Sri Ramana Maharshi on SELF ENQUIRY - 1

Sri Ramana Maharshi on SELF ENQUIRY

 

For the subsidence of the mind there is no other means, that is  more effective than Self-enquiry. Even though the mind subsides by other means, that is only apparently so; it will rise again.
(* Who Am I ? x 12.)

This is the direct method. All other methods are practised while retaining the ego and therefore many doubts arise and the ultimate question still remains to be tackled in the end. But in this method the final question si the only one and is raised from the beginning.
(* Talks with Sri Ramana Maharshi 146 )

SElf -enquiry leads directly to Self realisation by removing the obstacles which make you think that the Self is not already realised.

(* Talks with Sri Ramana Maharshi 298)

Meditation requires an object to meditate on, whereas in Self-enquiry there is only the subject and no object. That is the diffference between.

(* Talks with Sri Ramana Maharshi 390)

End of Knowledge and Bhakti

End of Knowledge and Bhakti

Devotee: What is the end of the path of knowledge ( jnana ) or Vedanta?
Bhagavan: It is to know the truth that the ' I ' DOESNOT EXIST SEPERATELY from the Lord (Ishvara) and to be free from the feeling of being the doer ( kartrtva, ahamkara ).

Devotee: What is the end of devotion ( bhakti) and the path of Sidhanta ( i.e., Saiva Sidahanta)

Bhagavan: It is to learn the truth that all one's actions performed with unselfish devotion, with the aid of the three purified instruments ( body, speecah and mind), in the capacity of the servant of the Lord, become the Lord's actions, and to stand forth free from the sense of 'I' and 'mine'. This is also the truth of what the Saiva-Sidhantins call para-bhakti ( supreme devotion) or living in the service of God ( irai-pani-nittral ).

- Sri Ramana Maharshi, Spiritual Instruction