Who Am I?: Not A Mantra

Sri Ramana Maharshi

6-12-1945 Night

Dr. Srinivasa Rao asked whether after putting oneself the question "Who am I?" one should remain quiet or whether one should go on to give the answer, such as 'I am not this body, senses etc.' or whether one should go on repeating the question 'Who am I?'

B: Why should you go on repeating 'Who am I?' as if it is a mantra. If other thoughts arise, then the questions, 'To whom do these thoughts arise?', 'Whence does the 'I' to which these thoughts come, arise?' have to be asked, i.e., to keep away other thoughts. Even in mantra japam, when the man fails to repeat the mantra, i.e., when other thoughts begin to occupy his mind, he reminds himself 'I have left off the mantra' and begins repeating it. The object in all paths is to keep off all other thoughts except the thought of God or Self.

In this connection B again said "The Name is God," and quoted the Bible, 'In the beginning was the word, and the word was with God, and the word was God.' Swami Ramdas often preaches the importance of nama smarana, the Name he uses being Sri Ram Jai Ram Jai Jai Ram. In the latest issues of Vision Swami Ramdas has written about 'That thou art', and B referred me to it.