You are real. What you appear to be is false. Identify with the real, not with the false. Do not accept anything you see as reality. The only freedom you've got is to turn within. One day you will awaken from this dream, for this is also a dream, and you will be free.
There is no such thing as birth, and there is no such thing as death. Nobody is born, no one dies, and no one prevails in between. Nothing that appears exists. Only the Self exists. All this is the Self, and "I am That".
You are absolute reality, ultimate oneness. You are consciousness, emptiness, Sat chit ananda. That is your true nature. Why not abide in it and be free?
Empty your mind. Become still, and everything will happen of its own accord. There is really nothing you have to do. Just be still. ‘Be still and know that I am God.’ I am as the Self! Accept that and be free.
Why do you think of other things? Why concern yourself with the body? Or your mind? Or the world? Quit trying to solve problems. This doesn't mean that you are going to do nothing. Your body is going to perform the acts it came here to do. You have absolutely nothing to do with it.
Allow your mind to say and think the way it will, only don't identify with it. Allow your body to do what it must, but do not react to it. Everything will happen of its own accord. When you allow your mind to think of its own accord, the thoughts begin to dissipate, and soon you have empty mind. Empty mind is consciousness, realisation.
As soon as you begin to identify with reality, with consciousness, all fear leaves you, all doubt leaves you, all false thinking leaves you, and you become free.
Teachings of Robert Adams a disciple of Sri Ramana Maharshi. Source - The Mountain Path - 1993 - Aradhana Issue page 26 - 27
Explanation - Additional Information
The above passage reflects deep teachings from Advaita Vedanta, a non-dualistic school of Hindu philosophy. It emphasizes the ultimate truth that the Self (Atman) is identical to Brahman (the ultimate reality or cosmic consciousness). The ideas expressed align with the teachings of saints like Ramana Maharshi and Nisargadatta Maharaj, who speak about self-realization as the highest spiritual goal.
Expansion on Key Themes:
The Illusion of the World (Maya):
- The world we perceive, including birth, death, and the events in between, is often described as Maya—an illusion. This means that what we see is a projection of the mind and not the ultimate truth. The belief in individual selfhood (jiva) and the material world is seen as ignorance (avidya). Only the Self, the pure consciousness, is real.
Symbolism: The rope-snake analogy is often used in Advaita Vedanta. Imagine mistaking a rope for a snake in dim light. The snake doesn’t exist, but the fear and reaction to it are real until you shine a light on it. Similarly, the world is perceived as real until the light of wisdom (self-knowledge) reveals it as an illusion.
Self-Realization (Atman/Brahman Identity):
- The central teaching of Advaita Vedanta is that the true nature of the individual is the same as the ultimate reality, Brahman. The phrase “Tat Tvam Asi” (You are That) from the Chandogya Upanishad encapsulates this idea. Once you realize this oneness with the Absolute, the concepts of birth, death, fear, and desire dissolve.
Practicality: In everyday life, this understanding leads to a profound sense of peace. Problems, challenges, and suffering are seen as temporary and ultimately unreal. By identifying with the eternal Self rather than the transient body and mind, one can navigate life with equanimity.
Detachment and Stillness (Vairagya and Shanti):
- The instruction to "be still" and to let go of identifying with thoughts or actions points to the practice of vairagya (detachment). The mind is constantly filled with thoughts, but in deep meditation or introspection, one realizes these thoughts are fleeting. As the Bhagavad Gita says, "He who is able to withdraw the senses from their objects, as the tortoise withdraws its limbs, is firmly fixed in wisdom" (BG 2.58).
Modern Relevance: In today’s fast-paced world filled with distractions, anxiety, and stress, the teaching to be still is more relevant than ever. Mindfulness, meditation, and conscious breathing are techniques aligned with this principle. By stepping back and observing the mind instead of being caught in its turbulence, one can find clarity and peace.
Self as Sat-Chit-Ananda (Existence, Consciousness, Bliss):
- The description of the Self as Sat-Chit-Ananda (Being-Consciousness-Bliss) is a core teaching in Hindu philosophy. It suggests that our true nature is not just consciousness, but it is also inherently blissful. Once we transcend the illusions of the world, we naturally abide in a state of joy and peace.
Story from Hinduism: There’s a beautiful story from the Upanishads where a disciple asks his Guru to show him Brahman. The Guru points at the disciple and says, “You are That.” Initially, the disciple cannot comprehend this, as he is attached to his body and mind. But after years of practice and deep reflection, he realizes that he is not the body, nor the mind, but the pure awareness in which all experiences arise and dissolve.
Emptying the Mind (Chitta Vritti Nirodha):
- The idea of emptying the mind is echoed in Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras, where the essence of yoga is defined as the "cessation of the fluctuations of the mind" (Yoga Chitta Vritti Nirodha). When thoughts cease, pure consciousness shines forth. This state of inner silence is also called Samadhi—the absorption into one's true nature.
Quotes from Hindu Scriptures:
- Mandukya Upanishad: "The Self is free from birth, free from death, free from fear, free from change. It is the changeless reality underlying all things."
- Bhagavad Gita (Chapter 2, Verse 20): "For the soul, there is neither birth nor death. It is unborn, eternal, ever-existing, undying, and primeval. It is not slain when the body is slain."
Liberation through Non-Identification (Moksha):
- The process of self-realization leads to moksha, or liberation from the cycle of birth and death (samsara). The way to this freedom is through non-identification with the body, mind, or external world, and instead identifying with the Self.
Practical Application: In daily life, this teaching can be applied by practicing non-attachment to outcomes. Whether we succeed or fail in worldly endeavors, if we maintain the awareness that the true Self is untouched by these fluctuations, we can experience a sense of peace regardless of external circumstances. This doesn’t mean inaction, but a form of action free from ego-driven desires.
Simple Story: The Salt Doll and the Ocean:
A traditional story from Hinduism goes like this: A salt doll wanted to measure the depth of the ocean. It walked into the water, but as it went deeper, it began to dissolve. Soon, the doll realized that it was the ocean and that its individual identity was an illusion. This illustrates the Advaita concept that the individual self dissolves into the infinite Self (Brahman) upon realizing its true nature.
Modern-Day Relevance:
The teachings of Advaita Vedanta offer practical wisdom for today’s world, where materialism, consumerism, and the constant striving for external validation often leave people feeling empty. By turning within and recognizing that true peace and contentment come from knowing the Self, one can cultivate a life of balance and fulfillment.
Meditation practices, mindfulness techniques, and detachment from the results of one’s actions—all derive from this ancient wisdom and can be applied in modern life to reduce stress and cultivate inner peace.
Conclusion:
In summary, the message to "be still" and identify with the Self rather than the body or mind resonates with profound spiritual truths from Hinduism. By practicing self-inquiry, detachment, and stillness, one can gradually awaken to their true nature as Sat-Chit-Ananda, the ultimate reality that is free from fear, desire, and suffering.
Quote to Reflect On:
- "You are not the body, you are not the mind, you are the pure, aware Self. The world comes, the world goes. When you are still, you are in your eternal nature." – Ramana Maharshi