I have read numerous texts that contain sayings of and/or conversations with Ramana Maharshi. And I have read many texts that elaborate on Ramana’s teachings. But, in my opinion, if one reads three books – “Talks with Sri Ramana Maharshi” (avoid the dumbed-down Inner Directions version), “Sri Ramana Gita,” and “Sat-Darshana Bhashya and Talks with Maharshi” – there is no need to read any other Ramana books, because they won’t add anything substantive to the material in these three. I welcome anyone who has read these three books to point me to a Ramana Maharshi text that provides unique and profound teachings not found in them.
Herewith, in order, are my five-star Amazon reviews of “Talks with Sri Ramana Maharshi,” “Sri Ramana Gita,” and Sat- Darshana Bhashya”:
Must-Reading for Students of Self-Awakening
As an esoteric eclectic, I have devoted the past four decades to both the study and practice of the foremost spiritual traditions—Theravada, Zen, and Tibetan Buddhism, Hindu Raja Yoga, Advaita Vedanta, and Kashmir Shaivism, Daism (the teachings of Adi Da), and Christian Hermeticism; and in this time, I have never encountered a spiritual book better than “Talks with Sri Ramana Maharshi.” If I could give it six stars, I would. The book is a collection of enlightening talks between Ramana and numerous individuals representing the entire spectrum of spiritual development. The talks, which took place between 1935 and 1939, include conversations with such luminaries as Paramahansa Yogananda and W.Y Evans-Wentz, author of “The Tibetan Book of the Dead.”
I am well aware of the progression of Advaita Vedanta gurus since Ramana, and I’ve read the books by Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj, Ramesh Balsekar, Papaji, Jean Klein, Andrew Cohen, Gangaji, Adyashanti, and many of the others who have come after Ramana. As a spiritual teacher, when I’m asked to compare these “gurus” to Ramana, I usually become like Sparky Anderson, who managed the Big Red Machine in the 1970s. When Sparky was asked to compare other catchers to the Reds’ catcher Johnny Bench, his reply was: “I don’t want to embarrass anyone.” Sometimes someone will insist that Sri Nisargadatta’s “I Am That” is better than “Talks with Sri Ramana Maharshi.” All I can do at that point is be like Jesus and “forgive them, for they know not what they say.” Nisargadatta, unlike Ramana, did not awaken as the Heart and radiate Hridaya (or Cit) Shakti, and he didn’t talk about Amrita Nadi, the radiant force-current between the Hridaya, or Heart-center (just to the right of the center chest, and distinct from the anahata, or heart, chakra).
What separates Ramana from the other Advaita Vedanta gurus is the breadth and depth of his teachings. For example, I read Adyashanti’s book “Emptiness Dancing” many years ago, and in it, he said that he said he had a Kundalini experience when he practiced Zen (before later becoming an Advaita Vedanta-type guru). But he never said another thing about Kundalini in the book: how it relates to the enlightenment process and Self-realization. By contrast, Ramana says Kundalini is another name for the Self. In other words, for Ramana, the Self is not just static Consciousness, but also dynamic Energy; in other words, Siva-Shakti. Although Ramana is considered an Advaita Vedanta guru, his teachings transcend the tradition.
None of the other Advaita Vedanta gurus I mentioned explicitly taught or teach Ramana’s method of Self-enquiry (“locating” the transcendental ‘I,’ or Self, by undermining the false ‘I,’ or ego-self) Self-enquiry is the most powerful and direct method to realize the Self (in, and eventually as, the Heart)--and it is beyond my comprehension how any true Advaita Vedanta guru could not teach it. Along with Dzogchen-type contemplation, it is what I teach my students.
If you decide to buy Talks with Sri Ramana Maharshi, do NOT buy the Inner Directions publication, which has been shamelessly edited (and grossly de-esotericized). Instead, get the Sri Ramanasramam one, by Munagala Venkataraman, available at Amazon.com (or Google Arunachala Ashrama and get a higher-quality hard-cover version). If you decide to start out with an introductory Ramana book, get the excellent compendium “Be As You Are: The Teachings of Sri Ramana Maharshi” by David Godman.
An Utterly Unique, Ultra-Profound Self-Realization Text
“Sri Ramana Gita” is a pamphlet-size book of just over fifty pages in English (side by side with the pages in original Sanskrit), but don't let its small size dissuade you from getting it. It is an utterly unique, ultra-profound text packed with Sri Ramana Maharshi's unprecedented esoteric wisdom regarding the superphysics (or non-physical "mechanics") of the" Self-realization process. If you want to know what elevates Sri Ramana Maharshi's teachings beyond those of Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj and all the other Advaita Vedanta and neo-Advaita Vedanta gurus who have followed him, this book will answer your question.
In “Sri Ramana Gita,” Maharshi (1879-1950), India's greatest twentieth-century guru, not only explains Jnana and Bhakti from the highest perspective, but also elaborates on Shakti, the cutting of the Heart-knot, and the function of Amrita (or Atma) Nadi in En-Light-enment.
