Self-Enquiry Ramana Maharshi Method

Ramana Maharshi's Method of Self-Enquiry to Transcend the Mind Also Known as Vicara.

The reason you do not experience unconditional peace and love is because you are identified with your thoughts.  Every thought that arises you believe that you thought it, it is yours and it defines you.  You believe you are the thinker.  

In this identification with thought, you identify yourself as separate from everything around you.  And therefore, there is conflict.  You are a slave to whatever thoughts arise because you identify with them.

But it is possible to experience yourself beyond your identification with thinking.  It is possible to experience yourself as "The Self"  as the state of being that feels no separation, no boundaries and no conflict, that is a witness to everything rather than identified with it.  

The very nature of this state of being, call it "The Self" is unconditional peace.

Ramana Marharshi taught the method of self-enquiry to get you out of your identification with the mind.  Once that identification is broken, then there is only the Self, the experience of being.  And this being is aware.  In resting or "abiding as the self" you attain perfect freedom, a state of unconditional peace, bliss and love.

He recommended looking for this "I" feeling by asking "who am I?"

It is not seeking an answer in the mind, but rather actually looking for this experience of "I."

In looking for this "I" it is quickly seen that this "I "that is here has nothing to do with the thoughts or the body.  Thoughts may arise and dissappear yet this experience of "I am" remains.  It is an experience of being, of awareness, that cannot be stopped, that cannot be removed.  You cannot look behind it, because it is all that is here.  It has not positive or negative, it simply is.

Begin by asking the question "Who am I?" with every inhale until you are well grounded in this experience of "I am."  Because you are so used to identifying yourself as your thoughts, it might take a while.  Look for this sensation of "I" in this moment.  This feeling of being.  

If you still are unable to experience this sensation of "I am," try this:  

Close your eyes and stop thinking for 1 second at least and notice what is there.  You will say "nothing" but who is aware of that nothing?  There is still you there, so notice this feeling of you that is there, being aware of the nothing.

Out of habit, you will keep being pulled back into identifying with the thoughts that arise, so ask often 'Who am I?" and once you are back resting as pure being, remain in this experience as long as you can until again you see you are caught up in your thoughts.

At some point, you will be able to remain in this feeling of "I am" for long periods of time and you will not need to ask the question any longer.  But as long as you get caught up in the mind, ask the question. 

The mind is very tricky and you will get caught up again and again.  Be patient, it is a challenge.

But more and more, you will be able to remain in this experience of "I am" without the need for enquiry.  Simply then you are present, you are presence itself.  Then it is simply about remaining here, as being, allowing whatever arises to arise and dissappear again in consciousness.

Eventually, you will learn to be able to rest as the Self and be a witness to the thoughts arising.  In this there is incredible peace.

One teaching that is often lost from Ramana Marharshi was the need to be in the presence of a fully enlightened teacher.  For it was not his teachings that Ramana was known for, but his spiritual presence.  People easily moved into states of Samadhi just by sitting nearing him.  People came to him from all over the world, because simply by sitting in his presence, their lives were transformed.

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