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Ramana Maharshi Teachings through
Silence
Question : Why does not Bhagavan go about and preach
the truth to the people at large?
Ramana Maharshi : How do you know I am not doing it ? Does preaching
consist in mounting a platform and haranguing the people around ?
Preaching is simple communication of knowledge; it can really be done in
silence only. What do you think of a man who listens to a sermon for an
hour and goes away without having been impressed by it so as to change
his life ? Compare him with another, who sits in a holy presence and
goes away after some time with his outlook on life totally changed.
Which is the better, to preach loudly without effect or to sit silently
sending out inner force?
Again, how does speech arise? First there is abstract knowledge. Out of
this arises the ego, which in turn gives rise to thought, and thought to
the spoken word. So the word is the great-grandson of the original
source. If the word can produce an effect, judge for yourself, how much
more powerful must be the preaching through silence.
Question : How can silence be so powerful?
Ramana Maharshi :A realized one sends out waves of spiritual influence
which draw many people towards him. Yet he may sit in a cave and
maintain complete silence. We may listen to lectures upon truth and come
away with hardly any grasp of the subject, but to come into contact with
a realized one, though he speaks nothing, will give much more grasp of
the subject. He never needs to go out among the public. If necessary he
can use others as instruments.
The Guru is the bestower of silence who reveals the light of
Self-knowledge which shines as the residual reality. Spoken words are of
no use whatsoever if the eyes of the Guru meet the eyes of the disciple.
Question : Does Bhagavan give diksha [initiation]?
Ramana Maharshi : Mouna [silence] is the best and the most potent diksha.
That was practised by Sri Dakshinamurti. Initiation by touch, look,
etc., are all of a lower order. Silent initiation changes the hearts of
all.
Dakshinamurti observed silence when the disciples approached him. That
is the highest form of initiation. It includes the other forms. There
must be subject-object relationship established in the other dikshas.
First the subject must emanate and then the object. Unless these two are
there how is the one to look at the other or touch him? Mouna diksha is
the most perfect; it comprises looking, touching and teaching. It will
purify the individual in every way and establish him in the reality.
Related Ramana Maharshi Talks:
Ramana Maharshi Biography
Ramana Maharshi on
Meditation Experiences
Why do I never
remember that I am the Self
Ramana Maharshi Self Inquiry
Meditation method
Ramana Maharshi
"Who am I" Meditation Method
Ramana Maharshi on Searching the Source
of 'I' Thought
Ramana Maharshi on
Realization while doing Worldly Duties
Is Self-experience
possible for mind, whose nature is constant change?
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