meditation self inquiry

A visitor: What is the difference between meditation (dhyana) and investigation (vichara)?

Maharshi: Both amount to the same. 

Those unfit for investigation must practise 

meditation. 

In this practice the aspirant forgetting himself meditates ‘I am Brahman’ or ‘I am Siva’; thus he continues to hold to Brahman 

or Siva; this will ultimately end on the residual Being as Brahman or Siva which he will realise to be Pure Being, i.e. the Self.

He who engages in investigation starts holding on to himself, asks ‘Who am I?’ and the Self becomes clear to him.

Devotee: Will the knowledge gained by direct experience be lost afterwards?

Maharshi: Kaivalya Navanita says it may be lost. Experience gained without rooting out all the vasanas cannot remain steady. Efforts must be made to eradicate the vasanas. Otherwise rebirth after death takes place. Some say direct experience results from hearing from one’s master; others say it is from reflection; yet others say from one-pointedness and also from samadhi. Though they look different on the surface, ultimately they mean the same. 

Knowledge can remain unshaken only after all the vasanas are rooted out.

- Talks with Sri Ramana Maharshi. Talk 172.