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avadhutagita|everfree|ashtavakragita|purestexpressionoftruth|ribhugita|heart|wisdom|bhagavadgita|essence|thesongcelestial
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RAMANA MAHARSHI

ABIDE IN THE SELF

Lettherebepeaceandloveamongallbeingsoftheuniverse.OMShanti,Shanti,Shanti.

presence|jnaniandjnana|japaandtapas|practiceofmeditation|controlofmind|samadhi|selfrealisation|power|truthandliberation
dailylife|ego|themeaningofreligion|theguruandsagehood|thenatureoftheself|selfawarenessandselfignorance

PRESENCE

UESTION : Whilesi ingnearyou,whatsortofmentalstateshouldIhavesoastoreceivethetransmissionfromtheSelf?

Ramana:Keepyourmindstill.Thatisenough.Youwillgetspiritualhelpsi ingin
thishallifyoukeepyourselfstill.Theaimofallpracticesistogiveupallpractices.
Whenthemindbecomesstill,thepoweroftheSelfwillbeexperienced.Thewaves
oftheSelfarepervadingeverywhere.Ifthemindisinpeace,onebeginsto
experiencethem.

Question:Whichisbe erforme,togazeatyoureyesoryourface?OrshouldIsit
withclosedeyesandconcentratemymindonaparticularthing?

Ramana:Gazeatyourownrealnature.Itisimmaterialwhethertheeyesareopen
orclosed.Everywherethereisonlytheone,soitisallthesamewhetheryoukeep
youreyesopenorclosed.Ifyouwishtomeditate,dosoontheIthatiswithin
you.ItistheSelf.Becauseithasnoeyes,thereisnoneedeithertoopenorclosethe
eyes.Whenyoua ainSelfknowledge,therewillnolongerbeanyideasaboutthe
world.Whenyouaresi inginaroom,whetherthewindowsareopenorclosed,
youarethesameperson,inthesamestate.Inthesameway,ifyouabideinthe
Reality,itisallthesamewhethertheeyesareopenorclosed.Itma ersli le
whetherexternalactivitiesgoonornot.

Question:Inmypresentstate,istheresucientfaith,humilityandsurrenderin
me?Ifnot,howtomakethemcomplete?

Ramana:Youareperfectandcomplete,soabandontheideaofincompleteness.
Thereisnothingtobedestroyed.Ahankara,theindividualI,isnotarealthing.It
isthemindthatmakestheeortandthemindisnotreal.Justasitisnotnecessary
tokillaropethatoneimaginestobeasnake,soalsothereisnoneedtokillthe
mind.Knowingtheformofthemindmakestheminddisappear.Thatwhichis
forevernonexistentisalreadyremoved.

Question:WhatbooksshouldIreadforpersonalstudy?

Ramana:TheSelfistherealbook.Youcanglanceanywhereinthatbook;nobodycantakeitawayfromyou.Wheneveryouarefree,

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turntowardstheSelf.Thereafteryoumayreadwhateveryoulike.

Question:Howtouproottheweariness,fearandanxietythatariseduringmeditation?

Ramana:Findouttowhomthesequestionsoccur.Byconductingthisenquirythesethingswilldisappear.Thesethingsare
impermanent.Donotpaya entiontothem.Whenthereisknowledgeofduality,feararises.Fearonlycomeswhenyouthinkthat
thereareothersapartfromyou.IfyoudirectyourmindtowardstheSelf,fearandanxietywillgoaway.Inyourpresentstate,when
yourmindisagitated,ifyouremoveonekindoffear,anotherwillriseupandtherewillbenoendofthem.Itisalaborioustaskto
plucktheleavesoatreeonebyone.TheIfeelingistherootofallthoughts.Ifyoudestroytheroot,theleavesandbrancheswill
witheraway.Insteadofformingbadhabitsandtakingmedicineforthem,itisbe ertoseethatsuchbadhabitsarenotformed.

Question:Duringandaftermeditation,Igetmanythoughtsabouttheunhappypeopleoftheworld.Whatwillhappentotheworld?

Ramana:FirstndoutwhetherthereisanIinyouornot.ItisthisegoIthatgetsthesethoughtsand,asaresult,youfeelweakness.
Thereforendouthowidenticationwiththebodytakesplace.Bodyconsciousnessisthecauseofallmisery.Whenyouconductthe
enquiryintotheegoI,youwillndoutitsSourceandyouwillbeabletoremoveit.Afterthattherewillbenomorequestionsofthe
typeyouareasking.

Thebodyitselfisadisease.Towishforalongstayofthatdiseaseisnottheaimofthejnani[onewhohasrealisedtheSelf].Anyhow,
onehastogiveupidenticationwiththebody.JustastheIamthebodyconsciousnesspreventsonefroma ainingSelfknowledge,
inthesameway,onewhohasgottheconvictionthatheisnotthebodywillbecomeliberatedevenifhedoesntdesireit.

JNANI AND JNANA

Question:Doesajnaniinthebodyremainvisible?

Ramana:Whynot?

Question:Bodyisthereectionofthemind.Thereoughttobemodicationsbecauseofit.

Ramana:Inwhoseviewshouldajnanisbodyhaveachange?

Question:Totheoutsideview.

Ramana:Thenajnanioughttobeinvisible?Allwhowrotebooks,livedandmovedareajnanis[thosewhoareignorantoftheirtrue
nature].Isthatso?[laughing]Doesthejnanihimselffeeloppressedbythebody?Doesheneedacerticatefromothersbytheirnot
seeinghisbody?

Question:No

Ramana:Whoistheseer?Solvethatproblemrst.Whatdoesitma erwhetherabodyisvisibleornot?

Question:Whyisitthatadevoteesooftenturnsawayfromamanofknowledge?Thishappensevenaftertheyhavearrived,doesnt
it?

Ramana:Yourpremiseisallwrong.Forassoonasadevoteearriveshendsthatheisonewiththejnani.Forthedevoteebecomesthe
essenceofdevotionandthejnanibecomestheessenceofknowledge.Thetwoareone,identical.Thequarrelisreallychampionedby
pseudodevoteesandpseudojnanis.

Question:Howmuchsleepdoesajnanirequire?

Ramana:SleepisnecessarywhenonethinksIhaverisenfromsleep.Buttothosewhoareeverinchangelesssleep,whatneedisthere
forsomeothersleep.Whentheeyelidsfeelstraineditwoulddotoclosetheeyesforawhile.Thethreestatesofwaking,dreamingand
deepsleepareforthemindandnotforthebody.

Question:TheNaradaBhaktiSutrassaythatthepathofdevotionisthebest.Cannotwesaythesamethingaboutjnana[knowledgeof
theSelf]?

Ramana:Whatisthedierentiation?Jnanaisdevotion.

Question:TheAshtavakraGitasays:Thingscomebythemselves.Doesanythingcomebyitselfwithoutoperationofcausebehindit?

Ramana:Thatwhichcomestoamanwithoutpresenteortordesireistheresultofpasteortsordesires[prarabdhakarma].Evena
jnaniwhohasnodesireshastomeetsuchevents.

Question:TheAshtavakraGitasays:Thejnanidoesnotrememberwhathehasdoneornotdone.Howtounderstandthis?

Ramana:Hedoesnotfeelthatheistheagentwhoactedortheonewhorefrainedfromaction.

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Question:Howcanajnanisprarabdha[thepartofonespastkarmathatistobeworkedoutinthislife]remainunburnt?

Ramana:Inthejnanisviewallkarmaisgone.Butintheworldsviewthejnanisbodyisseensubjecttosomekarma.Thisisa ributed
toprarabdha.

Question:ThePuranassaythatjnaniswarredagainstjnanis.Thatmustbeduetoprarabdha.

Ramana:Yes,KrishnafoughtagainstBhishma.

Question:Butshouldnotajnanihaveanabsenceofworldlydesires?Itisdesireswhichleadtoconict.

Ramana:Perfectdispassionisjnana.

Question:Howcanwejudgefromoutsidewhetheramansdispassionorsurrenderisperfectorcomplete?

Ramana:Ofperfectdispassionandjnanawhoisthereoutsidetojudge?

Question:Canwea ainjnanathroughyourGraceandteachittothepeopleoftheworld?

Ramana:FirstknowyourSelf;leavealonetheideaofteachingothers.Iftheworldanditspeopleremainafteryourrealisation,you
mayteachthem.TryingtohelptheworldwithoutknowingyourSelfwillbejustlikeablindmantryingtotreatthediseasesinthe
eyesofothers.Firstclearyourowneyes.Ifyoudothisyouwillseetheeyesofallothersasyourown.Then,ifyouseetheeyesofall
othersasyourown,howcanyouexistwithouthelpingthem?

JAPA AND TAPAS

Question:Whatistheeectofjapasormantras[repeatingsacredsyllable[s]orformulaasameanstorealisetheSelf]?

Ramana:Diversion.Themindisachannel,aswiftcurrentofthoughts.Amantraisabundordamputupinthewayofthiscurrentto
divertthewaterwhereitisneeded.

Question:SomeyearsagoIhadbeeninitiatedintotwomantrasandwasenjoinedtorepeatthemaminimumnumberoftimeseach
day.Ihavebeendoingitpunctiliously.Butnowafterenteringtheashram,Ihavenomindtodoit.Ifeartheconsequencesofthenon
observanceoftheinstructionsofmyinitiation.IammakingaclearbreastofmydefaulttoBhagavan.

Ramana:[smiling]Justbecauseyouhavedonesomuchjapaitsmeritbroughtyouhere.Whyshouldyounowfearwhenyouare
enjoyingthefruitsofyourjapa?

Question:WhatistherelationshipbetweenSelfenquiryandrepetitionofsacredsyllables,mantrajapa?

Ramana:Selfenquiryitselfismantra,japa,tapas,sacriceandYoga.

Question:DoesitmeanthatforthosepractisingSelfenquiryitisunnecessarytorepeatmantras?

