Aham Sphurana

Sri Ramana Maharshi

'I' is not known in sleep. On waking 'I' is perceived associated with the body, the world and non-self in general. Such associated 'I' is aham vritti. When aham represents the Self only it is aham sphurana. This is natural to the jnani and is itself called jnana by jnanis, bhakti by bhaktas. Though ever-present, including in sleep, it is not perceived. It cannot be known in sleep all at once. It must first be realized in the waking state, for it is our true nature underlying all the three states. Efforts must be made only in the jagrat state and the Self realized here and now. It will afterwards be understood and realized to be continuous Self, uninterrupted by jagrat, svapna and sushupti. Thus it is akhandakara vritti (unbroken experience). 

Vritti is used for lack of a better expression. It should not be understood to be literally a vritti. In that case, vritti will resemble an ocean-like river, which is absurd. Vritti is of short duration, it is qualified directed consciousness; or absolute consciousness broken up by cognition of thoughts, senses etc. Vritti is the function of the mind, whereas the continuous consciousness transcends the mind. This is the natural, primal state of the jnani or the liberated being. That is unbroken experience. It asserts itself when relative consciousness subsides. Aham-vritti (I-thought) is broken, aham sphurana (the light of 'I-I') is unbroken, continuous. After the thoughts subside, the light shines forth.