Snake and the Rope

A person opened a room i the dark night. Suddenly he saw a snake and was afraid and began to step back. He just hit the light switch. As soon as the room was lit, the snake disappeared. Actually there was no snake, it was a rope..

It is our mind that perceived snake. The snake was superimp osed on the rope.

Is the snake real? No. Snake cannot exist without rope, but rope can exist without snake.

Now, if we see the snake and scream that 'i am seeing the rope'. Is it right.
lit the lamp of knowledge and the snake (born out of ignorance) will disappear without any effort instantly. But to lit the lamp one has to make effort. Running away or catching the snake (to earn something out of it) will be there (i.e. there will be mental effort) till we realise that it is a rope and not the snake.. Realisation occures instantly without effort and without delay.

There is no connection between snake and the rope. The snake never existed in reality, but snake is no different from the rope as it is superimposed on the rope. actually, snake is nothing but the rope (i.e. maya). But with clear mind, we can see the rope (SELF).

Adapted from Vivek Choodamani. This explanation also appears in Ramana's 40 verses on truth and even in the upnishads. It is the extreme explanation ( i have came across) and one of the best example by which one can explain the philosophy of non-duality.

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar on Important Principles of Spiritual life - Let Go of the Past

Principle of spiritual life is the ability to let go
of the past. See the entire past as a dream.
Then you come to the present moment. You will find it is
not necessary to make an effort to be in the present.
The moment you let go of the past, your mind comes to
the present on its own.
In the present moment, spirit is kindled—
even a little spark is made into a glow.
When you cling to the past, the spark is covered with ashes.
Be in the present and blow away the ashes of the past.

Lord Buddha's Teachings

Seeing misery in views and opinions, without adopting any, I found
inner peace and freedom.
One who is free does not hold to views or
dispute opinions.
For a sage there is no higher, lower, no places
in which the mind can stick.
But those who grasp after views and
opinions only wander about the world annoying people.