Fwd: Selections from TALKS WITH SRI RAMANA MAHARSHI-24

[Guest guest]

ThePowerOfSilence , " saikali6362 "

<saikali6362 wrote:

 

Selections from TALKS WITH SRI RAMANA MAHARSHI-24

 

TALK 146:

 

Sri Bhagavan said: The state of equanimity is the state of bliss.

The declaration in the Vedas `I am This or That', is only an aid to

gain equanimity of mind.

 

D.: So, it is wrong to begin with a goal: is it?

 

M.: If there be a goal to be reached it cannot be permanent. The

goal must already be there. We seek to reach the goal with the ego,

but the goal exists before the ego. What is in the goal is even

prior to our birth, i.e., to the birth of the ego. Because we exist

the ego appears to exist too.

 

If we look on the Self as the ego then we become the ego, if as the

mind we become the mind, if as the body we become the body. It is

the thought which builds up sheaths in so many ways. The shadow on

the water is found to be shaking. Can anyone stop the shaking of the

shadow? If it should cease to shake you would not notice the water

but only the light. Similarly to take no notice of the ego and its

activities, but see only the light behind. The ego is the I-thought.

The true `I' is the Self.

 

D.: It is one step to realisation.

 

M.: Realisation is already there. The state free from thoughts is

the only real state. There is no such action as Realisation. Is

there anyone who is not realising the Self? Does anyone deny his own

existence? Speaking of realisation, it implies two selves - the one

to realise, the other to be realised. What is not already realised,

is sought to be realised. Once we admit our existence, how is it

that we do not know our Self?

 

D.: Because of the thoughts - the mind.

 

M.: Quite so. It is the mind that stands between and veils our

happiness. How do we know that we exist? If you say because of the

world around us, then how do you know that you existed in deep sleep?

 

D.: How to get rid of the mind?

 

M.: Is it the mind that wants to kill itself? The mind cannot kill

itself. So your business is to find the real nature of the mind.

Then you will know that there is no mind. When the Self is sought,

the mind is nowhere. Abiding in the Self, one need not worry about

the mind.

 

D.: How to get rid of fear?

 

M.: What is fear? It is only a thought. If there is anything besides

the Self there is reason to fear. Who sees the second (anything

external)? First the ego arises and sees objects as external. If the

ego does not rise, the Self alone exists and there is no second

(nothing external). For anything external to oneself implies the

seer within. Seeking it there will arise no doubt, no fear – not

only fear, all other thoughts centred round the ego will disappear

along with it.

 

D.: This method seems to be quicker than the usual one of

cultivating qualities alleged necessary for salvation (sadhana

chatushtaya)?

 

M.: Yes. All bad qualities centre round the ego. When the ego is

gone Realisation results by itself. There are neither good nor bad

qualities in the Self. The Self is free from all qualities.

Qualities pertain to the mind only. It is beyond quality. If there

is unity, there will also be duality. The numeral one gives rise to

other numbers. The truth is neither one nor two. IT is as it is.

 

D.: The difficulty is to be in the thought-free state.

 

M.: Leave the thought-free state to itself. Do not think of it as

pertaining to you. Just as when you walk, you involuntarily take

steps, so too in your actions; but the thought-free state is not

affected by your actions.

 

D.: What is it that is discriminative in action?

 

M.: Discrimination will be automatic, intuitive.

 

D.: So Intuition alone matters; Intuition develops also.

 

M.: Those who have discovered great Truths have done so in the still

depths of the Self.

 

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, realise 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.

 

D.: So it is a great game of pretending?

 

M.: Yes. In Yoga Vasishtha it is said, " What is Real is hidden from

us, but what is false, is revealed as true. " We are actually

experiencing the Reality only; still, we do not know it. Is it not a

wonder of wonders?

 

The quest " Who am I? " is the axe with which to cut off the ego.

 

--- End forwarded message ---