The Teachings of Sri Ramana Maharshi (Arkana) - Be As You Are

While the style is anything but concise and to the point David Godman lays out the"teaching" of the Sage of Aranachula in a way that should be accessible, if not particularly helpful, to those of a western mindset.

In the early days of yoga, before there was Power Yoga or Yin Yoga -- or even Hatha Yoga or Raja Yoga, there were three approaches to yoga. Bhakti yoga was devotional yoga, the yoga of the believers who pursued the path through worship. Karma yoga was the yoga of action: practiced by doing selfless deeds. Jnana yoga, often said to the hardest, was the path of knowledge, and it involved intense study and – in particular – introspective study of the jnani’s own mind. Sri Ramana Maharshi was one of the most well-known Jnana yogis of modern times (he lived from 1879 to 1950.)

This book presents Sri Ramana’s teachings in a question and answer format. The editor, David Godman, begins each chapter with an overview of Ramana’s views on the subject at hand, and he then launches into the Q&A exchange that makes up most of each chapter. The preludes are beneficial not only because they set up the topic, but also because they help separate Ramana’s core beliefs from the way he occasionally explained matters to non-jnani’s or those who weren’t ready to grasp what he believed was the fundamental teaching. (There’s a fair amount of, “Until you realize the self, X is true, but after you achieve self-realization Y will be true.)

Sri Ramana’s central teaching is that the jnani must actively inquire about the nature of the true self (a practice called atma-vichara, or self-inquiry.) As such, the book is organized as a guide to building a practice of self-inquiry.

The book’s 21 chapters are divided among six parts. The first part investigates the self as Sri Ramana refers to it. This isn’t the individual self that one is normally referring to in common speech. Part II is entitled “Inquiry and Surrender” and three out of the four chapters, herein, discuss the process of self-inquiry. Three chapters may sound like a lot, but this practice really is the core of jnana yoga. These chapters not only explain how self-inquiry is done and what it’s supposed to achieve, they also contrast the practice with others that bear a resemblance to atma-vichara, such as reciting “Who am I?” as a mantra, as well as, neti-neti -- an exercise in negation in which one considers all the things that aren’t the self (e.g. “I am not my body.” “I am not this thought,” etc.)

Part III is about Gurus and transmission of teachings. It takes on such questions as: is a Guru necessary, and what constitutes a Guru (i.e. must it be a living human? Can it be a book?) The second chapter in this part is about sat-sang, which may be literally translated as “sitting with the guru,” but refers to a kind of transference that flows from being together.

Part IV is on meditation and yoga. Sri Ramana differentiates self-inquiry from meditation, though superficially they seem to be similar activities. He discusses dharana (concentration) and mantras in these chapters as well. One inclusion that may seem unrelated to the general theme is chapter 12, which is about the four-stage model of life called the asramas (student, householder, hermit, ascetic.) The chapter on yoga is about the eight limbs of yoga described by Patanjali, and their relevance to the practice of Jnana yogi. It should be noted that Ramana downplays the importance of these practices to the jnana yogi (a.k.a. Jnani) with the exception of pranayama (breathing exercises.)

Part V discusses samadhi, siddhi (supernormal psychic powers that some yogis believe can be achieved), and other challenges and phenomena that may be experienced during one’s practice of self-inquiry. While superpowers sound cool, Sri Ramana (as well as Patanjali) warned against he pursuit of these abilities as they become distractions from obtaining self-realization.

That last five chapters are grouped under the title of “Theory.” These chapters deal in the big “meaning of life” kind of philosophical questions. Much of these chapters consist of Ramana telling the interviewer to stop over-intellectualizing about obscure philosophical matters and start asking oneself who is asking the question (in other words, get back to self-inquiry and forget about abstract navel-gazing.) At any rate, the questions include: was the universe created, and – if so – how? is reincarnation real? what is the nature of god? is karma real? is free will real? etc. They are fascinating questions, and Ramana offers a few intriguing ideas, but mostly discounts the value of philosophizing.

There are no graphics in this book, but there is a glossary, notes, and a bibliography.

