The Goal - The Teachings of Bhagavan - Arthur Osborne

Part I

D.: What is the purpose of Self-realization?

B.: Self-realization is the final goal and is itself the purpose.

D.: I mean, what use is it?

B.: Why do you ask about Self-realization? Why don’t you rest content with your present state? It is evident that you are discontented and your discontent will come to an end if you realize the self.1

The above question was seldom asked, because those who came to the Maharshi usually understood at least that the state of spiritual ignorance (or, as Christianity puts it, of ‘fallen man’) is undesirable and that Self-realization is the supreme goal. In the following dialog the purpose is asked with more understanding and therefore the answer also goes deeper.

D.: what is the goal of this process?

B.: Realizing the Real.

D.: What is the nature of Reality?

B.: (a) Existence without beginning or end—eternal. (b) Existence everywhere, endless—infinite. (c) Existence underlying all forms, all changes, all forces, all matter and all spirit.

The many change and pass away, whereas the One always endures. (d) The one displaces the triads such as knower, knowledge and known. The triads are only appearances in time and space, whereas the Reality lies beyond and behind them. They are like a mirage over the Reality. They are the result of delusion.

(To be continued in July, 2005 issue)

1. T., 487.

© "The Teachings of Bhagavan: Sri Ramana Maharshi –– In His Own Words" published by Sri Ramanasramam, Tiruvannamalai 606 603. Website: www.ramana-maharshi.org. Reprinted with permission.

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