IV: 33

[Krishna Jaya]

Chapter 4, Verse 33

“Better than any ritual

Is the offering of wisdom.

Wisdom is in truth

The end of all holy work.”

Father Bede Griffiths:

“Make an offering of all external actions to spirit within, to this inner core which is the presence of God, the presence of the divine wisdom within.  In this way, all exterior actions are interiorized and become expressions of the inner life of spirit.”

                                    .                                   .                                   .

Student:  I am imperfect.

Ramana Maharshi:  Why bring in imperfection?  Did you feel imperfection in your sleep?  Bring sleep into the waking state.  That which is night for the ignorant is day for the wise.

S.: Guidance is necessary to show me the way.

R.M.:  Go within and find the route.  You cannot find it externally, nor should you seek it there.

S.:  The mind is not steady in meditation.

R.M.:  Whenever it wanders, turn it inward again and again.

S.:  When Dukha (misery) overpowers me, inquiry is impossible.

R.M.:  Because the mind is too weak.  Make it strong.

S.:  By what means?

R.M.:  Satsanga (association with the wise), Ishvara Aradhana (worship of God), and Pranayama (breath control).

S.:  What happens then?

R.M.:  Misery is removed.  That is our aim.  You do not ACQUIRE happiness.  Your very nature IS happiness.  All that is done is to remove unhappiness.  These methods suffice.

S.:  Abhyasa (practice) should give me that power.

R.M.:  Practice is power.  If thoughts are reduced to single thought, the mind is said to have grown strong.  When practice remains unshaken, it becomes Sahaja (natural).