Letters from Sri Ramanasramam, by Suri Nagamma

(221) BLISS OF THE SELF

Prev Next 22nd January, 1949
At 3 o’clock yesterday afternoon, two pilgrims came and
sat in Bhagavan’s presence. It was clear from their attitude
that they were thinking of asking something. After a while,
one of them said, “Swami, it is all right if we sit up for
meditation with closed eyes but if we keep them open, the
outer senses give trouble. What should we do?”
Bhagavan: “What happens even if the eyes are kept
open? It is enough if you make the mind sleep just like your
sleeping in a house, keeping the windows open.”
Devotee: “That means the mind should be kept away
from worldly affairs. However much we try, we are not able
thus to control the mind.”
Bhagavan: “Yes, that is true. That is why it is said that
when a child tries to catch its own shadow by running after it,
and weeps when unable to do so, the mother comes and
prevents him from running. So also, the mind should be
prevented from running away.”
Devotee: “By what method can that be prevented?”
Bhagavan: “The mind should be held by hearing and
meditating on the sayings of the Vedanta and thereby prevent
it from going astray.”
Devotee: “That means, you must give up worldly
pleasures and catch hold of Atma Ananda (Bliss of the Self).

Is that so?”
Bhagavan: “Ananda (Supreme Bliss) always exists. It is
only the worldly things that have to be given up. If they are
given up, what remains is only Bliss. That which IS, is the
Self. Where is the question of catching that which IS? That
is one’s own nature (Swabhava).”
Devotee: “Is that nature also called Swarupa (the Self)?”
Bhagavan: “Yes. There is no difference between the two.”
Devotee: “If it is said that Ananda is the Self itself, then
who is it that experiences it?”
Bhagavan: “That is the point. So long as there is one
who experiences, it shall have to be stated that Ananda is the
Self itself. When there is no one to experience, where is the
question of a form for Ananda? It is only that which ‘IS’
remains. That IS, is ‘Ananda’. That is the Self. So long as the
feeling that the Self is different from oneself there will be
one who enquires and experiences, but when one realises
the Self there will be no one to experience. Who is there to
ask? What is there to say? In common parlance, however, we
shall have to say that Bliss is the Self or is our Real Nature
(Swarupa).”
Devotee: “That is all right, Swami. But, however much we
try, this mind does not get under control and envelopes the
Swarupa so that it is not perceptible to us. What is to be done?”
Bhagavan with a smile placed his little finger over his
eye and said, “Look. This little finger covers the eye and
prevents the whole world from being seen. In the same way
this small mind covers the whole universe and prevents the
Brahman from being seen. See how powerful it is!”

Prev Next TOC 220. Mutual Cursings 221. Bliss of the Self 222. Yatana Sariram 223. In the Service of the Mother 224. Tiger’s Skin 225. What Does Bhagavan Like Most? 226. Rented House 227. All Tamasic Articles are Forbidden 228. Solitude 229. Dosais 230. Golden–Armed 231. Avatar (Incarnation)