A thing remains to be attained if it is not already attained. But here one’s very being is That.

Devotee:  When we attempt to cease from activity the very attempt is action. So activity seems to be inevitable.


Ramana Maharishi:  True. Thayumanavar has also alluded to it. A doctor advises a patient to take the prescribed medicine with only one condition. That condition is not to think of a monkey when he takes the medicine. Can the patient ever take the medicine? Will he not think of the monkey whenever he tries not to do so? So also, when people try to give up thoughts their object is frustrated by their very attempt.


Devotee:   How then is the state to be attained?


Ramana Maharishi:   What is there to attain? A thing remains to be attained if it is not already attained. But here one’s very being is That.