On The Trial-Part II

Ramana Maharshi

oi-Staff

By Staff

Monday, December 22, 2008, 12:18

Ramana shared this experience with all so that they too could partake of its beatitude. One has to search, enquire about one's true identity, and trace its source. The expressions 'gaveshana' and 'margana' refer to this. This search for the source is called self-enquiry.

To facilitate this enquiry Ramana has repeatedly indicated to the seekers that the search will end in the spiritual heart on the right side of the chest. Ramana tells us that this spiritual heart, is the seat of the Self, or what is usually described as the Real 'I'. Even more important is the fact that it is also the source of the ego or the 'I' thought. One might therefore say that the ego-centric mind originates from the spiritual heart. Spiritual effort is to consciously make it return to this source. For once this is done the individuality, fragmentary consciousness, loses itself in the fullness of consciousness. Then the real 'I' shines forth in all its radiance.

The sadhana in the Ramana Way is to discover for oneself one's true nature as the divine deathless, birth-less current.

The 'I' 'I' shines without a let in the heart, since it is ever present. Sadhana is directed to remove obstructions to its awareness. This raises the question 'What obstructs this awareness?' The obstruction is the continuous momentum of thoughts. From out of the vast reservoir of thoughts in the heart, which are called the vasanas, the first thought which sprouts is the 'I'-thought and almost simultaneously innumerable thoughts arise on the mental horizon. These thoughts are so great in numbers and many at cross purposes so that one is often helpless when an avalanche of thoughts buries one as it were.

According to Ramana, the only way to deal with this thought world is to enquire 'To whom has this thought arisen?' as soon as a thought surfaces. The reason for this is that though there is an army of thoughts they are all dependent on the individual's attention. The Centre of the thought world is the 'I'-thought and therefore the focus of attention needs to be on that centre. Holding on to this centre means vigilance to the rising thought.

As a thought arises or at the earliest point of time such steady practice of the enquiry will reduce the mental movements and free the mind's centre from its association with other thoughts. Once this happens the thought centre which had been anchored on the other thoughts will automatically merge into the source from which it has arisen. The source being the spiritual heart, it would be merged back into the heart. This is the conscious effort done in the waking state to achieve the same position as happens unconsciously when sleep overtakes us. The path is direct and simple and enables uni-focusing of the mind and a holistic approach to life. One functions with a mind which is silent, its basic state. Thoughts arise in it as and when required and subside when their purpose is over. All action is done in this vast silence of the mind merged in its source, fullness of consciousness.

Chat With The Devotees Of Bhagwan Ramana Maharishi