A great companion book to get in conjunction with “Sri Ramana Gita” is “Sat-Darshana Bhashya and Talks with Maharshi.” These books and many other fine ones pertaining to Ramana Maharshi are available at Arunachala.org.
Utterly Unique, Absolutely Profound
Over the past four decades, I’ve read over 2,000 texts in the esoteric spiritual traditions, and “Sat-Darshana Bhashya and Talks with Maharshi” ranks among the ten best of these. I just re-read this little book for the fourth time, and again I’m blown away by its unique profundity.
The author of this book, Kapila Sastriar, a learned scholar, possesses deep understanding of the Self-realization process, and using select conversations with Ramana Maharshi, India’s greatest twentieth-century sage, he elaborates on Maharshi’s teachings, and presents a demystifying exegesis of the “mechanics” and “anatomy” of Self-realization, which culminates in the cutting of the Heart-knot.
In my book “Electrical Christianity,” I present what I call the Electrical Spiritual Paradigm (ESP), and it was Sastriar’s book that first awakened me to the electrical (or Ohms Law)-like nature of true spiritual practice.
According to Sastriar, in true meditation, “the ego yields to the pressure of the force of Self-consciousness… and “thus dissolves, being but the apparent [false] self. And the false or ego-‘I,’ which is “nothing but a formation in the consciousness of the Self,” is “reborn as it were into the real ‘I’ that has all along been signified by it.”
Chit-Shakti, the conscious force engendered by the practice of Self-inquiry (meditatively inquiring into one’s true nature) results in palpable pressure. And when the ego yields to this pressure, Chit-Shakti in effect morphs into Anugraha-Shakti (Grace, the descent of Divine Power into the Heart-center), which en-Light-ens the yogi, enabling him to shine as the real ‘I,’ the transcendental Self.
“Consciousness and force,” Sastriar explains, “are really in a relation of identity like light and its radiation.” After experiencing the reality of this, I began to think of spirituality in electrical terms, with conscious force (Chit-Shakti) being analogous to electromotive force (voltage), and the resulting Light-energy flow (Anugraha-Shakti) being analogous to electrical energy (amperage). Years later, thanks to “Sat Darshana Bhashya” and the early writings of Adi Da, who no doubt read Sastriar, I was able to formulate my Electrical Spiritual Paradigm.
Sastriar, who spent considerable time in the company of Maharshi, understands that Self-realization is literally a process of whole-bodily en -Light-enment. He understands that the subtle body (the vital-mental, or life-breath-mind-stuff, sheath), which stands between inconscient matter (the gross physical body) and Consciousness Itself (the Self) must be transformed by virtue of conscious force. He writes:
“Thus, as the subtle body develops, it absorbs in a larger measure the conscious force which eliminates or transforms the element of the inconscient (jada) in the subtle body, and [as earlier stated] the ego yields to the pressure of the force of Self-consciousness. As the ego thus dissolves, being but the apparent self, the immediate sense of ‘I’, it is reborn as it were into the real ‘I’ that has all along been signified by it. What really happens in this process of liberation is this. When, through the development of the subtle body in which it is firmly rooted posing as the Real self, this ego is stung by a sense of its own weakness and falsity, the wide-awake self-awareness of the Purusha, the spirit seated inside in the Heart, finds a true reflection in the subtle body, thus displacing the ego or transforming it into the pure ‘I’ (Shudddha Ahambhava). And in consequence of the birth of the pure ‘I’, the real soul, the subtle body undergoes a remarkable change making it a true vehicle of the soul so formed. Thus freed from the hold of the material body the subtle stuff becomes a true expression of individuaslity, faithful to the Original Self, and an individual centre to its supreme consciousness.”
According to Sastriar, upon Heart-awakening, “as the light of the lamp pierces through the enclosure of the chimney, this conscious light of life streams out from the Heart throught what in yogic parlance is call Amrita Nadi, Atma Nadi, Brahma Nadi or Mukhya Prana Nadi, and sweeping aside all obstruction, overpowers the body and permeates the environment and the world.”
And to emphasize that true Heart-awakening as at once Power as well as Presence, Sastriar quotes Maharshi: “Whoever sees knowledge (Jnana) as divorced from power (Shakti) such an one knows not.”
If you’re interested in an utterly unique and absolutely profound elaboration of Ramana Maharshi’s esoteric teachings regarding the Self (or Heart)-realization, do yourself a favor and get a copy of this book.
{ 17 comments… read them below or add one }
Hi Ron,
What is the best text on raja yoga apart from Patanjali’s Yoga Sutra?
Thanks.
Raja Yoga is the Sutras of Patanjali, so apart from a translation/commentary of the Sutras of Patanjali, I can’t imagine a best a best text on Raja Yoga. I recommend two texts:”The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali” by Edward F. Bryant and “Yoga Philosophy of Patanjali by Swami Hariharananda Aranya
Hello,
Thanks for pointing me to two of these books, I had been reading the Talks. I’m interested to know what you would think about the Lamp of non-dual wisdom, thanks.
Mr. K, you’re welcome. I have not read that book.
