What am I?
- Sri Ramana Maharshi highlighted the question – Who am I? The teachings of Jiddu Krishnamurti prompt us to inquire – What am I? (Or what is I?)
- What makes the self? Is not the sense of ‘I’ just a construction of thoughts?
- In our fear, who (what) is afraid? In our pride, who (what) is proud? Who (what) is hurt, when we feel hurt? Is there a self other than fear, desire, doubt and envy?
- Is the self a physical entity or a mental affair? (Hardware or software?)
- Is the self a summation of our conditionings? Is it a product of memories?
- Why are some pleased, but others displeased, in the same situation? Are not all of us programmed differently? Are we mere programs?
- Considering the repetitive nature of our responses to situations, does it not seem that the self in us is almost a dumb machine?
- In creative moments, we break habitual patterns of thinking. Do we not feel then that ‘something else’ within us operated then? (Was the self in abeyance?)
- In saintly equanimity, is there no ‘me’ to feel the insult or relish the praise?
- In great objectivity, unbiased observation, where does the (little) self go?
- Can we understand the structure of the ego? Can such an attempt itself weaken the self?
- Can an intense observation of say, insecurity, lead to its disappearance?
Note: HOLDING ON TO ONE RIGHT QUESTION is more valuable than knowing many answers.
Swami Chidananda
Monday, April 07, 2003