Be as you are

Q: However often Bhagavan teaches us, we are not able to understand. 

Sri Ramana Maharshi : 

People say that they are not able to know the Self 
that is all pervading. 
What can I do ? 

Even the smallest child says, `I exist; I do; this is mine.' 
So, everyone understands that the thing `I' is always existent. 

It is only when that `I' is there that there is the feeling that you are the body, he is Venkanna, this is Ramanna and so on. 

To know that the one that is always visible is one's own Self, 
is it necessary to search with a candle ? 

To say that we do not know the atma swarupa [the real nature of the Self] which is not different 
but which is in one's own Self 
is like saying, `I do not know myself.` 

Q: But how is one to reach this state? 

Sri Ramana Maharshi : 

There is no goal to be reached. 
There is nothing to be attained. 

You are the Self. 
You exist always. 
Nothing more can be predicated of the Self than that it exists. 

Seeing God or the Self is only being the Self or yourself. 
Seeing is being. 
You, being the Self, want to know how to attain the Self. 

It is something like a man being at Ramanasramam 
asking how many ways there are to reach Ramanasramam 
and which is the best way for him. 

All that is required of you is to give up the thought 
that you are this body 
and to give up all thoughts of the external things 
or the not-Self.

~ From Be as you are book