Holding onto the thought ‘Who am I’ – Sri Ramana Maharshi

Question: What is the means for constantly holding on to the thought ‘Who am I?’ Bhagavan: When other thoughts arise, one should not pursue them, but should inquire ‘To whom do they arise?’ It does not matter how many thoughts arise. As each thought arises, one should inquire with diligence, ‘To whom has this thought arisen?’ The answer that would emerge would be ‘To me’. Thereupon if one inquires ‘Who am I’, the mind will go back to its source; and the thought that arose will become quiescent. With repeated practice in this manner, the mind will develop the skill to stay in its source.

How will the mind become quiescent? - Sri Ramana Maharshi

Question: How will the mind become quiescent?

Bhagavan: By the enquiry ‘Who am I’. The thought ‘Who am I?’ will destroy all other thoughts, and like the stick used for stirring the burning pyre, it will itself in the end get destroyed. Then, there will arise Self-realisation.

Who Am I? - Sri Ramana Maharshi

As all living beings desire to be happy always, without misery, as in the case of everyone there is observed supreme love for one’s self, and as happiness alone is the cause for love, in order to gain that happiness which is one’s nature and which is experienced in the state of deep sleep where there is no mind, one should know one’s Self. For that, the path of knowledge, the enquiry of the form ‘Who am I’, is the principal means. Sri Ramana Maharshi – Who Am I?