There is only one Self. What you feel toward somebody else, you are feeling toward yourself. What you do to anybody else you are doing to yourself. If you help somebody else, you are helping yourself, and if you hurt somebody else, you are hurting yourself.
What your body does is karmic. It has nothing to do with you. When you realise, "I am not the body, I am not the mind, and I am not the doer," then you are safe. But as long as you think you are doing something kind for somebody, then you want a reward, you want recognition. But when you know there is only one Self, you are automatically kind to everybody. Virtue is its own reward.
Q: So Self Realisation Is The Erasing Of Me As A Separate Entity?
Ramana Maharshi: Yes, exactly. It's also the erasing of the idea, "I'm self-realized." There is only Silence. It's beyond explanation. It's a mystery. The finite can never comprehend the infinite. There are no words to explain it. All is well. Consciousness is bliss, love — not as we know it, but a million times stronger. And that's our real nature. Be your Self.
Additional Information And Explanation:The teaching of Ramana Maharshi, as presented in the passage, reflects one of the core ideas of Advaita Vedanta—a school of Hindu philosophy that asserts the oneness of all existence. In this tradition, the Self (Atman) is identical with Brahman, the universal consciousness. The illusion of separateness is due to ignorance (Avidya), and Self-realization is the awakening to this truth.
Expanding on the Idea of the One Self
The concept of oneness (non-duality) means that all beings share the same essential nature. The separation we perceive between "you" and "me," between ourselves and others, is an illusion (Maya). When we act with the understanding that there is no separation, we naturally treat others with kindness, compassion, and respect because, in truth, they are not "other" but the same Self in a different form.
Ramana Maharshi points to the idea that helping others is helping yourself, and harming others is harming yourself. This aligns with the principle of Karma, where our actions inevitably return to us. But when you transcend the ego, the need for recognition, reward, or acknowledgment vanishes, because the notion of "I" and "you" has dissolved. In that state, all actions are selfless.
Symbolism and Importance
In Hinduism, the concept of the Atman, the individual soul, being one with Brahman, the universal soul, is symbolized by a drop of water merging back into the ocean. Before merging, the drop may see itself as separate, but once it becomes part of the ocean, its individuality is erased.
This realization brings liberation (Moksha), the ultimate goal of human life in Hindu philosophy. Moksha is freedom from the cycle of birth and death (Samsara) and from the suffering caused by ignorance of our true nature. This realization erases the sense of being a separate entity, which is the root cause of suffering.
A Story from Hinduism
A well-known story illustrating the illusion of separateness is the story of the salt doll:
A salt doll once wanted to know the nature of the ocean. It ventured out, stepped into the water, and as it walked deeper and deeper, it dissolved until it became one with the ocean. The doll realized that the ocean and itself were not two distinct entities. In the same way, the individual self merges with the universal consciousness, and there is no longer any distinction.
This story conveys the essence of Advaita: the Self, when it transcends its limited identity, merges with the infinite and realizes that it was never separate.
Quotes from Hindu Scriptures
Chandogya Upanishad 6.8.7: Tat Tvam Asi (That Thou Art)
- This is one of the Mahavakyas (great sayings) from the Upanishads that emphasizes the oneness of the individual self (Atman) with the ultimate reality (Brahman). It reminds us that the essence of each being is divine and identical to the universal consciousness.
Bhagavad Gita 5.18: "The wise see no difference between a learned Brahmin, a cow, an elephant, a dog, or a dog-eater."
- Here, the Bhagavad Gita teaches that in the eyes of one who is realized, there is no distinction between beings based on external forms. This reflects the vision of oneness that Ramana Maharshi speaks of.
Isha Upanishad 6: "He who sees all beings in his own Self, and his own Self in all beings, loses all fear."
- This verse speaks to the dissolving of fear and suffering when we recognize that all beings are part of the same ultimate reality.
Modern-Day Relevance and Practicality
In today’s world, where divisions based on race, religion, nationality, and social status are widespread, Ramana Maharshi’s teaching serves as a profound reminder of the underlying unity that binds us all. The illusion of separateness is the cause of much conflict and suffering. Realizing that we are interconnected can bring about more compassionate action, tolerance, and understanding.
In everyday life, this understanding can be applied by practicing mindfulness and empathy. When we recognize that everyone around us is an extension of the same Self, we naturally become more aware of how our actions affect others. It encourages us to live with kindness, generosity, and forgiveness.
In practical terms:
- Mindful relationships: Recognizing the unity of all beings helps us approach conflicts with greater patience and understanding.
- Selfless service: When we help others, without seeking reward, we are practicing Karma Yoga—one of the paths to self-realization.
- Ego dissolution: Through meditation, self-inquiry, and awareness, we gradually dissolve the sense of "I" that creates separation, thereby aligning with the truth of non-duality.
Additional Thoughts
Ramana Maharshi’s words emphasize that Self-realization is not a mental concept; it is an experience beyond the intellect and beyond words. This state of realization brings about an effortless kindness and virtue, because in that state, you see yourself in everyone and everything.
When he says, "The finite can never comprehend the infinite," it points to the idea that intellectual understanding has its limits. True knowledge (Jnana) is not of the mind but of direct experience, which transcends language and thought.
In today's context, where people seek happiness in external achievements, recognition, and material wealth, the message of non-duality invites a radical shift inward. It suggests that lasting happiness (Ananda) is found not in the external world but in realizing our true nature as the Self—pure consciousness.
Ramana Maharshi’s teaching on the oneness of the Self is both deeply philosophical and profoundly practical. It challenges us to see beyond the superficial differences that divide us and recognize the universal truth of unity. By applying this wisdom in our daily lives, through compassion, mindfulness, and selfless action, we not only uplift others but also come closer to realizing our own divine nature.