Ramana Maharshi Quotes:

No one succeeds without effort... Those who succeed owe their success to perseverance.

Topics: Perseverance, Effort, Succeed, Dedication And Perseverance, Work Effort

Willpower should be understood to be the strength of the mind, which makes it capable of meeting success or failure with equanimity.  It is not synonymous with certain success.  Why should one's attempts always be attended by success?  Success breeds arrogance and man's spiritual progress is thus arrested.  Failure, on the other hand, is beneficial, inasmuch as it opens his eyes to his limitations and prepares him to surrender himself.  Self surrender is synonymous with eternal happiness.

Topics: Spiritual, Eye, Men, Spiritual Progress, Equanimity

We are so engrossed with the objects, or appearances revealed by the light, that we pay no attention to the light.

source: - A. Devaraja Mudaliar, Maharshi Ramana (1968). “Day by Day with Bhagavan: From a Diary of A. Devaraja Mudaliar, Covering March 16, 1945 to January 4, 1947”

Topics: Light, Pay, Attention

Happiness is your nature. It is not wrong to desire it. What is wrong is seeking it outside when it is inside.

Topics: Contentment, Desire, Awareness, Mindful Living, Self Realization

Realisation is not acquisition of anything new nor is it a new faculty. It is only removal of all camouflage

Topics: Acquisition, Camouflage, Faculty

Correcting oneself is correcting the whole world. The Sun is simply bright. It does not correct anyone. Because it shines, the whole world is full of light. Transforming yourself is a means of giving light to the whole world.

Topics: Mean, Light, Giving, Correcting, Giving Light

The entire Universe is condensed in the body, and the entire body in the Heart. Thus the Heart is the nucleus of the whole Universe.

Topics: Heart, Body, Nucleus

There is neither past nor future. There is only the present. Yesterday was the present to you when you experienced it, and tomorrow will be also the present when you experience it. Therefore, experience takes place only in the present, and beyond experience nothing exists.

Topics: Past, Yesterday, Tomorrow

Guru, God and Self are One

Topics: God, Self, Guru

Reality is simply the loss of ego. Destroy the ego by seeking its identity. Because the ego is no entity it will automatically vanish and reality will shine forth by itself.

Topics: Loss, Reality, Shining

A man does not have to go and find where his eyes are in order to see. The heart is there, always open to you, if you care to enter it, always supporting your movements, although you may be unaware of it. It is perhaps more correct to say that the Self is the Heart. Really the Self is the centre and is everywhere aware of itself as the Heart or Self-awareness.

Topics: Heart, Eye, Men

Mind is consciousness which has put on limitations. You are originally unlimited and perfect. Later you take on limitations and become the mind.

Topics: Perfect, Mind, Passionate

If a man considers that he is born, he cannot avoid the fear of death. Let him find out if he has been born or if the Self has any birth. He will discover that the Self always exists, that the body that is born resolves itself into thought and that the emergence of thought is the root of all mischief. Find from where thoughts emerge. Then you will be able to abide in the ever-present inmost Self and be free from the idea of birth or the fear of death.

Topics: Fear, Men, Ideas, Emergence

Your true nature is that of infinite spirit. The feeling of limitation is the work of the mind.

source: - Maharshi Ramana, Swami Saraswati Ramananda (1963). “Talks with Sri Ramana Maharshi”

Topics: Feelings, Mind, Spirit, True Nature

When we turn the mind inwards, God manifests as the inner consciousness.

Topics: Yoga, Mind, Consciousness

You have to ask yourself the question 'Who am I?' This investigation will lead in the end to the discovery of something within you which is behind the mind. Solve that great problem and you will solve all other problems.

Topics: Discovery, Mind, Quiet

The inquiry "who am I" turns the mind introvert and makes it calm.

Topics: Yoga, Mind, Inquiry

See who is the doubter, who is the thinker. It is the ego. Hold it; the other thoughts will die away - the ego will be left pure. See the source from where the ego arises and abide in it. That is pure consciousness.

Topics: Yoga, Ego, Doubters

To know one's Self is to be blissful always.

Topics: Self, Self Realization

It is false to speak of realisation. What is there to realise? The real is as it is always. We are not creating anything new or achieving something which we did not have before. The illustration given in books is this. We dig a well and create a huge pit. The space in the pit or well has not been created by us. We have just removed the earth which was filling the space there. The space was there then and is also there now. Similarly we have simply to throw out all the age-long samskaras [innate tendencies] which are inside us. When all of them have been given up, the Self will shine alone.

Topics: Real, Book, Self

You are already That which you seek.

All that is required to realise the Self is to “Be Still.

Topics: Self, Stills, Realising, Realised

Grace is within you. Grace is your self. Grace is not something to be acquired from others. If it is external, it is useless. All that is necessary is to know its existence is in you. You are never out of its operation.

Topics: Self, Grace, Useless

To ask the mind to kill itself is like making the thief the policeman. He will go with you and pretend to catch the thief, but nothing will be gained. So you must turn inward and see where the mind rises from, and then it will cease to exist.

Topics: Mind, Thieves, Inward

It is not enough that one surrenders oneself. Surrender is to give oneself up to the original cause of one's being. Do not delude yourself by imagining such a source to be some God outside you. One's source is within oneself. Give yourself up to it. That means that you should seek the source and merge in it.