Ramana:Selfenquiryisthesource,theessenceofallmantras.Allthatitmeansisthatoneshouldnotbea achedtothemantraas
such.Itdoesnotprecludeit.

Question:Sometimesinvoluntarilyenquiryandjapaoverlap.Whatisonetodothen?

Ramana:Asaresultofpreviouspracticeevenwithouteortithappens.ButcanenquiryorjapatakeplacewithouttheIorthe
mantra?

Question:WhiledoingSelfenquirysometimesonereachesablank.

Ramana:Whetherblanknessisseenorfullnessisseenthereistheonetoseeit.Findoutwhoitisthatseestheblankness.Thereplyis
me.FindoutwhothatIis.Ifoneenquires,blanknesswhichappearsduetohabitwoulddisappear.Whenthereisanykindof
perceptiononemustenquire.ThenwhatremainsistheI.

Question:Ihaveheardthevicharamarga[enquirypath]ofyours,butIhavenoclearconceptionofit.Isittositinaquietplaceand
askoneselfthequestionWhoamI?repeatedlyormeditateonthatquestionasonamantra?

Ramana:No,itisnotrepeatingthequestionormeditatingonWhoamI?.Itistodivedeepintoyourselfandseektheplacefrom
whichtheIthoughtarisesinyouandtoholdontoitrmlytotheexclusionofanyotherthought.Continuousandpersistenteort
wouldleadtotheSelf.

Question:Whatshouldonedoinordertoremainfreefromthoughtsasadvisedbyyou?IsitonlytheenquiryWhoamI?

Ramana:Onlytoremainstill.Doitandsee.

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Question:Itisimpossible.

Ramana:Exactly.ForthesamereasontheenquiryWhoamI?isadvised.

Question:Vedantictexts,particularlytheVicharaSangraham,recommendsfastingstrongly,pleaseclarify.

Ramana:Theydonotmeanthatyoushouldabstainfromeatingfood,ordrinkingwater.Allthatismeantisthatwithoutcausing
hardshipstothebodyoneshouldeatlimitedquantitiesoffoodconducivetomeditation.

Question:HowamItoriseabovemypresentanimalexistence?Myowneortsinthatdirectionhaveprovedfutile.Iamconvinced
thatitisonlyasuperiormightthatcantransformme.Andthatiswhathasbroughtmehere.

Ramana:Youareright.Itisonlyontheawakeningofapowermightierthanthesensesandthemindthatthesecanbesubdued.Ifyou
awakenandnurturethegrowthofthatpowerwithinyou,everythingelsewillbeconquered.

Question:Whatistheuseofmindyearningformeditation?Hereitisonlykitchenwork.

Ramana:Letthehandsandlegsdothejob.Youarenotthehandsorlegs.Youaretheunmovingone.Problemswillbeendlesssolong
asoneisnotawareofit.Ifyouidentifyyourselfwiththebodyyouareboundtodualities.Workwouldappeardicult.Evenifwefree
ourselvesfromworkwillthemindceasetowander?Itdoesnotletyouevensleepinpeace.Itkeepswanderingasindreams.

PRACTICE OF MEDITATION

Question:WhenImeditate,sleepoverpowersme.Icannotavoidit.WhatshouldIdo?

Ramana:IfIsayIawoke,itfollowsthatIslept.Whenwakingcomeswemustbeinthestatethatwewereinwhenwewereasleep.
Whensleepcomeswemustawake.Thatisthestateofawakenedsleep.

Question:Whattodowhenthisthoughtcatchesholdofusandshakesus?

Ramana:Thethoughtdoesnotcatchholdofusandshakeus.Thethoughtcatchingholdofusshakesitself.

Question:Ifthisisso,howcanIcontrolthemind?

Ramana:Controllingthemindimpliestheneedofasecondmindtocontroltherst.Tryingtocontrolthemindislikesomeone
a emptingtheimpossibletaskofmeasuringthelengthofhisownshadowbyhimself.

Howwereweinsleep?WearenowthesamebodilessandmindlessIthatwewerewhenwewereasleep.Ourrstmistakeistoleave
thatstateandtakethebodytobeI.

Question:Ignorancemustbedestroyed.AmIright?

Ramana:Itwillbesucientifyouinvestigatetheonewhoseignorancemustbedestroyed.

Question:WhatmustIdotoavoidsleepduringmymeditation?

Ramana:Meditatorsmustnotworktoomuch,norshouldtheyllthestomachwithexcessivefood.Themoreonellsthestomach,the
loweronesmentalstatebecomes.Ifthestomachismostlyempty,onewillgohigherspiritually.Oneshouldnottightenthestringsof
theveena[pluckedstringinstrument]eithertoomuchortooli le.Thebodymustbekeptlikethat.Likewisewithsleep.Onethirdof
thenighthasbeenallo edforsleep.Thatis,onemustgotobedat10p.m.andwakeupat2a.m.Oneshouldnotsleepduringday
time.Thereisanothersystemalso.Oneshouldgetupwheneveronewakesupandoneshouldsleepwheneversleepcomes.Butone
shouldnotthink,IsleptorIwokeup.[quotingverse33ofDevikalo ara]Themindoftenstraysintoreveriesorfallsasleep.Be
vigilantandturnitintoitspristinestateagainandagain.

Question:WhilepractisingmeditationIfeelsomepaininthebackandinfrontofthechest.ThisisstatedtobethetestbyGod.Will
Bhagavanexplainthisandsayifitistrue?

Ramana:Whatyoubelievetobeatestisreallythestrainthatisnowbroughttoplayonthenervesandthevesenses.Themindwhich
washithertooperatingthroughthenadis[channelsinthesubtlebodythroughwhichsubtlepsychicenergyows]tosensetheexternal
objectsisnowrequiredtowithdraw.Thiswithdrawalnaturallycausesstrain.Itwouldgo,ifyouwouldcontinuewithyourmeditation
bestowingyoura entionsolelyonyourSelf.ThereisnogreaterremedythanthiscontinuousYoga.

Nevermindwhathappenstothebody.Maintainthesametrainofthoughtandeort,andthebodilydiscomfortwillpassaway.Do
notthinkofthediscomfortbutkeepthemindrmonyourmeditation.Ifyouarenotstrongenoughtoendurethemosquitoes,how
canyouhopetogainrealisation?Itislikewaitingforthewavesoftheoceantosubsidebeforeyouentertobathe!Bestrongandkeep
upconstanteort.

Question:Whataboutpracticingmeditationinagrouporalone?

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Ramana:Thela erisadvisableforbeginners,butwemustlearntoadvancetothepointwherewecreateourownmentalsolitude,
thenitwillnotma erwhereweare.Wemustlearntondmentalsolitudeinthemidstofsociety;weshouldnotgiveupour
meditationbecauseweareamongpeople,butcarryitoneventhen.Justdonotbeostentatiousaboutitdoitsecretly.Donotmakean
exhibitionofthefactthatyouaremeditating.

Question:ShouldImeditatewiththeeyesopenorclosed?

Ramana:Youcanmeditatewiththeeyesopenorshut,whicheversuitsyoubest.Itdierswithdierentpeople.Seeingiswhenthe
mindlooksthroughtheeyes,butifitisnotlookingbecauseitisfocusedwithin,itdoesnotseeeveniftheeyesareopen.Itisthesame
withsounds.Ifyoupaya entiontothem,youwillhearthem,butifyoupersistentlyfocusonlyontheSelfwithin,youwonthear
them.

Thepointisthatthemindmustbeintrovertedandkeptactiveinitspursuit.Sometimeswhentheeyesareclosed,latentthoughtsrush
forthwithgreatvigor.Itmayalsobediculttointrovertthemindwiththeeyesopen,asthatrequiresstrengthofmind.Whenthe
mindtakesinobjectsitiscontaminated.Themainfactoristoresistallotherthoughtsandkeepthemindonitsownpursuit,without
takinginexternalimpressionsorthinkingofotherma ers.

Question:Whichpostureisbest?

Ramana:Anyposture,possiblythehalflotusposition.Butpostureisimmaterialforthejnanapath.Posturereallymeanssteadfast
locationintheSelf.Itisinternal.

Therearedierentposturesaccordingtothedierentgrades.ThebestpostureistobeintheSelf.Allthesequestionsofpostureand
HathaYogaariseonlytothosewhohavebodyconsciousnessandthink,Iamthebody.However,theyogissay,Adopttheposture
inwhichmeditationiseasiestforyou.ButyoumaynotnecessarilyhavetoadoptaYogapostureatall.Ifyoundsi inginachairor
walkingeasierforyoutopracticemeditation,thenthesearetherightposturesforyou.HathaYogaisforbeginners.FindtheSelfand
remaininIt,andyouwillnotbeconcernedaboutpostures.ThebestpostureistoplanttheGururmlyinyourHeart.

Question:Whenwefallfromthepathwhatshouldwedo?

Ramana:Allwillbewellintheend.Thereisasteadydeterminationthatgetsyouonyourfeetagainafterafallorbreak.Graduallythe
obstaclesgetweakerandyourcurrentgetsstronger.Everythingcomesrightintheend.Steadydeterminationiswhatisrequired.Peace
willbedeeperandmoreprolongedwithcontinuedpractice.Itwillalsoleadtothegoal.

Thecontrolofdesireandmeditationareinterdependent.Theymustgohandinhand.Practiceanddispassionbringabouttheresult.
Dispassionistorestrainthemindfromprojectingoutwardsandpracticeistokeepitturnedinward.Thereisaconstantstrugglewithin
betweencontrolandmeditation.Meditationwilleventuallybesuccessful.IfyouseekGodwithyourwholeheart,thenyoumaybe
assuredthattheGraceofGodisalsoseekingyou.

Question:Isconcentrationoneofthespiritualpractices?

