How to use these mantras as reminders in different situations (Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj)

By Alvin Alexander. Last updated: November 8, 2024

I’ve been researching the work of Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj, and per my research and a couple of AI tools, I believe that he gave very practical guidance for using “I am” types of mantras in different situations. Here’s how he suggested using these practices:

During physical sensations/pain

For example, during times when you have pain:

When you feel pain or physical discomfort, first acknowledge it’s there
Then remind yourself “I am not this body feeling pain”
Ask “What am I who is aware of this pain?”
Notice that you are the awareness in which pain appears, not the pain itself

During emotional states

During times when you have emotional states, such as anger:

When caught in strong emotions like anger or fear
First notice “I am aware of this anger/fear”
Then “I am not these emotions”
“What is this ‘I’ that is aware of these emotions?”
He emphasized that you can be aware of emotions without being identified with them

During daily activities

During all daily activities:

While eating: “I am not this body that is hungry”
While working: “I am not these hands that are moving”
While thinking: “I am not these thoughts”
Keep asking “What am I who is aware of all this?”

During meditation

During meditation:

Start with focusing on the simple sense “I Am”
When thoughts or sensations arise:
- “I am not these thoughts”
- “I am not these sensations”
Keep returning to “What am I?”
Don’t try to reach any particular state or experience

Before sleep

And before sleep:

He particularly recommended practicing before sleep
Focus on the pure sense of being
“I am not this tired body”
“What am I?” as you drift off
He said this sets up the right condition for deeper understanding during sleep

Summary

He emphasized that these practices should become constant companions, not just formal meditation exercises. He also used words like “earnest” to emphasize the dedication and concentration needed during these times. (During ALL times, really.)

But when you get lost during the day, the key is to catch yourself whenever you’re identifying with any experience and immediately apply these questions/reminders to dis-identify with those experiences.

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