Quotes

Questioner: How can the mind be made to vanish?

Sri Ramana Maharshi: No attempt is made to destroy it. To think or wish it is itself a thought. If the thinker is sought, the thoughts will disappear.

Questioner: Will they disappear of themselves? It looks so difficult.

Sri Ramana Maharshi: They will disappear because they are unreal. The idea of difficulty is itself an obstacle to realisation. It must be overcome. To remain as the Self is not difficult.

Questioner: It looks easy to think of God in the external world, whereas it looks difficult to remain without thoughts.

Sri Ramana Maharshi: That is absurd; to look at other things is easy and to look within is difficult! It must be contrariwise.

Questioner: But I do not understand. It is difficult.

Sri Ramana Maharshi: This thought of difficulty is the chief obstacle. A little practice will make you think differently.

Questioner: What is the practice?

Sri Ramana Maharshi: To find out the source of `I'.

~ from 'Talk 244'; 29th August, 1936