Teachings of Sri Ramana Maharshi

Sri Ramana Maharshi on Non-Doing

From the 1936 Aham Sphurana manuscript, edited by John David.

INTRODUCTION

In this blog “Ramana Maharshi on Non-Doing”, Bhagavan explains that true Realisation cannot be forced and arises naturally when the mind ceases all effort and conceptual thinking. Staying at the root of the mind or abiding as pure consciousness is not a deliberate practice but the natural state of being. Non-doing is simply the absence of action, thought, or volition, allowing awareness to remain effortlessly. By letting go of all striving, attachment, and ego, one moves spontaneously toward Liberation.

Non-Doing

Q.: If I stay at the root of the mind or abide as pure consciousness, will I Realise the Self?
B.: The question shows that the arbitrary mental conceptualisation, ‘Realising the Self‘, is still present in the mind. Staying in the root of the mind should be a matter of course; it must be the natural state. On the other hand, you are trying to deliberately do it so that you can thereby gain the reward you call ‘Self-Realisation’. Can it work? No.

Stillness cannot be reached with the mind. Water cannot be made dry water. Subside as the mind and Stillness alone is left over. People want to know how this may be done. It cannot be done because doing is the anti-thesis of it. J.K. has said- ‘Total negation is the essence of the positive.‘ Do not do anything with the mind. That is Realisation.

Doing cannot bring about non-doing; absence of doing is known as non-doing. Non-doing is not an exotic variety of doing; it is simply not doing. Abstinence from or relinquishment of thought is not a positive act. It should therefore not require to be attended to with effort or volition. If there is any effort or volition involved you are still stuck in the realm of doing. The transition from the realm of doing to that of non-doing should be a natural collapse. It is pointless if forced.

Sri Ramana Maharshi on Non-Doing

Non-Doing

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