Like the practice of breath control, meditation on the forms of God, repetition of mantras, food restrictions, etc., are but aids for rendering the mind quiescent.
Ramana MaharshiRead
Mind is consciousness which has put on limitations. You are originally unlimited and perfect. Later you take on limitations and become the mind.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote suggests that our true nature is limitless, but we impose limitations on ourselves through our mind and consciousness.
Ramana Maharshi's quote reflects the idea that our innate existence is one of perfection and boundlessness. However, as we grow and develop our consciousness, we begin to adopt limitations that hinder our true selves, primarily through the constructs of the mind. This understanding encourages us to recognize and transcend these mental barriers to reconnect with our essential, unlimited nature.
Themes
MindConsciousnessLimitationsPerfectionSelf
In practice
Example use cases
During a meditation class, the instructor quoted Ramana Maharshi to illustrate the idea of transcending mental limits.
More from Ramana Maharshi
All quotes βThink of God; attachments will gradually drop away. If you wait till all desires disappear before starting your devotion and prayer, you will have to wait for a very long time indeed.
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The mind of one meditating on a single object becomes one-pointed. And one-pointedness of mind leads to abidance in the self. Real attainment is to be fully conscious, to be aware of surroundings and the people around, to move among them all, but not to merge consciousness in the environment. One should remain in inner independent awareness.
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You need not aspire for or get any new state. Get rid of your present thoughts, that is all.
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Realisation is not acquisition of anything new nor is it a new faculty. It is only removal of all camouflage
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Bliss is a thing which is always there and is not something which comes and goes. That which comes and goes is a creation of the mind.
Ramana MaharshiRead
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