Conversation with Annamalai Swami

Q.: What is the easiest way to be free of the ‘little self’?

Annamalai Swami: Stop identifying with it. If you can convince yourself, ‘This little self is not really me,’ it will disappear.

Q.: But how to do that?

AS.: The little self is something that only appears to be real. If you understand that it has no real existence it will disappear, leaving behind it the experience of the real and only Self. Understand that it has no real existence and it will stop troubling you.
Consciousness is universal. There is no limitation or ‘little self’ in it. It is only when we identify with and limit ourselves to the body and the mind that this false sense of self is born. If, through enquiry, you go to the source of the ‘little self’, you find that it dissolves into nothingness.

Q.: But I am very accustomed to feel ‘I am this ‘little self’ ‘. I cannot break this habit merely by thinking ‘I am not this ‘little self”.

AS.: This ‘little self’ will only give way to the real Self if you meditate constantly. You cannot wish it away with a few stray thoughts. Try to remember the analogy of the rope which looks like a snake in twilight. If you see the rope as snake the real nature of the rope is hidden from you. If you only see the rope the snake is not there. Not only that – you know that there never was a snake there. (Then) the question of how to kill the snake disappears… If you can understand that this ‘little self’ never at any time had any existence outside your imagination, you will not be concerned about ways and means of getting rid of it.

Q.: It is all very clear but I feel I need some help. I am not sure that i can generate this conviction by myself.

AS.: The desire for assistance is part of your problem. Don’t make the mistake of imagining that there is a goal to be reached or attained. If you think like this you will start looking for methods to practice and people to help you. This just perpetuates the problem you are trying to end. Instead, cultivate the strong awareness, ‘I am the Self. I am That. I am Brahman. I am everything.’.. The best way to (stop believing the wrong ideas about yourself) is to replace them with ideas which more accurately reflect the real state of affairs. …
The Self is always attained, it is always realized; it is not something that you have to seek, reach or discover. Your vasanas and all the wrong ideas you have about yourself are blocking and hiding the experience of the real Self. If you don’t identify with these wrong ideas, your Self-nature will not be hidden from you.

– from: ‘Living By The Words Of Bhagavan’ by David Godman

Systemic Spirituality shared Ramana Maharshis photo.

Q: What is the easiest way to be free of the little self?

AS: Stop identifying with it. If you can convince yourself, This little self is not really me, it will disappear.

Q: But how to do that?

AS: The little self is something that only appears to be real. If you understand that it has no real existence it will disappear, leaving behind it the experience of the real and only Self. Understand that it has no real existence and it will stop troubling you.Consciousness is universal. There is no limitation or little self in it. It is only when we identify with and limit ourselves to the body and the mind that this false sense of self is born. If, through enquiry, you go to the source of the little self, you find that it dissolves into nothingness.

via Facebook.

Chance Vought F4U Corsair

made this for my dad. i was not happy with the fit, however it is the first plane i have made in so so many years. custom markings :
shiny dark blue
AF 330 markings is his old race car numbers

Im sure he will like it, regardless of the fact that im not happy that it is not perfect.

sandpaper

Think of the haters in your life as sandpaper; they’ll scratch you up time and time again but in the end you’re polished, smooth, and spotless…… while they end up useless