In the s/Self-Inquiry message taught first in this episode, Inner Ramana introduces us to two forms of inquiry: self-inquiry and Self-inquiry. Regina says we practice self-inquiry when we question thought in order to discover false beliefs or to notice that thought isn’t me. Some forms of self-inquiry are Root Cause Inquiry* and Byron Katie’s “The Work.”
Another form of self-inquiry is the form that’s taught through Inner Ramana. That is asking, “Who thinks this thought?” Through self-inquiry, you (awareness) see the attachment to mind, and then you can choose to break the attachment to mind.
Regina says we practice Self-inquiry when we place attention on awareness instead of mind. Self-inquiry is looking deeply at awareness until awakening to infinite awareness occurs. Awareness-watching-awareness** is a form of Self-inquiry.
“Watch the mind for thoughts, which may be saying anything, but underneath the anything they say, they are truly saying, “I am thinking.” Question, “Who is the ‘I’ that thinks?” and you will discover the belief in an individual and separate “I.” That is the false “I,” which exists only in thought.” ~ Excerpt from the s/Self-Inquiry message from Inner Ramana
The Love of Discipline Regina says that for a lot of Inner Ramana students, the message The Circus and the Meadow is their favorite, while her favorite is the next message she teaches in this episode, The Love of Discipline, which starts at the 21:08 minute mark. This message says: “Right now, it is as if two “I”s live within you. … One “I” is the false thought, the false idea of who you are. The other “I” is best described now as your true Heart.” When you believe the voice telling you what to think, feel, believe and do, you are literally a puppet of unreality. But devoted discipline – which could also be called disciplined devotion – offers a way out, one that involves living from within, in other words living from intuition, silence and awareness, instead of living from belief in mental chatter. - "I have told you that discipline means consistency. You know that you want the consistent experience of God without end and without distraction, and you also know that consistent practice brings this experience. So you see, you love it.” (Excerpt from The Love of Discipline message from Inner Ramana)
Assignment for week 11: Practice self-inquiry when you notice you’re caught up in mind, in order to break the attachment to mind. Also practice Self-inquiry, which is devotion and falling in love with awareness. If you have problems with consistency, The Love of Discipline message can help remind you how much you truly love discipline.
*For more about Root cause inquiry: https://awakening-together.org/root-cause-inquiry/ **For more about Awareness-watching-awareness: https://awakening-together.org/interact/meditation-audios/direct-path-meditations/ Learn about Inner Ramana here: https://awakening-together.org/about-awakening-together/other-resources/teachings-inner-ramana/
Musical ident: Helen Allmark
#RamanaMaharshi #InnerRamana #surrender #self-inquiry #selfrealization #awakening #ReginaDawnAkers #AwakeningTogether #NTI
