Self Inquiry

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Self-Inquiry

What am I? Who am I?  How can I really know an answer to those questions, and at what point do I reach the limit of them?  Through the ages many great teachers have held the line of that inquiry, making it readily available to those interested in knowing.  Even though the ulitmate answer cannot seem to be expressed at this stage of human development, each of us can discover the answer for ourselves.  In fact, it may be that the only person who can ever answer that question is each person for themselves, and that is its final beauty.  I started this lens to help point toward the resources that support that inquiry.

What is Self-Inquiry?

As championed by Ramana Maharshi, self-inquiry is the simple practice of asking, "What am I?" as often as possible. That's it. Not, "What am I doing?" Not, "What am I thinking?" Not, "What am I feeling?" Just, what is the raw substance and feeling of "I"? Nothing complicated. Take this question as far as it will go, and then keep going. Really discover, for yourself, who you really are. Find the core of you that never changes, the core that has been there throughout your life. Don't stop asking this question until you get to that core absolutely.

Other than that, there really is no technique to self-inquiry and not even a set method of how to ask that question. Ramana also gave the practice of "Who am I?", and that is valid, but has a slightly different target. Both are fine as long as the goal of really getting the root of who you are is pursued ruthlessly.

The Truth Is You

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Vids!

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Links of interest

RiverGanga Foundation
The open invitation to self-inquiry by John Sherman
My Links at Delicious.com
Set to my tag for Spirituality
Gangaji.org
Gangaji's official site
Ramana Maharshi Ashram
The website for the ashram of Ramana Maharshi
Perceiving Reality
The ARI Institutes portal

Resources that might be of interest

The 21 day Meditation Challenge!
A facilitated meditation circle.

Rleated stuff on Amazon

Things other folks have written!

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  • personal_development Jan 14, 2008 @ 10:12 am | delete
    Great site with some fantastic information, really enjoyed it! You may enjoy a visit to my personal development community at www.talkaboutpersonaldevelopment.com to come join in the chats. I think you'd have a lot to contribute! Good luck with the lens!

    Jason

My Personal Blog. Enjoy!

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TravisE

Hola lens-lookers!  I'm a perfectly average guy looking for some answers to the basic questions that have plagued my mind for as long as I can remember. ... more »

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