What Is Truly I? | The Basic Recognition (Advaita Self-inquiry)

The Truth is simple. So the recognition of the Truth must also be simple. It is not a grand and epic journey but a simple basic recognition that reveals what is most grand and epic.

So, let us turn to this basic recognition.

First just drop all doubt on whether you can do this the right way, And drop any expectation that there will be a special experience to tell you that you have recognized.

The recognition is very basic.

To whom does this perception arise? To whom is this perception arising?

To you.

Notice, what is that "you"?

Notice between the thoughts, between the intake and outtake of breath.

To whom does this voice arise?

That is I.

Recognize that this is I.

It is like knowing what the sky is. The clouds, the sun and moon, the stars, these are not the sky, but appear in the sky. The sky is not blue, or black, or pink, or purple. But can contain all these hues.

In fact, the sky remains unseen. But there is no doubting the sky.

When you look up, you recognize...

Sky!

No matter what city you are looking from, the sky remains the sky. Perhaps in a prison cell with no windows, the sky may become just a memory. But the basic recognition here differs from this because it is more fundamental than this analogy.

As long as there is any experience, as long as there is consciousness, you can glance inwards and see.

To whom did this perception arise?

That is I.

Notice the answer between the thoughts.

To whom does this sensation arise?

Stop and notice in that pause between two breaths.

To whom does this voice arise?

To I.

Recognize, what is I?

This is I.

This is the basic recognition of what is truly I.

What is being noticed? The sensations and perceptions – these are just the clouds. But then there is the sky.

This sky is I.

Like the sky, what is truly I remains unseen. But also undeniably present.

To whom does this perception arise?

That is I.

Can it be said that this basic recognition is of a physical thing, of a body, or some individual mind or person?

No.

What is being recognized is purely the capacity of being aware.

Look carefully. What is being recognized is purely this capacity of being aware.

Who can claim the sky as their own? The idea of me; this person, is just these clouds passing by. But in this basic recognition, Awareness is being recognized as the true Self, as the true meaning of I. The universal meaning of I.

So, just return to this basic recognition.

Just as you can look up to see and recognize the sky, Look inwards to recognize what is truly I.