I found this book to be thought-provoking. At times it can be a bit repetitive. The key point that Ramana sought to get across is (in theory, not practice) straightforward. At times it seems like the questioner is badgering the witness because he doesn’t like the answer, such as when Godman wants Sri Ramana to elaborate on the nature of suffering and the need for compassionate acts. Ramana keeps telling Godman to just go back to self-inquiry and all will take care of itself. That said, Sri Ramana offers some fascinating thoughts, and generates beautiful food-for-thought.

I’d recommend this book for anyone who wants to know more about jnana yoga or to get a different take on the philosophy of yoga in general.

Of the many Ramana Maharshi books I have read, if I had to choose just one to take with me on the proverbial desert island, this is the one I would choose. This books lays out in a comprehensive way the teachings of this great sage of India. While Self inquiry is the prime directive of his teachings, to turn thought onto itself with the "Who am I?" inquiry, he also taught other methods to those not ripe enough for Self-Inquiry, such as breathing, mantras, and concentration, among others.

Janaka Stagnaro
Author of Beyond the Beyond: Poems to My Beloved Self,Silent Ripples: Parables for the Soul and Footprints Along the Shore of an Incoming Tide: Impressions of a Fellow Traveler

Ramana Maharishi, was a philosopher, a realized soul and a teacher. A very humble person who lived at the Arunachala Hill in southern India during late 19th and early 20th century period.

His view of the world, and the way he perceived it and lived his life are simply fantastic. Based on the ancient Hindu philosophy of Advaita, or 'non-dualism', he lived the life of a enlightened soul, and helped others approach reality.

Advaita in a nutshell says that `Everything is the same'. You and me and all the things that we perceive and the entire Universe are one and the same. All the things that we perceive, that we imagine, think and so on.., are nothing but illusion, a mere play of the mind.

What was special about Ramana, was not any uniqueness in his definition of reality. He simply said what Advaita says is basically the truth. What he did was he simplified the approach to the realization of the truth. He prescribed very definite and immediate steps that one can follow in order to realize the Self. His simple method was to first go and figure out who the individual really was? To figure out the root of this feeling of `I'. at each and every moment, right at the time of the `I' feeling arises, such as `I am happy', or `I am feeling overwhelmed' or `I have an Idea'. One has to figure out who this I really is. Excluding step by step the physical body, the thoughts, the ideas etc.. until one reaches the ultimate. It is not merely an intellectual exercise, it is a path that leads to the ultimate realization or awareness. Teaching this Direct method is what makes Ramana unique.

This book by David Godman, makes an excellent introduction to the teachings of Ramana. The book is ordered into chapters of different topics such as The Self, Enquiry & Surrender, The Guru, Meditation and Yoga, Expereince and Theory. Each topic is in the format of a brief overview of the subject according to Ramana, and followed by questions and answers that were actually answerd by Ramana to disciples who came from all over the world, and were recorderd at various points in time.

The material has been well researched and collected from several sources, and from interviews with people who were close to Ramana, making it a very coherent source.

The author understands the anxieties and searchful mind of the reader who is just getting to know Ramana, and Advaita, the text is very very lucid, one can almost hear the author as well as Ramana speak. The questions take one from simple to more deeper discussions.

I realized how simple, clear and straightforward this book was, more after reading lots of other resources on Ramana

This is an excellent synopsis of the Advaita Vedanta School. Sri Ramana advocates his self inquiry method over traditional meditation and other yoga schools, although he does not discount the efficacy of these other methods. Sri Ramana states that, in yoga, the focus is on the cessation of thought to realize Self;however, once thought returns after meditation, the active mind returns. In Sr Ramana's method, the aspirant attempts to seek the minds source by asking "Who am I". Sri Ramana states that in meditation there is the ego and the object to be meditated upon; however, this method is indirect because the "Self" is one. However, Sri Ramana readily admits that, for the beginner, meditation as a form is an easier method. Self enquiry directly leads to realization by removing the obstacles which make you think that the self is not already realized. Sri Ramana indicates that the ego must be destroyed to achieve liberation and that at the highest level of his teachings "God"and "Self"are the same. This is the most confusing part of the teachings. How can one maintain his identity and consciousness if he is only One Self and one consciousness of God? Notwithstanding the foregoing, there is something very engaging and compelling about Sri Ramana's teachings. Perhaps these teachings cannot be understood intellectually and must be realized in spirit.

