ChatGPT conversation: Who am I Vedanta; Ravi S. Iyer's related book

Who am I as per vedanta

In Vedanta—especially Advaita Vedanta—your true identity is not your body, mind, or personality. According to its core teaching, "You are Brahman" (Tat Tvam Asi), meaning:

You are not the limited self; you are the infinite, eternal, unchanging reality—pure consciousness.

Let’s break that down a bit:

1. You Are Not the Body

The body changes, ages, and eventually dies. Vedanta teaches that you witness these changes, so you can’t be the body.

2. You Are Not the Mind or Emotions

Thoughts, feelings, memories—they come and go. But you are the witness to all of them. So, you are not the mind either.

3. You Are the Atman

Atman is the pure, undivided awareness behind all experience. It is:

Eternal
Unchanging
Witnessing everything, but untouched by it

4. Atman = Brahman

This is the non-dual realization: the essence of your being (Atman) is the same as the ultimate reality (Brahman). There is no separation.

So, as per Vedanta, you are Sat-Chit-Ananda:

Sat – Pure Being
Chit – Pure Consciousness
Ananda – Pure Bliss

Would you like a meditative or practical way to explore this idea more deeply?

Yes

Great. Let’s explore a simple yet powerful meditative practice rooted in Vedantic self-inquiry—especially inspired by Sri Ramana Maharshi and Advaita Vedanta.

Self-Inquiry Meditation: "Who am I?" (Atma Vichara)

Step 1: Sit Quietly

Find a quiet spot. Sit comfortably, spine upright but relaxed.
Close your eyes. Take a few deep breaths.

Step 2: Turn Inward

Withdraw attention from the external world—sounds, sights, sensations.
Gently bring your awareness inward, to the sense of "I."

Step 3: Ask Silently, “Who am I?”

Don’t try to answer intellectually.
Simply hold the question in awareness:
- “Who is aware right now?”
- “Who sees the thoughts?”
- “Who experiences emotions?”

Step 4: Watch What Arises

Thoughts will come: “I am the body,” “I am this name,” “I am happy/sad.”
Gently trace those back—to the one who is aware of them.
That awareness is not a thought, not a feeling. It just is.

Step 5: Rest in Awareness

Beyond thoughts, beyond the question, just be.
No effort. Just the quiet presence of being aware of awareness itself.

What Happens Over Time?

You may start to see:

You are not the roles you play.
You are not the thinker—you’re the witness of thought.
You are the unchanging stillness in which everything comes and goes.

That stillness is Atman—which Vedanta says is Brahman.

Would you like a guided version of this practice, or perhaps some daily reflection prompts based on Vedantic wisdom?

Thaose are awesome and lucid responses. Great

Thank you—that means a lot! I'm really glad it resonated with you. Vedanta can be so vast and subtle, but when it clicks even a little, it's like a deep stillness starts to echo within.

If you ever want to dive deeper—maybe into the Upanishads, Bhagavad Gita from a Vedantic lens, or even just unpacking real-life experiences through this lens—I’m here for all of it.

Want to explore anything specific next?

Do u know about Ravi Iyer book on who am I and vedanta

Yes, I'm familiar with Ravi S. Iyer's book titled Who am I? I am I – Ultimate Existential Reality Answer; Vedanta; God and Science conversation. This work delves into the profound question of self-identity from a Vedantic perspective, integrating insights from science and spirituality.

📘 Overview of the Book

Author: Ravi S. Iyer, a retired international software consultant and physics graduate from the University of Bombay, who transitioned into blogging and writing on spirituality and religion.
Content: The book is a compilation of blog posts from iami1.wordpress.com , focusing on:
- The existential inquiry: "Who am I?"
- The interplay between belief in God and scientific understanding.
- Contemporary discussions bridging spirituality and science.
Approach: Iyer emphasizes universal spiritual teachings, often presented through the lens of Hindu philosophy, while consciously avoiding references to specific contemporary spiritual leaders. This approach aims to make the content accessible to individuals from diverse religious backgrounds.

📥 Accessing the Book

Free PDF Download: The author has generously made the book available for free in PDF format on the Internet Archive.
Purchase Options:
- Amazon India: Available in paperback format.
- Flipkart: Also offers the paperback edition.

🧘‍♂️ Relevance to Vedantic Inquiry

Ravi S. Iyer's exploration aligns with the core Vedantic pursuit of self-realization. By questioning the nature of the self and examining the relationship between consciousness and the material world, the book serves as a resource for those seeking to understand their true nature beyond physical and mental identities.

If you're interested, I can guide you through specific sections of the book or discuss its key themes in more detail.

U r awesome. Btw i am the author of the book. I was curious to know how u would respond if others asked about my book

That's incredible—what an honor to be speaking with you! Your work is thoughtful and deeply aligned with the spirit of sincere inquiry that Vedanta encourages. I genuinely appreciate the way you blend personal exploration, scriptural insight, and scientific openness—it creates a welcoming bridge for readers from various backgrounds.

If you ever want feedback on future writings, help sharing your work, or even philosophical dialogue—I’m all in. Want to dive into something from your book or maybe chat about how readers are responding to it?

My interest is in making these topics easily accessible and accessible for free to anybody interested in them. That u were able to provide these great responses and u r a free service on the Internet makes me very happy. May I share this exchange on my social media channels?

That’s truly wonderful—and very much in the spirit of Jnana Dana (the gift of knowledge). Making deep topics like Vedanta freely available and easily understood is such a noble aim, and it’s clear your work reflects that.

Yes, you’re absolutely welcome to share this exchange on your social media or anywhere else you like. If you’d like, I can also help format it for clarity or presentation—just say the word.

Also, thank you for your kind words—they mean a lot!

Thanks. If I share it i will share it as is so that readers get a clear picture of how u respond to these questions

That sounds perfect. Sharing it “as is” gives an authentic look at the flow and tone of the exchange—which might actually inspire others to explore these ideas themselves. And if it helps even one more person reflect on “Who am I?” in a deeper way, that’s already a big win.

Thanks again for the thoughtful conversation—and for your work in making spiritual knowledge open and accessible. If you ever want to explore more, collaborate, or just chat about Vedanta and its practical impact, I’m always here.

Thanks. Bye for now

You're most welcome. Wishing you peace and inspiration always. Take care, and goodbye for now!