Ramana:Concentrationisnotthinkingofonethingonly.Rather,itisthepu ingoofallotherthoughtswhichobstructthevisionof
ourtruenature.Alloureortsareonlydirectedtowardsliftingtheveilofignorance.Nowitappearsdiculttoquellthethoughts,but
intheregeneratedstate,itwillbefoundmorediculttoactivatethem!Whyshouldwethinkofthesethings?ThereistheSelfalone.
Thoughtscanfunctiononlyifthereareobjectsbuttherearenoobjects,sohowcanthoughtsariseatall?Habitmakesusbelievethat
itisdiculttoceasethinking.Ifthiserrorwerediscovered,onewouldnotbesofoolishastoexertoneselfunnecessarily.

Whena entionisdirectedtowardsobjectsandintellect,themindisawareonlyofthesethings.Thatisourpresentstate.Butwhenwe
a endtotheSelfwithin,webecomeconsciousofItalone.Itisthereforeallama erofa ention.Ourmindhasbeena endingto
externalthingsforsolong,thatthela erhaveenslaveditanddragithitherandthither.Ifthemindwanders,wemustatoncerealise
wearenotthebodyandenquire,WhoamI?andthemindmustbebroughtbacktorealisetheSelf.Thusallevilsaredestroyedand
happinessisrealised.

TheSelfislikeapowerfulmagnethiddenwithinus.ItdrawsusgraduallytoItself,thoughweimaginewearegoingtoItofourown
accord.Whenwearenearenough,Itputsanendtoourotheractivities,makesusstill,andthenswallowsupourownpersonal
current,thuskillingourpersonality.Itoverwhelmstheintellectandoodsthewholebeing.WethinkwearemeditatinguponItand
developingtowardsIt,whereasthetruthisthatwearelikeironlingsandItistheSelfmagnetthatispullingustowardsItself.Thus
theprocessofndingSelfisaformofdivinemagnetism.

Question:Icannotbringmymindtomeditate.

Ramana:Whenanelephantisfree,itmovesitstrunkaroundandlooksrestless,butifitisgivenachaintohold,itstrunkstaysstill.
Similarly,withoutanaim,themindisrestless.Ifanaimisxed,itisrestful.Concentrationisimpossibleaslongastherearetendencies
[samskaras].Devotion]isalsoobstructed.Practiceanddispassionarenecessary.Dispassionistheabsenceofdiusedthoughts,and
practiceisconcentrationononethoughtonly.Firmperseveranceisalsonecessary.Theoneispositiveandtheotherisanegativeaspect
ofmeditation.

Question:WhyisitthatsometimesIndconcentrationontheSelfsoeasy,andatothertimeshopelesslydicult?

Ramana:Becauseoflatenttendenciesofthemind.Butreally,itiseasy,sincewearetheSelf.Allwehavetodoistorememberthat.We
keeponforge ingit,andthusthinkwearethisbody,orthisego.IfthewillanddesiretoremembertheSelfarestrongenough,they

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willeventuallyovercometendencies.Theremustbeagreatba legoingoninwardlyallthetimeuntiltheSelfisrealised.Thisba leis
symbolicallyspokenofinscripturalwritingsastheghtbetweenGodandSatan.Inourtexts,itistheMahabharata,inwhichthe
demonsrepresentourbadthoughtsandthegodsourelevatedones.

WeallhavetoreturntoourSource.EveryhumanbeingisseekingtheirSourceandmustonedaycometoit.WecamefromtheWithin;
wehavegoneoutwardandnowwemustturninward.Whatismeditation?ItisournaturalSelf.Wehavecoveredourselvesoverwith
thoughtsandpassions.Tothrowthemowemustconcentrateononethought:theSelf.

CONTROL OF MIND

Question:Whicheverwayoneturns,onendsthatthemindhastobesubdued.Wearetoldithastobecontrolled.Canthisreallybe
donewhenontheonehandthemindisanentitynoteasilygraspedandontheother,onecontinuestohaveworldlyworries?

Ramana:Hmm.Apersonwhohasneverseenanoceanmustmakeatriptoknowaboutit.Standingtherebeforethehugeexpanseof
water,thispersonmaywishtobatheintheocean.Ofwhatuseisitifseeingtheroaringandrollingofthewaves,heweretojuststand
therethinking,Ishallwaitforallthistosubside.Whenitdoes,Ishallenteritforaquietbathjustasinthepondbackhome.Hehas
torealiseeitherbyhimselforbybeingtold,thattheoceanisrestlessnessandthatithasbeensofromthemomentofcreationandwill
continuelikewiseuntilitsdissolution.Hewillthenresolvetolearntobatheinit,asitis.Hemaywadeintoitbyandby,andperhaps,
throughpriorinstruction,learntoduckunderawaveandletitpassoverhim.Hewouldnaturallyholdhisbreath.Whiledoingso,
soonhewouldbeskilledenoughtoduck,atastretch,waveafterwave,andthusachievethepurposeofbathingwithoutcomingto
grief.Theoceanmaygoonandthoughinit,heisfreefromitsgrip.

Question:WhenIamengagedinenquiryastotheSourcefromwhichIspringsIarriveatastageofstillnessofmind.Theexperience
ispleasing.Ihavenothoughtofanykindandthereisemptinessorblankness.ShouldIcontinuethispractice?

Ramana:Suchaconditioniscalledmanolayaortemporarystillnessofthought.Assoonasitceases,thoughts,oldandnew,rushinas
usual.Itwillneverend.Thepractitionermustthereforebeeveronthealertandenquirewithinastowhohasthisexperience,whois
awareofitspleasantness?Failingthisenquiryhewouldfallintoalongtrance.

Question:Sometimes,afterstillnessofthoughtsintervenes,Iusedtohearsomesoundslikewhatisheardneararollingmillora
whistle.

Ramana:Askwhohearsthesound?Repeatthequestionnowandthen.

Question:Ihavenotlearnttocontrolmymind.SoIintendtoseeklifeinsolitudeinNorthIndiaandwantSriBhagavansGrace.

Ramana:YouhavecomeallthewaytoTiruvannamalaiforsolitudeandthattoointheimmediatepresenceandvicinityofRamana
Bhagavan,yetyoudonotappeartohaveobtainedmentalquiet:nowyouwanttogoelsewhereandfromthereyouwilldesiretogoto
someotherplace.Atthisratetherewillbenoendtoyourtravels.Youdonotrealisethatitisyourmindwhichdrivesyouinthis
manner.Controlyourmindrstandyouwillbehappywhereveryouare.Onemusta empttogettotheverybo omfromwhich
thoughtspringsandrootoutthought,desireandmind.

Question:WhenIspentanhourortwoonthehillyonder,Isometimesfoundevenbe erpeacethanhere,whichsuggeststhata
solitaryplaceisafterallmoreconducivetomindcontrol.

Ramana:True,butifyouhadstayedthereanhourlonger,youwouldhavefoundthatplaceisnotgivingyouthecalmyouspeakof.
Controlthemindandevenhellwillbeheaventoyou.

Question:Ifsolitudeandabandonmentisnotrequired,wherewasthenecessityforBhagavantocomehereintheseventeenthyear?

Ramana:Ifthesameforcethattookthis[meaninghimself]here,shouldtakeyoualsooutofyourhomebyallmeansletit,butthereis
nousedesertingyourhomebyaneortofyourown.Yourdutyliesinpractice,continuouspracticeofSelfenquiry.

Question:WhydidBhagavanleaveSkandasramam?

Ramana:ThesamepowerwhichbroughtmefromMaduraitoTiruvannamalaigotmedownherefromthehill.Ihadnovolition
whatsoever.

SAMADHI

Question:Whatissamadhi?

Ramana:WhenthemindisincommunionwiththeSelfinignorance,itiscallednidra[sleep].Involutioninaconsciousorwakeful
stateissamadhi.SamadhiiscontinuousinherenceintheSelfinawakingstate.Nidra,orsleep,isalsoinherenceintheSelfbutinan
unconsciousstate.Insahajasamadhithecommunioniscontinuous.

Question:Whatarekevalanirvikalpasamadhiandsahajanirvikalpasamadhi?

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Ramana:TheinvolutionofthemindintheSelf,butwithoutitsdestruction,iskevalanirvikalpasamadhi.Therearefourobstaclesin
this,namely:[i]vacillationofmind.[ii]lifebreathorprana,[iii]body,and[iv]thatwhichisperceived[drishti].

Inkevalanirvikalpasamadhioneisnotfreefrominherenttendencies[vasanas]anddoesnot,therefore,a ainliberation.Onlyafterthe
mentalimpressions[samskaras]havebeendestroyedcanonea ainsalvation.

Question:Ifthisissahajasamadhiandthemostdesirablecondition,istherenoneedfornirvikalpasamadhi?

Ramana:ThenirvikalpasamadhiofRajaYogamayhaveitsuse.Butinjnana,thisnaturalstateorthisstateofsteadyabidanceinthe
Selfitselfisthenirvikalpastate.Forinthisstatethemindisfreefromdoubts.ItissureoftheTruth.ItfeelsthepresenceoftheReal.
Evenwhenitisactive,itknowsitisactiveintheReality,theSelf,theSupremeBeing.

Question:Howcanactionwhichissubduedinsamadhiemergeandcontinuetofunction?

Ramana:TheallpervadingInniteSelfbringsabouttheactions.Theyareperformedthroughthesensesandlimbs.Themansegois
doingnothing.Itisalsoincapableofdoinganything.Whenanauthoriswritingheissoabsorbedinhisideas,thatheforgetsheis
writingwithapenwithhisownhand.Heisunawareofhisbody.Oncetheconsciousnessdawnsthatheisthepersonthatiswritingit,
thatitishishandandhispenthatwritesit,theowofhisideasisarrested.HecomesdownfromtheSelfabsorptionandbecomes
awareofhispen,andhand,andsoisnotabletowrite.Thepen,thehand,etc.,areinanimateobjectsandthepoweroftheSelfaloneis
capableofgivinglifetothemandmakingthemwork.

