In the centre of the Hear-Cave there shines alone the one Brahman as the 'I-I', the Atman. Reach the Heart by diving deep in quest of the Self, or by controlling the mind with the breath, and stay established in Atman.
v.8 Reality in Forty Verses, Supplement
v.8 Reality in Forty Verses, Supplement
Though Bhagawan taught for the most part through silence, he did instruct through speech also and that too with clarity, directness and simplicity, without in the least baffling the minds of the listeners.
The teachings of Bhagawan are intensely practical. He expounded theory only in answer to the specific needs and questions of devotees and as a necessary basis for practise. He would often refuse to gratify curiosity, turning the questioner's attention to himself, to enquire into the reality of his own existence.
The direct path of Atma Vichara (Self Enquiry) eliminates the preconditions usually equated with the traditional Jnana Marga ( path of knowledge), since it goes straight in to the root of all problems, the mind.
Only after the rise of the mind, everything else rises; enquiring into its nature, that is, enquiring from where the mind emerges, the mind dissolves into the Self.It is thus a new and integral path that Bhagawan has opened to those who turn to him.Adapted to the conditions of our age, the path of enquiry can be followed in city or household no less than in forest or Ashram.
SELF ENQUIRY
Self Enquiry is really possible only through intense introversion of the mind. What is finally realised, as a result of such enquiry into the source of Aham vritti ( 'I'- thought) is verily the Heart as the undifferentiated light of Pure Consciousness into which the reflected light of the mind is completely absorbed.
As each thought arises one must be watchful and ask: to whom is the thought occurring? the answer will be To me .If you enquire Who am I? the mind will return to the source from whence it issued. The thought which arose will also submerge.
PRACTICE
Abhyasa consists in withdrawal within Self every time you are disturbed by thought. It is not concentration or destruction of mind by withdrawal into the Self.
You can never find mind through the mind.Pass beyond it in order to find that it is non-existent.
GRACE
The Guru is both within and without. So he creates conditions to drive you inward and prepares the interior to drag you to the centre. Thus he gives a push from outside and exerts pull from within sot hat you may be fixed at the centre. This is the Grace of the Guru.
Grace is both beginning and the end. Introversion is due to Grace. Perseverance is Grace, Realisation is Grace.
SURRENDER
What Bhaktha calls surrender , the man who does vichara calls Jnana. Both are trying to take the ego back to the Source from which it spring and make it merge there.
We will know in due course that our glory lies where we cease to exist. In order to gain that state, one should surrender oneself saying LORD! Thou art my Refuge!
NAMO BHAGAWATHE SRI RAMANAYA
