"The very first step in understanding what this is all about is giving up the concept of an active, volitional 'I' as a separate entity and accepting the passive role of perceiving and functioning as a process." - Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj

Saturday, December 26, 2015

Inner Samsara To Be Given Up

From Sri Annamalai Swami's Diary Extracts

Q: Is the appearance of the differentiated universe true or untrue?

Ramana Maharshi (M): It depends on how we regard the terms true and untrue. If we look at brahman, there is no universe.

Q: Then why does the universe appear?

M: Appear to whom? The universe does not say 'I am'. Is there any evidence to say that the universe appears? To whom does this universe appear?

Q: To me.

M: Who are you? Find out who you are. Then afterwards tell me if there is a universe.

Q: The state of samadhi has not yet come to me.

M: That state does not come and go. It is our own ever-existing natural state.

Q: Swami, can I take up bhavana (mental attitude) 'I am brahman'?

M: If you assume 'I am brahman' you will receive many blows. Why? Because everything is already brahman. Why should it be assumed? Is it necessary to assume 'I am a man'? If the thought 'I am the body' is there, then it is necessary to assume 'No, I am not that'.

Q: Because I have a wife and children I have many problems. I cannot escape from them.

M: The outer samsara (mundane activities) cannot do anything to do. Only the inner samsara must be given up.

Q: This only lasts for five minutes. Then it gets changed.

M: (After keeping quiet for sometime) This kind of thought must go.

No comments:

Post a Comment

सर्वभूताधिवासं यद्भूतेषु च वसत्यपि।
सर्वानुग्राहकत्वेन तद्स्म्यहं वासुदेवः॥

That in whom reside all beings and who resides in all beings,
who is the giver of grace to all, the Supreme Soul of the universe, the limitless being:
I AM THAT. -- Amritabindu Upanishad