FROM KNOWLEDGE TO EXPERIENCE
Sometimes, some people argue thus: “Where is the necessity for practice, sadhana, since the Truth already is – ever realised and ever existent?” The counter question is are they established in Truth? If they are, they would never make such statements. None of the sages, including Adi Sankara, Ramakrishna Pramahamsa and Bhagavan, ever said so. Only armchair scholars and philosophers, who are neither so ripe that the fruit falls at the sight of the Sat-Guru nor have the patience to steadily ascend the ladder of sadhana, make such lazy and flippant statements. The following dialogue from Talks with Sri Ramana Maharshi, throws greater light and clarity on this subject.
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Bhagavan: To know that there never was ignorance is the goal of all the scriptural teachings. Ignorance must be of one who is aware. Awareness is jnana, wisdom. Jnana is eternal and natural. Ajnana, ignorance, is unnatural and unreal.
Devotee: Having heard this Truth, why does not one remain content?
Bhagavan: Because latent tendencies, samskaras, have not been destroyed. Unless the samskaras cease to exist, there will always be doubt and confusion, sandeha and viparita jnana. All efforts are directed to destroying doubt and confusion. To do so, their roots must be cut. Their roots are the samskaras. These are rendered ineffective by practice as prescribed by the guru. The guru leaves it to the seeker to do this, so that he might himself find out that there is no ignorance. This is the stage of the hearing of the Truth, sravana. This is not firm, dhrda. For making it unshaken, one has to practice reflection, manana, and one-pointedness, nididhyasana. These two processes scorch the seeds of samskaras, so that they are rendered ineffective.
Devotee: How long one should practice, do sadhana?
Bhagavan: That long till this doubt persists!
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Like our breathing, the practice to remain in and as the Self should be continuous and unwavering. Patience and perseverance are the price a seeker has to pay, untiringly, steadily and cheerfully.
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