Question:
I was reading one of your answers to a question about the path of self-inquiry where one is supposed to keep asking oneself the question “who am I” as a way to overcome the ego and realize the Self. I was a little disheartened because the jnana path appeals to me, and now I’m concerned that I don’t really have the basics to make it work and may have been fooling myself. Anyway, I was wondering if there is any beginning practice that could help me get to the place where I could do self-inquiry?
Answer:
I think Byron Katie’s work would be perfect for you. In her process she asks you to write out your judgments and complaints and then deactivate and transform those stuck patterns with a series of questions.
· Is it true?
· Can you absolutely know it’s true?
· How do you react when you believe that thought?
· Who would you be without the thought?
· Then turn your statement around
This is a very powerful technique that is aligned with the path of self-inquiry. As you do this work you develop a core sense of self-hood beyond your ego. Her book Loving What Is would be a good place to begin.
Love,
Deepak
About Deepak Chopra
Time Magazine heralded Deepak Chopra as one of the 100 heroes and icons of the century, and credited him as "the poet-prophet of alternative medicine." Entertainment Weekly described Deepak Chopra as "Hollywood's man of the moment, one of publishing's best-selling and most prolific self-help authors." He is the author of more than 50 books and more than 100 audio, video and CD-Rom titles. He has been published on every continent and in dozens of languages. Fifteen of his books have landed on the New York Times Best-seller list. Toastmaster International recognized him as one of the top five outstanding speakers in the world. Through his over two decades of work since leaving his medical practice, Deepak continues to revolutionize common wisdom about the crucial connection between body, mind, spirit, and healing. His mission of "bridging the technological miracles of the west with the wisdom of the east" remains his thrust and provides the basis for his recognition as one of India's historically greatest ambassadors to the west. Chopra has been a keynote speaker at several academic institutions including Harvard Medical School, Harvard Business School, Harvard Divinity School, Kellogg School of Management, Stanford Business School and Wharton.His latest book is
"Reinventing the Body, Resurrecting the Soul."
I love the four questions. I am glad this was brought up!
dear deepak,
Thanks for this wonderful explanation. These four questions will greatly help people who want to know themselves. your guidance is fabulous. thanks.
Wish you love, peace and happiness.
Trisha
The question 'who am I' that Ramana Maharshi , the Indian sage deviced as a focus for inquiry is indeed a koan, a question that can't be answered (by your mind). It is not who you are (=identification with any number of your social roles or physical limitations) that matters but your beingness that is ever fresh, yet eternal. The life flow of energy if you wish. A process, not a result is another way to put it.
In each and every moment you are reborn. Who you normally think you are is just a bunch of memories and ideas that your mind holds onto. Thus the question 'who am I' creates a kind of purgatory and at best, finally, renders your mind silent…then… an opening.
Just witnessing the train of your thoughts helps you to step out of the habitual identifications into a wonder of who you truly are.
best,
Astrea
The practice of transforming my direction gives me hope on this eternal path of realization.
thankyou, I am new here but loving this site already, so many right place right time moments
I love The Work of Byron Katie! It's so simple, yet extremely profound. I've used it with several of my clients and it's very effective.
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Andrea Ramirez, CHHC, AADP
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