TheresultsofonesactionsdonotaecttheSelf.Thelightningandthethunderproducedonaccountoftheclashofcloudsinthesky
donotaectthesky.IfwerealisethatwearepartandparceloftheforceoftheSelf,therewouldbenoreasonwhyweshouldfalteror
getconfused.

Question:Howdoesapersonofsteadyknowledge[jnani]knowthatheisonesuch?Isitbecauseoftheawarenessoffullnessofhis
knowledge?Orisitbecauseofcessationofobjectiveawareness?

Ramana:Inthermnaturalstate,throughthesilenceofthemindfreeofalltendencies,theknowerknowshimselfassuch,without
anydoubt.

SELF REALISATION

Question:ForseekersofTruthisthecriticalstudyofthescripturesaloneenoughforknowledge?

Ramana:ThereisnodoubtthatmerecriticalstudyofscripturescannotliberatetheoneseekingTruth.Withoutupasana,spiritual
practice,therecannotbea ainment.Thisiscertain.Experienceofthenaturalstateduringspiritualpracticeiscalledupasana.When
thatitselfisunwaveringlya aineditiscalledtrueknowledge.

Question:FortwentyveyearsIhavebeendoingspiritualdisciplines,mostlyrepeatingthenameofKrishna.UntilnowIwas
managingftythousandrepetitionsaday.NowmymindrefusestoengageitselfinthoughtofGod.Whathashappenedtomeand
whatshouldIdo?

Ramana:HowdidyoucomeherefromMadras?

Question:Bytrain.

Ramana:AndthenwhathappenedwhenyougottothestationatTiruvannamalai?

Question:Well,Igotothetrain,handedmyticketsandengagedabullockcarttotakemetotheashram.

Ramana:Andwhenyoureachedtheashramandpaidothedriverofthecartwhathappenedtothecart?

Question:Itwentaway,presumablybacktothetown.

Ramana:Thetrainbroughtyoutoyourdestination.Yougotoanddidntneeditanymore.Ithadbroughtyoutotheplaceyou
wantedtoreach.Likewisethebullockcart.YougotowhenithadbroughtyoutoSriRamanasramam.Youdontneedthetrainorthe
cartanymore.Theywerethemeansforbringingyouhere.Nowyouarehere,theyareofnousetoyou.

Thisiswhathappenedtoyourspiritualpracticeyourjapa,yourreadingandyourmeditationhavebroughtyoutoyourspiritual
destination.Youdontneedthemanymore.Youyourselfdidnotgiveupyourpractices;theyleftyouoftheirownaccordbecausethey
haveservedtheirpurpose.Youhavearrived.

Question:Howisonetostudyoneself?

Ramana:Youcanstudyitonlyiftherearetwoselves,onewhichstudiesandotherwhichisstudied.ToremainastheSelfistostudy
theSelf.IfyoustudytheVedasandtheShastrasyoumaygetduerespectintheworld.Societywillthendecorateyourneckwith
garlands,readyoucomplimentaryle ers,giveyougoodfood,agreatnameandmuchmoney.Butallthesethingswillbegreat
obstaclesforjnanaandspiritualdiscipline.

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Question:Swami,Idonotwantanything.Justgivemeliberation.

Ramana:[laughingheartily]Isliberationacommodityforsale?HaveIsecreteditsomewhere?Renouncingeverythingisliberation.Is
thereanythingseparateformetogive?

Question:CanweatleasthaveaglimpseoftherealSelfeveryday?

Ramana:Betweensleepandwakingthereisamomentarytwilight.ThewakingconsciousnessbeginswiththeIthought.Justbefore
theupsurgeoftheIthoughtthereisasplitsecondofundierentiatedpureconsciousness.Firstunconsciousness,thenthelightof
pureconsciousness,thentheIthoughtwithwhichworldconsciousnessoodsin.Thisistheorder.ThemiddlestateisSelf
awareness.Wecansenseitifwearesucientlyalertandwatchful.

Question:Bhagavan,Ihavebeencominghereforthepastseveralyears,butstillthereisnoprogress.Iamjustasbadasinneras
before.

Ramana:Therearenomilestonesinthispath.Howcanyoubesurehowfaryouhavetravelled?Whydontyoufollowtherstclass
passenger?Heinformstheguardabouthisdestination,closesthedoorandsleepssoundly.Thatisallheneedstodo.Theguardwill
wakehimatthecorrectstation.

Question:Bhagavan,allmyeortstoabideintheSourcehaveprovedfutile.

Ramana:Keepatyourpractice.ThereisnoneedtoremindGodabouthisbusinesswhichistokeepaneyealwaysonyourwelfare.
OneispronetoabandoneortunderthemistakenimpressionthatGodsGraceisabsent.Butoneshouldnotslacken,forGodsGrace
isboundtooperateattheripetime.

Question:Bhagavan,willyougraciouslybestowSelfrealisationonme?

Ramana:Asoneenquiresforwhomisthisrealisation,onesindividualitygoes,andwiththatthedelusionthattheSelfhasnotbeen
realiseddropso.ThisaloneistheGraceoftheGuru.TheGurucanonlydispelthedelusionthatSelfisyettoberealisedbuttogrant
Selfrealisationisimpossible.ToprayforthegrantofSelfrealisationislikeasking,Givemyselftome.Becauseoftheidentication
withthebody,therearisesthedelusionthatIamanindividual.ThatcreatesthefurtherdelusionthattheGuruisanindividualother
thanmyself.ReallytheGuruisnototherthantheSelf.

Question:PleasegivemesomepracticalguidanceforSelfrealisation.

Ramana:[quotingfromtheBible]BestillandknowthatIamGod.

Question:ItisstatedinthescripturesthattheSelfwillrevealitselfonlytoonewhomitchooses.Thenwhatistheuseofoureorts?

Ramana:TheSelfwilldrawtoitselfanaspirantonlywhenhebecomesintroverted.SolongasheisextrovertedSelfrealisationis
impossible.ManypeopletrytodenetheSelfinsteadofa emptingtoknowtheSelf.

Question:WhatisSelfrealisation?

Ramana:Peopleexpectsomethingtohappen,somethingtodropfromheaveninaash.Itisnothingofthesort.Onlythenotionthat
youarethebody,thatyouarethisorthatwillgo.Youwillremainasyouare.

Question:IfeelIhavetheexperienceoftheSelf,butmyminddoesnotagreewiththat.

Ramana:Whatarethesetwoselves,oneobjectingtotheother?ExperienceforallisthattheSelfisonlyone.

Question:WhatisthenatureoftheSelf?

Ramana:AbideintheSelf,freefromthoughts,insteadofenquiringaboutthenatureoftheSelf.

Question:IfeelthatSelfrealisationisnoeasythingtoreach.

Ramana:Whystultifyyourselfbyanticipatingfailureinyourcourse?Pushon.Thereyouare.

Question:AfterIsurrender,willitbepossibleformetocarryonwithmywork?

Ramana:Ofcourse!ButthethoughtIamdoingitwillnotarise.

Question:IftheIthoughtisnotthere,howwillmydutiesgetdone?

Ramana:Whateveryougetpaidfor,youdowithindierence.Dischargeyourfamilydutieswiththesameindierencethatyou
dischargeyourocework.Thethingsthatcomeandgoinyourocedontcauseyoutoworry.Doallyourjobsanddutieswiththis
samedetachment.

Question:Dicultieskeepcomingtome.Whenwilltheystop?

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Ramana:IfyougiveuptheIamthebodyideaallyourdicultieswillyaway.

Question:Ifwakinganddreamstatesarenotdierent,canamanrealisetheSelfinthedreamstate?

Ramana:FirstrealisetheSelfinthewakingstateandthenraisethequestion.

POWER

Question:Yousaythatthetrinityofknower,knownandknowledgeisanappearanceandthatthereisaunitybehindit,supportingit.
Whatisthisunity,isitapowerfulone?

Ramana:Itisanallpowerfulexistence.

Question:Youhaveoftensaid,andthebooksalsosay,thatReality[Brahman]isimmobile.Nowyousayitisallpowerful.Doesitnot
thenmove?

Ramana:Powerimpliesmovement.ThoughReality[Ishwara]movesbyHispower,whichismovement,Hetranscendsthemovement;
Heisunmoving,beyondmovement.

Question:Istherenodierencebetweenthepower[shakti]andthepowerful[shakta]?

Ramana:No.Thatdependsuponyoura itude.ThereisonlyoneTruth.Lookingatthemovement,onecallsitpower.Another,
se linghimselfinthesupportofthemovement,callsitunmoving.Iftheformerisactivity,thela eristheground,supportor
substance.Forceandsubstanceareinseparable,areindeedtwoaspectsofoneandthesameTruth.Only,withoutthemovementofthe
powertherealsubstanceisnotapprehended.

Question:Whatisthetruecharacterofpower?

Ramana:ItiscoevalwiththeEternalReality;ithasnoexistenceapartfromHim.ItistheEternalactivityofReality,creatingthemyriad
ofworlds.

Question:Worldsarecreatedandtheyperish.HowcanyousaythatthisactivityisEternal?

Ramana:Supposingalltheworldsincourseoftimearedissolved,stilltheypersistinactivitythroughlyinglatent.Thatistosay,
powerdoesnotperish.Whatthenisthismovement?Everymomentthereiscreation,everymomentdestruction.Thereisnoabsolute
creation,noabsolutedestruction.Botharemovement,andthatisEternal.

Question:ThenshallItakeitthatpowerandsubstancearebothaspectsofthesameTruth?

Ramana:Yes,butthiswholemovement,theentirecreation,calledaplayofshakti,isaformulationoftheLord[Reality].Ifthisformis
transcended,whatremainsistherealformortherealnature.

topofthepage

TRUTH AND LIBERATION

Question:WhatistheTruththatIhavetoa ain?Pleaseexplainitandshowittome.

