Sri Ramana Maharshi on How shall we kill the mind?

Q.:Throbbing ‘I’-‘I’ scintillating within me. This is an intensely peaceful state and I wish I could remain in it forever. Alas – unfortunately, the experience lasts for only a few seconds before fading away. Can I please know the reason from Bhagavan?

B.: It means that the tendencies which cause extroversion are still dormant within the mind. It is necessary to go on unabatedly practising keeping the mind submerged in the Heart until all of the latent tendencies are wiped out without trace.

Q.: How shall we kill the mind?

B.: Is it the mind that wants to kill the mind? The mind cannot kill the mind. Anything that you endeavour to ‘do’ with the mind will only reinforce and perpetuate the notion of mind. Rather than pointlessly wondering, ‘How shall I eradicate the mind?’, go on seeking the mind. Incessant search for what mind is results in its disappearance.

           The thing to do is to completely ignore the objects that appear by the reflected light of the mind, and instead seek the source of the mind’s illumination. If the source of the mind is continuously sought for, it begins to subside.

            The point of vichara is to continuously hold on to the subject. No matter what the experiences might be that present themselves, pay no attention and continue to remain focused on the subject. The subject is your notion of ‘I’. Go on examining this notion until it disappears.