Ramanamaharshi Quotes :)

Mind is consciousness, which has limitations. We are originally unlimited and perfect. Later on we take on limitations and become the mind.


Meditation depends upon the strength of mind. It must be unceasing even when one is engaged in work. Particular time for it is meant for novices.


When one makes the mind stick to one thought, the mind becomes rock-steady and the energy is conserved.


The mind is only a bundle of thoughts. The thoughts have their root in the I-thought. Whoever investigates the True "I" enjoys the stillness of bliss.


When the mind is left without anything to cling to, it becomes still.


The inquiry "who am I" turns the mind introvert and makes it calm.


There is no mind to control if you realize the self. The mind having vanished, the self shines forth. In the realized man, the mind may be active or inactive, the self remains for him.


Meditation helps concentration of the mind. Then the mind is free from thoughts and is in the meditated form.



Meditation is sticking to one thought. That single thought keeps away other thoughts; distraction of mind is a sign of its weakness; by constant meditation it gains strength.


When we turn the mind inwards, God manifests as the inner consciousness.


See who is the doubter, who is the thinker. It is the ego. Hold it; the other thoughts will die away - the ego will be left pure. See the source from where the ego arises and abide in it. That is pure consciousness.


The "I" thought is said to be the sum total of all thoughts. The source of the "I" thought has to be enquired into.


The mind of one meditating on a single object becomes one-pointed. And one-pointedness of mind leads to abidance in the self.


Real attainment is to be fully conscious, to be aware of surroundings and the people around, to move among them all, but not to merge consciousness in the environment. One should remain in inner independent awareness.


Once the current of awareness of the self is set afoot, it becomes everlasting and continuous by intensification.


Realization is to get rid of the delusion that you have not realized.


Good thoughts keep off bad thoughts. They must themselves disappear before the state of realization.


Realization is our true nature. It is nothing new to be gained. What is new cannot be eternal. Therefore there is no need to be doubting whether we would gain or lose the self.


A realized one sends out waves of spiritual influence in his aura, which draw many people towards him. Yet he may sit in a cave and maintain complete silence.


Turn the mind inward and cease thinking of yourself as the body; thereby you will come to know that the self is ever happy. Neither grief nor misery is experienced in this state.

Question : How does one get rid of fear ?

Ramana Maharshi : What is fear ? It is only a thought. If there is anything besides the Self there is reason to fear. Who sees things separate from the Self ? First the ego arises and sees objects as external. If the ego does not rise, the Self alone exists and there is nothing external. For anything external to oneself implies the existence of the seer within. Seeking it there will eliminate doubt and fear. Not only fear, all other thoughts centred round the ego will disappear along with it.

Question : How can the terrible fear of death be overcome?

Ramana Maharshi : When does that fear seize you? Does it come when you do not see your body, say, in dreamless sleep? It haunts you only when you are fully `awake' and perceive the world, including your body. If you do not see these and remain your pure Self, as in dreamless sleep, no fear can touch you. If you trace this fear to the object, the loss of which gives rise to it, you will find that that object is not the body, but the mind which functions in it. Many a man would be only too glad to be rid of his diseased body and all the problems and inconvenience it creates for him if continued awareness were vouchsafed to him. It is the awareness, the consciousness, and not the body, he fears to lose. Men love existence because it is eternal awareness, which is their own Self. Why not then hold on to the pure awareness right now, while in the body, and be free from all fear?

 

 When we see our self, there is no world; and when we lose sight of the self, we get ourselves bound in the world.


The self is like a pearl. To find it you must dive deep down into silence, deeper and ever deeper until it is reached.


The self is pure knowledge, pure delight where there is no duality.


The illuminated one who is happy in the peace of the self, without thought of the past and the future, and is like a mere witness of the present, has his knots of bondage cut.


He alone who has realized the self in the heart has known the Truth. Having transcended the dualities, he is never perplexed.


The self cannot be found in books. You have to find it for yourself, within yourself.


A self-realized man remains happy without being affected by false appearances, whereas the ignorant man is miserable.


Seek the source of the ego, abide there for ever in the source and find yourself in bliss.


That pure consciousness which is the reality, and which shines without a break, as "I AM" when the mind becomes calm, is the supreme bliss.


The enlightened one that has become one with the unchanging supreme consciousness, like a river that has become one with the ocean, takes birth no more in a body.


All actions, past, present and future, become extinct in the case of a liberated one, because his sense of being the doer is gone; it was lost along with the ego, who alone was the doer.


You can never find mind through the mind. Go beyond it, and find it non-existent.


How is it possible for the mind to know the Lord who imparts His light to the mind, and shines within the mind, except by turning the mind inward and fixing it on the Lord?


Self realization is cessation of thoughts and of all mental activity. Thoughts are like bubbles upon the surface of the sea.


Stillness means 'being free from thoughts' and yet aware.