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The Book

I have read numerous books about Ramana Maharshi, his teachings, his students and ashram as well as the lives and teachings of some of his students. I can say with some authority that if you are new to Ramana Maharshi or you do not have this book yet that without doubt you should buy this book. This is the second book I recommend to anyone who is interested in the enlightenment teaching of the east. The first book is actually by a western teacher, Eckhart Tolle since his teachings are without doubt the easiest for the western mind to understand. Of the eastern teachers Ramana Maharshi is without doubt the easiest to understand and of all the books about Ramana Maharshi this is the book to buy. Some of the other works especially the ones with Tamil Verse can be at times be cryptic in meaning and requiring the reader to already have a certain level understanding. This book by David Godman, makes an excellent introduction to the teachings of Ramana. Ordered into chapters of different topics and each topic has a brief overview of the subject according to Ramana followed by questions and answers that were taken from interactions between Ramana and his disciples. This book is without doubt the clearest, well organized and most comprehensive summary of Ramana Maharshi, teachings. Pure Gold.

Ramana Maharshi (The Silent Sage)

Ramana Maharshi, was a enlightened man (a 20th century Buddha) and a reluctant teacher who lived most of his life at the foot of Arunachala Hill in southern India. This man lived his teaching, he walked his talk. He was also known as the great silent sage because for many years he refused to talk and desired privacy even though he gathered an increasingly number of followers. I can not understand how someone who is silent can attract followers. I imagine he must have radiated feelings of peace and love that were so powerful and so noticeable that others were able to recognize him and were willing to follow him. Eventually he did start talking when one day he noticed a boy who was struggling to read. He felt compassion and was moved to help the boy. However he remained mostly silent even when he did start speaking. I read that he spoke so little that you could easily count the number of words he said in a day.

What Ramana Maharshi Taught

Ramana Maharshi taught a simplified direct approach to the realization of the truth. His teachings are consistent with and generally associated with the Hindu Philosophy School of Advaita Vedanta but do differ in some important regards. The Vedanta school is a spiritual tradition based in the Upanishad scriptures and is concerned with the self-realisation. Advaita is a sub-school of Vedanta which teaches that the world, as it appears, is illusory. (It is a common misunderstanding to think that this means that the world does not exist. What it means is that the world does not exist in the way it appears to you.) Brahman is the sole reality, it cannot be said to possess any attributes whatsoever. Ignorance of this reality is the cause of all suffering in the world and only upon true knowledge of Brahman can liberation be attained. When a person tries to know Brahman through his mind, Brahman appears as God (Ishvara), separate from the world and from the individual. In reality, there is no difference between the individual soul (Atman) and Brahman. Liberation lies in knowing the reality of this non-difference (i.e. "a-dvaita", "non-duality").

Ramana Maharshi teachings differ from traditional Advaita Vedanta school, which recommends a negationist ("not this", "not this") path, or mental affirmations that the Self was the only reality, such as "I am Brahman" or "I am He", while Ramana Maharshi advocates the enquiry ("Who am I"). Furthermore, unlike the traditional Advaitic school, Sri Ramana strongly discouraged most who came to him from adopting a renunciate lifestyle. Ramana Maharshi says "To make the mind subside, there is no adequate means other than self-enquiry. If controlled by other means, mind will remain as if subsided, but will rise again"

David Godman (The Author)

The author traveled to India in 1976 and visited the Ramana Maharshi's ashram. Since that time he has devoted his life to the teachings of Ramana Maharshi He has lived, meditated and worked at the ashram and to date has edited or written fourteen books on Ramana Maharshi, his teachings and his direct disciples. In other words the editor is the foremost expert on Ramana Maharshi, his life and his teachings and knows exactly how to be like you, the reader, a seeker on the path to enlightenment.

This book is all right for brainiacs who can stick with the dryness of this man's philosophy. The philosophy seems interesting and beneficial, but I enjoy philosophy presented in a manner that I am better able to understand.

