Find Out Who You Are By Constant Self-Enquiry

Sri Annamalai Swami

Q: Has Swamiji realized the Self?

AS: Yes. But this is sometimes a strange question to answer. It is like having somebody ask you if you have become a human being. You are always a human being. You didn't have to do anything to accomplish it. You are self-evidently a human, so much so, it is strange to field questions about it.

Q: It is not self-evident to me.

AS: Then find out who you are.

Q: How does one find out who one is?

AS: You will find out by constantly doing self-enquiry. Ask yourself, 'Am I the body? Am I the mind?' When self-enquiry is deepened, you understand who you are.

Q: How long did it take for Swamiji to find out?

AS: If one is mature, one can realize it in this moment. If one is not mature one has to take up sadhana to make oneself receptive to the truth.

Q: Which category were you in?

AS: I served Bhagavan for more than 12 years. After that I came to this place because I wanted to be more established in the Self. After several years of sadhana I realized the Self.

Q: Is Swamiji totally established in the Self?

AS: Yes.

Q: What happens in the deep sleep state? Is it the same as when you are awake?

AS: Yes.

Q: I have heard that when people come close to Ramana, they could feel a penetrating peace. As I sit here in the presence of Swamiji, I feel nothing. Why is this?

AS: Not everyone felt peace in Bhagavan's presence. Madhava Swami served Bhagavan as his personal attendant for many years, but he claimed he felt no peace there. He used to have the same complaint as you.

In his later days he would say, "People are saying that whenever they are in the presence of Bhagavan they feel tremendous peace. But when I go inside Bhagavan's hall, it is like hell for me."

I am telling you this because the answer to your question is, 'Whether you feel peace or not in a jnani's presence depends on your maturity'. People who are mature are sensitive to the jnani's presence. Such people will immediately experience peace when they come in the presence of a jnani. Others have to wait. Buds that are ready to bloom open when the sun's rays fall on them Those who are not ready have to wait.