Talks with Ramana Maharshi: September 15, 1936 - I

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(September 15, 1936)

 

Sri Bhagavan said:

 

The jnani says, "I am the body"; The ajnani says, "I am the body"; what is the difference? "I am" is the truth. The body is the limitation. The ajnani limits the "I" to the body. "I" remains independent of the body in sleep. The same "I" is now in the wakeful state. Though imagined to be to be within the body, "I" is without the body. The wrong notion is not "I am the body"; "I" says so. The body is insentient and cannot say so. The mistake lies in thinking that "I" is what "I" is not. "I" is not insentient. "I" cannot be the inert body. The body's movements are confounded with "I", and misery is the result. Whether the body works or not, "I" remains free and happy. The ajnani's "I" is the body only. That is the whole error. The jnani's "I" includes the body and everything else. Clearly, some intermediate entity arises and gives rise to confusion.

 

~ Talks with Ramana Maharshi: On Realizing Abiding Peace and Happiness

p. 164