Ramana Maharshi Qut in this hemisphere then in the2foner. Knowledge implies ignorance of what is known and what lies beyond, and is always limited. Q: Is solitude necessary for vichara (Self-Inquiry)? M: Solitude is everywhere. The individual is always solitary. Our business is to find it within, not to seek it outside ourselves. Solitude is (to be attained) in the mind. A person might be in the midst of the world and yet maintain serenity; such a one is in solitude. Another may stay in a remote forest and still be unable to control the mind; he cannot be said to be in solitude. Those attached to desire are unable to attain solitude wherever they are, whereas those who are detached are always in solitude, even if thereas t 3 ! P P J D * - =  P P P P P 0 P ' BC^ b2/ z L3 L4 C This is discrimination. The initial viveka (discrimination) must persist to the end, and its fruit is moksha (liberation). Q: What is the best way of living? M: It depends on whether one is a jnani (realized) or not. A jnani does not find anything different or separate from the Self. Everything is in the Self. The universe and what is beyond are to be found in the Self. The outlook differs according to the sight of the person, based on whether he is realized or not. Q: How is mouna (silence) possible when we are engaged in worldly transactions? M: When women walk with water pots on their heads, they are able to talk with their companions while all the time remaining intent on the water above. Similarly, when a sage engages in activities, they do not disturb him because his mind abides in Brahman. The difficulty is that people think they are the doer; it is a mistake. It is the higher power which does everything and people are only a tool. If they accept that position, they will be free from troubles; otherwise they court them. Do your work without anticipating its fruits. That is all that you should do. Q: What kind of teaching is suitable for young people -- they would not understand the naked truth? M: Their attention might be drawn to the truth from time to time in an appropriate way. Q: Why is the world in ignorance? M: Let the world take care of itself. If you are the body, then there the gross world appears. If you are the spirit, everything is just spirit. Look for the ego, and it vanishes. If you inquire, ignorance will be found to be non-existent. It is the mind which feels misery and darkness. See the Self. Q: If one always remembers the Self, will one's actions always be right? M: They ought to be, but such a person is not concerned with the right or wrong of actions. His actions are God's and therefore right. Q: Is it useful to bring the East and the West closer? M: Such events will take place automatically. There is a power guiding the destinies of nations. These questions arise only when you have lost touch with reality. Q: Is it harder for Westerners to withdraw inwards? M: Yes, they are rajasic (more active mentally) -tempt to realizeoes outwards. We must be inwardlt to go to Kailash (the reputed home of Lord Siva, the Hindu god). M: One can see these places only if it is destined, not otherwise. But even after seeing everything, there will still be more places to visit, if not in this hemisphere then in the other. Knowledge implies ignorance of what is known and what lies beyond, and is always limited. Q: Is solitude necessary for vichara (Self-Inquiry)? M: Solitude is everywhere. The individual is always solitary. Our business is to find it within, not to seek it outside ourselves. Solitude is (to be attained) in the mind. A person might be in the midst of the world and yet maintain serenity; such a one is in solitude. Another may stay in a remote forest and still be unable to control the mind; he cannot be said to be in solitude. Those attached to desire are unable to attain solitude wherever they are, whereas those who are detached are always in solitude, even if t so? It is very good if you can just keep quiet without engaging in any other activities. If that cant be done, what is the use of being quiet? Even if you are obliged to be active, do not give up your attempt to realize the Self. Q: I want to go to Kailash (the reputed home of Lord Siva, the Hindu god). M: One can see these places only if it is destined, not otherwise. But even after seeing everything, there will still be more places to visit, if not in this hemisphere then in the other. Knowledge implies ignorance of what is known and what lies beyond, and is always limited. Q: Is solitude necessary for vichara (Self-Inquiry)? M: Solitude is everywhere. The individual is always solitary. Our business is to find it within, not to seek it outside ourselves. Solitude is (to be attained) in the mind. A person might be in the midst of the world and yet maintain serenity; such a one is in solitude. Another may stay in a remote forest and still be unable to control the mind; he cannot be said to be in solitude. Those attached to desire are unable to attain solitude wherever they are, whereas those who are detached are always in solitude, even if they are engaged in work. When work