Holistic Meditation - IV

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The 'Know - How' of the Unitary Approach

First and foremost one has to recognise the importance of such a unitary approach of the limitless embracing the mind, the body and the world," since it alone holds the key to a fully awakened mind and the bliss of natural joy. Secondly and perhaps equally important is the need to understand the mind and its essential nature. For this Ramana gives one an insight by drawing one's attention to what he calls, "The daily miracle about the mind" viz.; the daily disappearance of mind in deep sleep and its rising again on waking. The fact that the fatigued mind gets re-energised during sleep should also be remembered. Logically one can infer that the mind has linked itself to the centre, the Heart in deep sleep. Hence Ramana says in his Forty Verses, "God illumines the mind and shines within it".

The Quest – Diving within

The existence of a treasure trove of happiness within is squarely placed before us. It is only logical that the best use of the mind's power would be to search for or quest for, this fountain of life. Hence in Ramana literature we find the expression, 'Margana', or search. Its importance is stressed over and over again. The search here is by the mind in the waking state for its own place of origin.

Perhaps the example of one using the T.V. 'Remote' for search of a particular channel of his choice would be apt. If the cable operator has made some changes or when some new channels have been added one has to search to locate the particular channel of his choice. Here the mind's search is for its own place of origin. Ramana gives the analogy of a dog tracing its master by a single means of identification known to it; his smell. It would not know whether its master is tall or short, fat or lean but it would certainly not miss his scent. Likewise the scent of its own origin, its own conscious nature would be imbedded in the mind. This would make it possible for one to be successful in the search.

Another familiar expression used by Ramana is to dive within, just as a swimmer would dive to the depths of a pool by using the diving board so too should one use the mind's power itself, its conscious nature, to dive within to discover the hidden treasure, the divine current in the heart.

About the author

A.R.Natarajan

Sri A.R.Natarajan has had the opportunity of a long association of over 50 years with the Ramanashram. He was the editor of "Mountain Path" for two years. He was the secretary of Ramana Kendra, New Delhi for ten years. He founded the Ramana Maharshi centre for learning, a non profit institution. He has authored more than thirty six books and eleven pocket books on the life and teachings of Bhagavan Ramana.

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