M.: The object of creation is to remove the confusion of your individuality. The question shows that you have identified yourself with the body and therefore see yourself and the world around. You think that you are the body. Your mind and intellect are the factors of your wrong identity.
Do you exist in your sleep?
D.: I do.
M.: The same being is now awake and asks these questions. Is it not so?
D.: Yes.
M.: These questions did not arise in your sleep. Did they?
D.: No.
M.: Why not? Because you did not see your body and no thoughts arose. You did not identify yourself with the body then. Therefore these questions did not arise.
They arise now because of your identity with the body. Is it not so?
D.: Yes.
M.: Now see which is your real nature. Is it that which is free from thoughts or that which is full of thoughts?
Being is continuous. The thoughts are discontinuous. So which is permanent?
D.: Being.
M.: That is it. Realize it. That is your true nature. Your nature is simple Being, free from thoughts.
Because you identify yourself with the body, you want to know about creation. The world and the objects, including your body,appear in the waking state but disappear in the state of sleep. You
exist all through these states. What is it then that persists through all these states? Find it out. That is your Self.
– Sri Ramana Maharshi
– Talks 610
