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Do you really need to know the source of thought? || Acharya Prashant, on Raman Maharishi (2018)
Scriptures and Saints
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2 years ago
Source of thought
Self-inquiry
Consciousness
Ego
Guru's grace
Truth
Desire
Spiritual realm
Description

Acharya Prashant addresses a question regarding the source of thought and the difficulty of maintaining intensity in self-inquiry. He explains that the source of thought is not a mystery to be solved through deep digging, as the truth is not something one can reach through personal effort. He points out that thoughts arise from direct, observable emotions and states such as desire, anger, jealousy, and competition. The speaker asserts that the act of digging or inquiring often keeps the ego or the 'digger' intact, preventing true understanding. He suggests that the desire to know the source of thoughts originates from the same material consciousness and biological processes that produce the thoughts themselves. Acharya Prashant further clarifies that inquiry is often just another form of thought, likening it to a dog chasing its own tail. He observes that most people's inquiry is inconsistent and dependent on their moods or situations, rather than being a constant state. Regarding the relationship between a disciple and a guru, he questions the disciple's motive for wanting to know the spiritual dimension of the guru's work. He explains that seeking such knowledge is often a pursuit of power and control. He advises the questioner to focus on understanding the nature of the questioner themselves, rather than trying to interfere with or analyze the guru's grace or spiritual operations.