Ramana Maharshi on yogas from RM club

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In the inmost core, the Heart

Shines as Brahman alone,

As 'I-I', the Self aware.

Enter deep into the Heart

By searching for Self, or diving deep,

Or with breath under check.

Thus abide ever in Atman.

 

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This verse reveals the Self and three

methods for the Realisation of the

Self which encompass Jnana, Bhakti

and Yoga. hrdayakuharamadhye kevalam brahmamAtram

 

In the interior cave of the Heart,

Brahman alone shines, no more-no less.

This Heart is the seat of the Self.

This Heart is none other than Brahman.

 

You are always in the Heart. You are,

indeed, this Heart. This is the Self.

In truth the Self is without location.

but in order to help the sadhak and

to give direction, in His compassion,

Sri Bhagavan has pointed us towards

the middle of our being.

 

'The Heart is not physical; it is

spiritual. Hridayam = hrit + ayam =

This is the centre. It is that from

which thoughts arise, on which they

subsist and where they are resolved

 

The thoughts are the content of the

mind and, they shape the universe.

The Heart is the centre of all.

Yatova imani bhutani jayante (that

from which these beings come into

existence) etc. is said to be Brahman

in the Upanishads. That is the Heart

 

Brahman is the Heart.' (Talk; 97)

We should not allow ourselves to be

drawn by distinctions of physical and

spiritual. The physical is entirely

dependent on the spiritual. The

spiritual is never dependent on the

physical (i.e. the distinction is

simply false perception) Although

referred to as Heart-centre this is

entirely without centre or

circumference; everything, body and

all else, exists within it.

 

'This space within the Heart is as

vast as the (physical) space outside

Indeed, within it are both heaven

and earth; fire and air; sun and moon;

lightning and stars. Whatever is in

this world and whatever is not...all

that is established within it.'

(Chandogya Upanishad, 8.1.3)

hyahamahamiti sAkshAdAtmarupeNa bhAti

 

As 'I', as 'I', the Self aware; Self-evidently shining. Continuous and

uninterrupted.

 

D. : 'What is the Heart?'

 

M. : 'It is the seat (if such could be said of it) of the Self.

 

D. : 'Is it the physical heart?'

 

M. : 'No. It is the seat wherefrom 'I' - 'I' arises.'

 

(from Talk; 52)

 

Can we recognise/experience the Self

in the body? Yes we can. Atma Vicara

is the key. Once unlocked the 'I' - 'I'

consciousness shines forth directly, unobstructed. How do we submerge the

mind in the Heart? Three methods are suggested.

 

Quest for Self. This is Jnana.

 

Diving deep. This is bhakti.

Attraction of/to the Self with or

without attributes.

 

Breath control. This is the path of

Yoga. In essence all three are

resolved in one (atmavicara). 'Thus

abide ever in Atman.'

 

Ever Yours in Sri Bhagavan,

 

k