Guest guest Posted July 7, 2009 Report Share Posted July 7, 2009 In the grave world of grey shadows named Life, What's the sacred task for our humanity? For a soul maturing who loves Divinity, On Life's Great Tree grow fruit transcending strife. Midst worldly folk, we walk on th razor's edge To gain Self's innermost affinity. Enquiry and devotion form the hedge That guards, 'til we reach that sole infinity. Be strong and withdraw all errant thought From worldly snares agitating monkey mind. Depend on Self and simply ask as taught 'Who am I?' in every task we find. Our True Nature then shines free of support, In every deed, that One alone is sought! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 7, 2009 Report Share Posted July 7, 2009 Yes! Does the Eternal Self ask who am I? The Eternal Self knows Itself without thought or language. Just as a dog knows it's a dog. The Eternal Self is the Eternal Self with human form or without out. This can be seen perfectly demonstrated in the Life of Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi, our beloved master. Thank you for posting this. , " alan jacobs " <alanadamsjacobs wrote: > > When we enquire within " Who am I? " > > the 'I' concerned is the ego. > > It is that which makes vichara (enquiry0 also. > > The Self has no vichara. > > That which makes the enquiry is the ego. > > The'I' about which the enquiry is made is also the ego. > > As the result of the enquiry the ego ceases to exist > > and only the Self is found to exist. > > > Grems from Bhagavan P.17 > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 7, 2009 Report Share Posted July 7, 2009 I realize this topic is old, but I find it quite useful. I can say that for the last 14 years, I've been engaging in self enquiry. Now, in this moment, I know that I am the Eternal Self. Did this moment come as a result of this Self Enquiry, or did the Self Enquiry come from this knowing. Time is interesting that way. Either way, when ever one is in any doubt of who they are, who am i, and when one is in the silent experience of ilessness, no need. I used to attempt ask who am i every moment of every day; at the office job, on the movie sets, climbing trees to trim, during military service, at home with wife and kids, etc. it got so that the question went on by itself in the subconscious if you will... and then at a certain point it stopped being asked, something fell away like a fruit off a tree... and yet now and then it rises again to ask, but from the standpoint of one who feels that they are not free and that they want to be free... it is the best aide for a mind steeped in language... thank you Alan and others here for love of Sri Ramana... brothers in Bhagavan... , Alan Jacobs <alanadamsjacobs wrote: > > Dear Alan and Sundarajan, > > Thanks for raising the question. > > The general view of staunch Bhagavan devotees, with whom that I have discussed this burning question ,is that Bhagavan points out that the Real Self of Absolute Pure Consciousness (the state of the Jnani) is occluded or veiled by the vasanas accumalated from this and previous life times. The sure way to eradicate them is through Self Enquiry. Otherwise one is still living from the stepped down state of reflected Consciousness (Chidabasa).It is like looking at the Moon in a puddle, to use a Vedantic metaphor. Either one feels a strong urge to Realise the Self or one does not? Sometime, after pondering, and studying his teachings one may recognise the authoratative Truth of his advice and proceed. Of course total Surrender to the Self or Source of one's own being may also succeed, but it is generally regarded as a longer pracice. > > I hope this helps. Other members may care to contribute on this important topic. > > All best wishes and regards, > > Alan > --- On Mon, 25/8/08, alan kuntz <alan.kuntz wrote: > > alan kuntz <alan.kuntz > Re: SELF ENQUIRY > > Monday, 25 August, 2008, 10:08 PM > > This is a great passage and I often ask myself why would I want to > engage or try to engage myself in the practice of self enquiry > unless I had a inkling that there is some particular sense of my self > that is either absurd or habitual or less than desirable because it > is not useful to myself or others in any productive and loving > altruistic way. I am habituated towards narcissistic compulsive > attention deficit disorders..IS it wrong to say it is 'sin' > If that is true what else could drive me towards the enquiry of who I > am..?How can the desire to know be there unless there is some > recognition of the case of mistaken identity? > Thanks for you time. > Alan > > , Alan Jacobs > <alanadamsjacobs@ ...