Three Questions That Transform your Life
You are asking about self-investigation and self-inquiry, which guide you toward spiritual awakening. It’s not easy to understand, because it is not simple. The process cannot be expressed in a single word, sentence, or even a few hours of talk. Many people have spoken about it in different ways, using various methodologies based on their own experiences.
From my perspective, self-investigation is based on three key questions, which you must answer for yourself, no matter which path you take. These questions can be experienced in many ways and they are essential to the journey. Answering them will provide you with everything you need to move forward.
The first question typically arises during a crisis or major life event: “What do I really want?” It can manifest in various forms, such as: “What am I looking for?” “What is missing in my life?” or even “What am I doing here?” This question is not about material desires and possessions, but rather about your deeper inner longing.
I believe that answering it may take years, or even a lifetime, and may not be easy to approach. t’s not a question to be answered by the mind, as the mind already knows its desires. This question is a key that connects you to life and your true self. You only need to be honest with it and answer through experience and self-inquiry. This will lead you to the next question.
Once you are clear about the first question, the second arises: “Where am I in relation to that?” Now, you’ve figured out what you want, but where is your attention regarding that? This question gradually guides you toward alignment with what you are seeking. It makes you watchful, not just of your actions, but of where your attention goes. As you engage with this question, your life begins to transform. Your desires become clearer, and your activities align with your true purpose. Your activities in life will change, and everything will start to make more sense. Your interests and actions will be guided toward the direction of your deepest longing, your true desires. By staying with this question, you will begin to transcend duality, confusion, and inner chaos. The transformation is gradual, but your perspective, behavior, and relationships will shift.
I want to emphasize again that although there are only three questions, answering them can take many years. However, I would also say that the more intelligent ones will not take so many years. They won’t waste time wandering around, letting the mind decide for them what it wants. I believe that if there is a technique, a method, or a guide, it’s only to help you clarify your direction in relation to these questions.
The final question is: “Who am I?” This question may seem simple, but it requires a deep background of inner work to approach. No one can answer it for you—it’s your responsibility as a spiritual seeker. Maturity means being able to answer these questions. At the very least, you can figure out what you are truly looking for, and some honesty is needed to see where your attention lies. This is what makes it difficult and creates disappointment—because many seekers have preconceived ideas but those need to be cleansed and polished.
The first two questions strongly influence your actions and relationships, as they guide your life toward your true path. It will affect every part of your life. Your perspective, your behavior and your relationships will transform, and your environment will begin to shift in alignment with your newfound direction.
When you understand what you want, the direction you’re heading becomes clear. This is a very sensitive and powerful moment in your life. I believe that if there is a conscious choice to be made, that is the moment when you must choose.
I believe effort is needed for the first question, and then you need to stay intensely focused on the second one. The answer to the third question will come to you spontaneously. You can call it grace—the grace of the divine or existence—because existence understands that you seek existence, that you seek the divine, that you seek the Self.