Garland, Talks

[Guest guest]

The Garland of Guru's Sayings

by Sri Muruganar is my favorite source

of Sri Ramana's Teachings.

Especially for practice instructions.

 

If Sri Ramana Maharshi

had never actually spoken any of the words

recorded in the book

Garland of Guru's sayings,

it would still be my favorite source

of Sri Ramana's teachings,

because it contains some practice instructions

that if one actually practices them,

allow one to realize the Self very quickly,

and to reach the state of

no problems, no misery, no questions

almost immediately.

 

The accuracy of the the recording

of the liberated Sage Muruganar

is not important for one whose motivation

is liberation right now

and not shcolarship.

Such a hungry one will find the right

instructions and practice them

and be liberated now in this lifetime.

 

Regarding the book "Talks with Sri Ramana Maharshi":

 

The following is from SADHU ARUNACHALA'S

(Major A.W. Chadwick) January 1, 1955 introduction:

 

"The completed notes were often shown to visitors

for verification,

but the whole had the seal of approval of Sri Bhagavan himself,

as the records were always shown to him for his approval

or the necessary alteration

after they had been entered in the notebook."

 

Please notice the word "always" above.

 

Major Chadwick was present during the time Talks

was being recorded. He had a chance to witness first hand

what was or was not being done.

 

There are a few doubts that can be very beneficial

and change the course of one's practice

as happened in my case.

 

However, most dobuts are not beneficial,

they are detours and delays.

 

For most of the time that Swami Ramananda Saraswati

(Sri Mungala S. Venkatramiah) was recording the "Talks"

he was allowed to take notes in Sri Ramana's presence

while Sri Ramana was speaking.

 

Therefore instead of focussing on the very short period of time

that he was not allowed to take notes,

let us look at the fact that for most of the time he was

allowed to take notes.

 

This gives us one of the few records of dialogs

where most of the record had more than just memory to go by,

in the form of notes taken while Sri Ramana was speaking.

 

Take care,

 

with Love,

 

Michael L.