That which exists cannot be observed. It is unobservable....That which exists, exists for ever; that which newly appears is later lost.

Ramana Maharishi:  We read a newspaper and all the articles therein, but do not care to know anything about the paper itself. We take the chaff but not the substance. The substratum on which all this is printed is the paper and if we know the substratum all else will be known (like wall and paintings).

Devotee:  You said the only ONE which exists is the REAL. What is that only ONE?

Ramana Maharishi:  The ONE only is the Sat, the existence, that appears as the world, the things that we see and we ourselves.

Devotee:  What is Atman? Is there a finality for the ATMAN?

Ramana Maharishi:  First learn what is Atman. If we know this then we can query as to whether it has a finality or not. Which do you call ATMAN?

Devotee:  Jiva is ATMAN.

Ramana Maharishi:  Learn what jiva is. What is the difference between jiva and Atman? Is jiva itself Atman or is there any separate thing as Atman? There is an end for what you observe; that which is created has a destruction or end. That which is not created has no end. That which exists cannot be observed. It is unobservable. We must find out what it is that appears; the destruction of that which appears is the end. That which exists, exists for ever; that which newly appears is later lost.