Ramana Maharshi: The Only Practice You Ever Need (The Power of 'Who Am I?')

Summary

This video delves into the practice of self-inquiry as taught by Ramana Maharshi, a method aimed at dissolving the ego rather than improving it. The practice involves tracing the 'I thought'—the sense of self—back to its source, allowing the ego to dissolve and revealing a profound stillness and peace. Unlike other spiritual practices that focus on building a better self, this practice seeks to dismantle the illusion of the self entirely. Through persistent inquiry, we realize that the ego is a phantom, and what remains is the true, unshakable self.

Takeaways

• 😀 Spiritual practices often focus on improving the ego, but this only feeds the illusion of separation and suffering.
• 😀 The real challenge is not in gaining more peace or knowledge, but in dissolving the ego itself.
• 😀 Ramana Maharshi's self-inquiry practice aims to dissolve the ego, not to improve it.
• 😀 The practice of self-inquiry revolves around asking the question 'Who am I?' to trace the source of the ego, not seeking a mental answer but focusing on the raw sensation of 'I'.
• 😀 The I-thought, or the sense of being a separate individual, is the root cause of all other thoughts and suffering.
• 😀 Most spiritual practices unintentionally reinforce the ego by giving it new roles, such as being spiritual, leading to a spiritual ego.
• 😀 Self-inquiry involves turning attention inward and asking 'Who am I?' when distractions or thoughts arise, tracing the 'I' feeling back to its source.
• 😀 The key to success in self-inquiry is not to force thoughts away but to recognize them as invitations to dive deeper into self-inquiry.
• 😀 Ramana Maharshi's genius was in using every distraction or thought as a trigger to inquire further into the nature of the self.
• 😀 When the ego is traced back and dissolves, what remains is not an answer, but a profound sense of peace, stillness, and the realization that you have always been the self.
• 😀 True liberation is not about becoming something new but realizing the absence of the ego and the inherent peace and stillness that remain.

Q & A

What is the main challenge with most spiritual practices according to the script?

Most spiritual practices are designed to improve or build the ego, adding peace or knowledge to the 'self.' The challenge is that these practices inadvertently feed the ego, rather than dissolving it, and thus continue the cycle of suffering.

How does Ramana Maharshi’s approach differ from traditional spiritual practices?

Ramana Maharshi's approach is focused on subtracting the ego, not adding to it. His method of self-inquiry aims to dissolve the ego by investigating the root thought 'I', rather than improving or transforming the ego into a 'spiritual ego'.

What is the core method of self-inquiry described in the script?

The core method is to trace the 'I' thought back to its source by asking the question 'Who am I?'. This process involves turning the mind's energy back on itself, not seeking a mental answer, but focusing attention inward to experience the raw sensation of existence before it is labeled.

What does Ramana Maharshi mean by 'I am that I am'?

'I am that I am' signifies the truth of being, beyond the ego or personal identity. It reflects the realization that one’s true self is the essence of existence itself, not a constructed identity or role.

What is the purpose of the question 'Who am I?' in self-inquiry?

The question 'Who am I?' is not meant to elicit a direct mental answer, but to focus the mind and attention inward, allowing the seeker to trace the 'I' thought back to its source. It is a tool to direct awareness, not a question seeking an intellectual response.

Why does the ego fail when practicing self-inquiry?

The ego tries to answer the question 'Who am I?' with conceptual labels like 'I am consciousness' or 'I am a person'. However, these answers are just more thoughts and concepts. The true self cannot be captured by such labels, and the ego cannot survive the focused investigation into its own source.

How should one respond when distracted during self-inquiry?

When distracted, one should not get angry or frustrated. Instead, the moment of distraction should be used as a trigger to ask, 'To whom did this thought arise?' and return to the practice of self-inquiry, reorienting the mind back to its source.

What happens when the 'I' thought is traced back to its source?

When the 'I' thought is traced back to its source, the ego dissolves, and the individual experiences an absence—the absence of the person or the problem-maker. In this absence, what remains is peace, stillness, and a profound sense of being, showing that the self was always present, beyond the illusion of the ego.

What is the significance of the practice of self-inquiry in relation to liberation?

Self-inquiry is not a means to attain a future state of liberation, but a direct practice to dismantle the illusion of the ego right now. Through this practice, one realizes that they are already liberated, and the ego was simply a case of mistaken identity.

Why does Ramana Maharshi say the practice of self-inquiry requires persistence?

Self-inquiry requires persistence because it is a continual practice of turning the mind inward, even when distractions arise. The process is about dismantling the illusion of the ego, which is deeply ingrained, and requires steady effort to overcome.