A visitor wrote some questions in Tamil and presented them to Bhagavan. Bhagavan said, “He wants to know how to turn the mind from sense enjoyments and realise that bliss which is said to be so much above sense-enjoyments”.
Answer. There is only one way, making the mind merge in That which is not sense-enjoyment. As you concentrate on That, the sense attractions will fall of their own accord.
Again, he asks, ‘When can I attain that bliss?’
Answer He is daily enjoying that bliss in sleep. There, no sense object is present, and he still enjoys great bliss. We have not got to attain bliss. We are bliss. Bliss is another name for us. It is our nature. All that we have to do is to turn the mind, draw it from the sense objects every time it goes towards them, and fix it in the Self.
He asks whether he will attain bliss after death.
Answer. There is no need to die to attain bliss. Merging of the mind alone is necessary. Death is also another name for us. For what is death but giving up the body? Our real nature is to be without the body.”
(From ‘Day by Day with Bhagavan’, Day 29-3-46 Afternoon)
My comments
What is missing is the art of turning first the senses and then the mind within. Even if the mind goes within, the senses by force can bring the mind back out until the merger of the mind is complete
It is very difficult to understand the “mind” which Ramana Maharshi was referring to. This mind was present before the body was created
There are two more steps after that. It is not so easy
So what is the complete merger of the mind like?
Peace. Joy. Nothingness. Everything-ness.
Bhavin