Ramana Maharshi on Atma sakshatkara, Self Realisation

Ramana Maharshi on Atma sakshatkara - Self Realisation

Question : What is the Self referred to in Atma samstham (fixing it in the Self)?
Ramana Maharshi : Do you not know your Self? You certainly exist. Or do you deny your existence? The question may arise “Who is this Self”, only if you do not exist, but you cannot ask anything unless you exist at the same time. Your question shows that you exist. Find out who you are. That is all.

Question : I have read many books. But my mind does not turn to the Self.
Ramana Maharshi : Because the Self is not in the books; but it is in you. Reading books makes one learned. That is its purpose and it is fulfilled.

Question : What is Atma sakshatkara (Self-Realisation)?
Ramana Maharshi : You are the Atma (Self) and that sakshat (here and now) also. Where is the place for kara (accomplishment) in it? This question shows that you think you are the non-Self. Or you think that there are two selves, the one to realise the other. It is absurd.

That you identify yourself with the gross body lies at the root of this question. Well, this question arises now. Did it arise in your sleep? Did you not exist then? Certainly you did exist in sleep. What is the difference between these two states that the question should arise now but not in sleep? Now you think that you are the body. You see things around you and you want to see the Self in a similar manner. Such is the force of habit.

The senses are mere instruments of perception. You are the seer. Remain as the seer only. What else is there to see? Such is the state in deep sleep. Therefore this question does not arise then. Atma sakshatkara (Self-Realisation) is thus only anatma nirasana (giving up the non-Self).