The Mind is Weak. Make it Strong.

Sri Ramana Maharshi

Continued from here

Q: There is seer, seen and sight. They are not characteristic of jnana.

In sleep, in trance, in absent-mindedness, there is no differentiation. Do you call it jnana? What has happened in these states? Is that which then was, absent now? That which is, exists forever. The difference is due to the mind. The mind is sometimes present, at other times absent. There is no change in the Reality. Reality is always Bliss - Ananda.

Bliss is the outcome of practice. What is that practice?

Sadhana is the enquiry to find out to whom all these doubts arise.

It is for the ego (ahamkara).

Wherefrom does ahamkara arise?

Guidance is necessary to show me the way.

Go within and find the route. You cannot find it from without; nor should you seek it externally.

I am unable to find the ego by search. I stop there.

How can you get it? It is not apart from you. Leave alone not finding it. Where are you now? Do you mean to say "I am not"?

What or how am I?

Do not trouble yourself about it. Let it be as it is. Why do you care? Did you care for the whole or part (samashti, vyashti) in sleep? The same person is present now too. You are the same in sleep and in waking.

Sleep and waking are different states having different effects.

How does it matter to you? The Self is the same all through.

The mind is not steady in meditation.

Whenever it wanders, turn it inward again and again.

When misery overpowers me, enquiry is impossible.

Because the mind is too weak. Make it strong.

By what means?

Satsanga, Ishvara Aradhana, Pranayama (association with the wise, worship of God, breath control).

What happens?

Misery is removed; our aim is removal of misery. You do not acquire happiness. Your very nature is happiness. Bliss is not newly earned. All that is done is to remove unhappiness. These methods do it.

Association with the wise may strengthen the mind. There must also be practice. What practice should be made?

Yes. Practice is necessary too. Practice means removal of dispositions. Practice is not for any fresh gain; it is to kill the predispositions.

(To be continued)