Behind My Hand

The mind welcomes complexity before simplicity. Complexity allows division. Division allows analysis of components. This is empirical and therefore palpable. This is the survival mechanism for ahamkāra .

Realise the Self; after realisation there will be time to think of what form of death is preferable to you. It is the false identity of the Self with the body that causes the idea of preference, etc. Are you the body? Were you aware of it when you were fast asleep last night? No! What is it that exists now and troubles you? It is ‘I’. Get rid of it and be happy. Ramana Maharshi Talk 32

“You say I. ‘I want to know.’ Tell me, who is that I?” What does he mean? He has now cut across the services of the interpreter and speaks direct to me in English. Bewilderment creeps across my brain. “I am afraid I do not understand your question,” I reply blankly. “Is it not clear? Think again!” I puzzle over his words once more. An idea suddenly flashes into my head. I point a finger towards myself and mention my name. “And do you know him?” “All my life!” I smile back at him. “But that is only your body! Again I ask, ‘Who are you’?” I cannot find a ready answer to this extraordinary query. The Maharshi continues: “Know first that I and then you shall know the truth.” (Paul Brunton, A Search in Secret India, 1972; 144/5)

Ancient pool,  A frog jumps in, [the sound of splashing water] - Basho —- —- —- Ego sinks,  into the Self. Who hears the sound? - MWright

svabhāva (self nature) is revealed, having resolved all opposites by means of vicāra (self enquiry), a sudden understanding, with reliance on neither name nor form, unattached to a single thing. - MWright

Buddhists of the present day look outward, instead of inwardly into their own minds. They get themselves attached to forms and to the world--which is the violation of the truth. From Huang Po’s Sermon ( 9th Century ) , found in  MANUAL OF ZEN BUDDHISM,  DAISETZ TEITARO SUZUKI ( 1935) —- —- —-

To make Buddha seek after himself, or to make Mind take hold of itself-- this is an impossibility to the end of eternity. We do not realize that as soon as our thoughts cease and all attempts at forming ideas are forgotten the Buddha reveals himself before us. - MANUAL OF ZEN BUDDHISM,  DAISETZ TEITARO SUZUKI ( 1935), from Huang Po’s Sermon —- —- —- Engage in Self-investigation, then the non-self will disappear. The Self will be left over. This is self-investigation of the Self. The one word Self is equivalent to the mind, body, man, individual. the Supreme and all else. - Ramana Maharshi in Talk 238