Devotee: Peace is extolled more than anything else. How shall we gain it?
Ramana Maharishi: It is your very nature. Forgetfulness never overtakes the Self. The Self is now confounded with non-self and that makes you speak of forgetfulness of the Self, Peace, etc. Oblivion will never rear up its head if this confusion is put an end to.
Devotee: How is that done?
Ramana Maharishi: Enquiry into the Self. One-pointedness means cessation of mental activities. Forgetfulness must be for the self - well, of what? Of the Self? Are there then two selves? Practice removes the samskaras.
Devotee: But samskaras are infinite and eternal - from beginningless time.
Ramana Maharishi: This itself is a samskara. Give up that idea and all samskaras will disappear at once. That is visranti (repose), santi (peace). Peace is ever present. But you hold it down and rise over it and thus disturb it. Then you say, “I want Peace”.
Devotee: Will Peace be gradual?
Ramana Maharishi: Yes. Make the mind gradually still (Sanaissanaih uparamet) says the Bhagavad Gita.
Ramana Maharishi: It is your very nature. Forgetfulness never overtakes the Self. The Self is now confounded with non-self and that makes you speak of forgetfulness of the Self, Peace, etc. Oblivion will never rear up its head if this confusion is put an end to.
Devotee: How is that done?
Ramana Maharishi: Enquiry into the Self. One-pointedness means cessation of mental activities. Forgetfulness must be for the self - well, of what? Of the Self? Are there then two selves? Practice removes the samskaras.
Devotee: But samskaras are infinite and eternal - from beginningless time.
Ramana Maharishi: This itself is a samskara. Give up that idea and all samskaras will disappear at once. That is visranti (repose), santi (peace). Peace is ever present. But you hold it down and rise over it and thus disturb it. Then you say, “I want Peace”.
Devotee: Will Peace be gradual?
Ramana Maharishi: Yes. Make the mind gradually still (Sanaissanaih uparamet) says the Bhagavad Gita.
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