Physical body, self surrender and karma

Whatever this body is to do and whatever experiences it is to pass through was already decided when it came into existence.

He who is forgetful of the Self, mistaking the physical body for it, and goes through innumerable births, is like one who wanders all over the world in a dream. Thus, realizing the Self would only be like waking up from the dream-wanderings.

Surrender can never be regarded as complete so long as the devotee wants this or that from the Lord.

Destiny (karma) is the result of past actions.

Awareness which already exists within everyone everywhere, is imperishable and changeless.


-- Sri Ramana Maharshi

Few more quotes on self by Sri Ramana Maharshi

* The Self is God. "I AM" is God.

* Know that you are the perfect shining light, which not only makes the existence of God's kingdom possible, but also allows it to be seen as some wonderful heaven.

* Faith is in things unknown, but the Self is self-evident.

* That bliss of the Self is always with you and you will find it for yourself if you seek it earnestly.

* All unhappiness is due to the ego; with it comes all your trouble. What does it avail you to attribute to the happenings in life the cause of misery which is really within you?


- Sri Ramana Maharshi

Human mind, the self, the doer

* It is the human mind that creates its own difficulties and then cries for help.

* To bring about peace means to be free from thoughts and to abide as pure Consciousness.

* He who thinks he is the doer is also the sufferer.

* Effort must be made to eradicate the mental tendencies. Knowledge can only remain unshaken after all the mental tendencies are rooted out.

* To be the Self that you really are is the only means to realize the bliss that is ever yours.

Sri Ramana Maharshi

Atttaiining knowledge of the self

* Not leaving the Self is true Knowledge (Jnana).



Sri Ramana Maharshi

Inner Self quote Sri Ramana Maharshi

If you are vigilant and make a stern effort to reject every thought when it rises, you will soon find that you are going deeper and deeper into your own inner self. At this level it is not necessary to make an effort to reject thoughts.


Sri Ramana Maharshi

Self Quote Sri Ramana Maharshi

Stick to this "I"-thought and question it to find out what it is. When this question takes strong hold on you, you cannot think of other thoughts.


Sri Ramana Maharshi

Self Quote Sri Ramana Maharshi

You are the mind or think that you are the mind. The mind is nothing but thoughts. Now behind every particular thought there is a general thought which is the "I," that is you. Let us call this "I" the first thought.


Sri Ramana Maharshi

Self Quote Sri Ramana Maharshi

Attention to one's own Self, which is ever-shining as "I," the one undivided and pure reality, is the only raft with which the individual, who is deluded by thinking "I am the body," can cross the ocean of unending births.


Sri Ramana Maharshi

Self Quote Sri Ramana Maharshi

This ghostly ego which is devoid of form comes into existence by grasping a form; grasping a form it endures; feeding upon forms which it grasps it waxes more; leaving one form it grasps another form, but when sought for it takes to flight


Sri Ramana Maharshi

Self Quote Sri Ramana Maharshi

The attempt to destroy the ego or the mind through sadhanas (practices) other than atma-vichara (Self-Inquiry) is just like the thief pretending to be a policeman to catch the thief that is himself.



Sri Ramana Maharshi

Self Quote Sri Ramana Maharshi

Having realized the Self, nothing remains to be known, because it is perfect bliss, it is the all.

Sri Ramana Maharshi