Ramana on renunciation.

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The Teachings of Sri Ramana Maharshi

 

 

RENUNCIATION

 

Asked 'How does a grihastha (householder) fare in the scheme of

Moksha (liberation)?' Bhagavan said, 'Why do you think you are a

grihastha? If you go out as sanyasi (ascetic), a similar thought

that you are a sanyasi will haunt you. Whether you continue in the

household or renounce it and go to the forest, your mind goes with

you. The ego is the source of all thought. It creates the body and

the world and makes you think you are a grihastha . If you renounce

the world it will only substitute the thought sanyasi for grihastha

and the environments in the forest for those of the household. But

the mental obstacles will still be there. They even increase in the

new surroundings. There is no help in change of environment. The

obstacle is the mind. It must be got over whether at home or in the

forest. If you can do it in the forest, why not at home? Therefore,

why change your environment? Your efforts can be made even now - in

whatever environment you are now. The environment will never change

according to your desire'.