Awareness is 'I'

Sri Ramana Maharshi

Q: When I seek the ‘I’, I see nothing.

B: You say that because you are accustomed to identify yourself with the body and sight with the eyes, but what is there to be seen? And by whom? And how? There is only one Consciousness and this, when it identifies itself with the body, projects itself through the eyes and sees the surrounding objects. The individual is limited to the waking state; he expects to see something different and accepts the authority of his senses. He will not admit that he who sees, the objects seen, and the act of seeing are all manifestations of the same Consciousness – the ‘I-I’. Meditation helps to overcome the illusion that the Self is something to see. Actually there is nothing to see. How do you recognise yourself now? Do you have to hold a mirror up in front of your self to recognise yourself? The awareness is itself the ‘I’. Realise it and that is the truth.

Q: When I enquire into the origin of thoughts, there is the perception of the ‘I’ but it does not satisfy me.

B: Quite right. Because this perception of ‘I’ is associated with a form, perhaps with the physical body. Nothing should be associated with the pure Self. The Self is the pure Reality in whose light the body, the ego and all else shine. When all thoughts are stilled, pure Consciousness remains over.

Q: How did the ego arise?

B: There is no ego. If there were, you would have to admit of two selves in you. Therefore there is no ignorance. If you enquire into the Self, ignorance, which is already non-existent, will be found not to exist and you will say that it has fled.