Richi asked the other day:
Will sustained effort transform into effortlessness or is effort the very veil separating me from my Self? And in this second case, how can the mind make no effort, at all?
I think this is an exceptionally good question because it leads straight to the heart of the matter. It’s like a thread whose far end is tied to a post at the center of the maze.
I just happened to run across this answer to the question:
Swami Madhavtirtha: If I were to remove all thoughts, then, would I be able to meditate properly?
Ramana Maharshi: In the beginning that is all right. But when your attraction towards the Self increases, the real self-enquiry will start. At that time all your efforts will stop and a new state will come into being. (Source)
Incidentally, there’s a very nice chapter about Swami Madhavtirtha in Ramana Periya Puranam by V. Ganesan.
For some reason, this reminds me of a saying, “You seeking the universe/Self, is actually the universe/Self seeking you”. When the time is ripe, we automatically gravitate towards recognition of our true Self. Everything falls into place.
Speaking of gravity maybe I should link to this earlier post:
Happy Death Day