> wrote: > > > > > > SELF ENQUIRY > >  > > Gems from Bhagavan P.15 > >  > > Though ancient and timeless sense attachments in the shape of > vasanas (subtle tendencies) may rise countless like the waves of the > sea, they will all be destroyed as dhyana progresses. Without giving > any room for doubt whether it would at all be possible to eradicate > all these vasanas and be the Self alone, one must take hold > ceaselessly of dhyana of the Self. However great a sinner one may be, > instead of lamenting 'I am a great sinner, how can I make any > progress?' one must completely forget the fact of one being a sinner > and earnestly pursue meditation of Self. He is then sure to succeed. > >  > > Dhyana : Self enquiry;  meditation; contemplation; inner > concentration of attention. turning inwards etc. > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 7, 2009 Report Share Posted July 7, 2009 Dear Rafael after reading your mail i am curious to know how you did it in practical terms... ----used to attempt ask who am i every moment of every day; at the office job, on the movie sets, climbing trees to trim, during military service, at home with wife and kids, etc you state ....every moment of every day seemingly everywhere... please share your way of doing it with all of us could be of great help to those new on the way you know why? because what you state is indeed the most difficult "work" on the way...... tku for sharing and cooperation in Sri Ramana Maharshi michael - rafaelstoneman Tuesday, July 07, 2009 3:39 PM Re: SELF ENQUIRY I realize this topic is old, but I find it quite useful.I can say that for the last 14 years, I've been engaging in self enquiry. Now, in this moment, I know that I am the Eternal Self.Did this moment come as a result of this Self Enquiry, or did the Self Enquiry come from this knowing. Time is interesting that way. Either way, when ever one is in any doubt of who they are, who am i, and when one is in the silent experience of ilessness, no need.I used to attempt ask who am i every moment of every day; at the office job, on the movie sets, climbing trees to trim, during military service, at home with wife and kids, etc. it got so that the question went on by itself in the subconscious if you will... and then at a certain point it stopped being asked, something fell away like a fruit off a tree... and yet now and then it rises again to ask, but from the standpoint of one who feels that they are not free and that they want to be free... it is the best aide for a mind steeped in language... thank you Alan and others here for love of Sri Ramana... brothers in Bhagavan... , Alan Jacobs <alanadamsjacobs wrote:>> Dear Alan and Sundarajan,> > Thanks for raising the question.> > The general view of staunch Bhagavan devotees, with whom that I have discussed this burning question ,is that Bhagavan points out that the Real Self of Absolute Pure Consciousness (the state of the Jnani) is occluded or veiled by the vasanas accumalated from this and previous life times. The sure way to eradicate them is through Self Enquiry. Otherwise one is still living from the stepped down state of reflected Consciousness (Chidabasa).It is like looking at the Moon in a puddle, to use a Vedantic metaphor. Either one feels a strong urge to Realise the Self or one does not? Sometime, after pondering, and studying his teachings one may recognise the authoratative Truth of his advice and proceed. Of course total Surrender to the Self or Source of one's own being may also succeed, but it is generally regarded as a longer pracice.> > I hope this helps. Other members may care to contribute on this important topic.> > All best wishes and regards,> > Alan > --- On Mon, 25/8/08, alan kuntz <alan.kuntz wrote:> > alan kuntz <alan.kuntz> Re: SELF ENQUIRY> > Monday, 25 August, 2008, 10:08 PM> > > > > > > > > This is a great passage and I often ask myself why would I want to > engage or try to engage myself in the practice of self enquiry> unless I had a inkling that there is some particular sense of my self > that is either absurd or habitual or less than desirable because it > is not useful to myself or others in any productive and loving > altruistic way. I am habituated towards narcissistic compulsive > attention deficit disorders..IS it wrong to say it is 'sin'> If that is true what else could drive me towards the enquiry of who I > am..?How can the desire to know be there unless there is some > recognition of the case of mistaken identity?> Thanks for you time.> Alan> > , Alan Jacobs > <alanadamsjacobs@ ...