Look At The Mind With The Mind

Sri Ramana Maharshi

D.: There is a short account of the spiritual experiences of St. Theresa, in the March number of the Prabuddha Bharata. She was devoted to a figure of the Madonna which became animated to her sight, and she was in bliss. Is it the same as Saktipata? 

M.: The animated figure indicates depth of meditation (dhyana bala). Saktipata prepares the mind for introversion. There is a process of concentration of mind on one’s own shadow which in due course becomes animated and answers questions put to it. That is due to strength of mind or depth of meditation. Whatever is external is also transitory. Such phenomena may produce joy for the time being. But abiding peace, i.e., santi, does not result. This is got only by the removal of avidya (ignorance).

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D.: How is the mind to be stilled?

M.: Looking at the mind with the mind, or fixing the mind in the Self, brings the mind under control of the Self. 

D.: Is there any yoga, i.e., a process for it?

M.: Vichara (investigation) alone will do.

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D.: How is Poorna Brahman to be attained? What is the method best suited to a grihasta? 

M.: You have already said poorna, i.e., perfection. Are you apart from Poorna? If apart from it, will it be poorna? If not apart how does the question arise? The knowledge that Brahman is poorna and that you are not apart from the same is the finality. See it and you will find that you are not a grihasta or any limited being. 

D.: What are the tatvas? 

M.: Knowledge of poorna Brahman will elucidate the other matters automatically.