Fwd: Hearing, Reflò

[Guest guest]

THE MAHARSHI

 

SEP/OCT 2005

VOL.15 NO. 5

 

MAHARSHI:

 

 

 

Ignorance -ajnana - is of two kinds:

 

 

 

(1) Forgetfulness of the Self.

 

(2) Obstruction to the knowledge of the Self.

 

 

 

Aids are meant for eradicating thoughts; these thoughts are the

remanifestations of predispositions remaining in seed-form; they

give rise to diversity from which all troubles arise.

 

These aids are: hearing the truth from the master (sravana, manana,

nidhidhyasana), etc.

 

 

 

The effects of sravana may be immediate and the disciple realizes

the truth all at once. This can happen only for the well-advanced

disciple.

 

Otherwise, the disciple feels that he is unable to realize the

truth, even after repeatedly hearing it.

 

What is it due to?

 

Impurities in his mind: ignorance, doubt and wrong identity are the

obstacles to be removed.

 

 

 

(a) To remove ignorance completely, he has to hear the truth

repeatedly, until his knowledge of the subject-matter becomes

perfect;

 

 

 

(b) to remove doubts, he must reflect on what he has heard;

ultimately his knowledge will be free from doubts of any kind;

 

 

 

© to remove the wrong identity of the Self with the non-self

(such as the body, the senses, the mind or the intellect), his mind

must become one-pointed.

 

 

 

All these things accomplished, the obstacles are at an end and

samadhi results, that is, Peace reigns.

 

 

 

Some say that one should never cease to engage in hearing,

reflection and one-pointedness.

 

These are not fulfilled by reading books,

 

 

 

but only by continued practice to keep the mind withdrawn.

 

 

 

The aspirant may be kritopasaka or akritopasaka. The

 

former is fit to realize the Self, even with the slightest stimulus;

only some little doubt stands in his way. It is easily removed if he

hears the truth once from the Master. Immediately he gains the

samadhi state. It is presumed that

 

he had already completed sravana, reflection, etc. in previous

births. They are no more necessary for him.

 

 

 

For the other, all these aids are necessary; for him doubts crop up

even after repeated hearing; therefore he must not give up aids

until he gains the samadhi state.

 

 

 

Sravana removes the illusion of the Self being one with the body,

etc. Reflection makes it clear that Knowledge is Self.

 

One-Pointedness reveals the Self as being Infinite and Blissful.

 

—Talks with Sri Ramana Maharshi No. 249