Ramana Maharshi About Pure And Impure Mind

D: What is the authority for saying that Brahman can be apprehended by the mind and at the same time that it cannot be apprehended by the mind?

Bhagavan: It cannot be apprehended by the impure mind but can be apprehended by the pure mind.

D: What is pure mind and what is impure mind?

Bhagavan: When the indefinable power of Brahman separates itself from Brahman and, in union with the reflection of consciousness (Chidabhasa) assumes various forms, it is called the impure mind. When it becomes free from the reflection of consciousness (abhasa), through discrimination, it is called the pure mind.

Its state of union with the Brahman is its apprehension of Brahman. The energy which is accompanied by the reflection of consciousness is called the impure mind and its state of separation from Brahman is its nonapprehension of Brahman.

Source : Collected Works Of Bhagavan Ramana Maharshi