Thoughts are egoic consciousness...

Ramana Maharshi:

"You are awareness,

Awareness is another name for you,

Since you are awareness there is no need to attain or cultivate it."



Questioner: "How can I tell if I am making progress with my enquiry?"

"The degree of the absence of thoughts is the measure of your progress towards Self-Realization.

But Self-Realization itself does not admit of progress, it is ever the same.

The Self remains always in realization.

The obstacles are thoughts.

Progress is measured by the degree of removal of the obstacles to understanding that the Self is always realized.

So thoughts must be checked by seeking to whom they arise.

So you go to their source, where they do not arise."