Atma Vichara
Atma Vichara (Sanskrit: ātma-vicāra, exploring the self, Atman ), is a method of meditation for the exploration of the ego, self-awareness and self-realization , which the Indian guru Ramana Maharshi recommended as a spiritual practice ( sadhana ).
The goal is that the individual ego, which is not an independent reality, but can only exist on the basis of the eternal and unchangeable self (the absolute, the divine) and is completely dependent on it, by exploring its source to recognize as that which it is. This is intended to extinguish the idea of an independent ego.
Method (search question "Who am I?")
The teaching of Ramana Maharshi assumes that if one traces all thoughts and sensations back to their origin, one will find that the first of all thoughts is the I-thought: "I am". This first thought is said to arise in the "spiritual heart" which Ramana locates on the right side of the chest.
Ramana Maharshi describes the method as follows: “Relentlessly pursue the inquiry 'Who am I?' Find the root of your personality! Find out from where the I-thought originates! Turn the mind inwards! With practice, the streams of thought will calm down and you will feel an unerring intuition . Surrender to this intuition. Let your thinking come to an end and she will bring you to your goal. "
In his booklet Who am I? (Eng. 'Who am I?') he describes the method as follows: “When thoughts arise, one should not pursue them, but ask oneself:“ Whom do these thoughts come from? ”. It doesn't matter how many thoughts come. With every thought that arises, one has to persistently ask oneself "Who did this thought come from?" The answer to that is “Me.” If one then asks “Who am I?” Then the mind goes back to its origin and the arose thought comes to rest. If this practice is practiced continuously, the mind develops the ability to dwell in its source. "
According to Maharshi, there is no advanced method, only a maturation of the Vichara. Vichara is the direct method. “There is nothing more to know than what you find in the books. There is no secret technique. Everything is an open secret here. "
literature
Ramana Maharshi : “Who am I?”: The path of self-discovery . 3. Edition. Books on Demand , Norderstedt 2009, ISBN 978-3-8370-5367-8 .
Web links
Individual evidence
- ↑ Ramana Maharshi: Who am I? (PDF) p. 6
- ^ A. Devaraja Mudaliar: Day By Day With Bhagavan . ( Memento of the original from November 19, 2012 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. (PDF) pp. 31–33