I have many of the books with teachings, talks of this True Maharishi...many of them of course are very similar. This Version is great in many ways. It really cuts to the Heart of His Teaching.
It is neither too short in length nor too long in
having duplicate like questions and answers.
Organization of subject matter is very smart.
After reading this and "The Teachings of Ramana Maharshi" (Paperback) Publisher Weiser Editor Arthur Osborne, who actually lived with Ramana... I have found that these two have many similar Questions and Answers; except there are more pages in this book; Teachings overall are more indepth also.
These two are not biographies, just straight talk.
You can not go wrong with either.
http://www.the store.com/The-Crest-Jewel-Wisdom-writings-Sankaracharya/dp/1937995992/ref=cm_rdp_product

Godman has done a great service for those who want an introduction to the (conceptual) teaching of Ramana Maharshi, one of the great Hindu mystics and teachers of the last century. Ramana's recorded teachings are mostly conversations with a variety of people, whom he addressed on numerous topics from different levels of awareness according to each one's ability and understanding. The conversations then, read chronologically, seem disorganized, confusing and even contradictory. Godman has defragmented them, as it were, putting together continuous dialogs on each of twenty-one topics. He arranges the topics in order of importance, giving the central and purest teaching first and the adaptations afterwards. The book is divided into six general sections on the nature and experience of the Self, the practice of self-enquiry that leads to this experience, the role of the guru, the place for meditation and yoga, levels or varieties of religious experience, and theoretical metaphysical concerns (creation, reincarnation, God, suffering, and karma). Each general section contains three to five subordinate topics treated in a unified conversation. Of particular value are Godman's one or two page introductions to each section and topic that read sequentially provide an excellent introduction to and summary of Raman's teaching. While the introduction and composite conversations are sometimes repetitious, Ramana's concepts are sufficiently obscure that repetition is a clarifying desideratum.

Which to prefer, this or "Talks with Ramana Maharshi" (Inner Directions)?

"Talks" sets down conversations recorded by various people in the order they occurred, over a period of years. Occasional accounts of innocuous events around the Ashram add background. There is space and atmosphere.

In the present book, David "Is That Really His Surname?" Godman arranges mainly short exchanges under subject-headings: The Nature of the Self; Self-Enquiry; The Guru; Samadhi; Life in the World. So it is more focussed, less rambling, but less spacious in feeling. Each approach has its advantages. There's a teensy, inconsiderable overlap of material between the two.

Sri Ramana Maharshi was one of the greatest saints and spiritual teachers of the 20th century, perhaps the most attractive, the most radiant of all. He was not a learned man; he doesn't go into the technicalities of Hindu philosophy or spiritual methods. His questioners are mainly ordinary people, not highly advanced yogis. Children can benefit from many of his teachings, yet no-one could possibly outgrow them.

Don't confuse with Western Nondualism: "The Universe is perfect just as it is; you are perfect just as you are; your search for Enlightenment is what is keeping you from realising that you're already Enlightened." Sri Ramana's teachings are simple and simply expressed, but try to put them into practice and you soon discover how much they demand. He summed it up this way: "Renounce everything you can renounce: what remains is the Real."

Both of these books are worth their weight in gold; I wouldn't dream of being without either of them. I prefer this book, just because it's smaller and easier to carry around with me.

of all the books written by and about Ramana, this is probably the very best. I have read all of them that I could get my hands on, and keep coming back to this one.
---

The Naked Truth - TRUTH with a capital "T"

Ancient Wisdom from the Perennial Philosophy of Vedanta

You are not separate from God.

There is only ONE and you are part of That.
There is only ONE and YOU ARE THAT..

Drops of water in the Ocean may be separate drops of water,
but it's all Ocean.

Waves on the Ocean are a temporary separate manifestation,
but they remain connected to the Ocean, and then they return to the Source.

When you merge with God in meditation, you realize that
you were never separate in the first place!

You don't have to DO anything, just BE.
What you seek, you already ARE.
Still your mind and know Peace.

Look inside, and find out Who you really Are.
Kill the ego; you are Pure, Changeless BEING.
Pay attention to the Silence between thoughts - ABIDE THERE.

The Present Moment is ALL there IS.

