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The answer can be found in the well-known story of a man who sees a rope in twilight and thinks it’s a poisonous snake. He gets hold of his fear and takes a good look at the snake. In doing so, he sees it’s only a rope.
Life becomes painful and scary when we mistake our body-mind for the Self. Sometimes, we glimpse that the one isn’t the other. That’s good.
But to “stay there” requires attention. Staying there is more like having a significant breakthrough than it’s like holding your breath.
Careful attention will result in unshakable conviction and unfathomable peace. In the meantime, we try to ‘be peaceful.’ There is nothing wrong with this approach, but it’s limited.
Taking this approach, we identify with the limited self, then try to control its reactions. This can feel like we’re holding our breath.
What we must do is attend carefully. This is the direct way.
Let’s say you’re acquainted with twin brothers. At first, you will mistake them for each other. But once you get to know them, you will never mistake them for each other again.
Attending carefully to the Self, we recognize It.
Now let’s go back to the snake and the rope.
When the man examines the “snake” by keeping his attention on it, he sees it was only an appearance, as upon investigation he does not see any snake. Only the rope is there.
Initially, he thinks he’s examining a snake. But by doing so, he realizes there was never any snake. By examining the “snake,” the man sees the rope for what it is.
When you turn your attention toward yourself, you will see you are always present. You will see you are there in the dream state, even if you have a different body or no discernible body at all. Your presence characterizes all that Is.
You cannot be identified with objects of experience like sensations or thoughts. You are independent of them, while they are dependent on you. Seeing this clearly, you will recognize your Self, which stands apart from all thoughts and phenomena.
In the snake/rope example, the man examined the “snake” and discovered there was no snake to examine.
When you examine or attend to your experience of ‘I,’ you will immediately discover you are examining something else entirely.
Turning your attention within, you will recognize the Self.
You will not then mistake the body-mind for the Self again, just as you will not mistake your friends, the twin brothers, for each other again.
The Self is that where there is absolutely no “I” thought. That is called “Silence.” - Ramana Maharshi