Topics: Mean, Giving, Meditation

If one wants to abide in the thought-free state, a struggle is inevitable. One must fight one's way through before regaining one's original primal state. If one succeeds in the fight and reaches the goal, the enemy, namely the thoughts, will all subside in the Self and disappear entirely.

Topics: Struggle, Fighting, Self, Primal, Free State

Let what comes come, let what goes go.

Topics: Circle Of Life

What comes will also go. What always is will alone remain.

Take no notice of the ego and its activities, but see only the light behind.

Topics: Light, Ego, Behinds

Calmness is the criterion of spiritual progress. Plunge the purified mind into the Heart. Then the work is over.

Topics: Spiritual, Heart, Mind, Spiritual Progress, Cosmic Consciousness

If the ego rises, all else will also rise; if it subsides, all else will also subside.

Topics: Ego

Realization is to get rid of the delusion that you have not realized.

Topics: Yoga, Realization, Delusion

There is no greater mystery than this, that we keep seeking reality though in fact we are reality.

Topics: Reality, Facts, Mystery, Self Realization

That which is not present in deep dreamless sleep is not real

Topics: Real, Sleep, Dreamless Sleep

By constantly keep one's attention on the Source, the ego is dissolved in that Source like a salt-doll in the sea.

Topics: Sea, Ego, Attention

Doubts arise because of an absence of surrender.

Topics: Doubt, Surrender, Absence

When there are thoughts, it is distraction: when there are no thoughts, it is meditation.

Topics: Meditation, Distraction

The end of all wisdom is love, love, love.

Topics: Ends

Peace is your natural state. It is the mind that obstructs the natural state.

Topics: Mind, Natural, States

By the inquiry 'Who am I?'. The thought 'who am I?' will destroy all other thoughts, and like the stick used for stirring the burning pyre, it will itself in the end get destroyed. Then, there will arise Self-realization.

Topics: Self, Inquiry, Burning

Silence is most powerful. Speech is always less powerful than silence.

Topics: Powerful, Silence, Speech

Misery does not exist in reality but only in mere imagination.

Topics: Reality, Imagination, Doe

If you go on working with the light available, you will meet your Master, as he himself will be seeking you.

Topics: Light, Goes On, Masters

There is neither Past nor Future. There is only the Present.

Topics: Past

You are awareness. Awareness is another name for you. Since you are awareness there is no need to attain or cultivate it. All that you have to do is to give up being aware of other things, that is of the not-Self. If one gives up being aware of them then pure awareness alone remains, and that is the Self.

Topics: Giving Up, Self, Names, Self Awareness

Beyond the belief that something can be lost, there is nothing to lose.

Topics: Belief, Nothing To Lose, Lost

The question 'Who am I?' is not really meant to get an answer, the question 'Who am I?' is meant to dissolve the questioner.

Topics: Answers, Really Mean

If there is anything besides the Self there is reason to fear? Who sees the second? First, the ego arises and sees objects as external. If the ego does not rise, the Self alone exists and there is no second.

Topics: Self, Ego, Firsts

All unhappiness is due to the ego. With it comes all your trouble. If you would deny the ego and scorch it by ignoring it you would be free.

source: - Ramana Maharshi (2004). “The Spiritual Teaching of Ramana Maharshi”, p.100, Shambhala Publications

Topics: Ego, Would Be, Trouble

Grace is within you. If it were external, it would be useless.

Topics: Self, Grace, Useless

The very fact that we wish for liberation shows that freedom from all bondage is our real nature. It is not to be freshly acquired. All that is necessary is to get rid of the false notion that we are bound.

Topics: Freedom, Real, Wish

A realized one sends out waves of spiritual influence in his aura, which draw many people towards him. Yet he may sit in a cave and maintain complete silence.

Topics: Spiritual, Yoga, People

Nobody doubts that he exists, though he may doubt the existence of God. If he finds out the truth about himself and discovers his own source, this is all that is required.

Topics: Doubt, May, Spirituality

Place your burden at the feet of the Lord of the universe who is ever victorious and accomplishes everything. Remain all the time steadfast in the heart, in the Transcendental Absolute. God knows the past, present and future. He will determine the future for you and accomplish the work. What is to be done will be done at the proper time. Don't worry. Abide in the heart and surrender your acts to the Divine.

Topics: Heart, Past, Feet, Steadfast, Proper Time

Peace is the inner nature of humankind. If you find it within yourself, you will then find it everywhere.

Topics: Humankind

The degree of freedom from unwanted thoughts and the degree of concentration on a single thought are the measures to gauge spiritual progress.

Topics: Spiritual, Progress, Degrees, Spiritual Progress, Unwanted

The mind turned inwards is the Self; turned outwards, it becomes the ego and all the world. Cotton made into various clothes we call by various names. Gold made into various ornaments, we call by various names. But all the clothes are cotton and all the ornaments gold. The one is real, the many are mere names and forms.

Topics: Motivational, Real, Self

When you truly feel this equal love for all, when your heart has expanded so much that it embraces the whole of creation, you will certainly not feel like giving up this or that. You will simply drop off from secular life as a ripe fruit drops from the branch of a tree. You will feel that the whole world is your home.