There is only ONE and You are part of THAT;
there is only ONE and You Are THAT
- the ONE, the ALL.

Pure Consciousness, Aware of itself;
THAT IS GOD -
THAT is Who you Are,
THAT is What you Are.

---

why do you seek your fortune abroad
when it's right in your own backyard
- what you seek you already are.

Ramana Maharshi is one of the most extraordinary guides to the realms of the spirit that I have encountered. This particular volume is, in my opinion, a very skillful description of Ramaman's thought; the best I've found in English. Ramana's message is that of the use of self-enquiry will lead one to have direct experience with the Self, one's true identity. He urges his followers to consistantly ask oneself the question "Who am I" and/or "Who is asking this question". He also places major emphasis on silence, especially the silence of the mind. The book is a conscise but thorough discussion of his method in all of it's aspects. Steven Levine, Ram Dass, and Ken Wilber all refer to Ramana Mahrarshi as a key teacher on their respective paths. I can concur in their assesment.

David Godman's annotated compilation burns away the fog and reveals the simplicity, beauty, and power of Sri Ramana's teachings. Godman presents this vision in the master's own words, lightly edited, and includes annotations to explain crucial concepts and vocabulary. Wherever you stand in your exploration of Reality, this book will help you on your way. Read it, let it work in you, read it again, and then again.

If for whatever reason Consciousness has brought "you" to this book

then you've arrived. David's book is well conceived and certainly one of THE best books to read about Advaita and the Maharishi. I must add a caveat however, many readers will see that Ramana seemingly contradicts himself in and about the text when answering questions, this is because Ramana spoke to many seekers at many levels and tried his best Not to discourage people by telling them they were wrong about such and such in a particular

line of inquiry, to do so would bring about endless - and pointless - debate. You must keep in mind the fact that all discussions of Truth, of the Beloved, can only be accomplished through concepts(pointers)possessing little

efficacy in apperception of the noumenal Self(see U.G. Krishnamurti).

Ramana is frequently addressed as Bhagavan (or God) and there is no Rishi I can truthfully recall more deserving of such an appellation - most beloved of sages.

This book is excellent and I strongly recommend it. Why did he fail to satisfy some other readers ? I think it is not the best introduction to Ramana Maharshi`s teaching because of its thematic organizing of chapters. Very helpful for the persons familiar with the teachings, I think it loses for the others, the wonderful flow and naturalness that make you just fall in love with this extraordinary person and teachings. I would rather recommend as an introduction Arthur Osborne`s Teachings of Ramana Maharshi or his Path of Self-Knowledge. This takes nothing from this excellent book.

Sri Ramana Maharshi is one of the greatest masters of the twentieth century. His life of simplicity is excellently portrayed by Godman, aptly named for such an extraordinary task. The essence of Ramana's message is not lost in the translation. This is not easy, bearing in mind that words are merely symbols indicating the unwordable. Godman has done an enormous service to the English-speaking world, enlivening awareness and filling the vacuum unintentionally created by institutionalized structures. I wish to acknowledge the enlightening impact Sri Ramana has had on my life. His work is never dated, it speaks in the NOW.Knowing Yourself: The True in the False

Contains the words of a true man of understanding. I would venture to guess everything you might need as a spiritual seeker is contained in this single book. Ramana describes his own unique brand of seeking known as "Enquiry" where unlike conventional meditation of controlling thoughts and stilling the mind, one tries to root out the source of the thoughts one identify's with to get at the root "I-thought". Ramana maintains that all forms of meditation will lead one to "Self Enquiry" eventually.

Ramana was a true master, He knew that truth could not be put into words, he new that truth could not be a concept or an idea, he new that truth was beyond mind, beyond the horizontal plane of existence of apparent beginings and ends so his favorite method was his silent teaching. Silence was his prefer way to communicate truth. Those who needed more than silence, will ask him questions and he will answer. But as always as soon as you use words to explain truth you will encounter that with the same words, on the same answer, some will see beautiful wisdom and others absolute nonsense. That is the power, beauty and mistery that happens when you try to express truth in words.If this book has find you, or even if you are reading this review,realize that there is something you can learn or become aware from this book, because even if you feel you got nothing out of it, that is still something! Read some of the pages from this book, and by doing that, something inside you will tell you yes, there is some beautiful wisdom here, or no, this is a soup of letters and I have no clue what this guy is talking about.
Thanks Ramana, thanks David, thank you for having enough compassion to know that there are fools like myself out there that need more than silence to have at least a taste of what truth is all about!

