Help on the Quest for Self-realization-Reminders-54

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Help on the Quest for Self-realization-Reminders-54

 

Beginners in Self-enquiry were advised by Sri Ramana to put their

attention on the inner feeling of "I" and to hold that feeling as

long as possible. They would be told that if their attention was

distracted by other thoughts they should revert to awareness of

the "I"-thought whenever they become aware that their attention has

wandered. He suggested various aids to assist this process-one

could ask oneself "Who am I?" or "Where does this "I" come from?"-

but the ultimate aim was to be continuously aware of the "I" which

assumes that it is responsible for all the activities of the body

and the mind.

 

Self-enquiry should not be regarded as a meditation practice that

takes place at certain hours and in certain positions; it should

continue throughout one's waking hours, irrespective of what one is

doing.

 

What imperatively is required of the seeker is an earnest and one-

pointed enquiry into the source of the "I"-thought.

 

Q: How should a beginner start this practice?

 

A: The mind will subside only by means of the enquiry "Who am I?"

The thought "Who am I?", destroying all other thoughts, will itself

finally be destroyed like the stick used for stirring the funeral

pyre. If other thoughts rise one should, without attempting to

complete them, enquire "To whom did they arise?" What does it

matter however many thoughts rise? At the very moment that each

thought rises, if one vigilantly enquires "To whom did this rise?",

it will be known "To me". If one then enquires "Who am I?", the

mind will turn back to its source [the Self] and the thought which

has risen will also subside (sink, put an end to). By repeatedly

practicing thus, the power of the mind to abide in its source

increases.

 

The strength of the mind consists in its freedom from distraction by

the multiplicity of thoughts that usually arise and dissipate

(squander or fritter away / waste) its energy.

 

Source: Various reliable publications of / on Sri Ramana Maharshi's

teachings.