Oblation In The Fire of Knowledge II

Ramana Maharshi

oi-Staff

By Staff

Monday, February 2, 2009, 13:40

Thoughts are always on a forward movement and are linked and bound together as one whole called the mind through the 'I', the subject. The true nature of the 'I' is consciousness, intelligence. It energises each and every thought on which its attention is at a given moment. The thought movement is caused whenever there is a shift in attention of the thinker which happens continuously depending on one's response to events. Thoughts cannot exist without the attention of the consciousness as 'I' which has linked them together seemingly as one whole.

From this one can say that mind's core, or centre, is consciousness, which can exist by itself, as in deep sleep, unlike its associated thoughts which have no consciousness of their own. This pure consciousness is unlimited.

If the limited and many thoughts disappear through self-enquiry then to use Ramana's words "there would shine in the Heart a kind of wordless illumination of the form of 'I-I'". A feeling that is always there but of which one is unaware because of thought distractions.

This would mean, would it not, that what is really being offered in the fire of knowledge is only the limitation superimposed on the subject, which is by nature unlimited. The self- imposed limitation seems to fragment the fullness of consciousness, the 'I'. This is termed as 'ignorance' of one's true nature, which is really the fullness of consciousness. This ignorance arises from the failure to enquire about the subject and can last only as long as one fails to set afoot an enquiry about it. Hence we find Ramana repeatedly emphasizing the primacy of Self-knowledge or knowledge of the subject. One can usefully refer to a conversation Ramana had with Paul Brunton.

P.B.: What exactly is the Self of which you speak? If what you say is true, there must be another Self in man.

R: To understand this matter it is necessary for man to enquire about himself.

Because it has long been his habit to think as others think, he has never faced his 'I' in the true manner. He has no correct picture of himself, he has too long identified himself with the body and the mind. Therefore I tell you to pursue the enquiry 'Who am 'I'?' Until and unless a man embarks on this quest of the true self, doubt and uncertainty will follow his steps throughout life. What is use of knowing everything else without knowing who you are?

It has been clearly explained by Ramana why the enquiry into the true nature of the subject is the only panacea for cutting the shackles of a limited life. "The nature of the mind is consciousness. It knows everything on which its attention is focused. If it is fixed on objects it will end by identifying itself with and losing itself in the world of objects. If on the other hand it gathers itself from variety to thought free unity it will enjoy freedom from distractions. When the mind's gaze is turned on itself it discovers its own nature".

In our present state of deluded ignorance what appears to us as a great sacrifice, being rid of our pet creations, thoughts, is really the greatest boon of Sadguru Ramana. For the deadwood would then be chipped. It happens when the pleasure-hunt of pre-occupation with the transient objective 'joys' drops off by itself. It will happen once knowledge of the subject is revealed through self-enquiry, through search for the mind's source and its true strength. When the vast space of the mind and heart open up that which is behind the mind, but seems incomprehensible now due to ignorant limitations, would be revealed, opening the sluices of bliss. These sluices will never close again for one who is steadily Self-aware. For one is then suffused with the bliss flowing from the perennial spring of inherent joy.

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