Investigation can only be into the non-self. (Ramana Maharshi)

A clarifying point for those engaged in self-inquiry:

"There is no investigation into the Atman. Investigation can only be into the non-self." (Sri Ramana Maharshi) Talk 78.

Q.: How to find the Atman?

M.: There is no investigation into the Atman. The investigation can only be into the non-self.
Elimination of the non-self is alone possible. The Self being always self evident will shine forth of itself.
The Self is called by different names - Atman, God, Kundalini, mantra, etc. Hold any one of them and the Self becomes manifest. God is no other than the Self.. (Talk 78; September 1935)

The Mystery of IT.

The Mystery is that

IT is completely without attribute

unperceivable, unknowable.

Yet IT is present and self-evident,

completely undeniable.

As such, it is nothing and everything.

IT comes to know Itself when and where

IT wills.

dp.

Enjoyment as an innate product of Self. (Adi Shankaracharya)

A short verse from Sankara, which implies the dependence of all phenomena (and their enjoyment) on the ever-present ever-blissful Self (Atman) that you are- rather than the conventional view of inherently existing external objects, which seem to be the cause of our enjoyment as a limited individual.

----

विषय स्वतः प्रिय नही होते, किन्तु आत्मा के लिए ही प्रिय होते हैं,
क्योंकि स्वतः प्रियतम तो सबका आत्मा ही है ।
इसलिए आत्मा सदा आनन्दस्वरूप है, इसमें दुःख कभी नही है तभी सुषुप्ति
में विषयों का अभाव रहते हुए भी आत्मानंद अनुभव होता है । इस विषय में श्रुति,
प्रत्यक्ष, एतिह्य (इतिहास) और अनुमान-प्रमाण जागृत (मौजूद) हैं ।


Sense-objects are pleasurable only as dependent on the Atman manifesting through them, and not independently, because the Atman is by Its very nature the most beloved of all. Therefore the Atman is ever blissful, and never suffers misery.

That in profound sleep we experience the bliss of the Atman independent of sense-objects, is clearly attested by the Shruti, direct perception, tradition and inference.

श्रीमद आदि शंकराचार्य द्वारा रचित विवेक-चूड़ामणि
Vivek-Chudamani by Shrimad Adi Shankaracharya

Self and Not-Self in both Buddhism and Advaita Vedanta

Excellent thoughts on the differences and similarities between Buddhist and Advaita doctrines of self, and not-self. Written by Colin Drake.

Links below:

advaita-academy.org - Articles - Atman and Anatta (1 of 3)
advaita-academy.org - Articles - Atman and Anatta (2 of 3)
advaita-academy.org - Articles - Atman and Anatta (3 of 3)