Topics: Giving Up, Heart, Home, Feel Like Giving Up, Equal Love

Realization consists of getting rid of the false idea that one is not realized.

Topics: Yoga, Ideas, Realization

The state of self-realization, as we call it, is not attaining something new or reaching some goal which is far away, but simply being that which you always are and which you always have been.

Topics: Fun, Self, Goal, Self Realization

The thing to do is to concentrate on the seer and not on the seen, not on the objects, but on the Light which reveals them.

source: - A. Devaraja Mudaliar, Maharshi Ramana (1968). “Day by Day with Bhagavan: From a Diary of A. Devaraja Mudaliar, Covering March 16, 1945 to January 4, 1947”

Topics: Light, Seers

The ego's phenomenal existence is transcended when you dive into the source from where the `I'-thought rises

Topics: Ego, Source, Existence

What exists in truth is the Self alone. The world, the individual soul and God are appearances in it. Like silver in mother-of-pearl, these three appear at the same time and disappear at the same time. The Self is that where there is absolutely no 'I thought'. That is called 'Stillness'. The Self itself is the world; the Self itself is 'I'; the Self itself is God; all is Siva, the Self.

Topics: Mother, Self, Soul

Your duty is to Be, and not to be this or that.

source: - Ramana Maharshi (2004). “The Spiritual Teaching of Ramana Maharshi”, p.86, Shambhala Publications

Topics: Letting Go, Duty, Spiritual Masters, Self Realization, Whole Truth

We are always peace. To get rid of the idea that we are not peace is all that is required.

Topics: Ideas, Spirituality

Peace can reign only where there is no disturbance, and disturbance is due to thoughts that arise in the mind.

Topics: Peace, Mind, Reign, Disturbance

Silence is also conversation.

Topics: Silence, Chaos, Conversation

Your own Self-Realization is the greatest service you can render the world

Topics: Life, Self, World, Realisation, Self Realization

There is no reaching the Self. If Self were to be reached, it would mean that the Self is not here and now but that it is yet to be obtained. What is got afresh will also be lost. So it will be impermanent. What is not permanent is not worth striving for. So I say the Self is not reached. You are the Self; you are already That.

Topics: Mean, Self, Quiet, Impermanence, Spiritual Awakening

You and I are the same. What I have done is surely possible for all. You are the Self now and can never be anything else. Throw your worries to the wind, turn within and find Peace.

Topics: Wind, Self, Worry

Jnana is given neither from outside nor from another person. It can be realised by each and everyone in his own Heart. The jnana Guru of everyone is only the Supreme Self that is always revealing its own truth in every Heart through the being-conciousness 'I am, I am.' The granting of true knowledge by him is initiation into jnana. The grace of the Guru is only that Self-awareness that is one's own true nature. It is the inner conciousness by which he is unceasingly revealing his existence. This divine upadesa is always going on naturally in everyone.

Topics: Heart, Self, Grace, Initiation

Transforming yourself is a means of giving light to the whole world.

Topics: Mean, Light, Giving

When the mind is left without anything to cling to, it becomes still.

Topics: Yoga, Mind, Stills

Bliss is a thing which is always there and is not something which comes and goes. That which comes and goes is a creation of the mind.

Topics: Mind, Bliss, Creation

We see only the script and not the paper on which the script is written. The paper is there, whether the script is on it or not. To those who look upon the script as real, you have to say that it is unreal - an illusion - since it rests upon the paper. The wise person looks upon both paper and script as one.

Topics: Wise, Real, Paper, Wise Person

The fact is that the mind is only a bundle of thoughts. The mind is fattened by new thoughts rising up. Therefore it is foolish to attempt to kill the mind by means of the mind. The only way of doing it is to find its source and hold on to it. The mind will then fade away of its own accord.

Topics: Mean, Rising Up, Mind, Fade Away

There is nothing wrong with God's creation. Mystery and Suffering only exist in the mind.

Topics: Mind, Suffering, God's Creation

The Higher Power knows what to do and how to do it. Trust it.

Topics: Higher Power, Higher

Instead of indulging in mere speculation, devote yourself here and now to the search for the Truth that is ever within you.

Topics: Here And Now, Speculation

Whatever is destined not to happen will not happen, try as you may. Whatever is destined to happen will happen, do what you may to prevent it. This is certain. The best course, therefore, is to remain silent.

source: - Sri Ramana Maharshi, Nome (2009). “Saddarsanam and an Inquiry Into the Revelation of Truth and Oneself”, p.218, Society of Abidance in Truth

Topics: Trying, May, Silent

Turn your vision inward and the whole world will be full of supreme spirit.

Topics: Meditation, Vision, World

Wanting to reform the world without discovering one's true self is like trying to cover the world with leather to avoid the pain of walking on stones and thorns. It is much simpler to wear shoes.

Topics: Spiritual, Pain, Self, Mindful Living, Leather Shoes

Grace is ever present. All that is necessary is that you surrender to it.

Topics: Grace, Surrender, Grace And Mercy

Aim high, aim at the highest, and all lower aims are thereby achieved. It is looking below on the stormy sea of differences that makes you sink. Look up, beyond these and see the One Glorious Real, and you are saved.

Topics: Real, Sea, Differences, Stormy Seas

True Silence is really endless speech.