> wrote:> >> > > > SELF ENQUIRY> >  > > Gems from Bhagavan P.15> >  > > Though ancient and timeless sense attachments in the shape of > vasanas (subtle tendencies) may rise countless like the waves of the > sea, they will all be destroyed as dhyana progresses. Without giving > any room for doubt whether it would at all be possible to eradicate > all these vasanas and be the Self alone, one must take hold > ceaselessly of dhyana of the Self. However great a sinner one may be, > instead of lamenting 'I am a great sinner, how can I make any > progress?' one must completely forget the fact of one being a sinner > and earnestly pursue meditation of Self. He is then sure to succeed.> >  > > Dhyana : Self enquiry;  meditation; contemplation; inner > concentration of attention. turning inwards etc.> >> Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 8.5.375 / Virus Database: 270.13.6/2221 - Release 07/06/09 17:54:00 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 7, 2009 Report Share Posted July 7, 2009 like so... while doing data entry... who is it that is typing... who is it that is asking who is typing... who is the i... thought rises about the future about not wanting to do this kind of work... who is it that doesn't want to do this work... who is the worker... argument with wife... who is it that is reacting... who is it that feels trapped... who is it that wants to be free of this relationship... who am i... devotion to Ramana, praying for his grace... who is the devotee... who feels they don't have his grace... at the top of a sixty foot tree... who is it that is climbing... who feels the fear... can i finish this job and get paid and put food on the table... who is the i asking... where does the doubt rise from... working as a stand in on a movie... thinking i should be the main attraction... i should be recognized as the eternal Self... who is seeking recognition... who is claiming the should... who is the i behind the temporary experience or circumstances... joining the army after reading the bhagavad gita... get back into desireless action... give up all patterns with wife and with financial grip... who is the i giving up all this... finishing army now free from money worry for now... who is this i that identifies with the present circumstances... i know that the eternal is beyond what appears... how to maintain this knowing... how not to forget... like this... interact with others... keep focused on Ramana... on devotion... on inquiry... on desireless action... see www.scribd.com internal fruits of desireless action for more detailed biography/journal thank you brothers in Bhagavan rafael/rafe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 7, 2009 Report Share Posted July 7, 2009 Dear Michael, When the emotional feeling becomes so strong that Self Enquiry becomes more important than anything else it happens like Rafael describes- until then one can only practice in the best way one can and Grace will take you there depending on the earnestness of your effort and need. Love, In Him, Alan -- In , " Michael Bindel " <michael.bindel wrote: > > Dear Rafael > > after reading your mail i am curious to know how you did it in practical terms... > > > ----used to attempt ask who am i every moment of every day; > at the office job, on the movie sets, climbing trees to trim, during military service, at home with wife and kids, etc > > you state ....every moment of every day seemingly everywhere... > > please share your way of doing it with all of us > could be of great help to those new on the way > > you know why? > > because what you state is indeed the most difficult " work " on the way...... > > > tku for sharing and cooperation > > > in Sri Ramana Maharshi > > > michael > > > > - > rafaelstoneman > > Tuesday, July 07, 2009 3:39 PM > Re: SELF ENQUIRY > > > > > > I realize this topic is old, but I find it quite useful. > > I can say that for the last 14 years, I've been engaging in self enquiry. Now, in this moment, I know that I am the Eternal Self. > Did this moment come as a result of this Self Enquiry, or did the Self Enquiry come from this knowing. Time is interesting that way. Either way, when ever one is in any doubt of who they are, who am i, and when one is in the silent experience of ilessness, no need. > > I used to attempt ask who am i every moment of every day; at the office job, on the movie sets, climbing trees to trim, during military service, at home with wife and kids, etc. it got so that the question went on by itself in the subconscious if you will... and then at a certain point it stopped being asked, something fell away like a fruit off a tree... and yet now and then it rises again to ask, but from the standpoint of one