"The very first step in understanding what this is all about is giving up the concept of an active, volitional 'I' as a separate entity and accepting the passive role of perceiving and functioning as a process." - Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj

Saturday, May 14, 2011

Limitation is only in the mind

Sri Ramana Maharshi

Q. There is no way found to go inward by means of meditation.

M. Where else are we now? Our very being is that.

Q. Being so, we are ignorant of it.

M. Ignorant of what, and whose is the ignorance? If ignorant of the Self are there two selves?

Q. There are not two selves. The feeling of limitation cannot be denied. Due to limitations..

M. Limitation is only in the mind. Did you feel it in deep sleep? You exist in sleep. You do not deny your existence then. The same is here and now in the wakeful sleep. You are now saying that there are limitations. What has now happened is that there are these differences between the two states. The differences are due to the mind. There was no mind in sleep whereas it is now active. The Self exists in the absence of the mind also.

Q. Although it is understood, it is not realized.


M. It will by and by, with meditation.

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, that is to say, the weakness of the fugitive thought gives place to the enduring background free from thought. This expanse devoid of thought is the Self. Mind in purity is the Self.

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सर्वभूताधिवासं यद्भूतेषु च वसत्यपि।
सर्वानुग्राहकत्वेन तद्स्म्यहं वासुदेवः॥

That in whom reside all beings and who resides in all beings,
who is the giver of grace to all, the Supreme Soul of the universe, the limitless being:
I AM THAT. -- Amritabindu Upanishad