Talk 601 - Summa iru - Futility of the Guru

Talk 601- Qualities of a master- Bhagavan Ramana Maharshi
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Mr Narayana Iyer:  Sri Bhagavan's words are so pleasing to hear but their import is beyond our comprehension.  
That seems to be far too much for us even to hope to realize.

G.V.S.  Our grasp is only intellectual. If Sri Bhagavan be pleased to direct us with a few instructions we shall be highly benefited.

Maharshi:  He who instructs an ardent seeker to do this or that is not a true master.  

The seeker is already afflicted by his activities and wants Peace and Rest.  In other words, he wants cessation of his activities. 

Instead of that he told to do something in addition to, or 
in place of, his activities.Can that be a help to the seeker?

Activity is creation. Activity is the destruction of  one's inherent happiness.  

If activity be advocated the adviser is not a masterbut the killer.  
Either the Creator (Brahma) or Death (Yama) may be said to have come in the guise of such a master.  

He cannotliberate the aspirant but strengthens his fetters.

Devotee:  When we attempt to cease from activity the very attempt is action.  So activity seems to be inevitable.

Maharshi:  True. Saint Tayumanavar has also alluded it.  A doctor advises a patient to take the prescribed medicine with
only one condition.   This condition is not to think of a monkey when he takes the medicine.  Can the patient ever take the
medicine? Will he not think of the monkey whenever he tries not to do so?

So also, when people try to give up thoughts their object is frustrated by their very attempt.