If you abandon Sadhana (practice) in order to avoid this Sadhana-ego you are left
with nothing except egoism. Egoism plus Sadhana is better than egoism minus
Sadhana.
~Swami Sivananda
And even this mature charismatic soul (like Arjuna of Bhagavad Gita) has to practice at least meditation or self-enquiry constantly and sincerely until the complete dissolution of the ego root and branch together with its seed forms in the causal body. There is no Self-realization without the complete dissolution of the ego.
And the complere dissolution of ego is possible only by deep Nirvikalpa Samadhis, and certainly the grace of God (Which is assured fort those who are dedicated to God). And this (Nirvikalpa samadhis and the dissolution of ego) is the result of devotion and incessant, diligent, sincere practice for a long time. This is what proclaim great masters, like Swami Sivananda, Ramana Maharshi, Sankaracharya, Paramahansa Yogananda, Ramakrishna, Nisargadatta among others and great texts like Bhagavad Gita and this is my experience as well. Any other idea has nothing to do with reality.
So, for persons with rajoasotamasic mind (who certainly are strongly identified with the body, and are also passionate and pride ) the idea or the suggestion that in the direct approach of nonduality the practices are not necessary it is false and without ant base. It is very nice for the ego to hear about an easy way to 'achieve' liberation or Self-realization but this is only a wish not a reality.
Without diligent, sincere, incessant practice nobody can 'achieve' Liberation or Self -realization. Practice doesn't mean struggling although this is unavoidable in the primary stages of sadhana due to resistance of the ego and the strong presence of rajas, tamas and the egoistic tendencies in the mind.
Sri Ramana Maharshi says:
'If
the aspirants have not one-pointed mind, which is possible for him who
has pure mind full of sattva, dispassion, discrimination, etc.,
Self-enquiry is impossible.'
'It is easy, the concentration on the Self, for him who has qualities like dispassion, discrimination, one-pointed mind, renunciation, etc. For the rest, it is either less or more, depending on how much one has these qualities. For those who are not prepared, it is very difficult, if not impossible.'
'It is easy, the concentration on the Self, for him who has qualities like dispassion, discrimination, one-pointed mind, renunciation, etc. For the rest, it is either less or more, depending on how much one has these qualities. For those who are not prepared, it is very difficult, if not impossible.'
The direct or nondual approach which is the 'path' of Self- enquiry and which has become famous recently in the west by two great Jnanis of India, Nisargadatta and Ranana Maharishi, is possible only for those who process a sattva mind, which can be achieved only by laborious sincere, dedicated practice for many years.
Without a sattvic mind nonduality is only a mental entertainment and a never fulfilled wish.
Quotes of Ramana Maharshi about effort
One must be ready to sacrifice everything for the truth.'
'Effort is needed so long as there is mind.' 'Without spiritual practice (upasana), there cannot be attainment. This is certain.'
'Firm resolve to discover the truth for oneself is important. It is the heart, it is necessary to hold on to enquiry till one's mind merges into its source, the heart. Ceaseless effort is needed.'
‘All the age-long vasanas carry the mind outward and turn it to external objects. All such thoughts have to be given up and the mind turned inward. For that, effort is necessary for most people.’
'But in all cases the effort must be ceaseless and untiring until the goal can be reached.'
‘…intense effort is necessary until the I-thought will disappear completely in the heart (Self) and all the vasanas and samskaras will be fried and do not revive again.’
‘Knowledge (jnana) can only remain unshaken after all vasanas are rooted out.’
'Effortless and choiceless awareness is our real state. But one cannot reach it without effort, the effort of deliberate meditation. All the age-long vasanas (impressions) carry the mind outwards and turn it to external objects.
READ ALSO
Advaita vedanta - A living experience
Quotes of Ramana Maharshi about effort
One must be ready to sacrifice everything for the truth.'
'Effort is needed so long as there is mind.' 'Without spiritual practice (upasana), there cannot be attainment. This is certain.'
'Firm resolve to discover the truth for oneself is important. It is the heart, it is necessary to hold on to enquiry till one's mind merges into its source, the heart. Ceaseless effort is needed.'
‘All the age-long vasanas carry the mind outward and turn it to external objects. All such thoughts have to be given up and the mind turned inward. For that, effort is necessary for most people.’
'But in all cases the effort must be ceaseless and untiring until the goal can be reached.'
‘…intense effort is necessary until the I-thought will disappear completely in the heart (Self) and all the vasanas and samskaras will be fried and do not revive again.’
‘Knowledge (jnana) can only remain unshaken after all vasanas are rooted out.’
'Effortless and choiceless awareness is our real state. But one cannot reach it without effort, the effort of deliberate meditation. All the age-long vasanas (impressions) carry the mind outwards and turn it to external objects.
READ ALSO
Advaita vedanta - A living experience