By Sri Ramana Maharshi
~ SELF~
“If there is a goal to be reached, it cannot be permanent. The goal must already be there. We seek to reach the goal with Ego but the goal exists before the Ego. What is in the goal is even prior to our birth, the birth of the ego. Because we exist, the ego appears to exist, too. If we look on the Self as the ego, then we become the ego. If it’s the mind, we become the mind. If it’s the body we become the body. It's the thought that builds up sheets in so many ways.
The shadow on the water is found to be shaking; can anyone stop the shaking of the shadow? If it should cease to shake you would not notice the water, but only the light. Similar to take no notice on the ego and its activities, but see only the light behind. The ego is the I-thought, the true I is the Self. Realization is already there, the state free from thoughts is the only real state.
There is no such action as realization. Is there anyone who is not realizing the Self? Does anyone deny his own existence? Speaking of realization implies two Self's: The one to realize, the other to be realized. What is not already realized is the thought to be realized. Once we admit our existence how is it that we do not know the Self? Oh because of the thoughts, the mind; - Quite so. It is the mind that stands between and veils our happiness. How do we know that we exist? If you say because of the world around us, than how do you know that you existed in deep sleep? How to get rid of the mind? Is it the mind that wants to kill itself? The mind cannot kill itself. So your business is to find the real nature of the mind. Then you will know that there is no mind. When the Self is sought the mind is nowhere.
Abiding in the Self, one need not worry about the mind. How to get rid of fear? What is fear? It is only a thought. If there is anything beside the Self there is reason to fear. Who sees the Second? First the ego arises and sees objects as external. If the ego does not rise, the Self-alone exists and there is no Second. For anything external to oneself implies the Seer within. Seeking it there will arise no doubt, no fear - not only fear, all other thoughts centered around the ego will disappear around with it. This method seems to be quicker than the usual one of cultivating qualities alleged necessary for salvation. All bad qualities are centered around the ego.
When the ego is gone, realization results by itself. There are neither good nor bad qualities in the Self. The Self is free from all qualities. Qualities pertain to the mind only. It is beyond quality. If there is unity, there will also be duality. The numeral one gives rise to other numbers. The truth is, either one or two - it is as it is. The difficulty is to be in the thought-free state. Reality is simply the loss of the ego. Destroy the ego by seeking its identity. Because the ego is no entity, it will automatically vanish and reality will shine forth by itself. This is the direct method, whereas all other methods are done only retaining the ego. In those paths there arise so many doubts and the eternal question remains to be tackled finally. But in this method the final question is the only one and it is raised from the very beginning.
There is no greater mystery than this: Ourselves being the reality, we seek to gain reality. We think that there is something hiding our reality and that it must be destroyed before the reality is gained. It is ridiculous. A day will dawn when you will yourself laugh at your past efforts. That which will be on the day you laugh, is also the here and now. "So its a great game of pretending?" - "Yes." it is said: 'what is real is hidden from us and what is false is revealed as true. We are actually experiencing the reality only; still we do not know it. Is it not a wonder of wonders? The quest "Who am I?" is the axe with which to cut off the ego.” – Maugham -
“Let him find out to whom are the thoughts. Where from do they arise? They must spring up from the conscious Self. Apprehending it even vaguely helps the extinction of the ego. Thereafter the realization of the one Infinite Existence becomes possible. In that state there are no individuals other than the Eternal Existence.
Replies
My ego feels disturbingly light in comparison to my heart. Or it might be the entire opposite. Meaning the mind is forced to adopt dissociative behaviours as a safe escape.
No wonder why so many characters, all except myself, the only one which feels broken.
Consciousness remains beyond self, at least it's that way during out of the body experiences. Free from self, so there is not condition imposed by personal memories, behavioural patterns.
The feeling is beautiful, it clashes against what I'd consider personal joy. Like it's not real enough. Like I'm playing myself here.
It feels like I've been pulling strings my whole life, playing cards to my own benefit. Everything solves itself. Using people.
It makes you wonder. Is it just a game, life?
Maybe I took it too seriously and ended up suffering, being selfless. Or being myself involves experiencing the Self to its fullest extent, no judgment allowed. That unless you like personal misery.
My ego thrives in fear, its inner most nature. However, it tastes fake to my heart, a theatrical play. A jester.
I'm ego. Conscience inside predefined genetic material and experience, all set up, which makes for a pretty mediocre character all together.
It's not that hard, just go outside your body. Float around a bit, listen to some radio, without a radio tuning device.
Wonder about existencial enigmas, watch over the mediocre character, lying unconscious on the bed, maybe too conscious, or perhaps too little.
you have an unique way of seeing your world Suiris .... and still you are here, fighting your fight, acknowledging your life and your self in those 'moments' - " a great dream is made up of many different things, just as the light from the sun is the sum of its millions of rays"
and as long as you feel anything - you are alive ... ;))