Mahatmas Help

Sri Ramana Maharshi

Q. There are widespread disasters spreading havoc in the world e.g., famine and pestilence. What is the cause of this state of affairs?

M. To whom does all this appear?

That won't do. I see misery around.

You were not aware of the world and its sufferings in your sleep; you are conscious of them in your wakeful state. Continue in that state in which you were not afflicted by these. That is to say, when you are not aware of the world, its sufferings do not affect you. When you remain as the Self, as in sleep, the world and its sufferings will not affect you. Therefore look within. See the Self! There will be an end of the world and its miseries.

But that is selfishness.

The world is not external. Because you identify yourself wrongly with the body you see the world outside, and its pain becomes apparent to you. But they are not real. Seek the reality and get rid of this unreal feeling.

There are great men, public workers, who cannot solve the problem of the misery of the world.

They are ego-centered and therefore their inability. If they remained in the Self they would be different.

Why do not Mahatmas help?

How do you know that they do not help? Public speeches, physical activity and material help are all outweighed by the silence of Mahatmas. They accomplish more than others.