Self-Inquiry (Sanskrit vichara, also called jnana-vichara[1] or ātma-vichār), is the constant attention to the inner awareness of "I" or "I am" recommended by Sage Ramana Maharshi as the most efficient and direct way of discovering the unreality of the "I"-thought.

Most basic meditation techniques, such as following the breath, reciting a mantra/Japa and awareness of sensation, aim to relax the body, quiet the mind and cultivate mindful awareness of the present moment. But these techniques don’t encourage 'the backward step'... to find out who is the one who is suffering.

In traditional metaphor, they calm the pool of the mind and allow the sediment to settle, but they don’t cure the problem called "mind". 

For this, we need what the great 20th-century Advaita sage, Ramana Maharshi, called Atma Vichara, or SELF INQUIRY. Whether in the form of probing questions like “Who am I?” or deeper questioning with dialogues with a teacher.

Admittedly, self-inquiry is only for the spiritually adventurous, those who are obsessed with finding the answers to life’s deepest questions - people like the Buddha, who sat down after years of asceticism and vowed not to get up until he knew who he was. Or Ramana Maharshi, who, when overtaken by the fear of death at age 16, fervently inquired into who he was if not his physical body, and spontaneously awakened to his identity as the deathless, eternal Self. 

Not everyone has profound and transformative experiences like these renowned spiritual masters, but each of us in our own way has the potential to catch a life-altering glimpse of the radiant sun of our True Nature. In fact, only such glimpses have the potential to free us from suffering once and for all.

Traditionally, self-inquiry is an advanced practice often reserved for the spiritually mature. 

The twin practices of Self-abiding (or resting) as awareness and non-judgmental inquiry, work together like the left and right feet do when walking. 

First, we rest in the calmness and clarity of our basic sitting practice, whatever it may be. Then, when the waters are relatively still, we inquire. The inquiry may reveal a new level of insight into the silence and stillness of our essential nature that allows us to rest even more deeply. And from this deeper resting, we have the capacity to inquire even further.

Sanjay runs the Ramana Maharshi Centre for Self-Realisation in Melbourne with regular Satsangs/spiritual meetings with fellow spiritual seekers.