Basic Argument

1. We find, stunningly so, a great clue in the teaching of Sri Ramana Maharshi. This is that all thoughts stem from an I-thought (my parsing: that is, at least one I-thought or another). We should take this insight very seriously. Doing so will bring us into samskaric inquiry.

2. A samskara is a false identification with something such I think and feel that I am a limited entity, an entity limited by this or that. Now, samskaric inquiry is nothing but an elaborate neti neti. I study what’s “behind” thoughts and discover, time and again and uber alles, what I am not.

3. Discovering what I am not, I’m open to the question that animates all styles of self-inquiry: to wit, what am I, or who am I, or whence am I?

4. To be established completely in the source: this is what this path is about.

Clues To Samskaric Inquiry

1. Look for strong likes and strong dislikes. Ask: Who is the one behind these likes and dislikes?

2. Look at strong desires and great fears. Ask: Who is the one penetrated, say, by this enormous fear? On whose behalf is this fear arising?

3. Look at complaints and wishes. Ask: Who is complaining? What is “the character” of the one taken to complaining?

4. Most obviously, look at recurrent thoughts and feelings (fixations). Ask: Who is the one fixated on such and such?