Talks with Ramana Maharshi - October 3, 1935 #2

June 9, 2004

October 3, 1935

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( a disciple asked how to do it.)

Maharshi: The thoughts are only vasanas ( predispositions), accumulated in innumerable previous births. Their annihilation is the aim. The state free from vasanas is the primal state - an eternal state of purity.

D. It is not very clear.

M. Everyone is aware of their eternal Self. He sees so many dying, but still believes himself eternal. Because it is the Truth. Unwillingly, the natural Truth asserts itself. The man is deluded by intermingling the conscious Self with the insentient body. This delusion must end.

D. How will it end?

M. That which is born must end. The delusion is only concomitant with the ego. It rises up and sinks. But the Reality never rises nor sinks. It remains Eternal. The Master who has realized says so; the disciple hears, thinks over his words, and realizes the Self.

There are two ways of putting it: the ever-present Self needs no efforts to be realized; Realization is already there. Illusion alone is to be removed. Some say the word from the mouth of the Master removes it instantaneously. Others say that meditation, etc., is necessary for Realization. Both are right, only the standpoint differs.

D. Is dhyana necessary?

M. The Upanishads say that even the Earth is in eternal dhyana.

D. How does karma help? Will it not add to the already heavy load to be removed?

M. Karma done unselfishly purifies the mind and helps to fix it in meditation.

D. What if one meditates incessantly without karma?

M. Try and see. The vasanas will not let you. Dhyana comes only step by step with the gradual weakening of the vasanas by the Grace of the Master.

~ Talks with Ramana Maharshi

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