Keep Quiet

Sri Ramana Maharshi

Mr. Ganapatram: How shall I find out “Who am I”?

M.: Are there two selves for the one self to find the other?

D.: The Self must be only one consisting of two aspects of ‘I’ and sankalpa (i.e., of thinker and thought).

After a time he continued: Please say how I shall realise the ‘I’. Am I to make the japa, “Who am I?”

M.: No japa of the kind is meant.

D.: Am I to think “Who am I”?

M.: You have known that the ‘I-thought’ springs forth. Hold the ‘I-thought’ and find its moola (source).

D.: May I know the way?

M.: Do as you have now been told and see.

D.: I do not understand what I should do.

M.: If it is anything objective the way can be shown objectively. This is subjective.

D.: But I do not understand.

M.: What! Do you not understand that you are?

D.: Please tell me the way.

M.: Is it necessary to show the way in the interior of your own home? This is within you.

D.: What do you advise me to do?

M.: Why should you do anything and what should you do? Only keep quiet. Why not do so? Each one must do according to his own state.

D.: Please tell me what is suitable to me. I want to hear from you.

(No answer.)