Mauna Reached By Effort

Sri Ramana Maharshi

11-1-1946 Afternoon

A young man from Colombo asked B, "J Krishnamurti teaches the method of effortless and choiceless awareness as distinct from that of deliberate concentration. Would B be pleased to explain how best to practise meditation and what form the object of meditation should take?"

B: Effortless and choiceless awareness is our real nature. If we can attain it or be in that state, it is alright. But one cannot reach that state without effort, the effort of deliberate meditation. All the age-long vasanas carry the mind outward and turn it to external objects. All such thoughts have to be given up and the mind turned inward. For that, effort is necessary for most people. Of course everybody, every book says, "Be quiet or still." But it is not easy. That is why all this effort is necessary. Even if we find one who has at once achieved mauna or Supreme state indicated by "Be quiet", you may take it that the effort necessary has already been finished in a previous life. So that effortless and choiceless awareness is reached only after deliberate meditation. That meditation can take any form which appeals to you best. See what helps you to keep away all other thoughts and adopt that method for your meditation.