Path of Inquiry

Path of Inquiry

Bhakta: At least to keep up appearances in the world one has to sometime say, ‘this is mine.’ What is one to do then?

Swami: Of course, you may have to say so. But simply because you say so, what need is there for you to feel separateness between I and you? When you travel in a carriage, do you take the carriage as ‘I’? Look at the Sun. He gets reflected in a small pot filled with water, in a broad river, in a mirror, or on a polished pot. For this reason, does the Sun feel that all these things are ‘He’? Does He get sad when the pot breaks, or the river gets dry? This is exactly like that. If you take ‘I’ to be the body, then it is all bother! If you don’t take it so, you will shine like the Sun, independent of anything else. Besides, you will be immanent everywhere.

Bhakta: That is as much as to say each must first discover for himself who he is.

Swami: Exactly. Inquire into that first. Of course, for those who are not competent, this will be too hard. So, those experienced in this line say that such men should not be told these things. If you tell, ‘You are Yourself Brah­mam,’ ‘You have attained moksha [liberation], You are in that stage’ to those not competent, they will do no sadhana, they will act without any rule or order, and they will pay no regard to right and wrong. This must be revealed only by a Guru or by the command of the Lord! Those who have the thirst and the determination to undergo the discipline of course can ask about it! But it must be practiced; there is no use simply hearing it and repeating, ‘All is One’. That is meaningless.

Bhakta: Swami, Shankara has already said, “Viswam­darpana drsyamaananagaree thulyam hi anthargatham’ etc. (inner meaning: The world, if you really penetrate into it, is like a city seen through a mirror). This vision that the Jagath (Universe) is unreal, that it is all maya (illusion)…is this for common people or for jnanis also?

Swami: The jnani’s eye sees all things as Brahmam! The ajnani or the person without jnana cannot understand whatever is said! So all Shastras are intended to benefit the middlings.

Bhakta: This means that all Sadhanas are included in the Vicharana Marga, the Path of Inquiry?

Swami: Yes. The teaching of the Vedanta is about ‘Who am I?’. And to make this inquiry, only those equipp­ed with the Four Instruments are competent. The purpose of the four is to realize that the atma is real and that all else is unreal; also to discriminate between atma and all else.

Bhakta: How is that to be realized, Swami?

Swami: By inquiring into the nature of the atma. First, they do all varieties of sadhana and finally enter upon this. While a child, they teach you A B C D, isn’t it? Even M. A. and B. A. curricula consist of this A B C D and their permutations and combinations! But to realize this fact one has to complete one’s studies! The Shastras are based on akshara, meaning both letter and the Imperishable. All margas (paths) are based on the Vichara Marga.

Bhakta: But there are some who attain samadhi. Will they have all this enquiry etc. in samadhi?

Swami: Wonderful fellow! How can there be enquiry in samadhi? When you sleep soundly, do you have any thoughts about the world around you? This is also like that.

Bhakta: There will be no manas [mind] in samadhi, isn’t it?

Swami: The manas that persists in sleep will be there also.

Bhakta: They talk of a Thuriya Stage, (a Beyond Stage) in samadhi. What is that, Swami?

Swami: Beyond the Waking, the Dreaming, and the Deep sleep Stages.

Bhakta: Why is it that those stages are absent there? What are the characteristics of that stage?

Swami: Those three are the characteristics of I-ness. Ahamkara, time, person with manas who does all acts. That will not be present in the Turiya Stage. It would have disappeared long ago. For them, it is all the same, with eyes open or with eyes closed. It is all One.

Bhakta: Swami, without that aham, how can they talk?

Swami: What was aham in the beginning, when the Reality is grasped, is transformed as Swarupa, the True Entity; this is referred to as the Destruction of the Mind, Mano-naasanam.

Bhakta: So, this Nirvikalpa Samadhi is all Naasanam?

Swami: Well, my boy, Samadhis are all merging, layas, not destruction. The sadhaka stage is when you have both construction and destruction.

Bhakta: This subject is very interesting, Swami.

Swami: Don’t sit quiet, merely appreciating it. Practice it in daily life. All right, you can take leave.

Bhakta: Very good, Swami. Please bless me in that practice. I shall be back soon.

Source: Sandeha Nivarin

Path of Inquiry

The journey of self-discovery often begins with questions that arise deep within the heart. Path of Inquiry is not merely about searching for answers in books or listening to the words of great teachers; it is about awakening the inner wisdom that quietly guides every soul. In a world filled with distractions, noise, and endless desires, many seekers turn toward silence and contemplation to understand the deeper meaning of existence. The Path of Inquiry encourages individuals to look beyond external appearances and discover the truth hidden within their own consciousness.

From ancient times, sages and spiritual masters have emphasized the value of questioning. They taught that true growth begins when a person sincerely asks who they really are and what their purpose in life may be. The Path of Inquiry invites seekers to move beyond fear, doubt, and confusion by observing life with awareness and humility. Rather than blindly accepting every belief, this sacred approach inspires thoughtful reflection and spiritual awakening. Through meditation, prayer, and self-analysis, one slowly begins to understand the divine presence that exists in every living being.

Many spiritual traditions speak about the importance of inner observation. When the mind becomes calm, answers naturally emerge from within. The Path of Inquiry is therefore not a path of argument or intellectual pride, but a path of sincerity and openness. It teaches that every experience in life can become a lesson when viewed with awareness. Challenges become opportunities for transformation, while moments of silence become gateways to peace and understanding.

At Devotional India, spiritual teachings often remind readers that wisdom is not limited to scriptures alone. True understanding blossoms when knowledge is combined with personal experience. The Path of Inquiry helps individuals connect spiritual teachings with daily life, making spirituality practical and meaningful. Instead of escaping the world, seekers learn to live with compassion, patience, and truthfulness while remaining connected to their inner self.

The beauty of the Path of Inquiry lies in its simplicity. A seeker does not need wealth, status, or recognition to walk this journey. What is needed is honesty and a willingness to learn. Every question asked with purity opens the door to deeper awareness. As understanding grows, the restless mind slowly becomes peaceful, and the heart begins to experience contentment that cannot be found through material success alone.

According to the wisdom shared by Devotional India, spiritual inquiry also strengthens faith. When people sincerely seek truth, they begin to recognize the unity behind all religions and traditions. Differences gradually disappear, replaced by love and respect for all beings. The Path of Inquiry ultimately leads a person toward compassion, selflessness, and inner harmony.

In modern times, where stress and uncertainty affect countless lives, spiritual reflection has become more important than ever. The Path of Inquiry offers a timeless reminder that true peace comes from within. By questioning negative habits, understanding emotions, and seeking higher values, individuals can transform their lives in meaningful ways. This sacred journey helps people move from confusion to clarity and from restlessness to wisdom.

Through continuous learning and reflection, every seeker discovers that the destination and the journey are one. As shared through Devotional India, the search for truth is not separate from life itself. The Path of Inquiry becomes a lifelong process of awakening, inspiring individuals to live with awareness, kindness, and devotion. In the end, the seeker realizes that the truth they searched for was always present within their own heart, waiting to be discovered through sincere inquiry and spiritual understanding.

Devotional India continues to inspire spiritual seekers by sharing teachings that encourage self-discovery, devotion, and inner peace for all.

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