who feels that they are not free and that they want to be free... it is the best aide for a mind steeped in language... thank you Alan and others here for love of Sri Ramana... brothers in Bhagavan... > > , Alan Jacobs <alanadamsjacobs@> wrote: > > > > Dear Alan and Sundarajan, > > > > Thanks for raising the question. > > > > The general view of staunch Bhagavan devotees, with whom that I have discussed this burning question ,is that Bhagavan points out that the Real Self of Absolute Pure Consciousness (the state of the Jnani) is occluded or veiled by the vasanas accumalated from this and previous life times. The sure way to eradicate them is through Self Enquiry. Otherwise one is still living from the stepped down state of reflected Consciousness (Chidabasa).It is like looking at the Moon in a puddle, to use a Vedantic metaphor. Either one feels a strong urge to Realise the Self or one does not? Sometime, after pondering, and studying his teachings one may recognise the authoratative Truth of his advice and proceed. Of course total Surrender to the Self or Source of one's own being may also succeed, but it is generally regarded as a longer pracice. > > > > I hope this helps. Other members may care to contribute on this important topic. > > > > All best wishes and regards, > > > > Alan > > --- On Mon, 25/8/08, alan kuntz <alan.kuntz@> wrote: > > > > alan kuntz <alan.kuntz@> > > Re: SELF ENQUIRY > > > > Monday, 25 August, 2008, 10:08 PM > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > This is a great passage and I often ask myself why would I want to > > engage or try to engage myself in the practice of self enquiry > > unless I had a inkling that there is some particular sense of my self > > that is either absurd or habitual or less than desirable because it > > is not useful to myself or others in any productive and loving > > altruistic way. I am habituated towards narcissistic compulsive > > attention deficit disorders..IS it wrong to say it is 'sin' > > If that is true what else could drive me towards the enquiry of who I > > am..?How can the desire to know be there unless there is some > > recognition of the case of mistaken identity? > > Thanks for you time. > > Alan > > > > , Alan Jacobs > > <alanadamsjacobs@ ...> wrote: > > > > > > > > > SELF ENQUIRY > > >  > > > Gems from Bhagavan P.15 > > >  > > > Though ancient and timeless sense attachments in the shape of > > vasanas (subtle tendencies) may rise countless like the waves of the > > sea, they will all be destroyed as dhyana progresses. Without giving > > any room for doubt whether it would at all be possible to eradicate > > all these vasanas and be the Self alone, one must take hold > > ceaselessly of dhyana of the Self. However great a sinner one may be, > > instead of lamenting 'I am a great sinner, how can I make any > > progress?' one must completely forget the fact of one being a sinner > > and earnestly pursue meditation of Self. He is then sure to succeed. > > >  > > > Dhyana : Self enquiry;  meditation; contemplation; inner > > concentration of attention. turning inwards etc. > > > > > > > > > > Checked by AVG - www.avg.com > Version: 8.5.375 / Virus Database: 270.13.6/2221 - Release 07/06/09 17:54:00 > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 7, 2009 Report Share Posted July 7, 2009 Dear Alan tku for your information. Having been and sometimes still are very emotional i do know the trap of it. And too often came around of deep believers who in the end proved that their emotional side was the trap indeed.. And acting out of emotions did bring me in traps too.... Of course am always deeply committed to those who really are ready to walk our walk... not to many of course... your comments, dear friend!, are always welcomed.... and you know this... in IT michael - alan jacobs Tuesday, July 07, 2009 6:37 PM Re: SELF ENQUIRY Dear Michael,When the emotional feeling becomes so strong that Self Enquiry becomes more important than anything else it happens like Rafael describes- until then one can only practice in the best way one can and Grace will take you there depending on the earnestness of your effort and need.Love,In Him,Alan-- In , "Michael Bindel" <michael.bindel wrote:>> Dear Rafael> > after reading your mail i am curious to know how you did it in practical terms...> > > ----used to attempt ask who am i every moment of every day;> at the office job, on the movie sets, climbing trees to trim, during military service, at home with wife and kids, etc> > you state ....every moment of every day seemingly everywhere...> > please share your way of doing it with all of us> could be of great help to those new on the way> > you know why?