"Technique of Self Enquiry" Talk in English by Swami Aparajitananda, Chinmaya Mission Mangaluru.

Hari Om!
Prostrating to Bhagavān Ramana Maharshi, Swami Aparajitananda compassionately discusses the technique of Self enquiry in detail mainly based on "Upadesha Sāra".
Bhagavān indicates the Ārjava-mārga of manonāsha (not manolaya) resulting in immortality and bhāva-shūnya state of Sadbhāva-susthiti and declares this to be greatest Bhakti and Tapas.
Swamiji, analysing the quest of Happiness, which is our ultimate goal, discusses 3 stages of evolution of Sādhaka:
1. Karmakāndī - extrovert, workaholic, searching conducive environment and meditating for worldly success only.
2. Upāsaka - takes deep inward journey and works on state of mind for positive thoughts.
3. (Advanced) Jigñyāsu with pure mind, who finds out secret instruction from Scriptures, Guru and God that he is Witness of mind. To silence mind, which can otherwise lead to creation and projection of world, Ramana Maharshi gives another tip to destroy aham-vritti on which all thoughts depend, to attain sama+dhī state of Supreme Reality and to gain right understanding about oneself. This puts an end to mind's job and mind is absorbed in core of Consciousness. Defining aham-vritti wonderfully, Swamiji also discusses manner of destroying/distancing from aham-vritti and gives example of Mundaka Upanishad metaphor of two birds.
Giving a practical tip, Swamiji remarks that in sorrows, we get more opportunity to deface ego. Therefore, God gives sorrows to Mumukshus. We should let Lord enter our heart and the real "I" shine.
Swamiji destroyed some general doubts by clarifying:
• Extent of use of japa, etc. in spiritual success.
• Impure mind cannot distinguish between real I and I-thought.
• Destroying mind means knowing the illusory nature of mind.
• Sign of spiritual progress is causeless joy.
• All can prepare the mind and make it a shock absorber.
(Talk on "Technique of Self Enquiry" followed by Q & A session with study groups of Chinmaya Mission, Koramangala centres in Bengaluru, India)