How The Advaita 222 of Self-Inquiry™ is an extension of Sri Ramana’s and Sri Nisargadatta’s forms of Self-Inquiry
“It is only by the Divine Grace of The Great Masters Bhagwan Sri Ramana Maharshi and Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj that the “Advaita 222 of Self-Inquiry” has come into being. And it is only with the deepest and utmost respect for their immense contribution to Advaita and the transformative power of their Teachings, that the Advaita 222 is presented here as the “missing link.” A link that, as a Guru, I was still looking for to further help Sadhakas. It is presented as an “evolution” of their vast Teachings that builds upon their core insights and that has, fortunately, formed a vital bridge. In my experience, this evolution can help to deepen, or accelerate, insights already glimpsed through traditional methods and lead to a functional deconstruction of the ego. One can say that the Advaita 222 addresses modern-day needs while remaining rooted in the same, Advaitic Truth. And it is with this Spirit that I humbly lay the Advaita 222 at Their Divine Feet” ~ Rajiv Kapur
Here’s a synopsis of the Approaches :
Sri Ramana Maharshi’s Self-Inquiry (“Who Am I?”)
* Focus : Direct inquiry into the fundamental nature of the “I”-thought. The primary practice is to constantly ask “Who am I?” and trace the origin of this thought.
* Method : Introspective, focusing on the subjective feeling of “I”. The aim is to see that the “I” is not the body, mind, or intellect, but the underlying Self (Awareness).
* Emphasis : Relentless and persistent investigation into the source of the ego. It’s a direct path that aims to dissolve the egoic identification.
* Silence : Sri Ramana often emphasized the importance of silence and stillness as the natural state of the Self, and self-inquiry helps to abide in that silence.
Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj’s Self-Inquiry (“I Am”)
* Focus : Abiding in the feeling of “I Am,” the fundamental awareness of being, prior to any identification with thoughts, feelings, or the body.
* Method : Direct attention to the “I Am” consciousness. By holding onto this feeling, one can realize its impersonal and universal nature.
* Emphasis : Understanding that the “I Am” is the root of all experience. By realizing its true nature, the illusion of separateness dissolves.
* Spontaneity : Sri Nisargadatta’s teachings often involved spontaneous dialogues, cutting through conceptual understanding and pointing directly to the immediate experience of “I Am.”
The Advaita “222 of Self-Inquiry”
* Focus : Looks at the ego from a different angle by identifying its two main patterns of seeking.
* Method : Ask : “Am I seeking comfort/pleasure?” and “Am I seeking self-contraction/tension?”
* Emphasis : Silencing and dismantling ego’s motivations through repeated self-awareness of them.
* Practical Application : Apply two questions 6-8 times daily to experiences / situations.
Key Components :
* Emphasis on Action : The Advaita 222 is very action-oriented, requiring consistent application of the two questions during at least 6 to 8 instances a day in relation to various experiences.
While Sri Ramana’s inquiry is also continuous, the focus is more on the internal investigation of the “I”-thought. Sri Nisargadatta’s emphasis is more on sustained awareness of the “I Am.”
Sameness :
* Rooted in Advaita : All three approaches stem from the principles of Advaita Vedanta, emphasizing the non-dual nature of reality and the illusory nature of the separate self (ego.)
* Direct Path : All three can be considered direct paths to self-realization, bypassing intellectual understanding and aiming for a direct experiential shift in consciousness.
* Importance of Self-Awareness : All three emphasize the crucial role of self-awareness and introspection in uncovering the true Self.
* Transcending the Ego : The ultimate goal of all three methods is to transcend the limitations and suffering caused by the ego.
Namo Ramana! Namo Nisargadatta!
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