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

Talks with Sri Ramana Maharshi
A little later Sri Bhagavan continued:
Dhyana means fight. As soon as you begin meditation other
thoughts will crowd together, gather force and try to sink the single
thought to which you try to hold. The good thought must gradually
gain strength by repeated practice. After it has grown strong the
other thoughts will be put to flight.
This is the battle royal always taking place in meditation.
One wants to rid oneself of misery. It requires peace of mind, which
means absence of perturbation owing to all kinds of thoughts.
Peace of mind is brought about by dhyana alone.
D.: What is the need then for pranayama?
M.: Pranayama is meant for one who cannot directly control the
thoughts. It serves as a brake to a car. But one should not stop with
it, as I said before, but must proceed to pratyahara, dharana and
dhyana. After the fruition of dhyana, the mind will come under
control even in the absence of pranayama.
The asanas (postures) help pranayama, which helps dhyana in its
turn, and peace of mind results. Here is the purpose of hatha yoga.
Later Sri Bhagavan continued:
When dhyana is well established it cannot be given up. It will
go on automatically even when you are engaged in work, play or
enjoyment. It will persist in sleep too.
Dhyana must become so deep-rooted that it will be natural to one.
D.: What rite or action is necessary for the development of dhyana?
M.: Dhyana is itself the action, the rite and the effort. It is the most
intense and potent of all. No other effort is necessary.
D.: Is not japa necessary?
M.: Is dhyana not vak (speech)? Why is japa necessary for it? If
dhyana is gained there is no need for anything else.
D.: Is not a vow of silence helpful?
M.: A vow is only a vow. It may help dhyana to some extent. But what
is the good of keeping the mouth closed and letting the mind run riot.
If the mind be engaged in dhyana, where is the need for speech?
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