Who Am I?

Netra Acharya

We have observed that the number of book lovers is massively increasing in our society in recent years. However, we have yet to realize that there are only a handful of good books that could help us to understand our Self. Mostly we read about the society or the world around us and we focus on learning the easier ways to earn our livelihood. Such books hardly help us realize who we are or to make a self-inquiry. And when we don’t understand who we are in the first place, we may be totally lost somewhere in dark. 

After visiting Ramana Maharshi Ashram in Arunachal near Chennai in India, I realized the importance of knowing who we are and I also realized there are better ways to reach that understanding. Ramana Ashram is a place where hundreds of people reach everyday to understand who they are. I saw almost everyone involved in self-inquiry sitting in meditation or being aware of the present. 

Ramana mastered the art of self-inquiry in his early life and realized the ultimate peace and happiness. He taught the same to thousands. After around six decades of his death, the Ashram is running almost equally smoothly and thousands benefit from the purity and energy vibration of the place where the great soul used to live.

Venkataramana, a young boy of Madurai, went to Arunachal at the age of 16 and focused on the quest of the Self. He found peace and is revered by millions as Ramana Maharshi or simply Bhagavan. The quest of “Who Am I” was the method Ramana preferred to help people understand the Self. With that understanding Ramana realized the oneness with all living beings, the things around, and the whole existence. With this realization he developed a deep harmony with the whole creation. His suffering came to an end. Now he could see the presence of Self everywhere and experienced indivisible peace and ultimate bliss. What he experienced reflected on his handsome face and his ways of simple living. 

In Geeta, Krishna taught Arjuna, “Knowledge is better than Karma, without discernment, meditation on the Self is superior to knowledge, and renunciation of the fruit of action is even superior to meditation, for peace immediately follows from renunciation.” Ramana applied this teaching and renounced the world. In return he gained the awareness of the Self. His very presence and teaching impressed British journalist Paul Brunton and he popularized Ramana in the West. 

Ramana’s Ashram is now a holy place for thousands of spiritual aspirants. Hundreds gathered in the Ramana Ashram not to observe the scenario around but to stay quiet in meditation, focusing on their own Self or being aware of the present. Tears were rolling down from the eyes of many, including mine. The very thought of Ramana renouncing everything and going to the hillside to see the light of the Self was enough to touch people’s heart. The simple and direct ways of Ramana were immensely helpful for them to be at peace. 

Ramana’s teachings are simple and direct. Usually, we have seen sadhus and swamijis much interested in collecting disciples and preaching the mass. Most of them are wordsmiths and have hardly known the peace of mind themselves. Inside the curtain, they amass wealth by illegal means. The ways of Ramana were opposite. He was not interested in anything else than being aware, realizing the oneness and enjoying the state of profound peace. 

Realization of Self or the divinity within instantly reflects in the appearance and ways of living. Ramana was cheerful and contented every moment and he developed love and compassion towards all living beings. He did not need to go anywhere, see anything or eat delicacies for pleasure. The sheer joy of being aware of the present moment was more than enough for him. Such realization is believed to be the result of some divine grace or lots of meritorious acts. Ramana makes us hopeful and encourages us in focusing on self-inquiry. It is a beautiful and quick way to find who we are. There is no place for ritual and no need to worship this or that deity. 

“Who am I?” Ramana reminds us that we are Sat, Chit and Ananda, i.e., Being, Awareness and Bliss. The mind is always restive as so many thoughts come and distract us from concentrating on the Self. All we need is to focus on the self-inquiry. Ramana says that there is no need to be worried of thoughts. They come and go on the screen of pure consciousness. You are the pure consciousness. You are the awareness and Sat, Chit, Ananda is your nature. 

When the thoughts come, we should simply inquire, “To whom the thoughts come?” The answer will be “to me”. If we inquire “Who am I” the mind will return to its source. Then we realize we are pure consciousness. Sometime this process of self-inquiry can be arduous. Ramana suggests, “If the mind falls asleep, awaken it. Then if it starts wandering, make it quiet. If you reach the state where there is neither sleep nor movement of mind, stay still in that, the natural (real) state.” 

The mind can be turned inward with regular practice and dispassion. Ramana used to tell an anecdote: The mind, having been so long a cow accustomed to graze stealthily on others’ estates, is not easily confined to her stall. However much her keeper tempts her with luscious grass and fine fodder, she refuses the first time. Then she takes a bit, but her innate tendency to stray away asserts itself and she slips away. On being repeatedly tempted by the owner, she accustoms herself to the stall until finally, even if let loose, she does not stray away. Similarly with the mind, if once it finds its inner happiness it will not wander outward. 

It is good to know Ramana encouraging us to aim high, aim at the highest and all lower aims are thereby achieved. It is looking below on the stormy sea of differences that makes us sink. If we simply look up beyond these and see the all pervasive source of divine grace, peace and happiness, we are saved. If we go on working with the light available, we will find the source. Just make sure, the book on your hand helps you to know who you are! netra.acharya@gmail.com

Published in www.myrepublica.com on 3rd January 2015

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