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

Talks with Sri Ramana Maharshi
D.: Then the question resolves itself to knowing the Self.
M.: Quite so.
D.: How to know the Self?
M.: See what the Self is. What you consider to be the Self, is really
either the mind or the intellect or the ‘I-thought’. The other thoughts
arise only after the ‘I-thought’. So hold on to it. The others will
vanish leaving the Self as the residuum.
D.: The difficulty lies in reaching it.
M.: There is no reaching it at all because it is eternal, here and now.
If the Self were to be gained anew, it would not be permanent.
D.: How to obtain equanimity or peace or equilibrium of mind? What
is the best way?
M.: I have already answered it. Investigate the mind. It is eliminated
and you remain over. Let your standpoint become that of wisdom
then the world will be found to be God.
dristin jnanamayim kritva pasyet Brahmamayam jagat.
So the question is one of outlook. You pervade all. See yourself
and all are understood. But you have now lost hold of your Self
and go about doubting other things.
D.: How to know the Self?
M.: Are there two ‘I’s? How do you know your own existence?
Do you see yourself with these eyes? Question yourself. How
does this question arise? Do I remain to ask it or not? Can I find
my Self as in a mirror?
Because your outlook has been outward bent, it has lost sight
of the Self and your vision is external. The Self is not found in
external objects. Turn your look within and plunge down; you
will be the Self.
D.: Is discovery of the Self dependent on the observance of caste
rules? Or should we flout them?
M.: Not in the beginning. Observe them to start with. Caste-rules serve
as a check on the vagaries of the mind. It is thus purified.
D.: The unknowable can be attained only by the grace of the
unknowable.
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