"Who am I?"
Ramana Maharshi's question, "Who am I?", invites us to delve into our essential nature beyond the physical and mental constructs that define our daily existence. It encourages introspection and self-inquiry, prompting individuals to question their identity and to seek a deeper understanding of who they truly are beyond societal roles, beliefs, and habits. Ultimately, this inquiry can lead to realizing one's true self, or the Self (Atman), which is timeless, formless, and eternal.
"The mind is a formless thing; it is space. The more you try to hold on to it, the more it eludes you."
This quote by Ramana Maharshi suggests that the human mind, unlike physical objects, has no tangible shape or form. It's more akin to empty space, infinite and boundless. The more one tries to control or grasp it, the more it seems to slip away, for the nature of the mind is changeable and unpredictable. This metaphor invites us to approach our mental processes with acceptance rather than forceful control, encouraging understanding and non-attachment as we navigate the complexities of thought and consciousness.
"In the absolute, there is no past, no future; everything is present now."
Ramana Maharshi's quote emphasizes that in the ultimate reality (the Absolute), time as we conventionally understand it does not exist. In this state, all moments - past, present, and future - coexist simultaneously. This perspective invites us to find peace, wisdom, and understanding in the present moment, rather than being lost in regrets of the past or anxieties about the future. It encourages a mindful approach to life, emphasizing that our true nature and the universe's essence are eternal and unchanging, found in every moment we experience.
"When the mind is completely pure, self-surrender is easy and natural."
Ramana Maharshi's quote emphasizes that a pure mind facilitates effortless and natural self-surrender. In simpler terms, it suggests that when our thoughts, intentions, and actions are free from selfishness, ego, and impurities, surrendering oneself to a higher power or purpose becomes easy and instinctive. A pure mind is one that is devoid of negative emotions, desires, and attachments, allowing us to easily let go and trust in the divine order of the universe.
"A man who has realized that he is neither his mind nor his body is neither an atheist nor a theist."
This quote suggests that when a person attains self-realization, understanding they are not limited to their physical body or mental thoughts, they transcend traditional labels of belief systems like atheism (disbelief in God) or theism (belief in God). Instead, they recognize a more profound, interconnected existence beyond these constructs.
Even as one and the same person is called by different names according to the different functions he performs, so also one and the same mind is called by the different names: mind, intellect, memory, and egoity, on account of the difference in the modes - and not because of any real difference.
- Ramana Maharshi
The Real is ever-present, like the screen on which the cinematographic pictures move. While the picture appears on it, the screen remains invisible. Stop the picture, and the screen will become clear. All thoughts and events are merely pictures moving on the screen of Pure Consciousness, which alone is real.
- Ramana Maharshi
Time is only an idea. There is only the Reality. Whatever you think it is, it looks like that. If you call it time, it is time. If you call it existence, it is existence, and so on. After calling it time, you divide it into days and nights, months, years, hours, minutes, etc. Time is immaterial for the Path of Knowledge.
- Ramana Maharshi
Society is the body; individuals are its members, its limbs. Just as the various limbs help and co-operate with one another and thus are happy, so each must unite with others in being helpful to all in thought, speech and action... One may see to the good of one's own group, i.e., the group that is immediate to him, and then proceed to others.
- Ramana Maharshi
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