Ramana Maharshi Explains Why Non-self Is Not Pleasing

Disciple: Is not the non-self also pleasing?

Master: No.

D.: Why not?

M.: Not by itself but only as an object of enjoyment for the individual self, the non-self is dear as husband, wife, child,wealth, home, pleasing unguents, sweet scents etc.

D.: Why are they said to be not pleasing by themselves?

M.: Should they be so, they must always remain so. At one time, one thing is pleasing and at other times, the same thing is nauseating.

D.: How?

M.: Take a woman, for instance. When the man is lustful,she is fancied to be pleasing; when he suffers from fever, she is not wanted; for a man grown desireless, she is of no interest at all. According to circumstances the same woman can be pleasing,unwanted, or of no interest. The same applies to all other objects of enjoyment. Thus the non-self cannot be pleasing.

Source: ADVAITA BODHA DEEPIKA