Very to the point. If you enjoy reading Adyashanti, you will love this. Not so much theory but Sir Ramana Maharshi explains why none is needed, and gives very specific instructions on how one can reach enlightenment.

This is very good book for people who are seeking spiritual answers.

It might not answer all your questions but it worth a try to read this book.

The teachings are very good. They have a different spiritual concepts.

The author must have took years to research Sri Ramana's teachings

He explains the conflict of the teachings and the reasons behind it.

But always remember Sri Ramana Maharshi main teaching is silence.

You have to read it and enjoy the teachings. It might help you to BECOME AS YOU ARE.

This is a great collection of Sri Ramana Maharshi's teachings

It is aimed at people at all different levels of understanding, so one has to be carefull not to take everything written as 'Law', but just what feels right for you.

Ramana had the amazing mind cutting ability to insightfully answer questions with one or a few sentances that others would take books to do so and not even come close.

An enjoyable, enlightening read about one of the great spiritual masters and his teachings

Godman deserves our praise for this book. It presents Ramana Maharshi's teachings in a more or less systematic manner, starting with the "highest level" teachings and then proceeding to teachings fit for larger numbers of students. Godman's editorial and introductory notes are useful and to the point. A good book.

Be as You Are: The Teachings of Sri Ramana Maharshi (Arkana)
In this time where all sorts of spiritual and pseudo-spiritual ideas flourish it is essential to revive the teachings of Ramana Maharshi who was one of the greatest if not the greatest sage ever. The profoundity and simplicity of his teachings are a must for all seakers of truth.

If you are already well versed in meditation and Hindu thought you will love this book. The reason it doesn't answer all of the questions is because the answers to the big ones are beyond mind and speech. Ramana Maharshi is teaching the reader a technique for identifying your self with that which is infinite. "Be as you are" transcends the ego-based quest with all it's ups and downs and hacks at the root of ignorance: identification with the wrong thing.

This book is perfect to understand Sri Ramana Maharshi and his teachings. Thank you David for bringing Ramana to us. 'A Search in Secret India', 'Be as you are' and 'I AM THAT' are Vedas, Bible for modern society.
Heartfelt thanks to the Authors!!

No words can describe my gratitude. David's book introduced me to my master. My master introduced me to myself. If you are ready to know the truth, there is no better place to start. But be willing to try what is suggested, and try and try and try again. Otherwise you will be like the person who went to a restaurant, and left after only reading the menu. It is difficult and confusing at first, but try to turn Sri Ramana's advice into experience. An extraordinary adventure awaits you.

Be As You Are is like a personal conversation with your own guru. Sri Ramana answers questions on a variety of topics. I keep coming back to the book again and again. Merely reading it will open new horizons to you. This book keeps on giving for years.

I'm sorry. I purchased this book hoping it would be an aid to my understanding of Hinduism and Eastern philosophy. It didn't. I'll stick with Paramhansa Yogananda and his crystal clear teachings. Maharshi's book seems to me an endless ring-around-the-rosies string of questions and contradictions. I found no answers.

A wonderfully written book; David Godman's commentary was excellent. A great way to get to know Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi teachings. Everyone should visit David Godman's website; ends in .org ;) There one can read excerpts from all his books and other books that he recommends. Another great resource is his youtube channel, it is listed using his name. Will read all of David Godman's other writings about Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi and the other books he recommends; encourage all to this as well.

And of course Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi teachings are timeless and to the point. Even now they touch so many. Forever grateful to have found Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi teachings.

Thank Good, David Godman for all you do.

