Who Am I

It is said that Descartes, the famous french philosopher, after months and months of sitting alone in front of a fireplace came to the conclusion that “Cogito, ergo sum” which means “I think therefore I am”. Most of us will agree with Descartes that we can think is the greatest proof that we as a distinct personality exist. Our capacity to think gives us a sense of personality, which is distinct from everyone else. It gives us a sense of individuality.

But I want you to go a little further and ask yourself. Who is this “I” we are talking about? What is its composition? What are the ingredients that make this “I”?

Is it a bundle of memories, thoughts and experiences? Or the space in which these thoughts arise?

Casually looking you may think I am both of these. But if you persist with this question, “Who am I” carefully remove all the false layers to this “I”. You will get an answer which will answer all your questions.

It will take a lot of time to get to the bottom of this mystery and still more to actually experience it.

Getting an intellectual answer will not be enough. You will have to experience it to understand it.

“If you hold this feeling of ‘I’ long enough and strong enough, the false ‘I’ will vanish leaving only the unbroken awareness of the real, immanent ‘I’, consciousness itself”

This is the essence of the teaching of Ramana Maharshi.

Thank you and please share your comments on the topic in the comment box below.

Jai Shree Hare.