The first thought to appear is the I thought. It rises in the Heart and, in a split second, travels to the brain, identifies with the body and the senses, and then sees the world around it as a real world. So, how to kill the I thought.
Follow the quest 'Who am I?' Follow the I back to its source. When the I goes back to its source and identifies with the Self instead of with the senses, there is eternal peace and bliss. To do this you have to get rid of all thoughts. The first of all thoughts is the I -thought. Give up all other thoughts and catch hold of the I thought. The Self will then embrace that I and devour it.
Effort and grace are both necessary in order to follow the quest successfully, but without vichara there is no grace, and without grace there is no vichara.
You can hold on to the I-thought by your own effort; more than that you cannot do. If the candle comes near the sun, what will happen? It will melt away. The same thing will happen to the mind if you hold onto the I-thought. When it goes back to its source in the Heart, the Self will consume it until only the Self remains.
In the Self there is no I-thought, there is no mind, and there are no thoughts.
Explanation And Additional Information:
The quest of "Who am I?" is at the heart of self-inquiry or Atma Vichara, a profound method in Advaita Vedanta, primarily taught by the sage Ramana Maharshi. It is a journey towards realizing the Self (Atman), which is pure consciousness and the ultimate reality. Let's expand this teaching and explore it through additional insights, symbolic meanings, scriptural references, and practical applications in daily life.
1. The 'I-Thought' and its Significance
In Ramana Maharshi's teaching, the "I-thought" (Aham-Vritti) is the root of all thoughts. All other thoughts arise after the I-thought, and as long as this I-thought is mistaken for the ego or the individual self (Ahamkara), one identifies with the body, mind, and senses. This identification creates the illusion of separateness and leads to suffering, attachments, and desires.
The Source of the I-Thought: The key instruction is to trace the I-thought back to its source. The idea is that the "I" that we ordinarily think of as ourselves is just an assumption, a construct of the mind. This construct dissolves when investigated thoroughly. The real "I" is the Self, the pure awareness that is untouched by any personal identity.
Symbolism: The 'I' represents the ego or the individual self, which clouds the vision of the Self (Atman). The process of asking "Who am I?" removes the layers of identification (body, mind, emotions) and leads to the realization of one's true nature as pure consciousness.
2. Scriptural Parallels
The question "Who am I?" is central to many spiritual traditions, but Advaita Vedanta and the Upanishads particularly emphasize this inquiry. Some relevant scriptural quotes are:
"Tat Tvam Asi" (That Thou Art) – Chandogya Upanishad: This mahavakya (great saying) reveals that the individual soul (jiva) and the ultimate reality (Brahman) are one. By questioning "Who am I?", the seeker is led to the direct experience of this oneness.
Brihadaranyaka Upanishad 1.4.10: "Aham Brahmasmi" (I am Brahman) – Here, Brahman is the ultimate reality, and when the ego dissolves, one realizes that the individual self (jiva) is none other than Brahman.
Bhagavad Gita 2.20: "The soul is never born nor does it die. It is not destroyed when the body is destroyed." This points to the immortal nature of the Self, which is beyond the physical body and mind.
3. Importance and Symbolism
The process of tracing the I-thought back to its source is a spiritual journey. The ego, which seems so real, is like a cloud that obscures the sun. The sun (Self) is ever-present, but when the cloud (ego/mind) is removed, one experiences the light of truth and eternal bliss.
The Devouring of the I-Thought: In Ramana Maharshi’s teaching, the Self "devours" the I-thought when the seeker successfully inquires and holds onto it. This symbolizes the dissolution of the ego in the infinite reality of the Self, leading to moksha (liberation).
Ocean and Wave Analogy: A common metaphor in Advaita Vedanta is that the wave represents the individual ego, while the ocean represents the Self. When the wave dissolves back into the ocean, it loses its separateness and becomes one with the vastness of the ocean. Similarly, when the "I" dissolves, one realizes they are the Self, not the limited individual.
4. Simple Stories from Hinduism
There are several stories in Hinduism that convey the essence of self-inquiry:
The Salt Doll Story: A salt doll wanted to measure the depth of the ocean. As it entered the water, it slowly dissolved and finally became one with the ocean. This story symbolizes how the ego (salt doll) merges with the infinite Self (ocean) during self-realization.
The Lion Cub and Sheep Story: A lion cub, raised among sheep, believed itself to be a sheep. One day, an older lion took it to the river, showed it its reflection, and made it realize its true nature. This story represents how self-inquiry ("Who am I?") leads to recognizing our true nature as the Self and not the body/mind (the sheep).
5. Modern-Day Relevance and Practicality in Daily Life
In today’s fast-paced world, the relevance of self-inquiry may seem abstract, but its benefits are profound:
Mental Peace and Clarity: In modern life, people are constantly driven by ego-based desires, attachments, and fears. The question "Who am I?" encourages you to pause and reflect on your true nature, leading to mental clarity and inner peace.
Detachment from Ego: By practicing self-inquiry, one learns to detach from the ego and its constant demands for validation, success, and identity. This reduces suffering and leads to contentment regardless of external circumstances.
Mindfulness and Presence: Inquiring into the "I" thought brings you back to the present moment. Most of our stress comes from identifying with thoughts about the past or future. Self-inquiry draws us back to the timeless awareness that is always here and now.
Non-dual Awareness: In the world of divisiveness, self-inquiry teaches the essence of non-duality. Once you realize your true Self, you no longer see others as separate from yourself. This can foster a greater sense of compassion, unity, and tolerance in society.
6. Practical Exercise for Daily Life
To integrate this teaching into daily life, one can begin by setting aside a few moments for quiet reflection or meditation. During this time:
- Sit in silence and observe your thoughts.
- Identify the I-thought that claims ownership of your experiences (e.g., "I am worried," "I am thinking," etc.).
- Ask yourself: "Who is this I?" and wait for an answer. Don't settle for any mental concepts; instead, keep tracing back the I-thought.
- As you hold onto the question, the mind will quieten, and a deeper sense of pure awareness will emerge.
Gradually, this practice brings a sense of equanimity, where you can face life's ups and downs without losing your inner stability.
7. Further Thoughts
Ramana Maharshi on the End of Thought: “The Self is always there. It is you. The difficulty is that it is covered by the ego, and the mind is identifying itself with the body, thinking it to be the Self. If one makes inquiry into the Self, the thought ‘I am the body’ will vanish, and the eternal Self will shine forth.”
Modern Science and Consciousness Studies: Interestingly, modern-day neuroscience is also exploring the nature of the self and consciousness. The age-old spiritual inquiry, "Who am I?", is mirrored in philosophical and scientific explorations about the nature of consciousness. Some researchers argue that the "I" is just an illusion, much like how Ramana Maharshi taught.
The quest for "Who am I?" is not just a philosophical curiosity but a transformative spiritual practice that has the power to unveil the eternal peace and bliss within us. By catching hold of the I-thought and tracing it back to its source, one discovers the Self, which is free from the limitations of body, mind, and ego. In today’s world, this inquiry serves as a timeless method to find inner peace, break free from suffering, and live with a greater sense of purpose and harmony.