Atma Vichara, Self-Inquiry

Sri Shankara & Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi described the practical means to attain Self-Knowledge as Atma Vichara, usually translated as Self-Inquiry, “Who am I ?” But repeated self-questioning is not the intended meaning, but it is rather the inward Self direction denoted. Alternate translations include: “Self-attention”. Alternate Sanskrit indicators include: Atma Nishta, “Self-abidance”.

If the question “Who am I ?” is helpful, the a singular deep-felt, silent inward-probe could be enough. Vichara generally has alternate meanings of “pondering, deliberation, consideration, reflection, examination, investigation” in the sense of “unbiased examination with a view to arriving at the truth.”

And so Atma Vichara means “Self-investigation”, “Self-scrutiny” or “Self-examination” of the fundamental Consciousness “I am” with a keen focus & intensity. Thus we awaken to That.

Methods of “Self-surrender” & “Self-denial” are equivalent, so long as Individuality, Ego is erased.

[The above themes & 1600 pages more are freely available as perused or downloaded PDF’s, the sole occupants of a Public Microsoft Skydrive “Public Folder” accessible through  www.jpstiga.com ]