If the mind is distracted, ask the question promptly, “To whom do these distracting thoughts arise?”

Devotee:  Can a line of thought or a series of questions induce Selfhypnotism? Should it not be reduced to a single point analysing the unanalysable, elementary and vaguely perceived and elusive ‘I’?

Ramana Maharishi:  Yes. It is really like gazing into vacancy or a dazzling crystal or light.

Devotee:  Can the mind be fixed to that point? How?

Ramana Maharishi:  If the mind is distracted, ask the question promptly, “To whom do these distracting thoughts arise?” That takes you back to the ‘I’ point promptly

Devotee:  How long can the mind stay or be kept in the Heart?

Ramana Maharishi:  The period extends by practice.

Devotee:  What happens at the end of the period?

Ramana Maharishi:  The mind returns to the present normal state. Unity in the Heart is replaced by variety of phenomena perceived. This is called the outgoing mind. The heart-going mind is called the resting mind.

Devotee:  Is all this process merely intellectual or does it exhibit feeling predominantly?

Ramana Maharishi:  The latter.