Devotee: Maharshi advises that the mind should be divested of thoughts.
Ramana Maharishi: This is itself a thought.
Devotee: When all thoughts disappear what remains over?
Ramana Maharishi: Is the mind different from thoughts?
Devotee: No. The mind is made up of thoughts. My point is this: When all thoughts are got rid of, how shall I concentrate the mind?
Ramana Maharishi: Is not this also a thought?
Devotee: Yes, but I am advised to concentrate.
Ramana Maharishi: Why should you concentrate? Why should you not allow your thoughts free play?
Devotee: The sastras say that the thoughts, thus playing free, lead us astray, that is, to unreal and changeful things.
Ramana Maharishi: So then, you want not to be led to unreal and changeful things. Your thoughts are unreal and changeful. You want to hold the Reality. That is exactly what I say. The thoughts are unreal. Get rid of them.
Devotee: I understand now. Yet there is a doubt. “Not a trice can you remain inactive.” How shall I be able to rid myself of thoughts?
Ramana Maharishi: The same Gita says: “Although all actions take place, I am not the doer.” It is
like the sun towards the world activities. The Self always remains actionless, whereas thoughts arise and subside. The Self is Perfection; it is immutable; the mind is limited and changeful. You need only to cast off your limitations. Your perfection thus stands revealed.
Ramana Maharishi: This is itself a thought.
Devotee: When all thoughts disappear what remains over?
Ramana Maharishi: Is the mind different from thoughts?
Devotee: No. The mind is made up of thoughts. My point is this: When all thoughts are got rid of, how shall I concentrate the mind?
Ramana Maharishi: Is not this also a thought?
Devotee: Yes, but I am advised to concentrate.
Ramana Maharishi: Why should you concentrate? Why should you not allow your thoughts free play?
Devotee: The sastras say that the thoughts, thus playing free, lead us astray, that is, to unreal and changeful things.
Ramana Maharishi: So then, you want not to be led to unreal and changeful things. Your thoughts are unreal and changeful. You want to hold the Reality. That is exactly what I say. The thoughts are unreal. Get rid of them.
Devotee: I understand now. Yet there is a doubt. “Not a trice can you remain inactive.” How shall I be able to rid myself of thoughts?
Ramana Maharishi: The same Gita says: “Although all actions take place, I am not the doer.” It is
like the sun towards the world activities. The Self always remains actionless, whereas thoughts arise and subside. The Self is Perfection; it is immutable; the mind is limited and changeful. You need only to cast off your limitations. Your perfection thus stands revealed.
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