Nature of Man - Condt.

The further discussion illustrates the freedom of argument that Bhagavan allowed to those who were not convinced by a reply.

D.: What certainty is there that something awaits there to receive me?

To understand this question, and above comment, please read the following answer taken from previous article titled 'Nature of Man'

For, the moment you get into the quest for the Self and begin to go deeper, the real Self is waiting there to receive you and then whatever is to be done is done by something else and you, as an individual, have no hand in it. In this process all doubts and discussions are automatically given up, just as one who sleeps forgets all his cares for the time being.

(Sri Ramana Maharshi has already given the answer i.e. when you go deeper, real self is waiting ., but doubt remained in the mind of questioner and hence the above question)

D.: What certainty is there that something awaits there to receive me?

B.: When a person is sufficiently mature he becomes convinced naturally.

D.: How is this maturity to be attained?

B.: Various ways are prescribed. But whatever previous development there may be, earnest Self-enquiry hastens it.

D.: That is arguing in a circle. I am strong enough for the quest if I am mature and it is the quest that makes me mature.

This is an objection that was often raised in one form or another and the reply to it again emphasises that it is not theory that is needed, but practice.

B.: The mind does have this sort of difficulty. It wants a fixed theory to satisfy itself with. Really, however, no theory is necessary for the man who seriously strives to approach God or his true Self.

Everyone is the Self and indeed, is infinite. Yet each person mistakes his body for his Self. In order to know anything, illumination is necessary. This can only be of the nature of Light; however, it lights up both physical light and physical darkness.

That is to say, that it lies beyond apparent light and darkness. It is itself neither, but it is said to be light because it illumines both. It is infinite and is Consciousness. Consciousness is the Self of which everyone is aware. No one is ever away from the

Self and therefore everyone is in fact Self-realised; only - and this is the great mystery - people do not know this and want to realise the Self. Realisation consists only in getting rid of the false idea that one is not realised. It is not anything new to be acquired. It must already exist or it would not be eternal and only what is eternal is worth striving for.

Once the false notion 'I am the body' or 'I am not realised' has been removed, Supreme Consciousness or the Self alone remains and in people's present state of knowledge they call this 'Realisation.' But the truth is that Realisation is eternal and already exists, here and now.

Consciousness is pure knowledge. The mind arises out of it and is made up of thoughts.

The essence of the mind is only awareness or consciousness. However, when the ego overclouds it, it functions as reasoning, thinking or perceiving. The universal mind, not being limited by the ego, has nothing outside itself and is therefore only aware. This is what the Bible means by 'I am that I am.'

The ego-ridden mind has its strength sapped and is too weak to resist distressing thoughts. The egoless mind is happy, as we see in deep, dreamless sleep. Clearly, therefore, happiness and distress are only modes of the mind.

Source: Teachings of Sri Ramana Maharshi in his own words by Arthur Osborne, Chapter Three.