Do we know it well or don't we. . . .
. . .speaking only for myself I can say I know it very-very well.
I have lived immersed in pride, in an effort to mask equal parts shame. And I have wallowed in my own shame, indulging every depression by using shame as a "rational" excuse. All this in a vein effort to mask my incredible pride.
Two inseparable halves of one whole. The front and back, up and down, left and right, AKA: Suffering.
Pride and shame, it's all that and more.
In the East they talk more about Desire-Fear. But the signposts point to the same destination.
The funny thing is what we are really talking about are four words (desire-fear-pride-shame) that mean the exact same thing. But then again, I only mean that completely literally.
So I wonder where it began? And I remember it started with a secret.
Once told, once believed, once forgotten as a habit, and once trapping us to a view from inside a little tin can, in a universe as vast as nothingness.
15th December, 1938:
The Spanish lady, Madam Mercedes De Acorta, has written a letter to Mr Hague, the American mining engineer who is here as a temporary resident for the last two Months. She has raised a few questions:
"If the individual Self merges into the Universal Self, how can one pray to God for the uplift of humanity?" The question seems a common one in the west.
Ramana said: They pray to God and finish with "Thy will be done!" If his will be done why do they pray at all? It is true the Divine Will prevails at all times under all circumstances. The individuals cannot act of their own accord. Recognize the force of the Divine Will and keep quiet. Each one is looked after by God. You are among billions. When he looks after so many will he omit you? Even common sense dictates that one should abide by his Will. Again there is no need to let him know your needs. He knows them Himself and will look after them.
Still more, why do you pray?
Because you are helpless yourself and you want the higher power to help you. Well, does not that higher power know your weakness? Should you parade your weakness in order to make him know it?
Ms Acorta: But God helps those who help themselves?
Ramana replies: Certainly. Help yourself and that is itself according to God's Will. Every action is prompted by him only. As for prayer for the sake of others, it looks so unselfish on the surface of it. But analyze the feeling and you will detect selfishness there also. You desire another's happiness so that you may be happy. Or you want the credit for having interceded on another's behalf. God does not require an intermediary. Mind your business and all will be well.
16 December, 1938
The next day the two lady visitors returned in the morning and the younger one asked:
"Is the expression of the highest state the same to all? Or is there any difference?"
Ramana said: The Highest state is the same, and the experience is the same.
Questioner: But I find some difference on the interpretations put on the highest truth?
Ramana: The interpretations are made with the mind. The minds are different so the interpretations are different.
Questioner: I mean to ask if the seers express themselves differently?
Ramana: The expressions may differ according to the nature of the seekers. They are meant only to guide the seekers.
Questioner: One seer speaks in the terms of Christianity, another in those of Islam, a third of Buddhism, etc. Is that due to their upbringing?
Ramana: Whatever may be their upbringing, their experience is the same. But the modes of expression differ according to the circumstances.
Questioner: Last night you said God is guiding us. Then why should we make an effort to do anything?
Ramana: Who asks you to do so?
I have lived immersed in pride, in an effort to mask equal parts shame. And I have wallowed in my own shame, indulging every depression by using shame as a "rational" excuse. All this in a vein effort to mask my incredible pride.
Two inseparable halves of one whole. The front and back, up and down, left and right, AKA: Suffering.
Pride and shame, it's all that and more.
In the East they talk more about Desire-Fear. But the signposts point to the same destination.
The funny thing is what we are really talking about are four words (desire-fear-pride-shame) that mean the exact same thing. But then again, I only mean that completely literally.
So I wonder where it began? And I remember it started with a secret.
Once told, once believed, once forgotten as a habit, and once trapping us to a view from inside a little tin can, in a universe as vast as nothingness.
15th December, 1938:
The Spanish lady, Madam Mercedes De Acorta, has written a letter to Mr Hague, the American mining engineer who is here as a temporary resident for the last two Months. She has raised a few questions:
"If the individual Self merges into the Universal Self, how can one pray to God for the uplift of humanity?" The question seems a common one in the west.
Ramana said: They pray to God and finish with "Thy will be done!" If his will be done why do they pray at all? It is true the Divine Will prevails at all times under all circumstances. The individuals cannot act of their own accord. Recognize the force of the Divine Will and keep quiet. Each one is looked after by God. You are among billions. When he looks after so many will he omit you? Even common sense dictates that one should abide by his Will. Again there is no need to let him know your needs. He knows them Himself and will look after them.
Still more, why do you pray?
Because you are helpless yourself and you want the higher power to help you. Well, does not that higher power know your weakness? Should you parade your weakness in order to make him know it?
Ms Acorta: But God helps those who help themselves?
Ramana replies: Certainly. Help yourself and that is itself according to God's Will. Every action is prompted by him only. As for prayer for the sake of others, it looks so unselfish on the surface of it. But analyze the feeling and you will detect selfishness there also. You desire another's happiness so that you may be happy. Or you want the credit for having interceded on another's behalf. God does not require an intermediary. Mind your business and all will be well.
16 December, 1938
The next day the two lady visitors returned in the morning and the younger one asked:
"Is the expression of the highest state the same to all? Or is there any difference?"
Ramana said: The Highest state is the same, and the experience is the same.
Questioner: But I find some difference on the interpretations put on the highest truth?
Ramana: The interpretations are made with the mind. The minds are different so the interpretations are different.
Questioner: I mean to ask if the seers express themselves differently?
Ramana: The expressions may differ according to the nature of the seekers. They are meant only to guide the seekers.
Questioner: One seer speaks in the terms of Christianity, another in those of Islam, a third of Buddhism, etc. Is that due to their upbringing?
Ramana: Whatever may be their upbringing, their experience is the same. But the modes of expression differ according to the circumstances.
Questioner: Last night you said God is guiding us. Then why should we make an effort to do anything?
Ramana: Who asks you to do so?
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