[atma_vichara] Question on the actual practice

[Guest guest]

---Dear Josh ,

this is my view -but I am sure others will assist in clarification too .There is

more than one

approach to elf Enquiry which may be broadly summarised as a]Being aware of the

awareness

b]Holding onto the sense of 'I' cDiving into the Heart .In his essay on Self

Enquiry {Collected

Works]he says 'get into the heart any way you can and start with that which is

easiest for you .So

I would say that you are probably on the right lines -persevere and guidance

will come from the

Sat-Guru in the Heart .Regards,in His grace , Alan

 

 

Hello, I have a question about practicing Self-Inquiry.

I have read David Godman's "Be As You Are" and on his website he also says

that "The Path of Sri Ramana, Part One" gives good instruction on the

parctice. I have not been able to pick that book up, yet, but I have found a

wesbite where it describes the practice and has excerpts from the book.

My question is, is Self-Inquiry a lot of just being present and aware of

your awareness? Whenever I try and just be aware of awareness it seems a lot

like just "present moment awareness." I also get the same feeling when I try

to keep hold of the "I Am," as Nisargadatta Maharaj recommends.

Am I on the right track? Does doing this as a meditation eventually lead

to

some sort of shift in consciousness (or lack thereof)?

 

Thanks for your time,

Josh

 

 

 

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[Guest guest]

Hello Josh,

 

And if I may I would add just one other suggestion to assist you in your 'self

enquiry' practice and that is to take a picture of Ramana Maharshi - the

picture seems really to help get the feel of him - and to sincerely ask him for

assistance in your self enquiry and in your life's endeavors. (or perhaps that's

what you mean Alan when you suggest to persevere and the Sat-Guru will guide).

 

I am not versed in any of the language of Maharshi's land or the Veda but feel

that he is assisting me in my 'watching the I' and in my intention of

eliminating the ego. This idea came to me when I read the story about people

begging him not to die and leave them. In this story he reportedly said "Go?

Where could I go?" I felt he was speaking directly to me and all of us that he

is here and that he will continue to assist us through his silent teaching. And

I believe we must formally ask this of him. I hope this doesn't offend

anyone's beliefs.

Ellen

[Guest guest]

Hi Ellen,

 

You must have heard this before..we use a thorn to

remove a thorn and throw away both the thorns. It is

the same with all knowledge....:-). Vedas/language

etc. are tools upto a point..that is all and nothing

more..

 

love

Yamini

 

--- Ellen Sutherland <lovelite wrote:

> Hello Josh,

>

> And if I may I would add just one other suggestion

> to assist you in your 'self enquiry' practice and

> that is to take a picture of Ramana Maharshi - the

> picture seems really to help get the feel of him -

> and to sincerely ask him for assistance in your self

> enquiry and in your life's endeavors. (or perhaps

> that's what you mean Alan when you suggest to

> persevere and the Sat-Guru will guide).

>

> I am not versed in any of the language of Maharshi's

> land or the Veda but feel that he is assisting me in

> my 'watching the I' and in my intention of

> eliminating the ego. This idea came to me when I

> read the story about people begging him not to die

> and leave them. In this story he reportedly said

> "Go? Where could I go?" I felt he was speaking

> directly to me and all of us that he is here and

> that he will continue to assist us through his

> silent teaching. And I believe we must formally ask

> this of him. I hope this doesn't offend anyone's

> beliefs.

> Ellen

>