Atma vichara - Self-enquiry

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Sri Bhagavan's Instructions

by M.G. Shanmugam

 

Sri Bhagavan once said categorically, "For practising atma vichara everyday is

auspicious and every moment is good - no discipline is prescribed at all. Any

time, anywhere it can be done, even without others noticing that you are doing

it.

All other sadhanas require external objects and congenial environment, but for

atma vichara nothing external to oneself is required. Turning the mind within is

all that is necessary. While one is engaged in atma vichara one can with ease

attend to other activities also. Besides, atma vichara being a purely internal

movement, one does not also distract others who are around; whereas, in sadhanas

like puja, others do notice you. One-pointed perseverence alone is essential in

Self-enquiry and that is done purely inwardly, all the time. Your attention on

the Self within alone is essential."

 

Some of Bhagavan's personal instructions to me were:

(i) If you observe the breathing one-pointedly such attention will lead you

spontaneously into kumbhaka (retention) - this is jnana pranayama.

 

(ii) The more you humble yourself, the better it is for you, in all ways.

 

(iii) By withdrawing the mind within, you can live anywhere and under any

circumstances.

 

(iv) You should look upon the world only as a dream.

 

(v) Do not allow your mind to be distracted by objective things and by thoughts.

Except attending to your allotted duty-work in life, the rest of your time

should be spent in atma nishta; do not waste even a second in inattention,

lethargy.

 

(vi) Do not cause even the slightest hindrance or disturbance to others. Also,

do all your work yourself.

 

(vii) Both likes and dislikes should be equally discarded and eschewed.

 

(viii) With attention focussed on the first person and on the heart within, one

should relentlessly practise Who am I? When this is done one-pointedly, one's

breathing will subside of itself. During such controlled practice, the mind

might suddenly spring up; so you have to vigilantly pursue the vichara, Who am

I?

 

(ix) To remain silent without thoughts is the Whole: To remain without thoughts

is Nishta; To remain without thoughts is Jnana; To remain without thoughts is

Moksha; Tor remain without thoughts is Sahaja. Therefore, the state without any

trace of thoughts is the final state of fullness, indeed!

 

(The Mountain Path, Jayanti Issue 2001; p. 152)

 

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