Is Self- enquiry for everyone?
Question: Can this path of enquiry
be followed by all aspirants?
Answer: This is suitable only for the ripe souls. The rest should follow
different methods according to the state of their minds.
~ Extract from “Spiritual instructions” Sri Ramana
maharshi.
Question: “is it possible for all people to hold on to that
path of self-enquiry?”
For the latter, repetition of a prayer or holy name
under one’s breath (japa), worship of images, breath-control (pranayama), visualising a pillar of light (Jyotishtoma) and similar yogic and spiritual and religious practices have been
prescribed. By those practices, people become mature and will then realize the
Self through the path of Self-enquiry.
~ Extract from “Letters
of Bhagavan” Sri Ramana maharshi.
763. Only to such a mind
which has gained the inner strength of one-pointedness, Self-enquiry will be successful.
But a weak mind will be like wet wood put into the fire of jnana-vichara.
~ Extract from “Guru
vachaka kovai” talks of Sri Ramana maharshi.
“A student who treads the path of Truth must, therefore, first equip himself
with Sadhana Chatushtaya - the "four means of salvation". They are
discrimination, dispassion, the sixfold qualities of perfection, and intense
longing for liberation - Viveka, Vairagya, Shad-Sampat and Mumukshutva. Then
alone will he be able to march forward fearlessly on the path. Not an iota of
spiritual progress is possible unless one is endowed with these four
qualifications.”
~ by Sri swami Sivananda
Commentary: In jnana yoga is required from
the aspirant to equip himself with the four means of salvation. This is known as (Sadhana Chatushtaya).
When the aspirant is qualified
with the four means then has the necessary foundation to do meditation or self
enquiry effectively. Then alone self-realization is possible.
I will remind you also the classification in patanjali yoga which is accepted also in all other yoga with some differences.
1. Yama
2. Niyama
3. Asana
4. Pranayama
6. concentration
8. Samadhi
For a better understanding of the eight limbs of yoga you can read the book: Path to Blessedness - by Swami Chitananda
For a better understanding of the eight limbs of yoga you can read the book: Path to Blessedness - by Swami Chitananda
If we don’t fulfill the previous ones meditation and Samadhi are not possible.
Of course everyone can start to practice meditation or Self-enquiry from
the beginning of his journey in order to develop his capacity in these practices. But these
practices should be only a part of the daily program of the sadhana.
When all the necessary qualities of mind (such as purity,
one-pointedness, discrimination, dispassion, etc.) will be developed in a high
level then is possible the vedantic meditation or Self-enquiry to be the main
daily practice.