Ramana Maharshi/Self-Enquiry

[Guest guest]

The teachings of the Sage of Arunachala, Ramana Maharishi, who guided me and

blessed me in my early youth focus almost

exclusively on the Self-Enquiry involving asking the question "Who Am I" and

holding on to resulting "Awareness" in all conditions. He wrote very little

except some poetry and a few selected translations of classic works (See the

Collected works of Ramana Maharshi). He also addressed questions pertaining to

Kundalini Shakti and different Samadhis when appropriate. Anyone interested in

this approach should read conversations with Ramana Maharishi or other books

written about him. A book that I would recommend is "Talks with Ramana Maharshi"

which is a compilation of conversations

recorded by Ramanaananda Sarswati (between 1935-1939).

 

Carl Jung called Ramana Maharshi "The purest (or the whitest) spot in a white

land." Many of the greatest Yogis and Spiritual Masters of India (Some of who

later came to the U.S to teach) went to the sacred Hill of Arunachala to be in

the presence of this great Sage. I believe Swami Nityananda (Guru of Baba

Muktananda) also visited there as did Swami Rama, founder of the Himalayan

Institute. Swami Yogananda of SRF went there to visit and asked questions.

Various Holy men and Shankracharyas used to go to him to clear their doubts. My

teacher in his teen years, used to visit Sri

Ramana Maharishi as well.

 

Many people have the mistaken impression that the teaching of the Sage of

Arunachala is not compatible with Shakti Yoga. Let me

say clearly that growing in awareness of I AM is not inconsistent with any

particular spiritual practice and indeed will aid in such

practices including those associated with Shakti Yoga. At the same time no

particular spiritual practice is essential if one is earnestly

holding on to the self awareness. Grace plays the final role and takes the

feeling/awareness of I AM and it Merges it or Swallows it.

That state is beyond expression as language cannot capture it, thought being

absent, mind having been absorbed, Stillness Alone

Remains without any ripples. It is simply the Self, the Reality which You Are.