Talks with Ramana...

D.: So, it is wrong to begin with a goal: is it?

M.: If there be a goal to be reached it cannot be permanent. The goal
must already be there.

We seek to reach the goal with the ego, but
the goal exists before the ego.

What is in the goal is even prior to
our birth, i.e., to the birth of the ego. Because we exist the ego
appears to exist too.

If we look on the Self as the ego then we become the ego, if as the
mind we become the mind, if as the body we become the body.

It
is the thought which builds up sheaths in so many ways.

The shadow
on the water is found to be shaking. Can anyone stop the shaking
of the shadow?

If it should cease to shake you would not notice the
water but only the light.

Similarly to take no notice of the ego and
its activities, but see only the light behind.

The ego is the I-thought.

The true ‘I’ is the Self.


Talks with Ramana #148