The Technique of Self Enquiry

Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi states that the control of the mind , achieved by any way except the VICHARA (SELF-INQUIRY) will be only temporary, for the mind will invariably return to its spontaneous activities.

For Bhagavan and Sri Lakshmanswamy, the self-enquiry process happened spontaneously. I read in "The Power of Now" that Eckhart Tolle too had a similar spontaneous experience. Papaji used to say that people need to do self-enquiry just once properly, to realise the SELF.

The technique of self-enquiry is clearly explained in the books "No Mind- I am the Self" and "Living by the Words of Bhagavan", both by David Godman. Sadhu Om's "The Path of Ramana" is also very useful. The essential technique is not difficult to understand, but is quite difficult to practice. Both Bhagavan and Sri Lakshmanaswamy admit that the Self enquiry technique can be practiced by "ripe souls".

The technique of self-enquiry

Here's a brief description of the self-enquiry technique from the book, No Mind- I am the Self.

"According to both Sri Ramana and Sri Lakshmana the "I" thought, rises from the Heart, identifies itself with the body and creates the illusion of an individuaal Self, by identifying itself with all the body's thoughts and perceptions. If one can focus all one's attention on the "I" thought that is, on the inner feeling of "I" or "I am", ignoring all other mental activities, then the 'I " thought will stop identifying with thoughts and perceptions and start to subside into its source, the Heart. When it has completely subsided into the Heart, the illusion of the individual self vanishes.

As an aid to keeping one's attention on the "I" thought both Ramana Maharishi and Lakshmana Swamy recommend asking oneself 'Who am I?' or 'Where does this "I" come from?'.