> > because what you state is indeed the most difficult "work" on the way......> > > tku for sharing and cooperation> > > in Sri Ramana Maharshi> > > michael> > > > - > rafaelstoneman > > Tuesday, July 07, 2009 3:39 PM> Re: SELF ENQUIRY> > > > > > I realize this topic is old, but I find it quite useful.> > I can say that for the last 14 years, I've been engaging in self enquiry. Now, in this moment, I know that I am the Eternal Self.> Did this moment come as a result of this Self Enquiry, or did the Self Enquiry come from this knowing. Time is interesting that way. Either way, when ever one is in any doubt of who they are, who am i, and when one is in the silent experience of ilessness, no need.> > I used to attempt ask who am i every moment of every day; at the office job, on the movie sets, climbing trees to trim, during military service, at home with wife and kids, etc. it got so that the question went on by itself in the subconscious if you will... and then at a certain point it stopped being asked, something fell away like a fruit off a tree... and yet now and then it rises again to ask, but from the standpoint of one who feels that they are not free and that they want to be free... it is the best aide for a mind steeped in language... thank you Alan and others here for love of Sri Ramana... brothers in Bhagavan...> > , Alan Jacobs <alanadamsjacobs@> wrote:> >> > Dear Alan and Sundarajan,> > > > Thanks for raising the question.> > > > The general view of staunch Bhagavan devotees, with whom that I have discussed this burning question ,is that Bhagavan points out that the Real Self of Absolute Pure Consciousness (the state of the Jnani) is occluded or veiled by the vasanas accumalated from this and previous life times. The sure way to eradicate them is through Self Enquiry. Otherwise one is still living from the stepped down state of reflected Consciousness (Chidabasa).It is like looking at the Moon in a puddle, to use a Vedantic metaphor. Either one feels a strong urge to Realise the Self or one does not? Sometime, after pondering, and studying his teachings one may recognise the authoratative Truth of his advice and proceed. Of course total Surrender to the Self or Source of one's own being may also succeed, but it is generally regarded as a longer pracice.> > > > I hope this helps. Other members may care to contribute on this important topic.> > > > All best wishes and regards,> > > > Alan > > --- On Mon, 25/8/08, alan kuntz <alan.kuntz@> wrote:> > > > alan kuntz <alan.kuntz@>> > Re: SELF ENQUIRY> > > > Monday, 25 August, 2008, 10:08 PM> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > This is a great passage and I often ask myself why would I want to > > engage or try to engage myself in the practice of self enquiry> > unless I had a inkling that there is some particular sense of my self > > that is either absurd or habitual or less than desirable because it > > is not useful to myself or others in any productive and loving > > altruistic way. I am habituated towards narcissistic compulsive > > attention deficit disorders..IS it wrong to say it is 'sin'> > If that is true what else could drive me towards the enquiry of who I > > am..?How can the desire to know be there unless there is some > > recognition of the case of mistaken identity?> > Thanks for you time.> > Alan> > > > , Alan Jacobs > > <alanadamsjacobs@ ...> wrote:> > >> > > > > > SELF ENQUIRY> > >  > > > Gems from Bhagavan P.15> > >  > > > Though ancient and timeless sense attachments in the shape of > > vasanas (subtle tendencies) may rise countless like the waves of the > > sea, they will all be destroyed as dhyana progresses. Without giving > > any room for doubt whether it would at all be possible to eradicate > > all these vasanas and be the Self alone, one must take hold > > ceaselessly of dhyana of the Self. However great a sinner one may be, > > instead of lamenting 'I am a great sinner, how can I make any > > progress?' one must completely forget the fact of one being a sinner > > and earnestly pursue meditation of Self. He is then sure to succeed.> > >  > > > Dhyana : Self enquiry;  meditation; contemplation; inner > > concentration of attention. turning inwards etc.> > >> >> > > > > > > -------------------------> > > > > Checked by AVG - www.avg.com > Version: 8.5.375 / Virus Database: 270.13.6/2221 - Release 07/06/09 17:54:00> Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 8.5.375 / Virus Database: 270.13.7/2222 - Release 07/07/09 05:53:00 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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