is performed with attachment it is a shackle. Solitude is not only to be found in forests, it can also be had in the midst of worldly occupations. Helping others Cast all alms, aspirations, desires to serve humanity and schemes to reform the world upon the Universal Power which sustains this universe. He is not a fool. He will do what is required. Lose the sense, "I am doing this." Get rid of egoism. Do not think that you are the one to bring about some reform. Leave these aims alone and let God attend to them. Then, by getting rid of egoism, God may use you as an instrument to effect them, but the difference is that you will not be conscious of doing them; the Infinite will be working through you and there will be no (ego or) self worship to spoil the work. Otherwise there is desire for name or fame and one will be serving the personal self rather than humanity. What people call Satan, the Devil, or black forces, are simply ignorance of the true Self. Nearly all human beings are more or less unhappy because they 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 always blissful. Q: My friend is keen to do social service work, even at the expense of his own interests. M: His selfless work is helpful; its utility cannot be denied. See how he has continued to work there (where he is) and how you sent him the extract from these conversations. There is a link between the two. The work purified his mind so that he gained an insight into the wisdomway of living? M: It depends on whether one is a jnani (realized) or not. A jnani does not find anything different or separate from the Self. Everything is in the Self. The universe and what is beyond are to be found in the Self. The outlook differs according to the sight of the person, based on whether he is realized or not. Q: How is mouna (silence) possible when we are engaged in worldly transactions? M: When women walk with water pots on their heads, they are able to talk with their companions while all the time remaining intent on the water above. Similarly, when a sage engages in activities, they do not disturb him because his mind abides in Brahman. The difficulty is that people think they are the doer; it is a mied action? M: Let activities go on. They do n =  P P P P P 0 the higher power which does eve z L3 L4 t that position they will be free from troubles, otherwise they court them. The sculptured figure on the temple tower shows great strain, but really, the tower rests on the ground, an ask for divine powers to be utilized for human welfare. This is like the lame man who said he would overpower the enemy if only he were helped to his feet! The intention is good but there is no sense of proportion. Q: How can I help others? M: What other is there for you to help? Who is the "I" that is going to help others? First clear up that point and then everything will settle itself. Q: In the West people cannot see how sages in solitude can be helpful. M: Never mind Europe and America. Where are they except in your mind? If you wake up from a dream, do you try to ascertain if the people of your dream creation are also awake? Have compassionatevironment. It is the mind that matters. The fact is that the mind has been trained to think certain 0AQ: I am a doctor. How can I best heal people? M: The permanent cure is jnana (knowledge of Self); the patients must realize it for themselves, and that depends on their maturity. Otherwise, when one disease goes another will come. A young man came and demanded to be given powers to stamp out the world's materialism. M: People who are incapable themselves, ask for divine powers to be utilized for human welfare. This is like the lame man who said he would overpower the enemy if only he were helped to his feet! The intention is good but there is no sense of proportion. Q: How can I help others? M: What other is there for you to help? Who is the "I" that is going to help others? First clear up that point and then everything will settle itself. Q: In the West people cannot see how sages in solitude can be helpful. M: Never mind Europe and America. Where are they except in your mind? If you wake up from a dream, do you try to ascertain if the people of your dream creation are also awake? Have compassionatevironment. It is the mind that matters. The fact is that the mind has been trained to think certain res are fulfilled, do not be elated; and if you are frustrated do not be disappointed. The elation may be deceptive; it should be checked, for initial joy may end in final grief. After all, whatever happens, you remain unaffected, just as you are. Q: But how can I help another with his problems? M: What is this talk of another? There is only the One. Try to realize there is no I, no you, no he, only the one Self which is all. If you believe in the problem of another, you are believing in something outside the Self. You will help him best by realizing the oneness of everything, rather than by outward activity. Q: Has the body any value to the Self? M: Yes, it is through the body's help that the Self is realized Q: What about diet? M: Food affects the