THE MAHARSHI 9-10/2001

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THE MAHARSHI

September/October 2001Vol. 10 - No. 5

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Produced & Edited byDennis HartelDr. Anil K. Sharma

Enquiry and Sadhana

The following is an excerpt from questions and answers exchanged

between Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi and Sri D. C. Desai, I.R.S.E.,

Executive Engineer, E.I. Railway, at Sri Ramanasramam,

Tiruvannamalai, South India, on 24-8-1944 at 9 a.m. and recorded in

the October 1969 issue of the Mountain Path.

Sri Desai: During the enquiry, should I repeat mentally the question

"Who am I (Koham)?" etc., just like the Japa of a mantra again and

again, with feeling and understanding of the same...?

Sri Maharshi: Japa of Koham is not correct. Put the question once only

and then concentrate on finding the source of the ego, and preventing

recurrence of thoughts.

D: Should I endeavour to breathe in and out deeply and rhythmically

during the enquiry, and synchronize the formula, Koham, with the

same? Or should I pay attention to the incoming and outgoing breaths,

while repeating the questions, Koham, Kutoham, etc.?

M: You should not attend to the breathing if you are capable of

concentrating on the enquiry without it. Some may have to attend to

the

breathing if unable to concentrate on the enquiry alone. Some may

practice kevala kumbhaka [retention of breath] during the enquiry.

Some may require the help of regular pranayama also to steady the

mind and control the thoughts.

All these practices are to be given up when the mind becomes strong

enough to pursue the enquiry without their aid. Pranayama is to be

practiced with the usual caution. It will gradually increase the

power and duration of the kumbahaka. It will make the mind

one-pointed. Take its help if unable to concentrate without it.

Pranayama is like reins to control the mind-horse, or like brakes to

control the wheel of thoughts. "Who am I?" and "Whence am I?" are one

and the same. They refer to the ego only. No such questions can be

asked in the case of the Real Self.

D: I have been practicing other forms of sadhana apart from saguna

meditation, such as japa, mantra-writing, kirtan, bhajana, swadhyaya,

spiritual propaganda, lectures, free distribution of religious

publications, etc. Should I continue these in addition to the enquiry

of "Who am I?" if I get spare time, or should I curtail some or all of

these and spend more time in the enquiry only? Will the above

practices be helpful in quickening my progress in the enquiry?

M: Without losing hold of the knowledge of who you are, you may

continue to perform all activities as prompted by the inner

controller. They will go on even without your efforts. What you are

destined to do, you cannot avoid. They will come your way of their

own accord. You should also understand what japa, kirtana, etc. are

meant for. Become and stay what you are. The real japa is always

going on. Japa and God are one and the same. See the "Philosophy of

the Name" as given by Saint Namdev.

D: In the enquiry "Who am I?", does the I refer to the ego or the Atman?

M: In the enquiry, 'I' refers to the ego.

D: Are my present qualities of faith, humility and surrender

sufficiently intense, or are they still very imperfect and require

further development? If so, how can I quickly develop them to

perfection so as to deserve Grace and early success in the

realization of Atman, or in the annihilation of the ego?

M: Do not entertain such thoughts of imperfection, lack of qualities,

etc. You are already perfect. Get rid of the ideas of imperfection

and need for development. There is nothing to realize or annihilate.

You are the Self. The ego does not exist. Pursue the enquiry and see

if there is anything to be realized or annihilated. See if there is

any mind to be controlled. Even the effort is being made by the mind

which does not exist.

 

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