WHO SUFFERS?

~ Talk 107.~

Paramhansa yogananda asked: How is the spiritual uplift of the people to be effected? What are the instructions to be given them?
M.: They differ according to the temperaments of the individuals and according to the spiritual ripeness of their minds. There cannot be any instruction en masse.

D.: Why does God permit suffering in the world? Should He not with His omnipotence do away with it at one stroke and ordain the universal realisation of God?
M.: Suffering is the way for Realisation of God.

D.: Should He not ordain differently?
M.: It is the way.

D.: Are Yoga, religion, etc., antidotes to suffering?
M.: They help you to overcome suffering.

D.: Why should there be suffering?
M.: Who suffers? What is suffering?

No answer! Finally the Yogi rose up, prayed for Sri Bhagavan’s blessings for his own work and expressed great regret for his hasty return. He looked very sincere and devoted and even emotional

-Talk 47 -

A Malayalee visitor expressed his concern for the misery of the world and his opinion that ‘Quest for Self’ looked selfish in the midst of such suffering environments. His solution appeared to be selfless work.
M.: THE SEA IS NOT AWARE OF ITS WAVES SIMILARLY SELF IS NOT AWARE OF ITS EGO..

-Talk 163-

Dr. Henry Hand, an American of about seventy, asked “What is ego?”
M.: Ego being internal and not external to you it must be clear to yourself.

D.: What is its definition?
M.: The definition also must proceed from the ego. The ego must define itself.

D.: What is soul?
M.: Find the ego, the soul is found.

D.: Are they then the same?
M.: Soul can be without the ego; but the ego cannot be without the soul. They are like bubble and the ocean.

D.: That clarifies the matter. What is Atman?
M.: Atman/self and soul are the same.

~ Talks with Sri Rmana Maharshi