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

Talks with Sri Ramana Maharshi
27th November, 1936
Talk 287.
A Punjabi gentleman, a doctor by profession, came here with his wife
to visit Sri Bhagavan. He was in the hall when Sri Bhagavan came
in after lunch; then he asked: “How should I meditate? I do not have
peace of mind.”
M.: Peace is our real nature. It need not be attained. Our thoughts
must be obliterated.
D.: I have been trying to obliterate them but I am not successful.
M.: The Gita method is the only one for it. Whenever mind strays
away bring it back to bear on meditation.
D.: I cannot bring my mind to meditate.
Another devotee: An elephant when free puts its trunk here and there
and feels restless. If a length of chain is given to it, the trunk holds it
and is no longer restless. Similarly, mind without an aim is restless,
with an aim it remains at peace.
D.: No, no, it is all theory. I have read many books. But no use. It is
practically impossible to make the mind concentrate.
M.: Concentration is impossible so long as there are predispositions.
They obstruct bhakti also.
The interpreter advised the questioner to study Who am I? The
doctor was ready with his protestations: “I have read it also. I
cannot still make my mind concentrate.”
M.: By practice and dispassion — abhyasa vairagyabhyam.
D.: Vairagya is necessary ...
M.: Abhyasa and vairagya are necessary. Vairagya is the absence of
diffused thoughts; abhyasa is concentration on one thought only. The
one is the positive and the other the negative aspect of meditation.
D.: I am not able to do so by myself. I am in search of a force to
help me.
M.: Yes, what is called Grace. Individually we are incapable because
the mind is weak. Grace is necessary. Sadhu seva is meant only for
it. There is however nothing new to get. Just as a weak man comes
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