Self-inquiry

These questions were asked by sri Sivaprakasam Pilli about the year 1902. sri Pilli was a graduate in Philosophy and that time was employed in Revenue .Maharishi Ramana was in Virupaksa cave and was in silence ,answers were given by writing.

Question no 11; what is the means for constantly holding onto the thought,” who am I”

Answer by Maharishi Ramana; when other thoughts arise, one should not pursue them ,but should inquire :

” To whom has this thought arisen? it does not matter how many thoughts arisen? the answer will be ‘ to me?’ thereupon if one inquires ,” who am I” the mind will go back to its source ,and the thought will arisen will quiescent .with repeated practice in this manner, the mind will develop the skill to stay in its source. when the mind that is subtle goes out through brain and the sense -organs, the gross names and forms appear; and when it stays in the heart the, the names and forms disappear. not letting the mind go out, to retaining in the heart is called ‘ Inwardness’ ( antermuka). letting the mind go out of the heart is known as ” externalization” ( baharmuka) . thus when mind stays in the heart the ‘I’ which is the source of all thoughts, will go and the self which ever exists will shine. whatever one does, one should without the egoity ‘I’. if one acts in that way, all will appear as of the nature of Shiva (God). ——-Maharishi Ramana.