Self-Enquiry - A R Natarajan

The feeling of existence is universal. 'I am' is the expression of one's awareness of it.  Ramana Maharshi points out that it is only because of this core feeling that one says 'I am acting' 'I am thinking' 'I came', 'I want' and so on.  This 'I am' is the substratum of all action, and thoughts.  It is like a screen on which a movie is projected. The waking state comes and goes 'I am'. The dream state comes and goes 'I am', the deep sleep state comes and goes, 'I am'. In all states of one's daily existence it is the alone unchanging bed-rock because of which alone perception of changes in one's body and mind becomes possible.  It is the fullness of consciousness.

© The Ramana Way, January, 2001. Reprinted with permission.

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