Self-investigation and being free of thoughts

In a Zoom meeting with Ramana Kendra, Delhi, on 12th September 2021 Michael James answered the following six sets of questions about the practice of self-investigation and other aspects of Bhagavan’s teachings:

1. Awareness is knowing. And I know I exist and I also know that I am aware. Is this self-awareness?
2. Is a thoughtless state the same as holding on to the ‘I’ thought?
3. How does one distinguish between the dualistic peace that one feels due to the absence of thoughts and the peace that is the real nature of the self?
4. I had an experience when only witnessing was taking place... there was no witness... it’s hard to explain... do you have anything to say about it..?
5. How does one overcome headaches during self-enquiry?
6. What is vishaya vasana? Inherent tendencies?

While answering these questions, Michael refers to and/or discusses the following passages from Bhagavan’s writings:

Upadēśa Undiyār verse 13, 16, 17 and 25

Upadēśa Sāram verses 16 and 17:

मान संतुकिं मार्ग णेकृते ।
नैव मानसं मार्ग आर्जवात् ॥

māna saṁtukiṁ mārga ṇēkṛtē
naiva mānasaṁ mārga ārjavāt

पदच्छेद: मानसम् तु किम् मार्गणे कृते न एव मानसम्. मार्गः आर्जवात्.

Padacchēda: mānasam tu kim mārgaṇē kṛtē na ēva mānasam. mārgaḥ ārjavāt.

English translation: Doing investigation what the mind actually is, there is no mind at all. The straight path.

Explanatory paraphrase: When one investigates what the mind actually is, [it will be clear that] there is no mind at all. [This is] the straight [or direct] path.

Nāṉ Ār? paragraph 4, 6, 7, 10, 11 and 14

Uḷḷadu Nāṟpadu verse 4, 6, 25 and 38

This episode can also be watched as a video: 2021-09-12 Ramana Kendra, Delhi: Michael discusses self-investigation and being free of thoughts.