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Sadhu's Reminiscences of Ramana Maharshi
Bhagavan said that the mind was like a monkey, never still for one second, it was an almost hopeless task to try and quieten it; the best thing to do was to give it a productive employment and not allow it to fritter itself away building endless pictures. Let it concentrate on “Who am I?” and then there will be no room for any other thought. It is like using a thorn to extract a thorn from the foot. Nevertheless, Bhagavan would often tell us to make an effort to be without effort.” This surely presupposes that the mind has already achieved some success in turning back on itself.
Many people identified Bhagavan with Dakshinamurti, the silent Guru. For though he was not so taciturn as many people made out, he did have profound silences when he spoke to his disciples in their hearts. People would come to him bursting with doubts, would sit in his presence and go away without asking a single question, all their doubts cleared. He himself said, “Silence is the best Upadesa, but it is suited only for advanced pupils; others are unable to draw full inspiration from it, therefore they used words to explain the Truth. But Truth is beyond words. It does not admit of explanation. Lectures may entertain individuals for a few hours without having an effect upon them, whereas the result of silence is permanent and benefits all. Even though it is not understood, that does not matter. Oral lectures are not so eloquent as silence. It is unceasing eloquence. The primal master Dakshinamurti is the ideal and he taught in silence.”
