Is Ramana's self-enquiry the same thing as Gurdjieff's self-remembering?

 

Q: What are some similarities and differences between Sri Ramana Maharshi's atma vichara (self-enquiry) and Gurdjieff's self-remembering? They seem to produce a similar outcome, and also involve some sort of meta awareness of one's 'self'?

Ramana Maharshi's self-enquiry and Gurdjieff's self-remembering are both spiritual practices that aim to facilitate self-awareness and self-realization, but they come from different philosophical and cultural backgrounds. While there might be some similarities in their underlying principles, they are not exactly the same thing. Let's explore each concept in more detail:

1. **Ramana Maharshi's Self-Enquiry:**

Ramana Maharshi was a renowned Indian sage who taught a practice called "self-enquiry" (also known as "Atma Vichara" in Sanskrit). This practice involves directing one's attention inward and asking the question, "Who am I?" or a similar enquiry into the nature and essence of one's "I" experience. External objects and phenomena are excluded and one's full attention is given to the feeling of "I" or "I am", beingness etc. The goal of self-enquiry is to lead the individual's awareness from identification with the ego and external phenomena towards recognizing the true nature of the self or consciousness. The process involves continuous self-inquiry to uncover the source of the "I" thought (or ego or egoic aware mind) and to realize one's essential nature beyond the ego, or that which is the source of the arisen ego.

2. **Gurdjieff's Self-Remembering:**

G.I. Gurdjieff was an influential spiritual teacher known for his teachings on self-development and consciousness evolution. He introduced the concept of "self-remembering," which involves maintaining a heightened awareness of oneself and at the same time one's surroundings throughout daily life. This is slightly different from self-observation, which involves paying attention to one's thoughts, actions, reactions and experience in the same way as being an external or objective observer. Self-remembering, according to Gurdjieff, helps individuals break free from mechanical reactions and unconscious behaviors, allowing them to develop a deeper connection to their true essence or higher self.

While both self-enquiry and self-remembering involve introspection and self-awareness, they have distinct methods and approaches:

Approach:

Ramana Maharshi's self-enquiry involves asking the question "Who am I?" and diving deep into the investigation of the self's nature. It's a direct inquiry into one's own existence.

Gurdjieff's self-remembering emphasizes maintaining a continuous awareness of oneself in various situations, aiming to break automatic responses and habitual thought patterns.

Context:

Ramana Maharshi's teachings are rooted in traditional Advaita Vedanta philosophy and have a strong foundation in Indian spirituality and meditation practices.

Gurdjieff's teachings emerged from his own experiences and a blend of various spiritual traditions, including Sufism, Eastern spirituality, and Western esotericism.

While the ultimate goal of both practices is to facilitate self-awareness and realization, they are presented within different frameworks and methodologies. Whether you resonate more with the introspective approach of self-enquiry or the active self-remembering of Gurdjieff's teachings will depend on your personal inclinations and spiritual journey. It's important to study and explore both approaches to understand their nuances and potential benefits.