Topics: Silence, Speech, Endless

Good thoughts keep off bad thoughts. They must themselves disappear before the state of realization.

Topics: Yoga, Realization, Disappear, Bad Thoughts

How to get rid of the mind? Is it the mind that wants to kill itself? The mind cannot kill itself. So your business is to find the real nature of the mind. Then you will know that there is no mind. When the Self is sought, the mind is nowhere. Abiding in the Self, one need not worry about the mind.

Topics: Real, Self, Worry

Realisation is nothing new to be acquired. It is already there, but obstructed by a screen of thoughts. All our attempts are directed to lifting this screen and then realisation is revealed.

Topics: Inspiration, Practice, Meditation, Nothing New

Seeing God without seeing the Self, one sees only mental image. Only he who has seen Himself has seen God, since he has lost individuality, and now sees nothing but God.

Topics: Self, Individuality, Age

When one makes the mind stick to one thought, the mind becomes rock-steady and the energy is conserved.

Topics: Yoga, Rocks, Mind

We loosely talk of Self-realization, for lack of a better term. But how can one realize that which alone is real? All we need to do is to give up our habit of regarding as real that which is unreal. All religious practices are meant solely to help us do this.

Topics: Religious, Giving Up, Powerful, Self Realization, Religious Practices

Meditation depends upon the strength of mind. It must be unceasing even when one is engaged in work. Particular time for it is meant for novices.

Topics: Yoga, Meditation, Mind, Strength Of Mind

Meditation is sticking to one thought. That single thought keeps away other thoughts; distraction of mind is a sign of its weakness; by constant meditation it gains strength.

Topics: Yoga, Meditation, Mind

Nearly all mankind is more or less unhappy because nearly all do not know the true Self. Real happiness abides in Self-knowledge alone. All else is fleeting. To know one's Self is to be blissful always.

Topics: Happiness, Real, Self, Self Realization, Real Happiness

The mind is only a bundle of thoughts. The thoughts have their root in the I-thought. Whoever investigates the True "I" enjoys the stillness of bliss.

Topics: Yoga, Roots, Mind

All that one gives to others one gives to one's self. If this truth is understood, who will not give to others?

Topics: Self, Giving, Generosity

Thoughts come and go. Feelings come and go. Find out what it is that remains.

Topics: Feelings, Comes And Goes, Feelings Come And Go

Why should you trouble yourself about the future? You do not even properly know about the present. Take care of the present, the future will take care of itself.

source: - "Abide as the Self: The Essential Teachings of Ramana Maharshi". Documentary, January 1, 1998.

Topics: Care, Trouble, Should

Silence is truth. Silence is bliss. Silence is peace. And hence Silence is the Self.

Topics: Self, Silence, Bliss

One should remain as a witness to whatever happens, adopting the attitude, 'Let whatever strange things that happens happen, let us see!' This should be one's practice. Nothing happens by accident in the divine scheme of things.

Topics: Attitude, Practice, Strange

God dwells in you, as you, and you don't have to 'do' anything to be God-realized or Self-realized, it is already your true and natural state. Just drop all seeking, turn your attention inward, and sacrifice your ego mind to the One Self radiating in the Heart of your very being. For this to be your own presently lived experience, Self-Inquiry Meditation is a direct and immediate way.

Topics: Heart, Sacrifice, Self

In truth, you are spirit. The body has been projected by the mind, which itself originates from Spirit.

Topics: Mind, Body, Spirit

The greatest obstacle to enlightenment is getting past your delusion that you are not already enlightened.

Topics: Past, Enlightenment, Obstacles

A higher power is leading you; be led by the same. It knows what to do and how to do it.

source: - "Conscious Immortality: Conversations with Ramana Maharshi".

Topics: Higher Power, Higher, Knows

Grace is always present. You imagine it as something high in the sky, far away, something that has to descend. It is really inside you, in your heart. When the mind rests in its source, grace rushes forth, sprouting as from a spring within you.

Topics: Spring, Heart, Sky

If one's mind has peace, the whole world will appear peaceful.

Topics: Peaceful, Mind, World

Have faith in God and in yourself; that will cure all. Hope for the best, expect the best, toil for the best and everything will come right for you in the end.

Topics: Toil, Have Faith, Faith In God, Have Faith In God

Engage yourself in the living present. The future will take care of itself.

source: - Sri Ramana Maharshi (1991). “Be As You Are: The Teachings of Sri Ramana Maharshi”, p.220, Penguin UK

Topics: Care, Take Care

'I Am' is the name of God, God is none other than the Self.

source: - Sri Ramana Maharshi (1991). “Be As You Are: The Teachings of Sri Ramana Maharshi”, p.229, Penguin UK

Topics: Self, Names, Insight

By whatever path you go, you will have to lose yourself in the one. Surrender is complete only when you reach the stage `Thou art all' and `Thy will be done'.

source: - A. Devaraja Mudaliar, Maharshi Ramana (1968). “Day by Day with Bhagavan: From a Diary of A. Devaraja Mudaliar, Covering March 16, 1945 to January 4, 1947”

Topics: Art, Done, Path, Thy Will Be Done

All are seeing God always. But they do not know it.

