June 24 we will meet at
my office to discuss the 6-page book "Who Am I?" It is
recommended that you read it.
See
a link to a free pdf. of the book here: https://www.sriramanamaharshi.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/who_am_I.pdf
Here is an excerpt from
the Introduction:
"'Who am I?'
is the title given to a set of questions and answers bearing on Self-enquiry.
The questions were put to Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi by one Sri M.
Sivaprakasam Pillai about the year 1902. Sri Pillai, a graduate in Philosophy,
was at the time employed in the Revenue Department of the South Arcot
Collectorate. During his visit to Tiruvannamalai in 1902 on official work, he
went to Virupaksha Cave on Arunachala Hill and met the Master there. He sought
from him spiritual guidance and solicited answers to questions relating to
Self-enquiry. As Bhagavan was not talking then, not because of any vow he had
taken, but because he did not have the inclination to talk, he answered the
questions put to him by gestures, and when these were not understood, by
writing. As recollected and recorded by Sri Sivaprakasam Pillai, there were
fourteen questions with answers to them given by Bhagavan. This record was
first published by Sri Pillai in 1923, along with a couple of poems composed by
himself relating how Bhagavan’s grace operated in his case by dispelling his
doubts and by saving him from a crisis in life."
In a Zen monastery, the
student who has a passionate drive to awaken is offered one of two initial, or
breakthrough, koans. The first is Joshus' MU, which was my choice. The second
is "Who Am I". These two are at root the same koan. Since
I wrestled with this question for a long time, I might have something
useful to say about it!
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