Self-Inquiry: Who Am I?

Where it comes from

Ramana Maharshi (1879–1950) was one of the most respected Indian sages of the modern era. At sixteen he had a profound experience of awakening, and he spent the rest of his life at the sacred mountain Arunachala in Tiruvannamalai, in South India, where visitors from around the world came to see him.

His central teaching was self-inquiry. When a thought arises, he advised, do not follow it. Instead ask, "To whom did this thought arise?" The answer is "to me". Then ask, "Who am I?" and turn your attention back toward the one who is aware, rather than toward any answer.

His answers to these questions were recorded early in his life and later published as a short booklet, Who Am I? The practice has much in common with Zen koans such as "What was your original face before your parents were born?" Both use a question that cannot be answered with words to turn attention back on itself.

How to practice

1. Sit quietly with your eyes closed and let your breathing settle for a minute.
2. When a thought appears, don't follow it or push it away. Simply notice it.
3. Ask, gently: "To whom does this thought appear?" The natural answer is: "To me."
4. Then ask: "Who am I?" Don't look for a word or an idea as the answer. Instead, turn your attention toward the sense of being aware itself.
5. Rest there. When the next thought comes, repeat the inquiry, patiently, as many times as you need.
6. At the end, sit for a moment without asking anything at all.

Tips

• The question is not a puzzle to solve. Any answer you think of, such as a name, a body or a role, is just another thought.
• Ask slowly and softly, with curiosity, not force.
• Short sessions are fine. Ramana suggested bringing the inquiry into ordinary moments of the day as well.

A note of care

Some people find self-inquiry unsettling at first. If it brings up strong distress, stop and return to a simpler practice such as following the breath.