If the idea `I am the body' is accepted, the selves are multiple. The state in which this idea vanishes is the Self since in that state there are no other objects.
Q: As the bodies and the selves animating them are everywhere actually observed to be innumerable how can it be said that the Self is only one?
Sri Ramana Maharshi :
If the idea `I am the body' is accepted, the selves are multiple.
The state in which this idea vanishes is the Self
since in that state there are no other objects.
since in that state there are no other objects.
It is for this reason that the Self is regarded as one only.
Since the body itself does not exist
in the natural outlook of the real Self,
but only in the extroverted outlook of the mind
which is deluded by the power of illusion,
to call Self,
the space of consciousness,
dehi [the possessor of the body] is wrong.
in the natural outlook of the real Self,
but only in the extroverted outlook of the mind
which is deluded by the power of illusion,
to call Self,
the space of consciousness,
dehi [the possessor of the body] is wrong.
The world does not exist without the body,
the body never exists without the mind,
the mind never exists without consciousness
and consciousness never exists without the reality.
the body never exists without the mind,
the mind never exists without consciousness
and consciousness never exists without the reality.
For the wise one who has known Self by divining within himself,
there is nothing other than Self to be known. Why?
there is nothing other than Self to be known. Why?
Because since the ego
which identifies the form of a body as `I' has perished,
he [the wise one] is the formless existence-consciousness.
which identifies the form of a body as `I' has perished,
he [the wise one] is the formless existence-consciousness.
The jnani [one who has realized the Self] knows he is the Self
and that nothing, neither his body nor anything else,
exists but the Self.
and that nothing, neither his body nor anything else,
exists but the Self.
To such a one what difference could the presence
or absence of a body make?
or absence of a body make?
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.
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.
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.
When all of them have been given up, the Self will shine alone.
~ From Be as you are book
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