mind. The right food makes it more sattvic (harmonious, clear). For the practice of any kind of (spiritual) yoga, vegetarianism is absolutely necessary Q: What about those not accustomed to a vegetarian diet? M: Habit is only adjustment to the environment. It is the mind that matters. The fact is that the mind has been trained to think certain foods tasty. Nourishment may be obtained from vegetarian food no less than from flesh. But the realized person's mind is not influenced by the food eaten. However, get accustomed to vegetarianism gradually. Q: Do you recommend that meat and alcohol be given up? M: Yes. It is a useful aid in the beginning. The difficulty in surrendering them is not that they are really necessary, but that we have become habituated to them. Until the mind is firm in realization, it must have some picture or idea to dwell on, or else the meditation will quickly give way to sleep or (wandering) thoughts. There is a subtle essence in all food; it is this which affects the mind. So, for those who are practicing meditation to find the Self, dietetic rules have been laid down, which it is advisable to follow. Sattvic (pure, bland) foods promote meditation, whereas rajasic (spicy hot) food and tamasic (aged, stale, heavy) food like meat hinder it. Q: Could one receive spiritual illumination while eating meat? M: Yes, but abandon it gradually and accustom yourself to sattvic (pure) food. Once you have attained illumination, what you eat will make less difference, just as on a great fire it is immaterial what fuel is added. A devotee had been following a strict regime, eating only one very light meal a day. The Maharshi remarked at breakfast, "Why don't you also give up coffee" His implication was to rebuke the over-importance placed on diet regulation. Q: But if it is a matter of non-killing, then even plants have life. M: And so do the tiles which you are sitting on! Q: Why do you take milk but not eggs? M: Domesticated cows yield more milk than their calves require and they find it a pleasure to be relieved. Eggs contain potential lives. Q: I take food three or four times a day and attend to bodily wants so much that I am oppressed by the body. Is there a state when I shall be disembodied so that I might be free from the scourge of bodily wants? M: It is the attachments that are harmful: the actions are not bad in themselves. There is no harm in eating three or four times a day, but just do not say, "I want this kind of food and not that kind," and so on. Not only that, but you take these meals in twelve hours of the waking state, whereas you are not eating in the twelve hours of sleep. Does sleep lead you to mukti (liberation)? It is wrong to suppose that simple inactivity (in itself) leads one to mukti. Q: Is it harmless to continue smoking? M: No, tobacco is a poison. It is better to do without it. Tobacco gives only a temporary stimulation to which there must be a reaction with craving for more. Also, it is not good for meditation practice. Q: Is there any drug to promote meditation? M: No, because afterwards the user would be unable to meditate without taking it habitually. Those who take opium or alcohol are unconsciously seeking the blind sexuality Q: What are the passions? M: They are the same force that is used in meditation, but diverted into other channels The news of a devotees marriage was conveyed to the Maharshi. Q: Why has he done this? Surely it is a step back? M: (Laughing.) Why should marriage interfere with his spiritual progress? Unless bodily wants such as hunger, thirst, and evacuation are satisfied, meditation cannot progress. The results of vichara (Self-Inquiry) meditation, are will-power, dreturn to remind me of its existence. Animals can think like human beings. We must not imagine they are senseless creatures. Some who have been in contact wfor the higher life then sexual desire will drop away. When the mind is destroyed the other desires are also destroyed. Q: How can we root out the sex idea? M: By rooting out the false idea of the body being the Self. There is no sex in the Self. Be the real Self, then there will be no trouble with sex Q: Do you approve of sexual continence? M:. A true brahmachari is one who dwells in Brahman. In that case there will be no question of desires any more. Q: At Sri Aurobindo's Ashram there is a strict rule that married couples can live there on condition that they abstain from sexual intercourse. M: What use is that? If it exists in the mind, what use is there in forcing people to abstain? Q: Does the use of birth-control lead to immorality? M: You must go to the root of things. Find out the true cause of birth and then stifle that. Let that which is born control itself. For whom is this birth? There is an ancient verse which says, "Desires go on increasing and burn more fiercely as they are fed," so the only effective control is to check the causes within, to restrain the desires and thus become moral. Q: Is continence the only method to control the size of a family? M: Yes. The other methods only give temporary relief and treat just the symptoms.