Sri Ramana Maharshi
28-12-1945 Afternoon
One Mr. Joshi, introduced by our Changalal Yogi, put the following questions and B gave the following answers:
Q: When I think 'Who am I?', the answer comes 'I am not this mortal body but I am chaitanya, atma or paramatma.' And suddenly another question arises - 'Why has atma come into maya?' or in other words 'Why has God created this world?'
B: To enquire 'Who am I?' really means trying to find out the source of the ego or the 'I' thought. You are not to think of other thoughts, such as 'I am not this body etc.' Seeking the source of 'I' serves as a means of getting rid of all other thoughts. We should not give scope to other thoughts, such as you mention, but must keep the attention fixed on finding out the source of the 'I' thought by asking (as each thought arises) to whom the thought arises and if the answer is 'I get the thought' by asking further who is this 'I' and whence its source?
Q: Is atma a subject of sakshatkara?
B: The atma is as it is. It is sakshat always. There are not two atmas, one to know and one to be known. To know it is to be it. It is not a state where one is conscious of anything else. It is consciousness itself.
Q: I do not understand the meaning of 'brahma satyam jagat mithyam' (Brahman is real, the world is unreal). Does this world have real existence or not? Does the jnani not see the world or does he see it in a different form?
B: Let the world bother about its reality or falsehood. Find out first about your own reality. Then all things will become clear. What do you care how the jnani sees the world? You realize yourself and then you will understand. The jnani sees that the world of names and forms does not limit the Self, and that the Self is beyond them.
Q: I do not know how to worship. Kindly show me the way to worship.
B: Is there a worshipper and a worshipped? Find out the "I", the worshipper; that is the best way. Always the seer must be traced.
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