7th January, 1935. . . . .
. . . . . .A questioner asks:
What are the obstacles which hinder realization of the Self?
Ramana: They are habits of mind (vasanas).
Questioner: How to overcome the mental habits (vasanas)?
Ramana: By realizing the Self.
Questioner: That is a vicious circle.
Ramana: It is the ego which raises such difficulties, creating obstacles and then suffers from the perplexity of apparent paradoxes. Find out who makes the enquiries and the Self will be found.
Questioner: So, then, I must go back tracing the source of thoughts?
Ramana: Quite so; in that way thoughts will disappear and the Self alone will remain.
Questioner: It is understood intellectually only. Is not the intellect a help for realization?
Ramana: Yes, up to a certain stage. Even so, realize that the Self transcends the intellect - the latter must itself vanish to reach the Self.
Questioner: Does my realization help others?
Ramana: Yes, certainly. But there are no others to be helped.
Even the thought. "I do not realize" is a hindrance. In fact, the Self alone IS.
It was dusk. Dusk has been my favorite time of the day, since I remember days.
She was kneeling, before her God, and at the water.
There was an intense silence which overtook me. Not apart from me. . . .what to say?. . . . same-same. Every color vibrant, they have their own sound. Every footstep from every bird, every branch moved by the wind, all within me, Alive to me. The trees moved in an incredible rhythm, that I am sure I mostly miss. And it IS.
Freedom is awareness not moved by fear or desire.
Freedom is Love.
Then I am brought back, as I walk with her, as is good. And a sudden fear of falling again comes back to me. Falling to Earth again.
Who knew?
She is very brave, and I remember. .
. . . Love is the one thing, that since the very start, has always been worth falling to Earth for.
What are the obstacles which hinder realization of the Self?
Ramana: They are habits of mind (vasanas).
Questioner: How to overcome the mental habits (vasanas)?
Ramana: By realizing the Self.
Questioner: That is a vicious circle.
Ramana: It is the ego which raises such difficulties, creating obstacles and then suffers from the perplexity of apparent paradoxes. Find out who makes the enquiries and the Self will be found.
Questioner: So, then, I must go back tracing the source of thoughts?
Ramana: Quite so; in that way thoughts will disappear and the Self alone will remain.
Questioner: It is understood intellectually only. Is not the intellect a help for realization?
Ramana: Yes, up to a certain stage. Even so, realize that the Self transcends the intellect - the latter must itself vanish to reach the Self.
Questioner: Does my realization help others?
Ramana: Yes, certainly. But there are no others to be helped.
Even the thought. "I do not realize" is a hindrance. In fact, the Self alone IS.
It was dusk. Dusk has been my favorite time of the day, since I remember days.
She was kneeling, before her God, and at the water.
There was an intense silence which overtook me. Not apart from me. . . .what to say?. . . . same-same. Every color vibrant, they have their own sound. Every footstep from every bird, every branch moved by the wind, all within me, Alive to me. The trees moved in an incredible rhythm, that I am sure I mostly miss. And it IS.
Freedom is awareness not moved by fear or desire.
Freedom is Love.
Then I am brought back, as I walk with her, as is good. And a sudden fear of falling again comes back to me. Falling to Earth again.
Who knew?
She is very brave, and I remember. .
. . . Love is the one thing, that since the very start, has always been worth falling to Earth for.
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