Find the Doubter

Sri Ramana Maharshi

D.: The world is materialistic. What is the remedy for it? 

M.: Materialistic or spiritual, it is according to your outlook. Drishtim jnanamayim kritva, Brahma mayam pasyet jagat Make your outlook right. The Creator knows how to take care of His Creation. 

D.: What is the best thing to do for ensuring the future? 

M.: Take care of the present, the future will take care of itself. 

D.: The future is the result of the present. So, what should I do to make it good? Or should I keep still? 

M.: Whose is the doubt? Who is it that wants a course of action? Find the doubter. If you hold the doubter the doubts will disappear. Having lost hold of the Self the thoughts afflict you; the world is seen, doubts arise, also anxiety for the future. Hold fast to the Self, these will disappear. 

D.: How to do it? 

M.: This question is relevant to matters of non-self, but not to the Self. Do you doubt the existence of your own Self? 

D.: No. But still, I want to know how the Self could be realised. Is there any method leading to it?

M.: Make effort. Just as water is got by boring a well, so also you realise the Self by investigation. 

D.: Yes. But some find water readily and others with difficulty. 

M.: But you already see the moisture on the surface. You are hazily aware of the Self. Pursue it. When the effort ceases the Self shines forth. 

D.: How to train the mind to look within?

M.: By practice. The mind is the intelligent phase leading to its own destruction, for Self to manifest. 

D.: How to destroy the mind? 

M.: Water cannot be made dry water. Seek the Self; the mind will be destroyed.