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

Talks with Sri Ramana Maharshi
D.: Is it morally right for a man to renounce his household duties when
he once realises that his highest duty is Atma-chintana (continuous
thought on the Self)?
M.: This desire to renounce things is the obstacle. The Self is simple
renunciation. The Self has renounced all.
D.: It is true from Bhagavan’s standpoint. But for us .... my work
demands the best part of my time and energy; often I am too tired
to devote myself to Atma-chintana.
M.: The feeling “I work” is the hindrance. Enquire, “Who works?”
Remember, “Who am I?” The work will not bind you. It will go on
automatically. Make no effort either to work or to renounce work.
Your effort is the bondage. What is bound to happen will happen.
If you are destined to cease working, work cannot be had even if
you hunt for it. If you are destined to work you cannot leave it;
you will be forced to engage in it. So leave it to the Higher Power.
You cannot renounce or hold as you choose.
Talk 269.
D.: How is all-immanent God said to reside in daharakasa (Ether
of the Heart).
M.: Do we not reside in one place? Do you not say that you are in
your body? Similarly, God is said to reside in Hritpundarika (the
heart-lotus). The heart-lotus is not a place. Some name is mentioned
as the place of God because we think we are in the body. This kind
of instruction is meant for those who can appreciate only relative
knowledge.
Being immanent everywhere there is no particular place for God.
Because we think we are in the body we also believe that we are
born. However we do not think of the body, of God, or of method
of realisation in our deep slumber. Yet in our waking state we hold
on to the body and think we are in it.
The Supreme Being is that from which the body is born, in which
it lives and into which it resolves. We however think that we reside
within the body. Hence such instruction is given. The instruction
means: “Look within.”
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