Maharshi-abandonment of the false and remaining as Being.

[Guest guest]

from January 8, 1938 Talks

 

Further on, Sri Bhagavan continued :

 

The mirror reflects objects; yet they are not real because they cannot remain

apart from the mirror. Similary, the world is said to be a reflection in the mind

as it does not remain in the absence of mind. The question arises: if the universe

is a reflection, there must be a real object known as the universe in order that

it might be reflected in the mind. This amounts to an admission of the existence

of an objective universe. Truly speaking, it is not so.

 

Therefore, the dream illustration is set forth. The dream world has no objective

existence. How, then, is it created? Some mental impressions should be admitted.

They are called vasanas. How were the vasanas in the mind? The answer is:

they are subtle. Just as a whole tree is contained potentially in a seed, so the

world is in the mind.

Then this question arises: A seed is the product of the tree, which must have

existed once in order that it may be reproduced. So the world also must have

been there some times. The answer is: No! There must have been several

incarnations to gather the impressions, which are remanifested in the present

form. I must have existed before as I do now. The direct way to find an answer

will be to see if the world is there. Admitting the existence of the world, I must

admit a seer who is no other than myself. Let me find myself so that I may know

the relation between the world and the seer. When I seek the Self and abide as

the Self, there is no world to be seen. What is Reality then? The seer only, and

certainly not the world.

Such being the truth, man continues to argue on the basis of the reality of

the world. Whoever asked him to accept a legal brief for the world?

Yoga Vasishta clearly defines Liberation as the abandonment of the false and

remaining as Being.

 

 

from TALKS WITH RAMANA MAHARSHI

 

InnerDirections Publishing , 2000

page 339-340