A. R. Natarajan - Forgetfulness and remembrance

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FORGETFULNESS AND REMEMBRANCE

 

taken from

THE SILENT MIND

The Ramana Way,

by A. R. NATARAJAN,

Published by Ramana Maharshi Centre for Learning, Bangalore,

8th edition, 2004

edition

 

(originally posted to NamoRamana group by saikali)

 

 

 

All our problems could be said to arise from twin faults,

forgetfulness of our real nature and failure to remember it. What is

it that we have forgotten or failed to remember? The scriptures

assert emphatically and clearly out oneness with the Self. What does

it imply? It means that in essence we are ever free and

blissful. " There is nothing we do not posses as yet " . Nothing can be

added to make our cup of happiness fuller for we are brimming with

it. Not only we have forgotten this, but we are always relating some

tale of woe or the other. We feel bound by circumstances and quite

often we turn to God for satisfying something or the other in our

long and unending list of prayers. " Though greed is endless and life

is not " , we want to somehow fill the half filled jar of gold rather

than to enjoy the gold we already possess.

 

Ramana would never permit such meaningless mourning. He would

counsel that instead of " wailing inconsolably " labelling oneself as

a " sinner " , a " weakling " and so on, one should " zealously carry on

meditation on the Self " . Such meditation necessarily implies

awareness of one's inherent happiness independent of the external

situation.

 

One has to blame oneself for the self-imposed misery. There is

always a sense of hurry, an anxiety to push on to the next job even

before due attention has been given to the work on hand. Caught in

life's hustle-bustle, we are trying to chew too much, to take on

jobs which others could do better. The other side of the fence is

always greener. The workload constantly diminishes for those who are

blessed. They do not volunteer or seek work. What needs to be done

is given the mind's might. Since such work cannot be renounced one

need not opt for additional burdens. The hectic pace of life which

is our undoing needs to be slowed down to an even keel which leaves

time for reflection and meditation.

 

When Ramana focusses attention on the unhurried and recollected way

of life, He also suggests how to bring this about. Attention should

be on " the under-current which vivifies the mind " , that which

enables the work to be done. Since haste is the cause of

forgetfulness, our aim should be to give the time due to each job.

The object not merely the proper performance of the work, which is

the automatic consequence of such attention, but to remember our

essential nature and strength. This reflective attitude enables one

to be aware of the true relationship of the mind to its source and

strength, the Self, the Heart. What is gained is the conscious

merging with the totality of existence. Then one's hands may be busy

at work, but the head would be cool in the exhilarating heights of

the joy of Being.

 

One might ask " are there any warning signals in our lives to

indicate that we are moving away and getting entangled in the karmic

vortex? " " Yes " , says, Ramana. One can easily see it for himself.

Whenever one is fearful or anxious, then, it is time to have a look

at what is happening. It is the danger sign indicating clearly that

we are taking far too many jobs. Then it is time to assess, time to

have mercy on oneself, so that the unhurried and contemplative way

of life is not lost. The seeming sacrifices to achieve this are

literally worth their weight in gold.

 

The know-how of such a life requires the proper use of the hour of

meditation. God knows how little we care for the time we set apart

for meditation. Somehow we would try to cram it into our busy

schedules often to be got over quickly, in order to get on with the

jobs we relish. Ramana advised Humphreys that even if one is able to

set apart only a few minutes a day, it would be enough. These few

minutes, if properly utilised, have a transforming influence. One

gradually acquires, unconsciously, power to deal " with men, events

and things " effectively and with detachment. The circumstances,

which are clearly not of our making and are outside our control, can

no longer hinder awareness of our links with the Infinite. Work or

its absence does disturb the inner current of bliss flowing steadily

and immersing us in its abundance.