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

Talks with Sri Ramana Maharshi
M.: They are for those who seek instructions. If you are firm in your
belief in the guidance of God, stick to it, and do not concern yourself
with what happens around you.
Furthermore, there may be happiness or misery. Be equally
indifferent to both and abide in the faith of God. That will be so
only when one’s faith is strong that God looks after all of us.
Mr. Chopra asked: “How shall I secure that firm faith?”
M.: Exactly. It is for such as these who want instructions. There are
persons who seek freedom from misery. They are told that God
guides all and so there need not be any concern about what happens.
If they are of the best type they at once believe it and firmly abide
by faith in God.
But there are others who are not so easily convinced of the truth of
the bare statement. They ask: “Who is God? What is His nature?
Where is He? How can He be realised?” and so on.
In order to satisfy them intellectual discussion is found necessary.
Statements are made, their pros and cons are argued, and the truth
is thus made clear to the intellect.
When the matter is understood intellectually the earnest seeker
begins to apply it practically. He argues at every moment, “For
whom are these thoughts? Who am I?” and so forth, until he is
well-established in the conviction that a Higher Power guides us.
That is firmness of faith. Then all his doubts are cleared and he
needs no further instructions.
D.: We also have faith in God.
M.: If it had been firm no questions would have arisen. The person
will remain perfectly happy in his Faith in the Omnipotent.
D.: Is the enquiry into the Self the same as the above mentioned faith?
M.: The enquiry into the Self is inclusive of all, faith, devotion, jnana,
yoga and all.
D.: A man sometimes finds that the physical body does not permit
steady meditation. Should he practise yoga for training the body
for the purpose?
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