M: As long as it is merely the stage of practice of concentration by

fixing a place of controlling your attention, any consideration

about the seat of the Self would merely be a theorization. You

consider yourself as the subject, the seer, and the place whereon

you fix your attention becomes the object seen. This is merely

bhavana. When, on the contrary, you see the Seer himself, you merge

in the Self, you become one with it; that is the Heart.

 

D: Then, is the practice of concentration between the eyebrows

advisable?

 

M: The final result of the practice of any kind of dhyana is that

the object, on which the sadhaka fixes his mind, ceases to exist as

distinct and separate from the subject.

They (the subject and object become the one Self, and that is the

Heart.

 

The practice of concentration on the center between the eyebrows is

one of the methods of sadhana, and thereby thoughts are effectively

controlled for the time being.

The reason is this: All thought is an extroverted activity of the

mind; and thought, in the first instance, follows " sight " --physical

or metal.

 

It should, however, be noted that this sadhana of fixing one's

attention between the eyebrows must be accompanied by japa. Because

next in importance to the physical eye is the physical ear, either

for controlling of distracting the mind. Next in importance of the

eye of the mind (that is, mental visualization of the object) is the

ear of the mind (that is, mental articulation of speech), either to

control and thereby strengthen the mind, or to distract and thereby

dissipate it.

 

Therefore, which fixing the mind's eye on a center, as for instance

between the eyebrows, you should also practice the mental

articulation of a nama (Name) or mantra (sacred syllable or

syllables). Otherwise you will soon lose your hold on the object of

concentration.

 

Sadhana as described about leads to identification of the Name,

Word, or Self- whatever you may call it- with The center selected

for purposes of dhyana. Pure consciousness, the Self, or the Heart

is the final Realization.

 

D: Why does not Sri Bhagavan direct us to practice of some

particular center of Chakra?

 

M: Yoga Sastras say that the sahasrara or the brain is the seat of

the Self. Purusa Sukta declares that the Heart is the seat. To

enable the sadhaka to steer clear of possible doubt, I tell him to

take up the " thread " or the clue of " I " ness or " I-am " -ness and

follow it up to its source; because , firstly, it is impossible for

anybody to entertain any doubt about this " I " -notion; secondly, what

ever the sadhana adopted, the final goal is the realization of the

Source of " I-am " -ness, which is the primary datum of your

experience.

 

If you, therefore practice Atma-Vichara, you will reach the Heart,

which is the Self.

 

bhavana: feeling of deep devotion; the contemplation of a

personified deity with great emotion.

 

End of series.

 

From The Spiritual Teachings of Ramana Maharshi