ego/ Phil.

[Guest guest]

[...]

 

 

>

> Yeah, I understand what you're saying. First of all, how does one

speak of

> wanting freedom when freedom has not been realized, without

opening oneself up

> to such questions as 'Who is this who wants freedom?' or 'As long

as you want

> freedom, you decide that it's not present'. I understand the

concepts and

> their limitations and foolishness and yet this is what we're left

to work with

> in any discussion.

>

> I see believing as very different from knowing. Beliefs are just

mental

> constructs about what seems to make rational sense, usually skewed

by various

> fears and desires. Do I believe that mind/ego is just an illusion

sourced in the

> singular consciousness that we all are? Yes. Do I know this to be

so? Clearly

> not, or I wouldn't continue to see myself as the separate

individual that,

> for all intents and purposes, I appear to be. What's clear is

that I continue

> to identify myself as ego.

 

 

The ego is like one's shadow thrown on

the ground. If one attempts to bury it,

it will be foolish. The Self is only

one. If limited it is the ego. If

unlimited it is Infinite and is the

Reality.

 

 

The bubbles are different from one

another and numerous, but the ocean is

only one. Similarly the egos are many,

whereas the Self is one and only one.

 

 

<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

 

When told that you are not the ego,

realize the Reality. Why do you still

identify yourself with the ego? It is

like saying, " Don't think of the monkey

while taking medicine " - it is

impossible.

 

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

 

 

Similarly it happens with common folk.

When the Reality is mentioned why do

you continue to meditate Sivoham or

Aham Brahmasmi? The significance must

be traced and understood. It is not

enough to repeat the bare words or

think of them.

 

 

Reality is simply the loss of the ego.

Destroy the ego by seeking its

identity. Because the ego is no entity

it will automatically vanish and

Reality will shine forth by itself.

This is the direct method.

 

 

Whereas all other methods are done,

only retaining the ego~ In those paths

there arise so many doubts and the

eternal question remains to be tackled

finally. But in this method the final

question is the only one and it is

raised from the very beginning. No

sadhanas are necessary for engaging in

this quest.

 

 

There is no greater mystery than this -

viz., ourselves being the Reality we

seek to gain reality. We think that

there is something hiding our Reality

and that it must be destroyed before

the Reality is gained.

 

 

It is ridiculous. A day will dawn when

you will yourself laugh at your past

efforts. That which will be on the day

you laugh is also here and now.

 

 

~ Ramana Maharshi

 

 

 

 

> It's necessary, therefore, that I begin from

> there, and not from where my concepts tell me I should be.

>

> Phil

>

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>

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