‘I AM’ IS EVER UNSHACKLED

[Guest guest]

prof laxmi narain (prof_narain)

 

Source and courtesy: Sri Ramana Kendram, Hyderabad

This article was published in Sri Ramana Jyothi,

monthly magazine of the Kendram.

 

`I AM' IS EVER UNSHACKLED

 

By V Ganesan

 

Once a devotee told Sri Ramana that too much emphasis was being given to the

discarding of `I-am-the body' idea, and this was impossible for him since he was

always aware of the body and its creature comforts. Sri Ramana replied, " You

cannot give up the I-am-the body consciousness without being first aware of it.

The giving up of the idea should take place by the grace of God, and by your

own efforts it will be very difficult. "

 

That which is presented to our limited understanding by the body-mind complex

we take for truth. We have no other means of appreciating the truth. The

body-mind complex supplies all our experience and remains the only means or

approach towards transcending it. The mind-intellect recognizes or accepts known

entities and is baffled by or rejects unknown ones. In Saiva Siddhanta the body

is considered the `temple' in which the Lord is enshrined. Neglect or torture of

the body is condemned. The weak cannot attain the Atman. The physical body

(annamya kosha) is neither to be despised nor neglected, says the scriptures.

 

To a body-minded votary the idea of transcending it is hard to envisage and he

is baffled. Sri Ramana says that it is better to be confused than ignorant or

indifferent. A state of confusion may induce us to trace its source, in an

attempt to clear it up. In this way we may arrive at the understanding that we

cannot solve the problem by our own effort and that the Grace of God or Guru is

necessary.

 

This becomes the incentive for sadhana through Self-inquiry or through devotion

or surrender, whichever suits our temperament. We dive deep to seek an answer

and ultimately we come to know that by understanding which it is possible to

transcend this complexity. Truth can be realized through intuitive experience.

`I-am-the-body' idea will become extinct only on Self-realisation. This is

possible through Grace, but Grace is vouchsafed only to those who have made the

necessary effort.

 

According to Sri Ramana the transcendence of the `I-am-the-body' idea can be

best achieved through constant and deep self-enquiry (vichara) " Who am I? " " To

whom is this problem. " This inquiry is the best means for removing the false

belief of selfhood.

(The author, a sadhaka of great merit and an outstanding devotee of Sri Ramana,

is grandson of Sri Ramana's brother.)