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Indian PhilosophyOS

intermediate · 13 steps

Who am I?

A path through the texts that make the question 'Who am I?' their centre, from the Gita and Upanishads to Advaita manuals and Ramana Maharshi. It follows mainly the Advaita line of interpretation and closes with a contrast from Buddhism so the alternative is visible.
Editorial overview
13 steps
  1. 1Gita verse · Bhagavad Gita 2.13The body changes, you don'tKrishna points to the one who witnesses childhood, youth and old age.
  2. 2Gita verse · Bhagavad Gita 2.20Unborn and undyingThe Self described as never born and never dying.
  3. 3Gita verse · Bhagavad Gita 13.1Field and knower of the fieldThe body is the field; the one who knows it is the knower.
  4. 4Text · Katha UpanishadKatha UpanishadNachiketa asks Death what lies beyond death; the teaching turns to the Self.
  5. 5Text · Mandukya UpanishadMandukya UpanishadWaking, dream, deep sleep and the fourth — the Self examined through states of consciousness.
  6. 6Text · Brihadaranyaka UpanishadBrihadaranyaka UpanishadThe Self as the unseen seer, approached by 'not this, not this'.
  7. 7Concept · Neti neti — not this, not thisNeti netiNegating every object to point to the subject.
  8. 8Text · Tattva BodhaTattva BodhaA beginner's Advaita manual of terms: three bodies, five sheaths, three states.
  9. 9Text · VivekachudamaniVivekachudamaniThe traditional classic on discerning the Self from the not-self.
  10. 10Text · Ashtavakra GitaAshtavakra GitaA radical, advanced dialogue declaring the Self already free.
  11. 11Thinker · Ramana MaharshiRamana MaharshiA modern sage who taught tracing the 'I'-thought to its source.
  12. 12Text · Who Am I? (Nan Yar)Who Am I? (Nan Yar)Ramana's short text on the method of self-inquiry.
  13. 13Concept · Anatta (Anatman)A contrast: no-selfThe Buddhist analysis finds no permanent self — an essential counterpoint.