Ramana:Whatwehavetoa ainandwhatisdesiredbyeveryoneisendlesshappiness.Althoughweseektoa ainitinvariousways,it

isnotsomethingtobesoughtora ainedasanewexperience.OurrealnatureistheIfeelingwhichisalwaysexperiencedby
everyone.Itiswithinusandnowhereelse.Althoughwearealwaysexperiencingit,ourmindsarewandering,alwaysseekingit,
thinkinginignorancethatitissomethingapartfromus.Thisislikeapersonsayingwithhisowntonguethathehasnotongue.

Question:Iamnowsi ingpeacefullywithoutthethoughtIamthisbody.IsthisthestateofReality?

Ramana:Thisstatemustremainasitiswithoutanychange.Ifitchangesafterawhileyouwillknowthatotherthoughtshavenot
gone.

Question:Whatisthewaytogetridofotherthoughts?

Ramana:Theycanonlyberemovedthroughthepowerfuleectoftheenquiry,Towhomhavethesethoughtscome?

Question:WhatisthewaytoseeGod?

Ramana:WheretoseeGod?First,canyouseeyourself?IfyoucanseeyourselfyoucanseeGod.Cananyoneseehisowneyes?
Becausetheycannotbeseen,canonesay,Ihavenoeyes?Justlikethis,thoughseeingisalwaysthere,wecannotseeGod.Togiveup
thethoughtthatwearealientoGodistoseeGod.Therstandforemostwonderinthisworldisthethought,Iamdierentfrom
God.Thereisnogreaterwonderthanthis.

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Question:IhavereadmuchoftheVedasandthescriptures,butnoSelfknowledgehascometome.Whyisthis?

Ramana:Selfknowledgewillcometoyouonlyifitisthereinthescriptures.Ifyouseethescriptures,knowledgeofthescriptureswill
come.IfyouseetheSelf,Selfknowledgewillshine.

Question:HowtoseetheSelf?

Ramana:EveryonesaysIam.Howdoweknowthatthisistrue?Doweknowthisbylookinginthemirrorordoweknowitonly
afterlookinginthescriptures?Tellme.

IftheSelfissomethingtobeseen,thereshouldbetwoselves,theselfwhichlooksandtheSelfwhichisseen.Wouldyouagreethatyou
havetwoIs?

Question:No.

Ramana:TheRealitythatexistsisonlyOne.Thenhowcantherebeanotherselfwhichistobeseen?AllareseeingtheSelfeverywhere
buttheydontunderstand.Whatapity!Whattodo?IfthethoughtIamthisbodyisgivenup,whatisseenisonlytheSelf.

Question:YouhavestatedthatknowledgeoftheSelfisveryeasy.Howisthisveryeasy?

Ramana:Asanexampleofdirectperceptioneveryonewillquotethesimileofthenellikai[similartoagooseberry]placedinthepalm
ofthehand.TheSelfisevenmoredirectlyperceivablethanthefruitonthepalm.Toperceivethefruittheremustbethefruit,thepalm
toplaceitonandtheeyestoseeit.Themindshouldalsobeintheproperconditiontoprocesstheinformation.Withoutanyofthese
fourthings,eventhosewithveryli leknowledgecansayoutofdirectexperience,Iam.BecausetheSelfexistsjustasthefeelingI
am,Selfknowledgeisveryeasyindeed.Theeasiestpathistoseetheonewhoisgoingtoa aintheSelf.

Question:WhycannottheSelfbeperceiveddirectly?

Ramana:OnlytheSelfissaidtobedirectlyperceived[pratyaksha].Nothingelseissaidtobepratyaksha.Althoughwearehavingthis
pratyaksha,thethoughtIamthisbodyisveilingit.Ifwegiveupthisthought,theSelf,whichisalwayswithinthedirectexperience
ofeveryone,willshineforth.

Question:SriBhagavanhasstatedthissosimply.ButthethoughtIamthebodydoesnotleaveus.

Ramana:Itisnotleavingyoubecauseitisverystrong.

Question:Whyandhowdidthatthoughtcomeintobeing?

Ramana:Itcameintobeingonlythroughalackofenquiryonyourpart.AverseinKaivalyaNavanitamgivesthesameexplanation:
Becauseitsnatureisnotdeterminable,theillusion[maya]issaidtobeinexpressible.Theyareinitsgripwhothink:Thisismine,I
amthebody,Theworldisreal.Oson,noonecanascertainhowthismysteriousillusioncameintobeing.Astowhyitarose,itis
becauseofthepersonslackofdiscerningenquiry.

IfweseetheSelf,theobjectswhichareseenwillnotappearasseparatefromus.Havingseenallthele ersonapaper,wefailtosee
thatpaperwhichisthebase.Likewise,sueringonlyarisesbecauseweseewhatissuperimposedonthebasewithoutseeingthebase
itself.Whatissuperimposedshouldnotbeseenwithoutalsoseeingthesubstratum.

Howwereweinsleep?Whenwewereasleepthevariousthoughtssuchasthisbody,thisworldwerenotthere.Itshouldbe
diculttoidentifywiththesewakinganddreamingstatesthatappearanddisappear,buteveryonedoesit.

Everyonehastheexperience,Ialwaysam.InordertosayIsleptwell,Iawoke,Idreamt,WhenunconsciousIknewnothing,it
isnecessarythatoneexists,andknowsthatoneexists,inallthesethreestates.IfoneseekstheSelf,saying,Idontseemyself,where
canonendit?ToknowthateverythingweseeistheSelf,itisenoughthattheIamthebodythoughtceasestoexist.

Question:Whatissatsang?

Ramana:SatsangmeansonlySelfsang,associationwiththeSelf.Onlythosewhocannotpracticethataretopracticebeinginthe
companyofrealisedbeingsorsadhus.

Question:Whendoesonegetthecompanyofsadhus?

Ramana:TheopportunitytobeinthecompanyofaSatgurucomeseortlesslytothosewhohaveperformedworshipofGod,japa,
tapas,pilgrimages,etc.forlongperiodsintheirpreviousbirths.ThereisaversebyTayumanuvarwhichpointsoutthesamething:O
Lordoftherstandlast,thosewhoproperlystarttheworshipofidols,holyplacesandsacredwaterswillmeettheSatguruwhowill
tellthemthewordsofTruth.

Onlyhewhohasdoneplentyofactionsperformedwithoutanythoughtofarewardorconsequence[nishkamyakarmas]inprevious
birthswillgetabundantfaithintheGuru.HavingfaithintheGuruswords,suchamanwillfollowthepathandreachthegoalof
liberation.

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Question:Wearelivinginaplacewherethereisnosadhu.Whatcanwedo?Wecannothavethedarshanofsadhuseveryday.

Ramana:Whattodo?Pictures,namesofGodandpujashavebeenformedforthispurpose.Onlythosewhohavea ainedtheGraceof
GodwillgettheGraceoftheGuru.OnlythroughtheGraceoftheGurucanonea aintheGraceoftheSelfwhichiswithin.Thatalone
isliberation.

Question:Thestateofsamadhi[experienceoftheSelf]hasnotyetcometome.

Ramana:Thatstatedoesnotcomeorgo.Itisourowneverexistingnaturalstate.

Question:CanItakeupthementala itudeIamBrahman[Reality]?

Ramana:IfyouassumeIamBrahmanyouwillreceivemanyblows.Why?BecauseeverythingisalreadyBrahman.Whyshoulditbe
assumed?IsitnecessarytoassumeIamaman?IfthethoughtIamthebodyisthere,thenitisnecessarytoassume,No,Iamnot
that.

Question:Istheappearanceofthedierentiateduniversetrueoruntrue?

Ramana:Itdependsonhowweregardthetermstrueanduntrue.IfwelookatBrahman,thereisnouniverse.

Question:Thenwhydoestheuniverseappear?

Ramana:Appeartowhom?TheuniversedoesnotsayIam.Isthereanyevidencetosaythattheuniverseappears?Towhomdoes
theuniverseappear?

Question:Tome.

Ramana:Whoareyou?Findoutwhoyouare.Thenafterwardstellmeifthereisauniverse.

Question:BecauseIhaveawifeandchildrenIhavemanyproblems.Icannotescapefromthem.

Ramana:Theoutermundaneactivitiescannotdoanythingtoyou.Onlytheinnermundaneactivitiesmustbegivenup.

Question:Thisonlylastsforveminutes.Thenitgetschanged.

Ramana:[afterkeepingquietforsometime]Thiskindofthoughtmustgo.Onecana aintheblissofRealityonlywhenthemind
becomespureandhumble,likeachilds.

Question:Bhagavan,Iwanttoa ainliberation.ForthatyoualonearemyGuru.Idonotseekanyoneelse.KindlybestowyourGrace
onme.

Ramana:Thea ainmentofliberationisnotsomenewachievement.Weareallintheformofliberation.Becauseweforgetthisand
insteadwronglythink,Iamthisbody,manythousandsofthoughtsariseinwaveafterwaveandconcealwhatwereallyare.
LiberationwillonlyshinewhenthisthoughtIamthebodyisdestroyed.

DAILY LIFE

Question:Howissilencepossiblewhenweareengagedinworldlytransactions?

Ramana:Whenwomenwalkwithwaterpotsontheirheads,theyareabletotalkwiththeircompanionswhileallthetimeremaining
intentonthewaterabove.Similarly,whenasageengagesinactivities,theydonotdisturbhimbecausehismindabidesinReality.

Thedicultyisthatpeoplethinktheyarethedoer;itisamistake.Itisthehigherpowerwhichdoeseverythingandpeopleareonlya
tool.Iftheyacceptthatposition,theywillbefreefromtroubles,otherwisetheycourtthem.Doyourworkwithoutanticipatingits
fruits.Thatisallthatyoushoulddo.

Question:Whyistheworldinignorance?

