Hold the Mind

Sri Ramana Maharshi

D.: What is thought-force, mesmerism, etc.? There was a doctor in Paris called Dr. Coue. He was illiterate, but yet was able to cure many incurable diseases by will-force. He used to say: Generate power to cure yourself. The power is within you.

M.: It is through the same will-power that the seat of all diseases, the body, has risen.

D.: So it is said thoughts manifest as objects.

M.: This thought must be for mukti (liberation).

D.: God must enable us to get rid of the other thoughts.

M.: This is again a thought. Let that which has incarnated raise the question. You are not that because you are free from thoughts. 

Another visitor from Rawalpindi asked: The Atman is formless. How shall I concentrate on it?

M.: Leave alone the Atman which you say is formless or intangible. Mind is tangible to you. Hold the mind and it will do.

D.: Mind itself is very subtle and is also the same as the Atman. How shall we know the nature of the mind? You have said that all supports are useless. What should be our stand then?

M.: Where does your mind stand?

D.: Where does it stand?

M.: Ask the mind itself.

D.: I ask you now. Should we concentrate on mind then?

M.: Um!

D.: But what is the nature of the mind? It is formless. The problem is perplexing.

M.: Why are you perplexed?

D.: The sastras want us to concentrate and I cannot do so. 

M.: Through what sastras have we known our existence?

D.: It is a matter of experience. But I want to concentrate.

M.: Be free from thoughts. Do not hold on to anything. They do not hold you. Be yourself.

D.: I do not yet understand as to where I take my stand and concentrate. Can I meditate on my mind?

M.: Whose mind?

D.: My own mind?

M.: Who are you? The question now resolves itself all right.