Topics: Knows, Seeing

If you go the way of your thoughts you will be carried away by them and you will find yourself in an endless maze.

source: - Maharshi Ramana, Swami Saraswati Ramananda (1963). “Talks with Sri Ramana Maharshi”

Topics: Finding Yourself, Mazes, Way

The Self is the one Reality that always exists, and it is by the light of the Self that all other things are seen.

Topics: Reality, Light, Self, Spiritual Wisdom

Without knowing the Knower, all the knowledge that one gathers cannot be valid.

Topics: Knowing

The grace of the Guru is like an ocean. If one comes with a cup he will only get a cupful. It is no use complaining of the niggardliness of the ocean. The bigger the vessel the more one will be able to carry. It is entirely up to him.

Topics: Ocean, Grace, Complaining

To the extent we behave with humility, to that extent good will result.

source: - Ramana Maharshi, C. G. (FRW) Jung (2004). “The Spiritual Teaching of Ramana Maharshi”, Shambhala Pubns

Topics: Humility, Pride, Results, Good Will

The solution to your problem is to see who has it.

Topics: Words Of Wisdom, Problem, Solutions

Truth burns up all karma and frees you from all births.

source: - A. Devaraja Mudaliar, Maharshi Ramana (1968). “Day by Day with Bhagavan: From a Diary of A. Devaraja Mudaliar, Covering March 16, 1945 to January 4, 1947”

Topics: Karma, Birth

You need not aspire for or get any new state. Get rid of your present thoughts, that is all.

source: - Maharshi Ramana, Swami Saraswati Ramananda (1963). “Talks with Sri Ramana Maharshi”

Topics: Thinking, Needs, States

...the Lord of the Universe carries the entire burden of this world. You imagine you do. You can hand all your burdens over to His care. Whatever you have to do, you will be made an instrument for doing it at the right time. Do not think you cannot do it unless you have the desire to do it. Desire does not give you the strength for doing. The entire strength is the Lord's.

Topics: Thinking, Hands, Giving

Take refuge in silence. You can be here or there or anywhere. Fixed in silence, established in the inner 'I', you can be as you are. The world will never perturb you if you are well founded upon the tranquility within. Gather your thoughts within. Find out the thought centre and discover your Self-equipoise. In storm and turmoil be calm and silent. Watch the events around as a witness. The world is a drama. Be a witness, inturned and introspective.

Topics: Drama, Self, Silence

Actions themselves form no bondage. Bondage is only the false belief,"I am the do-er."

Topics: Belief, Action, Bondage

He who thinks he is the doer is also the sufferer.

source: - Maharshi Ramana, Swami Saraswati Ramananda (1963). “Talks with Sri Ramana Maharshi”

Topics: Thinking, Doers, Sufferers

...Bliss is not something to be got. On the other hand you are always Bliss. This desire [for Bliss] is born of the sense of incompleteness. To whom is this sense of incompleteness? Enquire. In deep sleep you were blissful. Now you are not so. What has interposed between that Bliss and this non-bliss? It is the ego. Seek its source and find you are Bliss.

source: - Maharshi Ramana, Swami Saraswati Ramananda (1963). “Talks with Sri Ramana Maharshi”

Topics: Sleep, Hands, Ego, Incompleteness, Deep Sleep

The world is not outside you.

Topics: Self, World

The life of action need not be renounced. If you meditate for an hour or two every day you can then carry on with your duties. If you meditate in the right manner then the current of mind induced will continue to flow even in the midst of your work.

Topics: Two, Mind, Needs

Concentration is not thinking of one thing. On the contrary, it is excluding all thoughts, since all thoughts obstruct the sense of one's true being. All efforts are to be directed simply to removing the veil of ignorance. Concentrating the mind solely on the Self will lead to happiness or bliss. Drawing in the thoughts, restraining them and preventing them from straying outwards is called detachment (vairagya). Fixing them in the Self is spiritual practice (sadhana). Concentrating on the heart is the same as concentrating on the Self. Heart is another name for Self.

Topics: Spiritual, Heart, Ignorance, Concentrating, Restraining

The more you prune a plant, the more it grows. So too the more you seek to annihilate the ego, the more it will increase. You should seek the root of the ego and destroy it.

Topics: Roots, Ego, Plant

As you are, so is the world.

source: - Ramana (Maharshi.), Paul Brunton, Mungala Venkataramiah (1984). “Conscious Immortality: Conversations with Ramana Maharshi”

Topics: World

From where does this "I" arise? Seek for it within; it then vanishes. This is the pursuit of wisdom. When the mind unceasingly investigates its own nature, it transpires that there is no such thing as mind. This is the direct path for all. The mind is merely thoughts. Of all thoughts the thought "I" is the root.

source: - Ramana (Maharshi) (1959). “Collected Works”

Topics: Inspiration, Practice, Roots

You are the Supreme Being, and yet thinking yourself to be separate from it, you strive to become united with it. What is stranger than this?

Topics: Thinking, Stranger, Strive

The ultimate truth is so simple; it is nothing more than being in one’s natural, original state.

Topics: Simple, Truth Is, Natural, Ultimate Truth, Simple Truths

Mind is a wonderful force inherent in the Self.