In the early days of yoga, before there was Power Yoga or Yin Yoga -- or even Hatha Yoga or Raja Yoga, there were three approaches to yoga. Bhakti yoga was devotional yoga, the yoga of the believers who pursued the path through worship. Karma yoga was the yoga of action: practiced by doing selfless deeds. Jnana yoga, often said to the hardest, was the path of knowledge, and it involved intense study and – in particular – introspective study of the jnani’s own mind. Sri Ramana Maharshi was one of the most well-known Jnana yogis of modern times (he lived from 1879 to 1950.)

This book presents Sri Ramana’s teachings in a question and answer format. The editor, David Godman, begins each chapter with an overview of Ramana’s views on the subject at hand, and he then launches into the Q&A exchange that makes up most of each chapter. The preludes are beneficial not only because they set up the topic, but also because they help separate Ramana’s core beliefs from the way he occasionally explained matters to non-jnani’s or those who weren’t ready to grasp what he believed was the fundamental teaching. (There’s a fair amount of, “Until you realize the self, X is true, but after you achieve self-realization Y will be true.)

Sri Ramana’s central teaching is that the jnani must actively inquire about the nature of the true self (a practice called atma-vichara, or self-inquiry.) As such, the book is organized as a guide to building a practice of self-inquiry.

The book’s 21 chapters are divided among six parts. The first part investigates the self as Sri Ramana refers to it. This isn’t the individual self that one is normally referring to in common speech. Part II is entitled “Inquiry and Surrender” and three out of the four chapters, herein, discuss the process of self-inquiry. Three chapters may sound like a lot, but this practice really is the core of jnana yoga. These chapters not only explain how self-inquiry is done and what it’s supposed to achieve, they also contrast the practice with others that bear a resemblance to atma-vichara, such as reciting “Who am I?” as a mantra, as well as, neti-neti -- an exercise in negation in which one considers all the things that aren’t the self (e.g. “I am not my body.” “I am not this thought,” etc.)

Part III is about Gurus and transmission of teachings. It takes on such questions as: is a Guru necessary, and what constitutes a Guru (i.e. must it be a living human? Can it be a book?) The second chapter in this part is about sat-sang, which may be literally translated as “sitting with the guru,” but refers to a kind of transference that flows from being together.

Part IV is on meditation and yoga. Sri Ramana differentiates self-inquiry from meditation, though superficially they seem to be similar activities. He discusses dharana (concentration) and mantras in these chapters as well. One inclusion that may seem unrelated to the general theme is chapter 12, which is about the four-stage model of life called the asramas (student, householder, hermit, ascetic.) The chapter on yoga is about the eight limbs of yoga described by Patanjali, and their relevance to the practice of Jnana yogi. It should be noted that Ramana downplays the importance of these practices to the jnana yogi (a.k.a. Jnani) with the exception of pranayama (breathing exercises.)

Part V discusses samadhi, siddhi (supernormal psychic powers that some yogis believe can be achieved), and other challenges and phenomena that may be experienced during one’s practice of self-inquiry. While superpowers sound cool, Sri Ramana (as well as Patanjali) warned against he pursuit of these abilities as they become distractions from obtaining self-realization.

That last five chapters are grouped under the title of “Theory.” These chapters deal in the big “meaning of life” kind of philosophical questions. Much of these chapters consist of Ramana telling the interviewer to stop over-intellectualizing about obscure philosophical matters and start asking oneself who is asking the question (in other words, get back to self-inquiry and forget about abstract navel-gazing.) At any rate, the questions include: was the universe created, and – if so – how? is reincarnation real? what is the nature of god? is karma real? is free will real? etc. They are fascinating questions, and Ramana offers a few intriguing ideas, but mostly discounts the value of philosophizing.

There are no graphics in this book, but there is a glossary, notes, and a bibliography.

I found this book to be thought-provoking. At times it can be a bit repetitive. The key point that Ramana sought to get across is (in theory, not practice) straightforward. At times it seems like the questioner is badgering the witness because he doesn’t like the answer, such as when Godman wants Sri Ramana to elaborate on the nature of suffering and the need for compassionate acts. Ramana keeps telling Godman to just go back to self-inquiry and all will take care of itself. That said, Sri Ramana offers some fascinating thoughts, and generates beautiful food-for-thought.

I’d recommend this book for anyone who wants to know more about jnana yoga or to get a different take on the philosophy of yoga in general.