Talks with Ramana Maharshi - October 3, 1935

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October 3, 1935

 

A very devoted and simple disciple had lost his only son, a child of three years. The next day, he arrived at the Asramam with his family. The Master spoke with reference to them:

 

Training of mind helps one to bear sorrows and bereavements with courage. But the loss of one's offspring is said to be the worst of all griefs. Grief exists only so long as one considers oneself to be of a definite form. If the form is transcended, one will know that the one Self is eternal. There is no death nor birth. That which is born is only the body. The body is the creation of the ego. But the ego is not ordinarily perceived without the body. It is always identified with the body. It is the thought which matters. Let the sensible man consider if he knew the body in deep sleep. Why does he feel it in the waking state? But, although the body is not felt in sleep, did not the Self exist then? Hoe was he in deep sleep? How is he when awake? What is the difference? Ego rises up and that is waking. Simultaneously, thoughts arise. Let him find out to whom are the thoughts. Wherefrom do they arise? They must spring up from the conscious Self. Apprehending it even vaguely facilitates the extinction of the ego. Thereafter, the realization of the one Infinite Existence becomes possible. In that state, there are no individuals other than the Eternal Existence. Hence there is no thought or wailing.

 

If a man considers he is born, he cannot avoid the fear of death. Let him find out if he has been born or if the Self has any birth. He will discover that the Self always exists, that the body which is born resolves itself into thought and that the emergence of thought is the root of all mischief. Find wherefrom thoughts emerge. Then you will abide in the ever-present, inmost Self and be free from the idea of birth or the fear of death.

 

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Talks with Ramana Maharshi

On Realizing Abiding Peace and Happiness

p. 62