The Nature of The Self - [8]

[Guest guest]

Q: However often Bhagavan teaches us, we are not able to understand.

 

Sri Ramana Maharshi:

People say that they are not able to know the Self that is all

pervading. What can I do? Even the smallest child says, " I exist;

I do; this is mine. " So, everyone understands that the thing " I "

is always existent. It is only when that " I " is there that there

is the feeling that you are the body, he is Venkanna, this is

Ramanna and so on. To know that the one that is always visible is

one's own Self, is it necessary to search with a candle? To say

that we do not know the atma swarupa [the real nature of the Self]

which is not different but which is in one's own Self is like

saying, 'I do not know myself.'

 

Q: But how is one to reach this state?

 

A: There is no goal to be reached. There is nothing to be attained.

You are the self. You exist always. Nothing more can be predicated

of the Self than that it exists. Seeing God or the Self is only

being the Self or yourself. Seeing is being. You, being the Self,

want to know how to attain the Self. It is something like a man

being at Ramanasramam asking how many ways there are to reach

Ramanasramam and which is the best way for him. All that is

required of you is to give up the thought that you are this body

and to give up all thoughts of the external things or the not-

self.

 

Q: What is the ego-self? How is it related to the real Self?

 

 

A: The ego-self appears and disappears and is transitory,

whereas the real Self is permanent. Though you are actually the

true Self you wrongly identify the real Self with the ego-self.

 

Q: How does the mistake come about?

 

A: See if it has come about.

 

Q: One has to sublimate the ego-self into the true Self.

 

A: The ego-self does not exist at all.

 

Q: Why does it give us trouble?

 

A: To whom is the trouble? The trouble also is imagined.

Trouble and pleasure are only for the ego.

 

Q: Why is the world so wrapped up in ignorance?

 

A: Take care of yourself. Let the world take care of itself.

See your Self. If you are the body there is the gross world also.

If you are spirit all is spirit alone.

 

Q: It will hold good for the individual, but of the rest?

 

A: Do it first and then see if the question arises afterwards.