Talks with Sri Ramana Maharshi - from Talk 645

[Guest guest]

Talks with Sri Ramana Maharshi

 

12th March, 1939

 

A man of about 30, of good appearance came to the hall with a few

companions. The man abruptly began: “To say ‘I-I’ cannot help anyone

to reach the goal. How can ‘I’ be pointed out?”

 

M.: It must be found within. It is not an object so that it may be shown

by one to another.

 

D.: When the instruction to find the ‘I’ is given, the instruction must

be made complete by showing what it is.

 

M.: The instruction here amounts to direction only. It depends on the

seeker to use the direction.

 

D.: The seeker is ignorant and seeks instruction.

 

M.: He is therefore guided to find the Truth.

 

D.: But it is not enough. The ‘I’ must be pointed out specifically.

The man assumed an aggressive attitude and did not listen. Sri Bhagavan

tried to explain, but he would not allow Sri Bhagavan to do so.

Finally Sri Bhagavan said: This is not the attitude of the seeker.

When someone teaches humility to the seeker, he will reach the

way and not till then.

The chanting of the Vedas began.

 

The conversation was casually referred to by a devotee present.

Sri Bhagavan again said: The seeker must listen and try to understand.

If on the other hand he wants to prove me, let him do so by all

means. I do not argue.

The man again began: “My attitude was not properly understood. I

want to know the ‘I’. It must be pointed out to me.”

But he displayed considerable malice. The others did not like it and so

tried to bring him round. He became worse. Sri Bhagavan finally said: “Go

back the way you came. Do it externally or internally, as it suits you.”

The man grew excited and others also were equally excited. He was

finally led out of the hall and sent away.

Later it was learnt that the man was an adherent of yoga and that he used

to abuse all other methods. He used to vilify jnana and the jnanis.

.................