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

Talks with Sri Ramana Maharshi
it remains pure, and also merges into the source. The wrong
identification with the body is dehatmabuddhi (‘I-am-the-body’
idea). This must go before good results follow.
D.: How to eradicate it?
M.: We exist in sushupti without being associated with the body and
mind. But in the other two states we are associated with them. If
one with the body, how can we exist without the body in sushupti?
We can separate ourselves from that which is external to us and not
from that which is one with us. Hence the ego is not one with the
body. This must be realised in the waking state. Avasthatraya (the
three states of waking, dream and deep sleep) should be studied
only for gaining this outlook.
The ego in its purity is experienced in intervals between two states
or two thoughts. Ego is like that caterpillar which leaves its hold
only after catching another. Its true nature can be found when it is
out of contact with objects or thoughts. Realise this interval with
the conviction gained by the study of avasthatraya (the three states
of consciousness).
D.: How do we go to sleep and how do we wake up?
M.: Just at nightfall the hen clucks and the chicks go and hide
themselves under her wings. The hen then goes to roost in the nest
with the chicks in her protection. At dawn the chicks come out and
so does the hen. The mother-hen stands for the ego which collects
all the thoughts and goes to sleep. At sunrise the rays emerge forth
and are collected again at sunset. Similarly, when the ego displays
itself, it does so with all its paraphernalia. When it sinks, everything
disappears with it.
D.: What does sushupti look like?
M.: In a cloudy dark night no individual identification of objects
is possible and there is only dense darkness, although the seer
has his eyes wide open; similarly in sushupti the seer is aware of
simple nescience.
Sri Bhagavan is said to have remarked to an inquisitive person: “What
is the meaning of this talk of truth and falsehood in the world which
is itself false?”
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