Be the Self; there will be no second thing to cause you fear.

Devotee:  What is the instrument by which we experience that state?

Ramana Maharishi:  We call it Mayakarana as opposed to the antahkarana to which we are accustomed in our other states. The same instruments are called differently in the different states, even as the anandatman of sleep is termed the vijnanatman of the wakeful state.

Devotee:  Please furnish me with an illustration for the mayakarana experiencing the ananda.

Ramana Maharishi:  How can you say “I slept happily”? The experience is there to prove your happiness. There cannot be the remembrance in the wakeful state in the absence of the experience in the sleep state.

Devotee:  Agreed. But please give me an illustration.

Ramana Maharishi:  How can it be described? If you dive into water for recovering an article you speak of its recovery only after rising out of the water. You do not say anything while remaining sunk in water.

Devotee:  I do not have fear in sleep whereas I have it now.

Ramana Maharishi:  Because dwiteeyadvai bhayam bhavati - fear is always of a second one. Of what are you afraid?

Devotee:  By reason of the perception of the body, the senses, the world, Isvara, doership, enjoyment etc.

Ramana Maharishi:  Why do you see them if they cause fear?

Devotee:  Because they are inescapable.

Ramana Maharishi:  But it is you who sees them. For whom is the fear? Is it for them?

Devotee:  No, it is for me.

Ramana Maharishi:  Because you see them, you fear them. Do not see them and there will be no fear.

Devotee:  What then should I do in the waking state?

Ramana Maharishi:  Be the Self; there will be no second thing to cause you fear.