Ramana:Lettheworldtakecareofitself.Ifyouarethebody,thentherethegrossworldappears.Ifyouarethespirit,everythingisjust
spirit.Lookfortheego,anditvanishes.Ifyouenquire,ignorancewillbefoundtobenonexistent.Itisthemindwhichfeelsmisery
anddarkness.SeetheSelf.

Question:IfonealwaysrememberstheSelf,willonesactionsalwaysberight?

Ramana:Theyoughttobe,butsuchapersonisnotconcernedwiththerightorwrongofactions.HisactionsareGodsandtherefore
right.

Question:Inthispureatmosphere[withBhagavanatArunachala]itiseasytopractice,butintownsitisdicult.

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Ramana:WhenyouseethetrueSelf,isitnotapureatmosphere?Letthebodythinkwhatitwishes,butwhyshouldyouthinkso?Itis
verygoodifyoucanjustkeepquietwithoutengaginginanyotheractivities.Ifthatcantbedone,whatistheuseofbeingquiet?Even
ifyouareobligedtobeactive,donotgiveupyoura empttorealisetheSelf.

Question:Issolitudenecessaryforvichara[enquiry]?

Ramana:Solitudeiseverywhere.Theindividualisalwayssolitary.Ourbusinessistonditwithin,nottoseekitoutsideourselves.
NearlyallhumanbeingsaremoreorlessunhappybecausetheydonotknowthetrueSelf.RealhappinessabidesinSelfknowledge
alone.Allelseiseeting.ToknowonesSelfistobealwaysblissful.

Solitudeisinthemind.Apersonmightbeinthemidstoftheworldandyetmaintainserenity;suchaoneisinsolitude.Anothermay
stayinaremoteforestandstillbeunabletocontrolthemind;hecannotbesaidtobeinsolitude.Thosea achedtodesireareunableto
a ainsolitudewherevertheyare,whereasthosewhoaredetachedarealwaysinsolitude,eveniftheyareengagedinwork.When
workisperformedwitha achmentitisashackle.Solitudeisnotonlytobefoundinforests,itcanalsobehadinthemidstofworldly
occupations.

Question:ButhowcanIhelpanotherwithhisproblems?

Ramana:Whatisthistalkofanother?ThereisonlytheOne.TrytorealisethereisnoI,noyou,nohe,onlytheoneSelfwhichis
all.Ifyoubelieveintheproblemofanother,youarebelievinginsomethingoutsidetheSelf.Youwillhelphimbestbyrealisingthe
onenessofeverything,ratherthanbyoutwardactivity.

Question:Isitnecessarytogiveupworldlydesires?

Ramana:Whydowedesire?Enquire.Ifyoundnorealhappinessinyourdesires,thenyourmindwillnotbea ractedtothem.
However,subconscioustendenciesmaytemptyouthere,butyouwillreturn.

Whydoyouwantthelifeoffreedom?Thefactthatyoucraveitimpliesthatyouarebound.Butreallyyouareeverfree.Knowthat
Self,anddesireswillfallawayoftheirownaccord.Bringalldesiresandthoughtstoonepointwithin:thatisrealisation.Mindshould
bestill.Thebeebuzzesnoisilyaroundtheowerseekinghoney.Whenitndsit,itissilentandstill.Soitiswithapersonssoul,which
isseekingbydesirestheonetruehoney.

Question:Thedicultyistobeinthethoughtlessstateanda endtoduties.

Ramana:Letthethoughtlessstatebeofitself.Donotthinkofitaspertainingtoyourself.Whenyouwalk,youtakestepsinvoluntarily.
Letyourotheractionshappeninthesameway.Graduallyconcentrationwillbecomepleasantandeasyandyouwillbeinthatstate
whethera endingtobusinessorwhetheryousitexpresslyformeditation.Businesswillbealltheeasierforyouwhenyourmindis
steadiedandstrengthenedbyconcentration.

Question:HowcanmymindbestillifIhavetouseitmorethanotherpeople?Iwanttogointosolitudeandrenouncemyworkasa
headmaster.

Ramana:No.Youcanstaywhereyouareandgoonwithwork.Whatistheundercurrentwhichgiveslifetothemindandenablesitto
doallthiswork?Why,theSelf!So,thatistherealsourceofyouractivity.Simplybecomeawareofitduringyourworkanddonot
forgetit.Contemplateitinthebackgroundofyourmindevenwhileyouareworking.Todothat,donothurry!Takeyourtime,keep
theremembranceofyourrealnaturealive,evenwhileworking,andavoidhastewhichcausesyoutoforget.Bedeliberate.Practice
meditationtostillthemindandcauseittobecomeawareofitstruerelationshiptotheSelf,whichsupportsit.Donotimagineitisyou
whoaredoingthework.Thinkthatitistheunderlyingcurrentwhichisdoingit.Identifyyourselfwiththiscurrent.Ifyouwork
unhurriedly,recollectedly,yourworkorserviceneednotbeahindrance.

Question:Whatisthepurposeofallthesueringandevilintheworld?

Ramana:Yourquestionisitselfanoutcomeofthesuering.SorrowmakesonethinkofGod.Ifitwerenotforthesuering,wouldyou
haveaskedthequestion?Exceptforjnanis[realisedbeings],everybody,fromakingtoapeasant,hasacertainamountofsorrow.Even
incaseswhereitseemstobeabsentitisonlyama eroftimesoonerorlateritcomes.Also,onemaynotquestionsorroworGodat
therstblow,butoneislikelytoatthefth.Wehavetakenthisvehicle[thebody]inordertoknowourrealstate.

EGO

Question:Howtogetridofegoism?

Ramana:Justseeitforwhatitreallyis,thatwillbeenough.Itistheegoitselfwhichmakesaneorttogetridofitself,sohowcanit
die?Iftheegoistogo,thensomethingelsemustkillit.Williteverconsenttocommitsuicide?Sorstrealisewhatthetruenatureof
theegoisanditwillgoofitsownaccord.Examinethenatureoftheego:thatistheprocessofrealisation.Ifoneseeswhatonesreal
natureis,thatitselfwillgetridoftheego.Untilthenisitjustlikechasingonesownshadow;themoreoneadvancesthemoredistant
istheshadow.IfweleaveourownSelf,thentheegowillmanifestitself.Ifweseekourtruenature,thenegodies.Ifweareinourown
Reality,thenweneednottroubleabouttheego.

SeekyourSource.FindoutwherethethoughtIspringsfrom.WhatobjectcanwebesurerofandknowmorecertainlythanourSelf?

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Thisisdirectexperienceandcannotbedescribedfurther.IfthepresentIgoes,themindisknownforwhatitisamyth.What
remainsisthepureSelf.IndeepsleeptheSelfexistswithouttheperceptionofthebodyortheworld,andhappinessreigns.

Question:OnceIwasveryselfreliant,butinoldageIamafraid.Peoplelaughatme.

Ramana:Evenwhenyousaidyouwereselfreliant,itwasnotsoyouwereegoreliant.Ifyoulettheegogo,youwillachieverealSelf
reliance.Yourpridewasmerelytheprideoftheego.Solongasyouidentifyyourselfwiththeego,youwillperceiveothersas
individualstoo,andthentherewillberoomforpride.Letthatdrop,andyouwilldropothersegostoo,leavingnomoreroomfor
pride.

Solongasthereisasenseofseparation,onewillbeaictedbythoughts.IftheoriginalSourceisregainedandthesenseofseparation
isended,therewillbepeace.Considerwhathappenswhenastoneisthrownup:itleavesitssource,isprojectedup,triestocome
downandisalwaysinmotionuntilitregainsitssourcewhereitisatrest.Orlookatthewatersoftheocean:theyevaporate,form
cloudswhichareblownaboutbywinds,condenseintowater,andfallasrain.Thewatersrolldownthehilltopsinstreamsandrivers
untiltheyreachtheiroriginalsource,theocean,atwhichpointtheyareatpeace.Thusyouseethatwherethereisasenseofseparation
fromtheSource,thereisagitationandmovementuntilthesenseofseparationislost.Soitiswithyourself.Nowyouidentifyyourself
withyourbody,andthinkthatyouareseparate.YoumustregainyourSourcebeforethisfalseidenticationcanceaseandyoucanbe
happy.

Question:Whathappenstothecreatedegoafterthebodydies?

Ramana:EgoistheIthought.Initssubtleformitremainsathought,whereasinitsgrossaspectitembracesmind,sensesandthe
body.Theydisappearindeepsleepalongwiththeego,butstilltheSelfremains.Itwillbethesameindeath.Egoisnotanentity
independentoftheSelfinorderthatitmightbecreatedordestroyedbyitself.ItfunctionsasaninstrumentoftheSelfandperiodically
ceasestofunction,i.e.itappearsanddisappearsasbirthanddeath.

Question:HowcanIcontrolthemind?

Ramana:Seekthemind.Onbeingsought,itwilldisappear.Themindisonlyabundleofthoughts.Thethoughtsarisebecausethereis
athinker.Thethinkeristheego.Theego,ifsought,willvanishautomatically.Theegoandthemindarethesame.Theegoistheroot
thoughtfromwhichallotherthoughtsarise.Divewithin.Youarenowawarethatthemindrisesfromwithin.Sosinkwithinandseek.
YouneednoteliminatethewrongI.HowcantheIeliminateitself?Allthatyouneeddoistonditsoriginandabidethere.Thatis
asfarasyoureortscanextend.ThentheBeyondwilltakecareofitself.Youarehelplessthere;noeortcanrevealit.

Question:HowcanIdevelop?

Ramana:Whygoonpruningtheego?Thatisjustwhatitwantstobethecentreofa raction.Thefalseegoisassociatedwithobjects;
thesubjectaloneistheReality.Theworldisseeninthelightreectedbythemind.Themoonshinesbythereectedlightofthesun.
Whenthesunhasset,themoonisusefulforseeingthings,butwhenthesunrisesnooneneedsthemoon,eventhoughitisvisiblein
thesky.SoitiswiththemindandHeart.Themindisusedforseeingobjects.

