Association With The Wise

Sri Ramana Maharshi

• That Knowledge is real knowledge which transcends both knowledge and ignorance. There is no object to be known 'there'. When one's true nature is known, then there is Being without beginning and end - it is unbroken Awareness-Bliss. Remaining in this state of Supreme, the Realization of That which subsists when all trace of 'I' is gone is good tapas.
• That Supreme state obtained here and now as a result of one's association with the Sages, and realized through the deep meditation of the Self-enquiry in contact with the Heart, that State cannot be gained with the aid of a preceptor, nor through the knowledge of the scriptures, nor by spiritual merit nor by any other means. If the association with Sage is obtained, to what purpose are the several methods of self-discipline? Tell me of what use is a fan when the cool, gentle, southern breeze is blowing?
• The holy water of pilgrimage, the images of gods made of earth and stone, cannot stand comparison with the benign look of the Sage. They make one pure only after countless days of grace. Know that the Sage no sooner bestows his gracious glance than he makes one pure!

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From Thus Spake Ramana