Maharshi's Gospel - 20

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D. If the mind is merely a shadow , how then is one to know the Self ?

 

Maharshi - The Self is the Heart , self-luminous. Illumination arises from the Heart and reaches the brain , which is the seat of the mind. The world is seen with the mind; so you see the world by the reflected light of the Self. The world is perceived by an act of the mind. When the mind is illumined , it is aware of the world; when it is not so illumined , it is not aware of the world. If the mind is turned in , toward the source of Illumination , objective knowledge ceases and the Self alone shines as the Heart.

The moon shines by reflecting the light of the sun. When the sun has set , the moon is useful for displaying objects . When the sun has risen , no one needs the moon , though its disc is visible in the sky. So it is with the mind and the Heart. The mind is made useful by its reflected light. It is used for seeing objects. When turned inward , it merges into the Source of illumination , which shines by Itself , and the mind is then like the moon in the daytime.

 

When it is dark , a lamp is necessary to give light. But when the sun has risen , there is no need for the lamp; the objects are visible. And to see the sun no lamp is necessary; it is enough if you turn your eyes toward the self-luminous sun. Similarly with the mind : to see the objects , the light reflected from the mind is necessary . To see the Heart , it is enough that the mind is turned toward it. then the mind does not count and the Heart is self-effulgent.