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[Guest guest]

I am new to this list. I have practiced Yoga and am somewhat familiar with

Ramana Maharshi having visited one of his websites. How do you do the practice

of self-inquiry?

 

Thanks!

 

Paul

 

 

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[Guest guest]

Welcome Paul,

 

Self-enquiry is clinging to the first thought 'I', which must appear before

the myriad others which fill the mind, holding on to this 'I' thought and

questioning 'who/what it is' is the practice.

 

If you go to our files page you will find some books which give an overview.

Part of one of the books (Who am I?) is quoted below.

 

 

10. How will the mind become quiescent?

By the inquiry 'Who am I?'. The thought 'who am I?' will destroy all other

thoughts, and like the stick used for stirring the burning pyre, it will

itself in the end get destroyed. Then, there will arise Self-realization.

 

11. What is the means for constantly holding on to the thought 'Who am I?'

When other thoughts arise, one should not pursue them, but should inquire:

'To whom do they arise?' It does not matter how many thoughts arise. As each

thought arises, one should inquire with diligence, "To whom has this thought

arisen?". The answer that would emerge would be "To me". Thereupon if one

inquires "Who am I?", the mind will go back to its source; and the thought

that arose will become quiescent. With repeated practice in this manner, the

mind will develop the skill to stay in its source. When the mind that is

subtle goes out through the brain and the sense-organs, the gross names and

forms appear; when it stays in the heart, the names and forms disappear. Not

letting the mind go out, but retaining it in the Heart is what is called

"inwardness" (antar-mukha). Letting the mind go out of the Heart is known as

"externalisation" (bahir-mukha). Thus, when the mind stays in the Heart, the

'I' which is the source of all thoughts will go, and the Self which ever

exists will shine. Whatever one does, one should do without the egoity "I".

If one acts in that way, all will appear as of the nature of Siva (God).

 

(from the book 'Who am I?')

 

Self enquiry is not a meditation practice performed at certain times of the

day. Although initially that may be the way one performs it.

 

If the enquiry is persisted with throughout the day it will continue in

sleep also. (This inevitably happens.)

 

Some have said that it is a mere mantra-like repetition. It is not.

The purpose of Self-enquiry is to focus all attention, the entire mind, on

its source. The result is Self-awareness. When the mind wanders Self-enquiry

pulls it back to its source. That source is the Self.

 

Hope this helps. If not please say.

 

Miles

-------------------

 

on 29/3/00 12:07 pm, Paul Cote at cote wrote:

> "Paul Cote" <cote

> I am new to this list. I have practiced Yoga and am somewhat familiar with

> Ramana Maharshi having visited one of his websites. How do you do the

> practice of self-inquiry?

>

> Thanks!

>

> Paul