Friday, July 15, 2005

An Amusing Exchange

Disciple: How is one to realize the Self?
Ramana Maharshi: Whose Self? Find out.
D. I don't know how.
M. Just think over the question. Who is it that says "I don't know?" Who is the 'I' in your statement? What is not known?
D: Somebody or something in me.
M: Who is that somebody? In whom?
D: Perhaps some power.
M: Find out.
D: Why was I born?
M: Who was born? The answer is the same to all your questions.
D: Who am I, then?
M: (smiling) You have come to examine me? You must say who you are.
D: However much I may try, I do not seem to catch the 'I'. It is not even clearly discernible.
M: Who is it that say that the 'I' is not discernible? Are there two 'I's in you that one is not discernible by the other?
D: Instead of enquiring 'Who am I?', can I put the question to myself 'Who are You?" . . .
M: Whatever form your enquiry may take, you must finally come to the one I, the Self.

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

oooohhhhhhh.

my head hurts.

Dan Price said...

Who's on first?

Jon said...

Have you tried practicing Self-inquiry yet, Trev?

Go into it yourSelf.

Mark Walter said...

"I" am, you know, that I am.

Meredith said...

This exchange does sound amusing to our thinking minds...its circling quandry hurts our heads, reminding us of funny stories like "Who's on first?"

But really, it is so important. Likely it is the most important question you will ever answer.