Guest guest Posted January 30, 2002 Report Share Posted January 30, 2002 I'm sure this question been asked before, but I haven't been able to locate good answers... What IS Ramana Maharshi's idea of self-inquiry? I've been tearing my hair out in the last couple of weeks trying to understand it. When he says ask "Who am I?" I know people have said he doesn't mean to ask a intellectual question repetitively. Then what DOES he mean? Does he mean 1) Keep using various techniques like mantra, meditation, surrender, etc. to indirectly pursue the question of who one is. 2) Ask oneself the question "Who am I?" in the way one might ask oneself a Zen koan, e.g. "What is the sound of one hand clappping?" -- here the idea might be to shock the mind into stillness again and again. Or what? And another question while I'm here: again and again I see references to "staying in the I-thought." How does one know one is in the I-thought, to stay in it? How can one recognize that thought? Many thanks for any help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 30, 2002 Report Share Posted January 30, 2002 Hello, The answer is always in the question. What is inquiry? Yes. 'What?' is inquiry! The answer IS the question. (It is not 'your' answer) The 'quest' is the question is the answer. So it is about letting the question live - this is the living answer. If 'you' answer the question, you make a conclusion - a static state that is no longer alive - it is old, what is called the past - this is the I-thought. Love, James , "Akilesh Ayyar" <akilesh@a...> wrote: > I'm sure this question been asked before, but I haven't been able to > locate good answers... What IS Ramana Maharshi's idea of self-inquiry? > I've been tearing my hair out in the last couple of weeks trying to > understand it. > > When he says ask "Who am I?" I know people have said he doesn't mean to > ask a intellectual question repetitively. Then what DOES he mean? Does > he mean > > 1) Keep using various techniques like mantra, meditation, surrender, > etc. to indirectly pursue the question of who one is. > > 2) Ask oneself the question "Who am I?" in the way one might ask oneself > a Zen koan, e.g. "What is the sound of one hand clappping?" -- here the > idea might be to shock the mind into stillness again and again. > > Or what? > > And another question while I'm here: again and again I see references to > "staying in the I-thought." How does one know one is in the I-thought, > to stay in it? How can one recognize that thought? > > Many thanks for any help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 30, 2002 Report Share Posted January 30, 2002 Parts of a book by David Godman give a very good explanation and summary of Ramana's teachings. The 3 chapters that focus on self-enquiry are available to be read here. Be%20As%20You%20Are/ Gloria - Akilesh Ayyar Harshasatsangh Wednesday, January 30, 2002 11:14 AM What IS Inquiry? I'm sure this question been asked before, but I haven't been able tolocate good answers... What IS Ramana Maharshi's idea of self-inquiry?I've been tearing my hair out in the last couple of weeks trying tounderstand it.When he says ask "Who am I?" I know people have said he doesn't mean toask a intellectual question repetitively. Then what DOES he mean? Doeshe mean1) Keep using various techniques like mantra, meditation, surrender,etc. to indirectly pursue the question of who one is.2) Ask oneself the question "Who am I?" in the way one might ask oneselfa Zen koan, e.g. "What is the sound of one hand clappping?" -- here theidea might be to shock the mind into stillness again and again.Or what?And another question while I'm here: again and again I see references to"staying in the I-thought." How does one know one is in the I-thought,to stay in it? How can one recognize that thought?Many thanks for any help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 1, 2002 Report Share Posted February 1, 2002 Thanks! These were very helpful. In fact, shortly after reading one of the chapters I had a flash of insight. When Ramana Maharshi is tells you to ask, "Who am I?" he is asking you to inquire about WHO YOU REFER TO when you say the word "I." *That's* why he keeps saying nothing could be easier than going into the I! Previously, I kept asking this question as if the "I" was something external to me. I knew the "I" was not what I thought it was, so I ended up trying to use self-inquiry as if I was asking a nonsense question, like "Who is Wizzulwozzul?" Well I don't know who Wizzulwozzul is, so I can't answer that, but I thought that if I kept asking it in a determined enough fashion, and really concentrated, the answer would come to me. It never occurred to me that the one is supposed to focus on the word "I" as one uses it oneself! Gloria Lee [glee] Wednesday, January 30, 2002 1:45 PM Re: What IS Inquiry? Parts of a book by David Godman give a very good explanation and summary of Ramana's teachings. The 3 chapters that focus on self-enquiry are available to be read here. Be%20As%20You%20Are/ Gloria - Akilesh Ayyar Harshasatsangh Wednesday, January 30, 2002 11:14 AM What IS Inquiry? I'm sure this question been asked before, but I haven't been able to locate good answers... What IS Ramana Maharshi's idea of self-inquiry? I've been tearing my hair out in the last couple of weeks trying to understand it. When he says ask "Who am I?" I know people have said he doesn't mean to ask a intellectual question repetitively. Then what DOES he mean? Does he mean 1) Keep using various techniques like mantra, meditation, surrender, etc. to indirectly pursue the question of who one is. 2) Ask oneself the question "Who am I?" in the way one might ask oneself a Zen koan, e.g. "What is the sound of one hand clappping?" -- here the idea might be to shock the mind into stillness again and again. Or what? And another question while I'm here: again and again I see references to "staying in the I-thought." How does one know one is in the I-thought, to stay in it? How can one recognize that thought? Many thanks for any help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.