Raman Mahrshi: Who Am I

1. Who Am I?

I am not the physical body composed of seven elements (dhatus). I am not the five senses that perceive sound, touch, sight, taste, and smell. I am not the organs of action—speech, locomotion, grasping, excretion, and reproduction. I am not the five vital airs (prana, vyana, samana, apana, udana) responsible for bodily functions. I am not the thinking mind, nor am I the deep state of ignorance where no thoughts exist.

2. If I Am None of These, Then Who Am I?

By negating everything external and internal as “not this, not this” (neti neti), what remains is pure Awareness. That Awareness alone is my true Self.

3. What Is the Nature of Awareness?

The essence of Awareness is Sat-Chit-Ananda—Existence, Consciousness, and Bliss.

4. When Will Self-Realization Happen?

The realization of the Self occurs when the illusion of the external world disappears.

5. Can Self-Realization Happen While the World Appears Real?

No, as long as the world is perceived as an independent reality, Self-realization remains elusive.

6. Why Is That So?

The world and the Self are like the illusion of a snake on a rope. Until the false perception of the world is removed, the true nature of the Self remains hidden.

7. How Does the World Disappear?

When the mind becomes silent and ceases its restless activity, the illusion of the world dissolves.

8. What Is the Mind?

The mind is an extraordinary power residing in the Self, creating thoughts. In deep sleep, when thoughts disappear, the world ceases to exist. Just like a spider weaves a web from itself and withdraws it back, the mind projects the world and dissolves it within.

9. How Can One Investigate the Mind?

The mind begins with the thought “I.” Tracing this thought to its origin leads to the realization of the Self. By continuously asking “Who am I?” and rejecting all thoughts, the mind naturally subsides.

10. How Does the Mind Become Silent?

The practice of Self-inquiry—asking “Who am I?”—destroys all thoughts. Like a stick used to stir a funeral pyre, this inquiry ultimately consumes itself, leaving behind the Self.

11. How to Maintain Focus on Self-Inquiry?

Whenever thoughts arise, one must ask, “To whom does this thought occur?” The answer will always be, “To me.” From there, by questioning, “Who am I?” the mind returns to its source and becomes still.

12. Are There Other Ways to Quiet the Mind?

Self-inquiry is the most effective path. Breath control, mantra chanting, meditation, and dietary discipline help in calming the mind, but they do not eliminate it permanently. True liberation comes only when the mind dissolves into the Self.

13. When Will the Residual Thoughts Disappear?

As meditation deepens, thoughts gradually lose their power and dissolve completely.

14. Can Lifelong Conditioning Be Overcome?

Yes, with unwavering persistence in Self-inquiry, even the strongest mental impressions can be erased. No matter one’s past, by renouncing the thought “I am a sinner” and focusing on the Self, realization is possible.

15. How Long Should Self-Inquiry Be Practiced?

As long as thoughts arise, Self-inquiry must continue. Like defending a fortress from invaders, each thought must be destroyed at its root until peace prevails.

16. What Is the Nature of the Self?

The Self alone exists in truth. The world, individual soul, and even God appear as illusions within It—like silver appearing in mother-of-pearl. The Self is Silence, the eternal witness beyond thoughts.

17. Is Everything God's Doing?

Just as the sun’s presence enables all natural activities without effort, God’s presence allows the universe to function. However, He remains untouched by actions or consequences.

18. Who Is the Greatest Devotee?

The highest devotee is the one who surrenders completely to the Self, ceasing all identification with the ego. Just as a passenger entrusts his luggage to a train, a true seeker relinquishes all burdens to the divine.

19. What Is True Non-Attachment?

Non-attachment means dissolving thoughts at their root before they take hold. Like a pearl diver sinking into the ocean, one must dive deep within, discarding all distractions, to discover the Self.

20. Can God or a Guru Grant Liberation?

God and the Guru can show the path, but the seeker must walk it alone. The Guru’s grace ensures guidance, but realization comes only through individual effort. Just as one does not need a mirror to recognize oneself, the Self is self-evident.

Final Thoughts: The Path to Liberation

The essence of spiritual inquiry is not in accumulating knowledge but in shedding false identities. By surrendering to the Self, eliminating the illusion of separateness, and embracing the eternal Awareness within, true liberation is attained.