Topics: Yoga, Self, Mind

Call it by any name, God, Self, the Heart, or the Seat of Consciousness, it is all the same.

source: - Ramana Maharshi (2004). “The Spiritual Teaching of Ramana Maharshi”, p.116, Shambhala Publications

Topics: Heart, Self, Names

The master is within; meditation is meant to remove the ignorant idea that he is only outside. If he is a stranger whom you await, he is bound to disappear also. What is the use of a transient being like that? But so long as you think you are separate or that you are the body, an external master is also necessary and he will appear to have a body. When the wrong identification of oneself with the body ceases, the master will be found to be none other than the Self.

Topics: Thinking, Self, Ideas

The world is so unhappy because it is ignorant of the true Self. Man’s real nature is happiness. Happiness is inborn in the true Self. Man’s search for happiness is an unconscious search for his true Self. The true Self is imperishable; therefore, when a man finds it, he finds a happiness which does not come to an end.

source: - "Abide as the Self: The Essential Teachings of Ramana Maharshi". Documentary, January 1, 1998.

Topics: Real, Men, Self

Apart from thoughts, there is no independent entity called the world. In deep sleep there are no thoughts, and there is no world. In the states of waking and dream, there are thoughts, and there is a world also. Just as the spider emits the thread (of the web) out of itself and again withdraws it into itself, likewise the mind projects the world out of itself and again resolves it into itself.

source: - "The Spiritual Teaching of Ramana Maharshi".

Topics: Independent, Mind, Spiders

There is neither creation nor destruction, neither destiny nor free will, neither path nor achievement. This is the final truth.

source: - Ramana (Maharshi) (1959). “Collected Works”

Topics: Destiny, Achievement, Finals

The self cannot be found in books. You have to find it for yourself, within yourself.

Topics: Book, Self, Found

Grace is not something outside or you.. In fact, your very desire for grace is due to grace that is already working in you.

Topics: Grace, Desire, Facts

If you observe awareness steadily, this awareness itself becomes the Guru that will reveal the Truth.

Topics: Awareness, Guru, Ifs

Time is only an idea. There is only the Reality. Whatever you think it is, it looks like that. If you call it time, it is time. If you call it existence, it is existence, and so on. After calling it time, you divide it into days and nights, months, years, hours, minutes, etc. Time is immaterial for the Path of Knowledge.

source: - Maharshi Ramana, Swami Saraswati Ramananda (1963). “Talks with Sri Ramana Maharshi”

Topics: Night, Reality, Thinking

God illumines the mind and shines within it. One cannot know God by means of the mind. One can but turn the mind inwards and merge it in God.

Topics: Mean, Shining, Mind, God Within Us, Merging

There are no impediments to meditation. The very thought of such obstacles is the greatest impediment.

source: - "Abide as the Self: The Essential Teachings of Ramana Maharshi". Documentary, Janaury 1, 1998.

Topics: Meditation, Obstacles, Impediments

You impose limits on your true nature of infinite being. Then you get displeased to be only a limited creature. Then you begin spiritual practices to transcend these non-existing limits. But if your practice itself implies the existence of these limits, how could they allow you to transcend them.

Topics: Spiritual, Practice, Limits

It is false to speak of realization. What is there to realize? The real is as it is always. We are not creating anything new or achieving something which we did not have before. The illustration given in books is this. We dig a well and create a huge pit. The space in the pit or well has not been created by us. We have just removed the earth which was filling the space there. The space was there then and is also there now. Similarly we have simply to throw out all the age-long sanskaras [innate tendencies] which are inside us. When all of them have been given up, the Self will shine alone.

source: - "Abide as the Self: The Essential Teachings of Ramana Maharshi". Documentary, January 1, 1998.

Topics: Real, Book, Creating, Self Realization, Samskara

Whatever is done lovingly, with righteous purity and with peace of mind, is a good action. Everything which is done with the stain of desire and with agitation filling the mind is classified as a bad action.

source: - Sri Ramana Maharshi (1991). “Be As You Are: The Teachings of Sri Ramana Maharshi”, p.245, Penguin UK

Topics: Mind, Desire, Agitation, Bad Actions

There is nothing new to gain. On the other hand a man must lose his ignorance. That is all.

Topics: Ignorance, Men, Hands, Nothing New

That alone is Real which exists by itself, which reveals itself by itself and which is eternal and unchanging.

source: - Ramana Maharshi (2004). “The Spiritual Teaching of Ramana Maharshi”, p.114, Shambhala Publications

Topics: Real, Unchanging, Eternal

There is no seeing. Seeing is only being.

Topics: Seeing

Pleasure and pain are only aspects of the mind. Our essential nature is happiness

Topics: Pain, Mind, Essentials, Pain And Pleasure

Turn the mind inward and cease thinking of yourself as the body; thereby you will come to know that the self is ever happy. Neither grief nor misery is experienced in this state.

Topics: Thinking Of You, Yoga, Grief

When your real, effortless, joyful grateful nature is realized, it will not be inconsistent with the ordinary activities of life.

Topics: Gratitude, Real, Grateful, Effortless

There is nothing so simple as being the Self. It requires no effort, no aid. One has to leave off the wrong identity and be in his (her) eternal, natural, inherent state.

Topics: Simple, Self, Effort

Meditation applies the brakes to the mind.