TheSelfistherewhetheryousearchforitornot.ThecessationoffalseidenticationrevealstheSelfwhichiseternallyexisting.Thisis
calledrealisation.Theblanknessistheevilresultofsearchingthemind.Themindmustbeerasedoutofexistence.Seewhothethinker
is,whotheseekeris.Thenabideasthethinker,theseeker,andallthoughtswillthendisappear.Thategoispureegopurgedof
thoughts.ItisthesameastheSelf.

Question:HowcanIgetridoffear?

Ramana:Whatisfear?Itisonlyathought.WhenthereisnothingbesidestheSelf,thereisnoreasontofear.Whoseesanythingelse?
Theegoarisesrstandseesanobject;iftheegodoesnotexist,thentheSelfalonedoes,andtherecannotbeasecond.Onndingthe
Sourcewithin,therewillbenodoubt,nofear,andallotherthoughtscenteringaroundtheegowilldisappearalongwiththeego.
Weaknessorstrengthareinthemind.TheSelfisbeyondmind.

THE MEANING OF RELIGION

Question:Istheresuchathingasfreewill?

Ramana:Questionsoffateandfreewillariseonlytothosewhofailtolookintotherootofboth.Toknowthecauseisneverto
entertainthoughtsofeitherfateorfreewill.

EverythinginthisuniverseisrunbyoneSupremePower,butifpeoplewillnotkeeptothedestinedpathappointedforthem,butstray
beyonditslimits,thenGodpunishesthemandthroughthattheyturntowardstheSelf.Butwhenthepunishmentnishes,theystop
worshippingandsinagain,therebyinvitinganincreasedpunishment.Agitationoranxietyisasignofhavingstrayedfromdestiny,
whereasontheappointedpaththeywillremainpeacefulandcontent.TheyshouldabideintheSelfandnotseektostrayintodesires
andambitionsbeyondwhatGodgives,butbeegoless.

Surrenderandallwillbewell.ThrowallresponsibilityontoGod.Donotbeartheburden.Whatcandestinydothen?Ifonesurrenders
toGod,therewillbenocauseforanxiety.IfyouareprotectedbyGod,nothingwillaectyou.Thesenseofreliefisindirectproportion
totherelianceonGodortheSelf.

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WhenapersonsurrendersasaslavetotheDivine,eventuallythereistherealisationthatallonesactionsaretheactionsofGod.The
senseofIandminearelost.ThisiswhatismeantbydoingthewillofGod.ThosewhorealisethattheyhavelosttheirIness
[ahamkara],andthattheyarenotdierentfromIshwara[theSupremepersonalGod],arejnanis.

Question:Surrenderisimpossible.

Ramana:Yes,completesurrenderisimpossibleinthebeginning,butpartialsurrenderiscertainlypossibleforeveryoneandwill
eventuallyleadtoit.Well,ifsurrenderisimpossiblewhatcanbedone?Therewillbenopeaceofmindasyouarehelplesstobringit
aboutotherwise.Itcanbedoneonlybysurrender.

Question:Canpartialsurrenderundodestiny?

Ramana:Oh,yes!Itcan.

Question:Whatisselfsurrender?

Ramana:Itisthesameasselfcontrol.Controliseectedbytheremovalofinnatetendenciesofthemind[samskaras].Theegosubmits
onlywhenitrecognisesthehigherpower.Suchrecognitionissurrender;andisthesameasselfcontrol.Otherwisetheegoremainslike
thecarvedimagestuckuponatowermakingitappearasthoughitissupportingthetoweronitsshoulders.Theegocannotexist
withoutthehigherpowerbutthinksthatitactsofitsownaccord.Apassengeronatraincontinuestoholdhisloadonhisheadoutof
foolishness.Lethimputitdown;theloadwillreachhisdestinationjustthesame.Similarly,letusnotposeasthedoers,butresign
ourselvestotheguidingpower.

Question:Beingalwayssatchitananda[existenceconsciousnessbliss],whydoesGodplaceusindiculties?WhydidHecreate?

Ramana:DoesGodcomeandtellyouthatHehasplacedyouindiculties?Itisyouwhosayso.Itisagainwrong.Ifthatdisappears,
therewillbenoonetosaythatGodcreated.Thatwhichis,doesnotevensayIam,fordoesanythoughtarisethatIamnot?Onlyin
suchacaseshouldoneberemindingoneselfIam,otherwisenot.Forinstance,doesamansayalwaysIamaman?Hedoesnot.On
theotherhand,ifathoughtarisesthatheisacoworabualo,hehastoremindhimselfthatheisnotacow,butIamaman.This
wouldneverhappen.Itisthesamewithonesownexistenceandrealisation.

THE GURU AND SAGEHOOD

Ramana:Therealisedmanseeshimselfinotherstheyarenotdierentfromhimself.Withwisepeopleheiswise,butwiththe
ignoranthebecomesignorant,withchildrenhewillplayandwiththelearnedhewillbescholarly.

TheSelfrealisedoneisnottoberegardedasanidleroralazydrone.Hispowersdevelopincessantlyand,inthecourseoftime,he
maydevelopandmanifestoccultpowers,ifthatishiskarma.Thiswillbemerelyasortofsportforthejnani[realisedone]inthe
objectiveworld,ashehasnointerestorparticularpurposetoserve.Butifhisprarabdha[pastkarmatobeworkedout]isotherwise,
siddhis[supernaturalpowers]willnotmanifest,andthewiseone,whohabituallyandbynaturerestsintheAtman[Self],doesnot
seekanyotherpath.

Whenapersonhasrealised,aUniversallifecurrenttakespossessionofhimandhebecomesaninstrumentinItshands.Hisown
separatewillisgone.Thisistherealselfsurrender.Thisisthehighestkundalini[yogicpower],thisisrealbhakti[devotion],thisis
jnana[knowledgeoftheSelf].

TheuniversedoesnotexistapartfromtheSelf.Allevolution,allexternalobjectsarespunfromtheSelfanddisappearintoit.Where
doestheworlddisappeartowhenweenterdeepsleep?Weexistbuttheworldnolongerexists.Selfishencethesubstratumwhich
givesrealitytotheuniverse.IfourSelfdidnotexist,therewouldbenouniverseforus.TheRealityisintheSelf,therefore,notinthe
universe.Realisationofthiscomestotherealisedperson.

Thesageexperiencesthatheisthebody,justastheignorantpersondoes.ThedierenceisthattheignorantonebelievesthattheSelfis
connedtothebody,whereasthesageknowsthatthebodycannotremainapartfromtheSelf.TheSelfisInniteforhimandalso
includesthebody.

Question:Doestherealisedsageseetheworld?

Ramana:Yes,buthisoutlookdiers.Youarethescreen,theSelfcreatestheego,theegohasitsthoughtswhicharedisplayedtothe
worldlikecinemapicturesandthosethoughtsaretheworld.ButinrealitythereisnothingbuttheSelf.Allareprojectionsoftheego.

Cinemapicturesmove,buttrygoingtoholdontothem!Whatdoyouhold?Onlythescreen!Letthepicturesdisappear,andwhat
remains?Thescreenagain.Andsoitishere.EvenwhentheworldappearsthejnaniseesitonlyasamanifestationoftheSelf.

Thereisonlyonemindfunctioningthroughthevesenses.Thereisapowerworkingthroughthem,andtheirworkbeginsandends.
Theremustbeasubstratumonwhichtheiractivitiesdepend,asinglesubstratum.

Question:Thejnanisays,Iamthebody,andtheajnani[onewhohasnotrealisedtheSelf]says,Iamthebody.Whatisthe
dierence?

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Ramana:IamistheTruth.Thebodyisthelimitation.TheajnanilimitstheIwiththebody.TheIinsleepisapartfromthebody.
ThesameIisnowinthewakingstate.Thoughthoughttobeinthebody,Iisreallyoutsideit.ThewrongnotionisnotIamthe
bodyforitistheIthatsaysit[thebodybeinginsentientcannot].ThemistakeliesinthinkingthatIiswhatIisnot.Icannotbe
theinertbody.ThemovementsofthebodyareconfusedwiththemovementsoftheIandtheresultismisery.Whetherthebody
worksornot,Iremainsfreeandhappy.TheajnanisIisthebody.Thereisthewholeerror.ThejnanisIincludesthebodyand
thatisall.Someintermediateentityarisesandcausesconfusion.

Ifyouacceptonephilosophicalsystemthenyouareforcedtocondemntheothers.Achildandjnaniaresimilar.Incidentsinterestthe
childonlysolongastheylast.Itceasestothinkofthemaftertheyhavenished,whichshowsthattheydonotleaveanyimprintor
impressionsonthechild,anditisnotaectedbythemmentally.Itisthesamewiththesage.

Thereisaverse[sloka]intheBhagavadGitawhichsaysthatonewhoactswithouta achmenttothesensesandwithoutegoism,evenif
hekillstheenemy,doesnotmakeanykarma.Similarly,anilluminedoneisfreefromallpastkarmaandfromallpastvasanas
[inherenttendenciesofthemind].HowcantherebekarmaorvasanaswhentheI,theego,whichcausedorcausesthemhasbeen
destroyed?Evenifarealisedpersonweretodestroymanylivesinwar,nosinwouldtouchhispuresoul,sotheGitasays.

Therealisedoneknowsneitherpast,presentnorfuture.HeisabovetimeforhelivesinthetimelessSelf.Hedoesnotplanforthe
future.Whyshouldhe?ThereisnosenseofIinhimanylonger,heisdirectedbytheinnitepower.Hewilljustwatchandwaitand
seewhathappens.Heletsthingstaketheircourseandresignsalltothatabsolutepower,whichyoucancallGod,karmaorwhatever
youlike.Thereisnoegoisminhim,soheisquiet.

Question:ItisclaimedthattheGraceofIshwara[God]isnecessary.

