Hour 49 Meditation – Atma Vichara – Inquiry into the Self (Ramana Maharshi’s Method)
Atma Vichara – Inquiry into the Self (Ramana Maharshi’s Method)
Introduction
Amidst the huge ocean of yogic and meditative processes, Atma Vichara, or the Inquiry into the Self, takes center stage, especially in the tradition of Ramana Maharshi. This deep technique is a straightforward path to self-realization, wherein the practitioner aims to discover the ultimate nature of the Self through the removal of the ego, mind, and body. Unlike most other meditation practices, Atma Vichara is not about concentration or visualization, but rather intense, internal questioning of the fundamental question: “Who am I?”
Ramana Maharshi, one of the most highly respected contemporary Indian saints, taught this easy but revolutionary method, stressing that self-inquiry is the fastest means to attain the ultimate reality. This technique is based on the belief that the Self, or Atman, is already inherently pure and liberated, and the only requirement is to eliminate the illusions of separation that the mind fabricates.
Understanding Atma Vichara
Atma Vichara is not a meditational practice per se, but one of constant exploration of what is one’s real self. The technique consists in posing the question “Who am I?” and then reflecting upon the response inwardly, without the mind but with profound interior silence and consciousness.
Fundamental Principles of Atma Vichara
Self-Inquiry (Atma Vichara):
The great question is “Who am I?” This is the core inquiry upon which practice turns.
Its purpose is to strip away illusions of identity to which we fallaciously attatch—bodily and mental, sensory and emotional selves—and to abide in the Self as it ultimately is.
The Lack of ‘I’:
Ramana Maharshi highlighted that the question should not be responded to intellectually but felt directly. By asking the question, the practitioner understands that the feeling of ‘I’ is merely an illusion fabricated by the mind.
As the mind lets go of its attachment to the ‘I’ or ego, the practitioner starts feeling the Self as pure awareness or consciousness, which transcends all thoughts and ideas.
Dissolution of the Ego:
Atma Vichara is going deep into the self with the final aim of eradicating the ego. Through repeatedly coming back to the question “Who am I?” the ego gets weaker, and the person feels the Self as transcending personality, roles, and judgments.
This practice creates a profound feeling of detachment, not in the sense of renunciation, but by the understanding that the Self is never bound by the ephemeral events of the world.
Steps for Practicing Atma Vichara
Sit in a Comfortable Position:
Sit in a quiet and comfortable place. You can sit in any meditative posture which is convenient for you, with your spine straight and your body relaxed.
Turn Inward:
Close your eyes and bring your mind to the present moment. Release any distraction, and start paying attention to your breath in order to quiet the mind.
Ask the Question “Who Am I?”:
Ask the question “Who am I?” over and over with full awareness. Allow the question to be an entrance into further reflection.
Don’t seek an answer in your mind. Instead, feel the question and let it dissolve all thoughts. Release the idea of you as the body, the mind, and your identity.
Observe the Responses:
When you pose the question “Who am I?”, various thoughts might come up as a response. These responses might be about your body, your name, your work, your emotions, or memories. Just observe them and let them go.
Every time a thought or response comes up, ask yourself, “Who is it that is having this thought?” Refocus on the question.
Silence and Awareness:
As you continue the inquiry, there will arise a deep inner silence. This silence is not the absence of thought but the awareness of your true nature—pure awareness.
Let this silence become deeper, and within that silence, you will start feeling the Self as omnipresent, timeless, and shapeless.
Practice Regularly:
Regular practice of Atma Vichara is best. With time, when you continue with the inquiry, the ego will start breaking down, and you will get glimpses of self-realization.
The Role of “I” in Self-Inquiry
The ego takes a central position in Atma Vichara. The questioning of “Who am I?” assists in separating the real “I” from the unreal “I”. The unreal “I” is the identification of the mind with the body, thoughts, and feelings, and the real “I” is the fundamental consciousness or Atman, which lies beyond identification with any bodily or mental thing.
Ego vs. True Self
Ego (Unreal ‘I’):
Identifies with the mind and body
Is temporary and changeable
Causes suffering, desires, and attachments
Is linked with personal identity and separateness
True Self (Atman):
Exists outside of the mind and body
Is timeless, eternal, and unchanging
Is free of suffering, desires, and attachments
Is pure consciousness, all one
Benefits of Atma Vichara Practice
Self-Realization: This practice results in an intense experience of self-awareness, bringing the practitioner closer to the ultimate reality of oneness.
Ego Dissolution: With regular practice, the ego and sense of separateness decrease, enabling the practitioner to feel unity with all beings.
Inner Peace: With the process of inquiry, one comes to naturally release unwanted mental identifications, which result in peace and happiness.
Deeper Insight into Life: By constantly inquiring “Who am I?”, practitioners start perceiving life as not a collection of unrelated events, but as a stream of related experience.
Contemplative Questions to Consider
How frequently do I identify with my thoughts, body, or feelings? How might I witness them without identifying myself with them?
What emerges in me when I pose the question “Who am I?”
What becomes clear as I pose this question?
How does the process of questioning myself push me beyond my current understanding of myself and the world?
Am I able to grant myself permission to sit in the silence that emerges when I cease looking outside for answers?