A Peaceful Place

"I am" is the fundamental expression of awareness. It is not personal. To become personal there has to be an object. For example, "I am Joe. Or "I am sad". Or "I am male," or "I am female." 

Nisargadatta recommends that we contemplate that simple "I am" without any other object. This keeps it impersonal. The end result is that eventually one identifies with impersonal awareness. This identity shift removes one's personal identifications, which removes us from much suffering, and quiets the mind. 

So, if you are looking for a simple meditation that works. This is a method that anyone can use and do anywhere. The result is that one can say "things happen, I do not do them." The person remains. It goes to work, eats, sleeps, has good days and bad days, but the impersonal self remains the focal point, and that is a peaceful place. 

Ego Nothing?

Compared to the Absolute, the small self is a nothing. It's a construct. But, it is an emanation from source, and it is due some respect. I have found that it is only people with a strong ego that can confront the fact of its 'nothingness." Defensive people don't have enough ego to confront its limitations. Paradoxical, like all subtle realities.

Misery

With realization, the small self knows he always was, and always will be That. And that's when the misery ends.