Ramanan Talk No 95

DEVOTEE: How do all thoughts cease when the mind is in the Heart?

SRI RAMANA MAHARSHI:

By force of will, with strong faith in the truth of the Master's teaching to that effect.

D : What is good of this process?

MAHARSHI:

(a) Conquest of the will - development of concentration.

(b) Conquest of passions - development of dispassion.

(c) Increased practice of virtue - ('samatva') equality to all.

D : Why should one adopt this self-hypnotism by thinking on the unthinkable point? Why not adopt other methods like gazing into light, holding the breath, hearing music, hearing internal sounds, repetition of the sacred syllable (Pranava) or other 'mantras'?

M : Light-gazing stupifies the mind and produces catalepsy of the will for the time being, yet secures no permanent benefit. Breath control benumbs the will for the time being only. Sound-hearing produces similar results - unless the 'mantra' is sacred and secures the help of a higher power to purify and raise the thoughts. 🕉️

- from - Talk-27