The practice of advanced yoga methods and pranayama with discipline along with meditation on the Chakras (Energy Centers in the body) leads to various mental and spiritual experiences. Sri Ramana’s teaching, however, views such yogic and meditative practices as preliminary to the real quest into the investigation of the nature of the “I”.
Visions of angels, deities, super conscious states, and various types of psychic abilities do manifest on the spiritual path. But fascinating as such things are to the human mind, these do not resolve the fundamental question about the nature and mystery of existence.
People say, “I like this”, “I dislike this”, “I am a doctor”, “I am a professor”, “I am a psychic”, “I am a student”, “I am good”, “I am a husband”, “I am a wife”, “I went here”, “I am strong”, “I am weak”, “I am happy”, “I am sad”, etc. The commonality in all we do and how we view our self is this, “I”
The method of Self-Inquiry is to ask oneself “KOHUM”. KOHUM in Sanskrit translated literally means “Who Is Me?” In English, we use the question, “Who Am I?” or Who is this “I” that is a constant reference point for us?
What is this sense of identity that engages in all these activities and has a variety of experiences, perceptions about the world and itself?
Who is the I that sees, dreams or has visions. According to Sri Ramana, without understanding the nature of the I and resolving the mystery of existence, permanent satisfaction and peace are not gained.
It is for this reason that great sages say that one should aspire for Self-Knowledge above all else.
Everything, absolutely without exception, is transient. One is born, one grows old, one has many experiences in the world, and then one dies.
Things have a beginning and then an inevitable end. All physical and mental abilities and powers eventually fade. Psychic abilities and every kind of experience, supernatural or otherwise meets the same fate. It ends.
What remains always present is simply the sense of existence, this sense of I. The method of self-inquiry involves a focus on this I, an awareness of this awareness, until the quality of self-awareness is known as the inner essence of our existence. The words cannot fully capture this approach. It is understood only with effort and practice.
Therefore, the aspirant should with confidence maintain the inner gaze focusing the “I” on “I”. Remaining in stillness with awareness aware of itself is the practice. Remaining with the sense of “I AM” is the practice.
It is this practice which is known as the direct path. It leads to the “I” merging into its Source. Immediately, it is seen that the Source is the Self, that the ancients called Sat-Chit-Ananda. There are no words to describe it fully. It knows nothing else other than It Self, there being nothing else to know.
It is only this that the sages have referred to as the Supreme and the Absolute Beauty, the Core of Being that is Reality itself which sits in the heart of all beings as their support. It is Knowledge, Existence, Bliss as one whole which animates existence and gives light and life to the mind.
Namaste
Color pencil Ganesha.
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Today the universe said to me:
DO WHATEVER MAKES YOU HAPPY; I’LL DO ALL THE REST.
Right now is January 1st 2012. I write this down so I never forget what 2011 gave me.
It gave me the opportunity to discover myself in a new way. To discover new parts of my personality and to discover, for that matter, new aspects of the people around me.
I realized that it’s OK to be vulnerable, its beautiful.
It’s OK to feel whatever you feel.
It’s OK to ask for what your heart wants and needs.
It’s OK to pamper yourself.
It’s OK to let yourself ENJOY. That is what life is all about.
Enjoying whatever comes. Either is “good” or “bad” we have to realize that whatever comes is an opportunity for us to grow.
Sometimes it’s not easy, and that’s FUN. It’s a challenge.
We just have to be open to our shadows, monsters and the entire world of Kali.
Embrace them with light, PATIENCE,knowledge and a lot of love.
Do not fight feelings or thoughts: listen to them, observe them, see what they have to say to you.
(They probably are scared too and probably have a story for you to listen, love, observe and understand.)
So for this new year I will LOVE MYSELF. Give myself permission to feel whatever I feel, treat myself with RESPECT and letting myself ENJOY. I will RESPOND, not REACT. I will keep on being GRATEFUL for what I am and what I have. My life is perfect. Everyday I will FILL WITH LIGHT my actions. I know it’s not a fast transition, but the time I have is ETERNAL and unreal. That is why I will work on my PATIENCE. Finally, for this new year I will give a chance to my shadows and demons. I will learn to observe them and accept them; listen to them, see what they have to say and give them so much LOVE its not even funny.
Back. Bluff. Mixed feelings. Turbulence.
Paris, 2011.
