post 20

 For people whose madness of desire for 

the pleasures of this world has not yet subsided,  who have not become disgusted with all the efforts they have been making to obtain those pleasures, and whose minds have not therefore completely withdrawn from all such extroverted desires and ef-

forts, it will not be easy to inquire, 

“Who am I?”, 

and to know the true state of Self, 

just as a reflection of one’s face will not be formed clearly in swiftly running water. 

Know that a reflection can be seen clearly only when the water stops running and collects itself calmly together in one place. 

Note: Compare Vichara Sangraham, ch. 8, 

paragraph 3, where Sri Bhagavan says, 

“Just as it is impossible to separate the threads of a fine silk cloth with a very gross (and blunt) crow-bar, and just as it is impossible to determine the nature of very subtle objects with a lamp which is very much wavering due to the wind, so it is impossible to experience the reality with a mind which, being under the sway of 

inertia and activity (tamo- and rajo-gunas) and thus is gross and wavering, because the reality is extremely subtle and motionless”.

🕉 A Light on the Teaching of Ramana Maharshi. The Essence of Spiritual Practice.

Verse 199.