SELF-MEDICATING ON RAMANA MAHARSHI

One beautiful introduction to Ramana Maharshi can be found in the illustrated photo book, The Essential Teachings of Ramana Maharshi, InnerDirections Publishing. Many, many photos, provide a visual context for the stillness and inner beauty of this Being. Staring into his eyes brings back The Remembering - HM.

All words below are excerpted from this book.


SURRENDER
Either surrender because you realize your inability and need a Higher Power to help you, or investigate the cause of misery. The Divine never forsakes one who has surrendered.

Surrender is giving oneself up to the origin of one’s Being. In due course, we will know that our glory lies where we cease to exist.
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You give up various possessions. If, instead, you give up “I” and “mine,”, you give them all up in one stroke and lose the very seed of possessions.

Disinterest I (the non-Self) must be very strong to do this. One’s eagerness must be equal to that of a person kept under water while trying to rise to the surface to breathe.



METHOD / PRACTICE
You call it meditation because other thoughts distract you. When these thoughts are dispelled, you remain I the state of meditation, free from thoughts.

When the practice becomes firm, your real nature shows itself as true meditation.

When meditation is well-established, it cannot be given up. It will go on automatically, even when you are engaged in work or play. It will persist in the sleep, too. Meditation must become so deep-rooted that it will be natural to one.


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