Fwd: Selections from TALKS WITH SRI RAMANA MAHARSHI-30

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ThePowerOfSilence , " saikali6362 "

<saikali6362 wrote:

 

Selections from TALKS WITH SRI RAMANA MAHARSHI-30

 

TALK 191:

 

Mr. Cohen, a resident disciple, was speaking of yoga method.

 

Maharshi remarked: Patanjali's first sutra is applicable to all

systems of yoga. The aim is the cessation of mental activities. The

methods differ. So long as there is effort made towards that goal it

is called yoga. The effort is the yoga.

 

The cessation can be brought about in so many ways.

 

(1) By examining the mind itself. When the mind is examined, its

activities cease automatically. This is the method of jnana. The

pure mind is the Self.

 

(2) Looking for the source of the mind is another method. The source

may be said to be God or Self or consciousness.

 

(3) Concentrating upon one thought make all other thoughts

disappear. Finally that thought also disappears; and

 

(4) Hatha Yoga.

 

All methods are one and the same inasmuch as they all tend to the

same goal.

 

It is necessary to be aware while controlling thoughts. Otherwise it

will lead to sleep. That awareness, the chief factor, is indicated

by the fact of Patanjali emphasising pratyahara, dharana, dhyana,

samadhi even after pranayama. Pranayama makes the mind steady and

suppresses thoughts. Then why develop further? Because awareness

then is the one necessary factor. Such states can be imitated by

taking morphia, chloroform, etc. They do not lead to Moksha because

they lack awareness.

 

TALK 192:

 

Maharshi explained in the course of conversation: Whoever desires

liberation? Everyone wants only happiness - happiness too as found

in the enjoyment of the senses. This question was asked of a Guru,

and the latter answered: " Quite so. That happiness which is the

result of enjoyment by the senses is the same as that of liberation.

That desire of such liberation is one of the four qualifications for

attainment. This is common to all. So all are eligible for this

knowledge - Self-knowledge. "

 

In fact there may not be found any individual in the world who

possesses all the qualities in perfection necessary for an aspirant

as mentioned in Yoga Sutras, etc. Still pursuit of Self-knowledge

should not be abandoned.

 

Everyone is the Self by his own experience. Still he is not aware,

he identifies the Self with the body and feels miserable. This is

the greatest of all mysteries. One is the Self. Why not abide as the

Self and be done with miseries?

 

In the beginning one has to be told that he is not the body, because

he thinks that he is the body only. Whereas he is the body and all

else. The body is only a part. Let him know it finally. He must

first discern consciousness from insentience and be the

consciousness only. Later let him realise that insentience is not

apart from consciousness.

 

This is discrimination (viveka). The initial discrimination must

persist to the end. Its fruit is liberation.

 

TALK 193:

 

Maharshi observed: Free-will and destiny are ever-existent. Destiny

is the result of past action; it concerns the body. Let the body act

as may suit it. Why are you concerned with it? Why do you pay

attention to it? Free-will and Destiny last as long as the body

lasts. But wisdom (jnana) transcends both. The Self is beyond

knowledge and ignorance. Should anything happen, it happens as the

result of one's past actions, of divine will and of other factors.

 

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