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

Talks with Sri Ramana Maharshi
D.: I do not know what the mind is. I ask Maharshi.
M.: Maharshi does not seek to know the mind. The questioner must
question the mind itself as to what it is.
D.: Maharshi advises that the mind should be divested of thoughts.
M.: This is itself a thought.
D.: When all thoughts disappear what remains over?
M.: Is the mind different from thoughts?
D.: No. The mind is made up of thoughts. My point is this: When all
thoughts are got rid of, how shall I concentrate the mind?
M.: Is not this also a thought?
D.: Yes, but I am advised to concentrate.
M.: Why should you concentrate? Why should you not allow your
thoughts free play?
D.: The sastras say that the thoughts, thus playing free, lead us astray,
that is, to unreal and changeful things.
M.: So then, you want not to be led to unreal and changeful things. Your
thoughts are unreal and changeful. You want to hold the Reality. That
is exactly what I say. The thoughts are unreal. Get rid of them.
D.: I understand now. Yet there is a doubt. “Not a trice can you remain
inactive.” How shall I be able to rid myself of thoughts?
M.: The same Gita says: “Although all actions take place, I am not the doer.”
It is like the sun towards the world activities. The Self always remains
actionless, whereas thoughts arise and subside. The Self is Perfection; it
is immutable; the mind is limited and changeful. You need only to cast
off your limitations. Your perfection thus stands revealed.
D.: Grace is necessary for it.
M.: Grace is ever present. All that is necessary is that you surrender to It.
D.: I surrender and pray that even if I go wrong I may be forcibly
drawn to it.
M.: Is this surrender? Surrender to be complete must be
unquestioning.
D.: Yes, I surrender. You say I must dive into the ocean of the Self
like a pearl-diver into the sea.
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