Ramana:WeareIswara.ByseeingourselvesasHimwearehavinghisGrace.HisnatureisGrace.LeaveittoHim.Surrender
unreservedly,eitherbecauseyouadmityourinabilityandrequireahigherpowertohelpyou,orinvestigate,gointotheSourceand
mergeintheSelf.Godneverforsakesonewhohassurrendered.Ahigherpowerisleadingyou;letit.Itknowswhattodoandhowto
doit.Trustit.

Question:IprayforyourGraceashumaneortisfutilewithoutit.

Ramana:Botharenecessary.Thesunisshining,butyoumustturnandlookatitinordertocatchaglimpse.Similarly,individual
eortisnecessaryaswellasGrace.

Graceiswithinyou;ifitwereexternalitwouldbeuseless.GraceistheSelf;youareneveroutofitsreach.IfyouremembertheGuru,it
isbecauseyouhavebeenpromptedbytheSelf.IsntGracealreadythere?IsthereamomentwhenGraceisnotoperatinginyou?Your
remembranceoftheGuruistheforerunnerofGrace.Graceisboththeresponseandthestimulus.ThatistheSelfandthatisGrace.
Thereisnocauseforanxiety.

Question:HowdoestheGurusGraceleadtoSelfrealisation?

Ramana:Anaspirantbeginswithdissatisfaction.Notcontentwiththeworld,heseekssatisfactionofdesires,praystoGod,andhis
mindispuried.HislongingtoknowGodisgreaterthanhiswishtosatisfyhiscarnaldesires.ItisthenthatGodsGracebeginsto
manifest.HetakestheformofaGuruandappearstothedevotee,teachesthetruthandpuriesthemindbyhisteachingsandcontact.
Themindgainsstrengthandisabletoturninward.Withmeditation,itispuriedfurtherandremainsstillwithouttheslightestripple.
ThatexpanseistheSelf.TheGuruisbothexternalandinternal.Fromtheoutsidehepushesthemindinwards,andfromtheinsidehe
pullsthemindtowardstheSelfandhelpsitkeepquiet.ThatistheGrace.ThereisnodierencebetweenGod,GuruandSelf.

Question:Whydoyounotpreachtosetpeopleontherightpath?

Ramana:YouhavealreadydecidedthatIdonotpreach.DoyouknowwhoIamandwhatpreachingis?HowdoyouknowthatIm
notdoingit?Doespreachingconsistofmountingaplatformandharanguingpeople?Preachingissimplythecommunicationof
knowledge.Itmayalsobedoneinsilence.Whatdoyouthinkofsomeonelisteningtoaspeechforanhourandgoingaway
unimpressed?Comparethatwithanotherwhositsintheholypresenceandgoesawayaftersometimewiththeiroutlookonlifetotally
changed.Whichisbe erpreachingloudlywithouteect,orsi ingsilentlyemanatingintuitiveforcesthatinuenceothers?

THE NATURE OF THE SELF

Question:WhenamanrealisestheSelf,whatwillhesee?

Ramana:Thereisnoseeing.Seeingisonlybeing.ThestateofSelfrealisation,aswecallit,isnota ainingsomethingneworreaching
somegoalwhichisfaraway,butsimplybeingthatwhichyoualwaysareandwhichyoualwayshavebeen.Allthatisneededisthat
yougiveupyourrealisationofthenottrueastrue.Allofusareregardingasrealthatwhichisnotreal.Wehaveonlytogiveupthis
practiceonourpart.ThenweshallrealisetheSelfastheSelf;inotherwords,BetheSelf.Atonestageyouwilllaughatyourselffor
tryingtodiscovertheSelfwhichissoselfevident.So,whatcanwesaytothisquestion?

Question:WhatisthedierencebetweenthemindandtheSelf?

Ramana:Thereisnodierence.ThemindturnedinwardsistheSelf;turnedoutwards,itbecomestheegoandalltheworld.Themind

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doesnotexistapartfromtheSelf,thatis,ishasnoindependentexistence.TheSelfexistswithoutthemind,neverthemindwithoutthe
Self.Co onmadeintovariousclotheswecallbyvariousnames.Goldmadeintovariousornaments,wecallbyvariousnames.Butall
theclothesareco onandalltheornamentsaregold.Theoneisreal,themanyaremerenamesandforms.

Question:Inwhatsenseishappinessorblissourrealnature?

Ramana:PerfectblissisReality.PerfectpeaceisoftheSelf.Thataloneexistsandisconsciousness.Thatwhichiscalledhappinessis
onlythenatureofSelf;Selfisnototherthanperfecthappiness.Thatwhichiscalledhappinessaloneexists.Knowingthatfactand
abidinginthestateofSelf,enjoyblisseternally.

Ifamanthinksthathishappinessisduetoexternalcausesandhispossessions,itisreasonabletoconcludethathishappinessmust
increasewiththeincreaseofpossessionsanddiminishinproportiontotheirdiminution.Thereforeifheisdevoidofpossessions,his
happinessshouldbenil.Whatistherealexperienceofman?Doesitconformtothisview?

Indeepsleepmanisdevoidofpossessions,includinghisownbody.Insteadofbeingunhappyheisquitehappy.Everyonedesiresto
sleepsoundly.Theconclusionisthathappinessisinherentinmanandisnotduetoexternalcauses.OnemustrealisetheSelfinorder
toopenthestoreofunalloyedhappiness.

SELF- AWARENESS AND SELF- IGNORANCE

Question:HowshallIreachtheSelf?

Ramana:ThereisnoreachingtheSelf.IfSelfweretobereached,itwouldmeanthattheSelfisnothereandnowandthatitisyettobe
obtained.Whatisgotafreshwillalsobelost.Soitwillbeimpermanent.Whatisnotpermanentisnotworthstrivingfor.SoIsaythe
Selfisnotreached.YouaretheSelf,youarealreadythat.

Thefactis,youareignorantofyourblissfulstate.IgnorancesupervenesanddrawsaveiloverthepureSelfwhichisbliss.A emptsare
directedonlytoremovethisveilofignorancewhichismerelywrongknowledge.Thewrongknowledgeisthefalseidenticationof
theSelfwiththebodyandthemind.Thisfalseidenticationmustgo,andthentheSelfaloneremains.

Thereforerealisationisforeveryone;realisationmakesnodierencebetweentheaspirants.Thisverydoubt,whetheryoucanrealise,
andthenotionIhavenotrealisedarethemselvestheobstacles.Befreefromtheseobstaclesalso.

Question:Ofwhatnatureistherealisationofwesternerswhorelatethattheyhavehadashesofcosmicconsciousness?

Ramana:Itcameasaashanddisappearedassuch.Thatwhichhasabeginningmustalsoend.Onlywhentheeverpresent
consciousnessisrealisedwillitbepermanent.Consciousnessisindeedalwayswithus.EveryoneknowsIam.Noonecandenyhis
ownbeing.Themanindeepsleepisnotaware;whileawakeheseemstobeaware.Butitisthesameperson.Thereisnochangeinthe
onewhosleptandtheonewhoisnowawake.Indeepsleephewasnotawareofhisbodyandsotherewasnobodyconsciousness.In
thewakefulstateheisawareofhisbodyandsothereisbodyconsciousness.Thereforethedierenceliesintheemergenceofbody
consciousnessandnotinanychangeintherealconsciousness.

ThereisnoonewhodoesnotsayIam.ThewrongknowledgeofIamthebodyisthecauseofallthemischief.Thiswrong
knowledgemustgo.Thatisrealisation.Realisationisnotacquisitionofanythingnewnorisitanewfaculty.Itisonlyremovalofall
camouage.

TheultimateTruthissosimple.Itisnothingmorethanbeinginthepristinestate.Thisisallthatneedbesaid.

Question:Doesmyrealisationhelpothers?

Ramana:Yes,certainly.Itisthebesthelppossible.Buttherearenootherstobehelped.ForarealisedbeingseesonlytheSelf,justlikea
goldsmithestimatingthegoldinvariousitemsofjewelryseesonlygold.Whenyouidentifyyourselfwiththebodythenonlytheforms
andshapesarethere.Butwhenyoutranscendyourbody,theothersdisappearalongwithyourbodyconsciousness.

Question:HavingheardtheTruth,whydoesnotoneremaincontent?

Ramana:Becauseinnatementaltendencies[samskaras]havenotbeendestroyed.Unlessthesamskarasceasetoexist,therewillalways
bedoubtandconfusion.Alleortsaredirectedtodestroyingdoubtandconfusion.Todosotheirrootsmustbecut.Theirrootsarethe
samskaras.ThesearerenderedineectivebypracticeasprescribedbytheGuru.TheGuruleavesittotheseekertodothismuchso
thathemighthimselfndoutthatthereisnoignorance.HearingtheTruthistherststage.Iftheunderstandingisnotrm,onehasto
practicereection[manana]anduninterruptedcontemplation[nididhyasana]onit.Thesetwoprocessesscorchtheseedsofsamskaras
sothattheyarerenderedineective.

Someextraordinarypeoplegetunshakablejnana[knowledgeoftheSelf]afterhearingtheTruthonlyonce.Thesearetheadvanced
seekers.Beginnerstakelongertogainit.

Question:WhydoIfeelunhappywhenIaminVelloreandfeelpeaceinyourpresence?

Ramana:Canthefeelinginthisplacebebliss?Whenyouleavethisplaceyousayyouareunhappy.Thereforethispeaceisnot

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permanent,itismixedwithunhappinesswhichisfeltinanotherplace.Thereforeyoucannotndblissinplacesandinperiodsoftime.
Itmustbepermanentinorderthatitmaybeuseful.Itisyourownbeingwhichispermanent.BetheSelfandthatisbliss.Youare
alwaysThat.

TheSelfisalwaysrealised.Itisnotnecessarytoseektorealisewhatisalreadyandalwaysrealised.Foryoucannotdenyyourown
existence.Thatexistenceisconsciousness,theSelf.

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