Topics: Inspiration, Meditation Practice, Mind, Meditation Life, Meditation Mind

If you hold this feeling of ‘I’ long enough and strongly enough, the false ‘I’ will vanish leaving only the unbroken awareness of the real, immanent ‘I’, consciousness itself

Topics: Real, Long, Leaving

You know that you know nothing. Find out that knowledge.

Topics: Knowledge, Knows

The Sage has no thinking mind and therefore there are no ‘others’ for him.

Topics: Thinking, Mind, Sage

Sense-perceptions can only be indirect knowledge, and not direct knowledge. Only one's own awareness is direct knowledge.

source: - Maharshi Ramana, Swami Saraswati Ramananda (1963). “Talks with Sri Ramana Maharshi”

Topics: Perception, Awareness, Indirect, Sense Perception

The man who has the sense of the body being himself cannot possibly worship God as formless; whatever worship he makes will be worship in form alone, not otherwise.

Topics: Men, Body, Worship

The source of the ego is God.

source: - Source: www.scribd.com

Topics: Ego, Source

What message is needed when heart speaks to heart?

source: - Ramana (Maharshi.) (1946). “Golden Jubilee Souvenir”

Topics: Heart, Messages, Speak

Pure Consciousness, which is the Heart, includes all, and nothing is outside or apart from it. That is the ultimate Truth.

source: - Ramana Maharshi, C. G. (FRW) Jung (2004). “The Spiritual Teaching of Ramana Maharshi”, Shambhala Pubns

Topics: Heart, Consciousness, Ultimate Truth

Our identification with the mind and body is the chief reason for our failure to know our self as we truly are.

Topics: Self, Mind, Body

Once the current of awareness of the self is set afoot, it becomes everlasting and continuous by intensification.

Topics: Yoga, Self, Awareness

The experience of silence alone is the real and perfect knowledge.

source: - Sri Ramana Maharshi (1991). “Be As You Are: The Teachings of Sri Ramana Maharshi”, p.18, Penguin UK

Topics: Real, Perfect, Silence

Silence is never-ending speech. Vocal speech obstructs the other speech of silence. In silence one is in intimate contact with the surroundings. Language is only a medium for communicating one's thoughts to another. Silence is ever speaking.

Topics: Silence, Speech, Language

The fact is that you are not the body. The Self does not move but the world moves in it. You are only what you are.

source: - "Conscious Immortality: Conversations with Ramana Maharshi".

Topics: Moving, Self, Doe, Eastern Philosophy

That which rises and sinks is made up of what it rises from. The finality of the universe is the God Arunachala. Meditating on Him or on the seer, the Self, there is a mental vibration 'I' to which all are reduced. Tracing the source of 'I', the primal 'I-I' alone remains over, and it is inexpressible. The seat of Realisation is within and the seeker cannot find it as an object outside him. That seat is bliss and is the core of all beings. Hence it is called the Heart. The only useful purpose of the present birth is to turn within and realise it. There is nothing else to do.

Topics: Heart, Self, Purpose, Finality, Primal

The state we call realization is simply being oneself, not knowing anything or becoming anything.

Topics: Inspiration, Practice, Knowing

Keep the remembrance of your real nature alive, even while working, and avoid haste which causes you to forget. Be deliberate. Practice meditation to still the mind and cause it to become aware of its true relationship to the Self which supports it. Do not imagine that it is you who are doing the work. Think that is the underlying current which is doing it. Identify yourself with the current.

Topics: Real, Inspiration, Thinking, Deliberate Practice, True Relationship

How does one get rid of fear? Ramana: What is fear? It is only a thought. If there is anything besides the Self there is reason to fear. Who sees things separate from the Self? First the ego arises and sees objects as external. If the ego does not rise, the Self alone exists and there is nothing external. For anything external to oneself implies the existence of the seer within. Seeking it there will eliminate doubt and fear. Not only fear, all other thoughts centred round the ego will disappear along with it.

source: - Sri Ramana Maharshi (1991). “Be As You Are: The Teachings of Sri Ramana Maharshi”, p.196, Penguin UK

Topics: Self, Ego, Doubt

We are in our Self. We are not in the world.

Topics: Self, World

Does one require proof of one's own being? Only remain aware of yourself and all else will be known.

Topics: Doe, Quiet, Proof

Suffering is the way for Realization of God.

source: - Maharshi Ramana, Swami Saraswati Ramananda (1963). “Talks with Sri Ramana Maharshi”

Topics: Suffering, Realization, Way

If a person realises his position and stays in his own self, things that are to happen will happen. Things that are not to happen will not happen. The shakti that is in the world, is only one. All these troubles arise if we think that we are separate from that shakti.

Topics: Thinking, Self, World, Shakti

Unless one is happy, one cannot bestow happiness on others.

source: - "Abide as the Self: The Essential Teachings of Ramana Maharshi". Documentary, January 1, 1998.

Why should we... constantly worry ourselves... as to what should be done and how, and what should not be done and how not? We know that the train carries all loads, so after getting on it why should we carry our small luggage on our head to our discomfort, instead of putting it down in the train and feeling at ease?

source: - Ramana Maharshi (2004). “The Spiritual Teaching of Ramana Maharshi”, p.27, Shambhala Publications

Topics: Worry, Feelings, Done

This perception of division between the seer and the object that is seen, is situated in the mind. For those remaining in the heart, the seer becomes one with the sight.

