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

Talks with Sri Ramana Maharshi
D.: What is the difference between meditation and enquiry into the Self?
M.: Meditation is possible only if the ego be kept up. There is the ego
and the object meditated upon. The method is indirect. Whereas the
Self is only one. Seeking the ego, i.e., its source, ego disappears.
What is left over is the Self. This method is the direct one.
D.: Then what am I to do?
M.: To hold on to the Self.
D.: How?
M.: Even now you are the Self. But you are confounding this consciousness
(or ego) with the absolute consciousness. This false identification is
due to ignorance. Ignorance disappears along with the ego. Killing
the ego is the only thing to accomplish. Realisation is already there.
No attempt is needed to attain realisation. For it is nothing external,
nothing new. It is always and everywhere here and now too.
3rd March, 1936
Talk 175.
Mr. N. Subba Rao asked: The Visishtadvatins say that Atma Sakshatkara
(Self-Realisation) is preliminary to Paramatma Sakshatkara (God-
Realisation). The difficulty seems to be considerable.
M.: What is Atma Sakshatkara? Are there two Atmas that one realises
the other? There are not two selves. First get Atma Sakshatkara
and then judge what follows.
D.: The Bhagavad Gita says there is God whose body is made up of
all the souls.
M.: All are agreed on the annihilation of the ego. Let us get to business
on the agreed point. Nanajivatva (different individualities) are
mentioned by some Advaitins also. All that is immaterial to one’s
spiritual uplift. First realise the Self and then see what lies further.
7th March, 1936
Talk 176.
Dr. Hand intends leaving the Asramam tomorrow, visit the Himalayas
(Hardwar), return here, go to Bombay and embark for Egypt, Palestine,
Europe and finally to his native land, America.
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