Self-inquiry (the path of discrimination and the path of the intellect) or jnana yoga (union through knowledge) has been part of yoga and other systems of spiritual practice for centuries. The primary aim of self-inquiry is to dissolve the suffering caused by the identification of the mind/ego with pain, discomfort and the failure of desires. This is done by remaining established in the witness – the unconditioned inner silence that resides within all of us. Although self inquiry can be practiced as a stand alone practice (non-relational self inquiry), it works best when it arises naturally due to the presence of the witness (relational self-inquiry). The witness is cultivated through daily practice of deep meditation.
Assuming one is engaged in daily deep meditation, here are five stages of mind that self-inquiry may play itself upon as we move along in our development:
1)Pre-Witnessing – Information and intellectual assessments about truth provide inspiration. They fuel a tendency to build mental castles in the air, ideas reacting with ideas. This is non-relational self-inquiry. So we do what is necessary to cultivate the witness.
2)Witnessing – Perceiving the world, our thoughts and feelings as objects separate from Self. It is the beginning of relational self-inquiry, chosen or not.
3)Discrimination – The reversal of identification by logical choices based on direct perception rooted in stillness. This is more advanced relational self-inquiry, which is able to discern the real from the unreal.
4)Dispassion – Rise of the condition of no judgment and no attachment. The process of self-inquiry becoming automatic to the point of all objects and self-inquiry itself being constantly dissolved in the witness.
5)Merging of Subject and Object – "I am That. You are That. All this is That." Ongoing outpouring divine love, service to others and unity.
Self-Inquiry or Jnana Yoga
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Posted - Mar 13 2008 : 08:02:28 AM