Topics: Heart, Sight, Perception, Seers

If you approach the ocean with a cup, you can only take away a cupful; if you approach it with a bucket you can take away a bucketful.

Topics: Ocean, Buckets, Cups

Till you reach the state of jnana and thus wake out of maya you must do social service by relieving suffering whenever you see it. But even then you must do it without ahankara, i.e., without the sense of 'I am the doer', but with the feeling 'I am the Lord's tool'.

Topics: Feelings, Suffering, Tools, Social Service

Whenever a thought arises, instead of trying even a little either to follow it up or to fulfil it, it would be better to first enquire, "To whom did this thought arise?"

Topics: Inspiration, Practice, Meditation

Forgetfulness of your real nature is true death; remembrance of it is rebirth.

source: - "Abide as the Self: The Essential Teachings of Ramana Maharshi". Documentary, January 1, 1998.

Topics: Being Yourself, Real, Remembrance, Death Remembrance

All activities and events that a body is to go through are determined at the time of conception.

Topics: Events, Body, Determined

Food affects the mind. For the practice of any kind of yoga, vegetarianism is absolutely necessary since it makes the mind more pure and harmonious.

Topics: Yoga, Vegetarianism, Practice

The State of liberated Being can be reached only by "dying"; but (this) dying does not consist in destruction of the body; one should understand that true death is the extinction of the ideas "I" and "mine."

Topics: Ideas, Dying, Doe

It will come all right in the end. There is the steady impulse of your determination that sets you on your feet again after every downfall and breakdown. Gradually the obstacles are all overcome and your current becomes stronger. Everything comes right in the end. Steady determination is what is required.

source: - Maharshi Ramana, Swami Saraswati Ramananda (1963). “Talks with Sri Ramana Maharshi”

Topics: Determination, Feet, Stronger

The mind of one meditating on a single object becomes one-pointed. And one-pointedness of mind leads to abidance in the self. Real attainment is to be fully conscious, to be aware of surroundings and the people around, to move among them all, but not to merge consciousness in the environment. One should remain in inner independent awareness.

Topics: Real, Moving, Yoga

Non-action is unceasing activity. The sage is characterized by eternal and intense activity. His stillness is like the apparent stillness of a fast rotating gyroscope.

source: - "Abide as the Self: The Essential Teachings of Ramana Maharshi". Documentary, January 1, 1998.

Topics: Sage, Action, Intense, Rotating

If the mind falls asleep, awaken it. Then if it starts wandering, make it quiet. If you reach the state where there is neither sleep nor movement of mind, stay still in that, the natural (real) state.

Topics: Real, Fall, Sleep

You do not like to suffer yourself. How can you inflict suffering on others?

source: - Maharshi Ramana, Swami Saraswati Ramananda (1963). “Talks with Sri Ramana Maharshi”

Topics: Animal, Suffering

The deeply learned ones know the mind as the directly expressed meaning of the supreme knowledge. The heart is the meaning aimed at. The Supreme is none other than the heart.

Topics: Heart, Mind, Knows

Happiness is your real nature. You identify with yourself with the body and mind, feel it's limitations, and suffer. Realize your true self in order to open the store of happiness. That true self is the reality, the Supreme Truth, which is the self of all the world you now see, the self of all the selves, the One real, the Supreme, the Eternal self - as distinct from the ego or the bodily idea for the self.

Topics: Real, Self, Order

When one remains without thinking one understands another by means of the universal language of Silence.

source: - Maharshi Ramana, Swami Saraswati Ramananda (1963). “Talks with Sri Ramana Maharshi”

Topics: Mean, Thinking, Silence

Apart from the body does the world exist? Has anyone seen the world without the body?

source: - Ramana (Maharshi) (1959). “Collected Works”

Topics: Doe, World, Body

The enemy hates the ego, which the seeker wants to kill; thus, like the anvil to the goldsmith, he is actually a friend.

Topics: Hate, Ego, Enemy

Even the structure of the atom has been found by the mind. Therefore the mind is subtler than the atom. That which is behind the mind, namely the individual soul, is subtler than the mind.

source: - Maharshi Ramana, Swami Saraswati Ramananda (1963). “Talks with Sri Ramana Maharshi”

Topics: Soul, Mind, Atoms

You are all searching for the silence of the mountain. But you're looking for something outside. This silence is accessible to you right now, inside the center of your own being.

Topics: Spiritual, Silence, Mountain

Every living being longs always to be happy, untainted by sorrow; and everyone has the greatest love for himself, which is solely due to the fact that happiness is his real nature. Hence, in order to realize that inherent and untainted happiness, which indeed he daily experiences when the mind is subdued in deep sleep, it is essential that he should know himself. For obtaining such knowledge the inquiry 'Who am I?' in quest of the Self is the best means.

source: - Sri Ramana Maharshi (2016). “Words of Grace”, p.5, Sai ePublications

Topics: Real, Mean, Sleep, Deep Sleep, Daily Experience

The Self is the heart, self-luminous. Illumination arises from the heart and reaches the brain, which is the seat of the mind. The world is seen with the mind; so you see the world by the reflected light of the Self.

source: - Ramana Maharshi (2004). “The Spiritual Teaching of Ramana Maharshi”, p.70, Shambhala Publications

Topics: Heart, Light, Self