Fwd: Talks with Sri Ramana Maharshi - Talk 13.

[Guest guest]

ThePowerOfSilence , ramana bhakta

<ramana_bhakta_0> wrote:

 

6th January, 1935

 

Talk 13.

 

Mrs. M. A. Piggot, an English lady,

who had read " Search in Secret India " ,

came to see the Maharshi.

 

The services of a disciple as interpreter

were provided. There were many visitors

at the time in the hall, including some

ladies with their infants. The place

resounded with noise. At length silence

prevailed. Suddenly Maharshi, who seemed

to be looking at infinite space, was heard

to say softly, " Monkey " ! A little baby was

then discovered in the doorway (unobserved

by the mother who was seated on the other

side of the door) with a large monkey standing

on his hind legs, who with both hands was

fondling the child not hurting it in the

slightest, both being at peace with each other

in Maharshi's presence. When Maharshi's voice

was heard the monkey jumped away adroitly and

disappeared. The incident greatly impressed

the lady.

 

 

7th January, 1935

 

" Is a Master necessary for realisation? "

Mrs. Piggot asked first.

 

M.: The realisation is the result of the Master's

grace more than teachings, lectures, meditation, etc.

 

They are only secondary aids, whereas the former is

 

the primary and the essential cause.

 

Devotee:

 

What are the obstacles which hinder realisation of the

Self?

 

M.: They are habits of mind (vasanas).

 

D.: How to overcome the mental habits (vasanas)?

 

M.: By realising the Self.

 

D.: That is a vicious circle.

 

M.: It is the ego which raises such difficulties,

creating obstacles and then suffers from the

perplexity of apparent paradoxes. Find out who makes

the enquiries and the Self will be found.

 

D.: What are the aids for realisation?

 

M.: The teachings of the Scriptures and of realised

souls.

 

D.: Can such teachings be discussions, lectures and

meditations?

 

M.:Yes, all these are only secondary aids, whereas the

essential is the Master's grace.

 

D.: How long will it take for one to get that?

 

M.: Why do you desire to know?

 

D.: To give me hope.

 

M.: Even such a desire is an obstacle. The Self is

ever there, there is nothing without it. Be the Self

and the desires and doubts will disappear. Such Self

is the witness in sleep, dream and waking states of

existence.

 

These states belong to the ego. The Self transcends

even the ego. Did you not exist in sleep? Did you know

then that you were asleep or unaware of the world? It

is only in the waking state that you describe the

experience of sleep as being unawareness; therefore

the consciousness when asleep is the same as that when

awake. If you know what this waking consciousness

is, you will know the consciousness which witnesses

all the three states. Such consciousness could be

found by seeking the consciousness as it was in sleep.

 

D.: In that case, I fall asleep.

 

M.: No harm!

 

D.: It is a blank.

 

M.: For whom is the blank? Find out. You cannot deny

yourself at any time. The Self is ever there and

continues in all states.

 

D.: Should I remain as if in sleep and be watchful at

the same time?

 

M.: Yes. Watchfulness is the waking state. Therefore

the state will not be one of sleep, but sleepless

sleep. If you go the way of your thoughts you will be

carried away by them and you will find yourself in an

endless maze.

 

D.: So, then, I must go back tracing the source of

thoughts.

 

M.: Quite so; in that way the thoughts will disappear

and the Self alone will remain. In fact there is no

inside or outside for the Self. They are also

projections of the ego. The Self is pure and absolute.

 

D.:It is understood intellectually only. Is not

intellect a help for realisation?

 

M.:Yes, up to a certain stage. Even so, realise that

the Self transcends the intellect — the latter must

itself vanish to reach the Self.

 

D.: Does my realisation help others?

 

M.: Yes, certainly. It is the best help possible. But

there are no others to be helped. For a realised being

sees the Self, just like a goldsmith estimating the

gold in various jewels. When you identify yourself

with the body then only the forms and shapes are

there. But when you transcend your body the others

disappear

along with your body-consciousness.

 

D.: Is it so with plants, trees, etc.?

M.: Do they exist at all apart from the Self? Find it

out. You think that you see them. The thought is

projected out from your Self. Find out wherefrom it

rises. Thoughts will cease to rise and the Self

alone will remain.

 

D.: I understand theoretically. But they are still

there.

 

M.:Yes. It is like a cinema-show. There is the light

on the screen and the shadows flitting across impress

the audience as the enactment of some piece. Similarly

also will it be, if in the same play an audience also

is shown. The seer, the seen, will then only be the

screen. Apply it to yourself. You are the screen, the

Self has created the ego, the ego has its accretions

of thoughts which are displayed as the world, the

trees, plants, etc., of which you are asking. In

reality, all

these are nothing but the Self. If you see the Self,

the same will be found to be all, everywhere and

always. Nothing but the Self exists.

 

D.:Yes, I still understand only theoretically. Yet the

answers are simple and beautiful and convincing.

M.: Even the thought, " I do not realise " is a

hindrance. In fact, the Self alone is.

 

 

 

 

_________

How much free photo storage do you get? Store your holiday

snaps for FREE with Photos http://uk.photos.

 

--- End forwarded message ---