Talks 426 & 427
ETERNAL SELF AND BIRTH/DEATH
D.: What are the fundamental tests for discovering men of great spirituality, since some are reported to behave like insane people?
M.: The jnani’s mind is known only to the Jnani. One must be a Jnani oneself in order to understand another Jnani. However, the peace of mind which permeates the saint’s atmosphere is the only means by which the seeker understands the greatness of the saint. His words or actions or appearance are no indications of his greatness, for they are ordinarily beyond the comprehension of common people.
D.: In the practice of meditation are there any signs of the nature of subjective experience or otherwise, which will indicate the aspirant’s progress towards Self-Realization
M.: The degree of freedom from unwanted thoughts and the degree of concentration on a single thought are the measure to gauge the progress.
D.: Are intellect and emotion, like the physical body, growths which come with the birth of man; and do they dissolve or survive after death?
M.: Before considering what happens after death, just consider what happens in your sleep. Sleep is only the interval between two waking states. Do they survive that interval?
D.: Yes, they do.
M.: The same holds good for death also. They represent body consciousness and nothing more. If you are the body they always hold on to you. If you are not the body they do not affect you. The one who was in sleep is now in waking state just speaking. You were not the body in sleep. Are you the body now? Find it out. Then the whole problem is solved.
Similarly, that which is born must die. Whose is the birth? Were you born? If you say you were, of whose birth are you speaking?
It is the body which was born and it is that which will die.
How do birth and death affect the eternal Self?
Think and say to whom the questions arise. Then you will know.
D.: Hinduism lays down reincarnation of the jiva. What happens to the jiva during the interval between the death of one body and the birth of the next one?
M.: Solve this question by referring to the state of sleep. What happens to you in sleep?
D.: I do not know.
M.: Yet you exist. Therefore, existence beyond knowledge and ignorance is indicated. Although ignorance was prevailing, according to your present idea, yet you did not say so in sleep. You continued to exist all the same. Mere ignorance does not rule out the fact of your existence…..
Talk 426 ,427 Talks with Sri Ramana Maharshi.
D.: What are the fundamental tests for discovering men of great spirituality, since some are reported to behave like insane people?
M.: The jnani’s mind is known only to the Jnani. One must be a Jnani oneself in order to understand another Jnani. However, the peace of mind which permeates the saint’s atmosphere is the only means by which the seeker understands the greatness of the saint. His words or actions or appearance are no indications of his greatness, for they are ordinarily beyond the comprehension of common people.
D.: In the practice of meditation are there any signs of the nature of subjective experience or otherwise, which will indicate the aspirant’s progress towards Self-Realization
M.: The degree of freedom from unwanted thoughts and the degree of concentration on a single thought are the measure to gauge the progress.
D.: Are intellect and emotion, like the physical body, growths which come with the birth of man; and do they dissolve or survive after death?
M.: Before considering what happens after death, just consider what happens in your sleep. Sleep is only the interval between two waking states. Do they survive that interval?
D.: Yes, they do.
M.: The same holds good for death also. They represent body consciousness and nothing more. If you are the body they always hold on to you. If you are not the body they do not affect you. The one who was in sleep is now in waking state just speaking. You were not the body in sleep. Are you the body now? Find it out. Then the whole problem is solved.
Similarly, that which is born must die. Whose is the birth? Were you born? If you say you were, of whose birth are you speaking?
It is the body which was born and it is that which will die.
How do birth and death affect the eternal Self?
Think and say to whom the questions arise. Then you will know.
D.: Hinduism lays down reincarnation of the jiva. What happens to the jiva during the interval between the death of one body and the birth of the next one?
M.: Solve this question by referring to the state of sleep. What happens to you in sleep?
D.: I do not know.
M.: Yet you exist. Therefore, existence beyond knowledge and ignorance is indicated. Although ignorance was prevailing, according to your present idea, yet you did not say so in sleep. You continued to exist all the same. Mere ignorance does not rule out the fact of your existence…..
Talk 426 ,427 Talks with Sri Ramana Maharshi.
Labels: Ramana Kendram
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