The Self is obvious, so why not remain as the Self

[Guest guest]

The Teachings of BhagavanSri Ramana Maharshiin His Own WordsCHAPTER ONETHE

BASIC THEORYUltimately, even the scriptures are useless.The scriptures serve to indicate the existence of

the HigherPower or Self and to point the way to It. That is their essentialpurpose. Apart from that they are useless. However, they arevoluminous, in order to be adapted to the level of development ofevery

seeker. As a man rises in the scale he finds the stages alreadyattained

to be only stepping stones to higher stages, until finallythe goal is reached. When that happens, the goal alone remainsand everything else, including the scriptures, become useless. 1Sometimes, it is true, he expounded philosophy in all itsintricacies,

but only as a concession to weakness, to thoseaddicted to much thinking', as he put it in Self-Enquiry. Ihad thought of quoting such an explanation here, but foundthat it contained the passage:The

intricate maze of philosophy of the various schools issaid to clarify matters and to reveal the Truth, but in fact itcreates confusion where none need exist. To understandanything there must be

the Self. The Self is obvious, so why notremain as the Self? What need to explain the non-self?And of himself he adds:I was indeed fortunate that I never took to it (i.e.

philosophy).Had I taken to it I would probably be nowhere; but my inherenttendencies led me directly to inquire `Who am I?' How fortunate! 21 Talks With Sri Ramana Maharshi, 1322 Talks With Sri Ramana Maharshi,

392

[Guest guest]

Wonderful stuff Grant-ji.

Truth can be repeated infinite times and yet remains ever fresh.

 

I invite you to become a

contributor on luthar.com. I love to have Bhagavan devotees write there. Also,

devotees can add their interpretation. What does the teaching mean to them.

Sometimes when I have time, I write comments on Bhagavan’s words.

 

 

 

 

Love,

Harsha

 

 

 

 

On

Behalf Of Grant

Thursday, February 18, 2010 9:58 PM

 

The Self is obvious, so why not

remain as the Self

 

 

 

 

 

The Teachings

of Bhagavan

Sri Ramana Maharshi

in His Own Words

 

CHAPTER

ONE

 

THE BASIC THEORY

 

Ultimately, even the

scriptures are useless.

 

The scriptures serve to indicate the existence of the Higher

Power or Self and to point the way to It. That is their essential

purpose. Apart from that they are useless. However, they are

voluminous, in order to be adapted to the level of development of

every seeker. As a man rises in the scale he finds the stages already

attained to be only stepping stones to higher stages, until finally

the goal is reached. When that happens, the goal alone remains

and everything else, including the scriptures, become useless. 1

 

Sometimes, it is true, he

expounded philosophy in all its

intricacies, but only as a concession to weakness, to those

addicted to much thinking', as he put it in Self-Enquiry. I

had thought of quoting such an explanation here, but found

that it contained the passage:

 

The intricate maze of philosophy of the various schools is

said to clarify matters and to reveal the Truth, but in fact it

creates confusion where none need exist. To understand

anything there must be the Self. The Self is obvious, so why not

remain as the Self? What need to explain the non-self?

 

And of himself he adds:

 

I was indeed fortunate that I never took to it (i.e. philosophy).

Had I taken to it I would probably be nowhere; but my inherent

tendencies led me directly to inquire `Who am I?' How fortunate! 2

 

1 Talks With Sri

Ramana Maharshi, 132

2 Talks With Sri Ramana Maharshi, 392

[Guest guest]

Thank you for the invitation Harsha. From the process of reading and

posting of

Sri Ramana's and other advaitic teachings with this group, there is the

experience of much benefit. There is nothing much that this ego-self can find

to add or meaningfully comment on presently - so many years of practices and

study; right now it is engaged in enquiry and reflection as the teachings

encourage. However, I will familiarise myself with your site and contribute if

inspired to do so. Again, thank you.

 

Grant

 

Quoting Harsha :

 

> Wonderful stuff Grant-ji. Truth can be repeated infinite times and yet

> remains ever fresh.

>

>

>

> I invite you to become a contributor on luthar.com. I love to have Bhagavan

> devotees write there. Also, devotees can add their interpretation. What does

> the teaching mean to them. Sometimes when I have time, I write comments on

> Bhagavan's words.

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

> Love,

>

> Harsha

>

>

>

>

> On Behalf Of Grant

> Thursday, February 18, 2010 9:58 PM

>

> The Self is obvious, so why not

> remain as the Self

>

>

>

>

>

> The Teachings of Bhagavan

> Sri Ramana Maharshi

> in His Own Words

>

> CHAPTER ONE

>

> THE BASIC THEORY

>

> Ultimately, even the scriptures are useless.

>

> The scriptures serve to indicate the existence of the Higher

> Power or Self and to point the way to It. That is their essential

> purpose. Apart from that they are useless. However, they are

> voluminous, in order to be adapted to the level of development of

> every seeker. As a man rises in the scale he finds the stages already

> attained to be only stepping stones to higher stages, until finally

> the goal is reached. When that happens, the goal alone remains

> and everything else, including the scriptures, become useless. 1

>

> Sometimes, it is true, he expounded philosophy in all its

> intricacies, but only as a concession to weakness, to those

> addicted to much thinking', as he put it in Self-Enquiry. I

> had thought of quoting such an explanation here, but found

> that it contained the passage:

>

> The intricate maze of philosophy of the various schools is

> said to clarify matters and to reveal the Truth, but in fact it

> creates confusion where none need exist. To understand

> anything there must be the Self. The Self is obvious, so why not

> remain as the Self? What need to explain the non-self?

>

> And of himself he adds:

>

> I was indeed fortunate that I never took to it (i.e. philosophy).

> Had I taken to it I would probably be nowhere; but my inherent

> tendencies led me directly to inquire `Who am I?' How fortunate! 2

>

> 1 Talks With Sri Ramana Maharshi, 132

> 2 Talks With Sri Ramana Maharshi, 392

 

 

 

Regards

 

Grant Summerville