Beginners can indeed engage in Self-Inquiry in a meaningful way, provided there is a clear understanding of what the practice actually involves. In the vision associated with Ramana Maharshi, almost everyone is a beginner in the sense of still being identified with body and mind, yet the inquiry into “Who am I?” is regarded as a direct and universal path, not a specialized discipline reserved for advanced practitioners. The essential accessibility of the method lies in the fact that everyone already has an immediate sense of “I,” which becomes the natural starting point. Effectiveness for a beginner does not imply immediate, stable realization, but rather a gradual clarification of this “I”-sense and a loosening of habitual identifications.

For such practice to be effective, certain inner qualities and orientations are emphasized. Earnestness and persistence—an authentic desire for truth or liberation—form the backbone of sustained inquiry. Proper understanding is equally crucial: the question “Who am I?” is not meant as an intellectual riddle but as a means of turning attention back toward the very sense of being, the bare “I am,” rather than toward conceptual answers. This involves tracing thoughts and emotions back to the one to whom they appear, and then allowing attention to rest in that subjectivity instead of following the stream of mental content.

In practical terms, the method can be applied whenever thoughts arise. One silently notes, “To whom has this thought arisen?” and recognizes, “To me,” then inquires, “Who am I?” and turns attention back to the feeling of “I.” The task is to remain with that simple sense of being—“I am,” without adding “this” or “that”—and to repeat this redirection whenever the mind wanders. Over time, this repeated turning back can foster moments where the background of awareness is more evident and identification with passing stories, roles, and emotions becomes less rigid.

Beginners often encounter predictable difficulties, which do not disqualify the practice but call for patience and clarity. The mind is habituated to moving outward, so the inward turn can feel unfamiliar, and there is a strong tendency to convert Self-Inquiry into a purely conceptual exercise. Many find themselves chasing thoughts, expecting dramatic experiences, or seeking verbal conclusions instead of simply abiding as awareness. Nonetheless, when there is sincerity, persistence, and a correct orientation toward the “I”-sense rather than toward discursive thinking, even an imperfect beginning in Self-Inquiry can be genuinely effective and transformative over time.