As the boundaries of the intellect keep expanding, new questions keep cropping
up. All these questions seek to elicit the principle behind the objects around
us. Every object evokes many questions in us. From where did this come? What
is its basis? What is the basis of that basis? The questions never end. The
end eludes us however deep we venture. Thus, as an individual grows in his
intellectual stature, the uncertainty growing out of unanswered questions
grow too, like the lengthening shadows.
As the intellect expands further, man's inquiry about the objects surrounding
him stops. Now he starts inquiring about himself. Then, questions like who
is 'I'? From where did 'I' come? start pestering him. Naturally, he will
want to find out the mother root of the entity called 'I'. For his effort
to yield the fruit, he must first figure out what 'I' stands for.
Man, who initially thinks that 'I' stands for the physical body will soon
realise his folly and assumes that it is the mind which is the real 'I'.
In due course of time, he will realise that Prana is the true 'I'. After
some time, he forges ahead in his understanding and decides that even Ahankara
(ego) is not the real 'I'. Thus, the original question remains unanswered.
In fact, if what constitutes 'I' is known, the knowledge about its source
will also be known. It is because of the erroneous assumption that 'I' stands
for entities such as the body, the mind or the intellect or Ahankara that
the search for its true meaning continues.
Take an onion. Start peeling off its layers. In the beginning, the layers
come off easily. As you progress, it becomes increasingly difficult to peel.
Do not lose heart. Continue. What do you see in the end? Nothing. All the
layers have come from nothing! Ahankara (ego), Prana (vital force), Manas
(mind), body etc., are in fact layers around you. When you peel them off
one by one, you can realise that principle which is devoid of name and form.
Thus, all that you have to do to realise the true nature of 'I' is to simply
peel off the layers. Observe this Sookti -
"That which is called as the Pratyagatma ('I'), which is devoid of name and
form is covered by different sheaths just as an onion is made of different
layers."
Remember the philosophy of onion whenever you see one!