If Self is seen, maya is not seen

Sri Ramana Maharshi

Continued from here

Q. Such Self is common to all, even in a dead body.

M. But the man in sleep or in dead body does not raise questions. Consider who raises questions. It is you. Were you not in sleep? Why was there no imperfection? The pure Self is simple Being. It does not associate itself with objects and become conscious as in the wakeful state. What you now call consciousness in the present state is associated consciousness requiring brain, mind, body etc. to depend upon. But in sleep consciousness persisted in sleep.

Q. But I do not know the consciousness in sleep.

M. Who is not aware of it? You admit "I am". You admit "I was" in sleep. The state of being is your self.

Q. Do you mean to say that sleep is Self-Realization?

M. It is the Self. Why do you talk of realization? Is there a moment when the Self is not realized?

 If there be such a moment, the other moment might said to be one of Realization. There is no moment when the Self is not nor when the Self is not realized. Why pick out sleep for it? Even now you are Self-realized.

Q. But I do not understand.

M. Because you are identifying the Self with the body. Give up the wrong identity and the Self is revealed.

Q. But this does not answer my question to help me get rid of maya.

M. This attachment is not found in sleep. It is perceived and felt now. It is not your real nature. On whom is this accretion? If the Real Nature is known these exist not. If you realize the Self the possessions are not perceived. That is getting rid of maya. Maya is not objective, that it could be got rid of in any other way.