Talks with Sri Ramana Maharshi Complete ... - BrahminVoice.org

Talks with Sri Ramana Maharshi
M.: Leave the thought-free state to itself. Do not think of it as pertaining to
you. Just as when you walk, you involuntarily take steps, so too in your
actions; but the thought-free state is not affected by your actions.
D.: What is it that is discriminative in action?
M.: Discrimination will be automatic, intuitive.
D.: So Intuition alone matters; Intuition develops also.
M.: Those who have discovered great Truths have done so in the still
depths of the Self.
The ego is like one’s shadow thrown on the ground. If one attempts
to bury it, it will be foolish. The Self is only one. If limited it is the
ego. If unlimited it is Infinite and is the Reality.
The bubbles are different from one another and numerous, but the
ocean is only one. Similarly the egos are many, whereas the Self
is one and only one.
When told that you are not the ego, realise the Reality. Why do you
still identify yourself with the ego? It is like saying, “Don’t think
of the monkey while taking medicine” - it is impossible. Similarly
it happens with common folk. When the Reality is mentioned why
do you continue to meditate Sivoham or Aham Brahmasmi? The
significance must be traced and understood. It is not enough to
repeat the bare words or think of them.
Reality is simply the loss of the ego. Destroy the ego by seeking its
identity. Because the ego is no entity it will automatically vanish
and Reality will shine forth by itself. This is the direct method.
Whereas all other methods are done, only retaining the ego. In those
paths there arise so many doubts and the eternal question remains
to be tackled finally. But in this method the final question is the
only one and it is raised from the very beginning. No sadhanas are
necessary for engaging in this quest.
There is no greater mystery than this - viz., ourselves being the
Reality we seek to gain Reality. We think that there is something
hiding our Reality and that it must be destroyed before the Reality
is gained. It is ridiculous. A day will dawn when you will yourself
laugh at your past efforts. That which will be on the day you laugh
is also here and now.
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