>Over the past four decades, I’ve read over 2,000 texts in the esoteric spiritual traditions, and “Sat-Darshana Bhashya and Talks with Maharshi” ranks among the ten best of these
What are the other nine?
Talks with Sri Ramana Maharshi (avoid the dumbed-down Inner Directions version, Sri Ramana Gita, Zen Teaching of Huang Po, Teachings of Tibetan Yoga, Some Sayings of the Buddha According to the Pali Canon, The Knee of Listening, The Method of the Siddhas, First and Last Freedom, The Philosophy of Sadhana, The Cycle of Day and Night.
Hello,
I find I heartily agree with your recommendations, thank you for this offering. I wonder if you’ve come across Mr John Sherman’s Look at yourself?
Thanks.
No, I haven’t.
Wow, I’ve been devouring your website for the last day or so, incredible stuff, specifically this post. I’ve been studying for 20 years, and have been struggling for the last 3 years with the idea of enlightenment that’s being presented, I think Neo Advaitan influence (nihilism) is very dangerous.
Nisargadatta has been a tremendous influence but it always felt like I was missing something.
Knowing the heart center is key is a huge development and something I’ll be looking deeply into. Its also something I saw Ed Muzika, another teacher speaking about, the focus on shakti.
I thought I’d seen all the Ramana texts until you pointed me to Kapila Sastriar, that one looks like a gold mine. Also terrific work on cutting through the false prophets, your insight and clarity is tremendous.
Much Love,
Will
Will, thank you. I very much appreciate your appreciation of my website.
Hello Ron. A good article you have written!
I have ordered the Sat-Darshana Bhashya and Ramana Gita. Your infatuation with Adi Da Samraj inspired me to buy his latest edition of Eleutherios. Overall he is the best writer in the English language. How did Adi Da write so well! Later, the Avatar Adi Da is criticised by most, and especially the capitalized writing, but I think his writing got even better. We can only imagine how sanskrit felt like 2000 years ago in India. When it comes to pure inspired writing, Adi Da Samraj could really hit you with words!
Ron, can I ask a blunt question? What do you think about this 7th stage business? Adi Da sort of convinces me but in other parts I find him overly proselytizing, like he’s trying too hard to convince.
Hi Moesy. I don’t believe that Adi Da was the First, Last, and Only full 7th-stager. As much as I appreciate Da’s core Dharma, I have major differences with him on a number of fronts. One of Da’s problems was that he lived in a virtual bubble, with only sycophantic devotees questioning him and providing feedback.
Yes, Da’s worshippers are extremely worshipping of Adi Da. It isn’t surprising that it went to his head. Tho I have spoken to one and he is super friendly.
I need to ask you a question which baffles me about Adi Da.. In the intro to Knee, Jeff Kripal says he walked into the room while Da was in ecstasy and he got zapped with ecstasy (my words). Personally I find intro writers, and especially blurb writers very narcissistic, like they think they are chisleling their words for eternity.. But others have said similar things about Adi Da.. Have you met the guy? Are these people being overly enthused with their imaginings or did Adi Da have the mysterious whatever it is? Some even say Adi Da radiated light. I asked the devotee (via Facebook) about Da’s weird photos and how off putting they are. The guy said that for him light came out of the pictures.
Very strange. You seem different. You know the man’s worth but you don’t strike me as a worshipper.
I never sat in close proximity to Adi Da. I attended two satsangs with him in large tents, and he was at least 50 yards away from me both times. I felt nothing special at these satsangs. Hundreds of people were in his close company for decades, and I’m not aware of any of them becoming Self-realized. Based on 40 years of satsangs with Da not producing Enlightened being, my inclination to devalue the benefit of a Sat Guru’s presence in instigating Enlightenment in his devotees. On the other hand, I attended a number of satsangs with IM Nome in South San Francisco, and though Nome was not a Heart Master, the Shakti available at those satsangs was intense and powerful.
Thanks for the reference to Nome.. I have come across his YouTube video’s. To be honest, what we call shakti doesn’t transfer on screen.
It is getting more difficult to ‘spot’ the genuine ones when we are all getting hearded online!
So is Nome worth reading? Which book shall I invest in?
I don’t know if he’s written anything, but if he has I doubt it’s worth reading, because in all the Satsangs I attended, he never had anything to say other than the most basic, exoteric Advaita Vedanta platitudes.
Hello again Ron. Yes you are right about Nome. Most Advaita people say the same thing like they are copying each other. When enlightenment is verbal chatter a guy with a good memory can say the right things. But it all sounds cliche. If an English speaker really did get there, he will say more than the usual exoteric Advaita Vedanta platitudes.
David Carse sounds enlightened to me tho, judging by his book. And, of course Adi Da.
This is why I like Adi Da’s later writings. That guy avoided cliches like one who was there (he may have been a poetic genius rather than enlightened). And He did it better than the East which is amazing.
I was thinking about the cult and Avatar issue. After what Amazon did to your creative writings on their platform, is it any wonder why we have to create our own religions rather than giving our talent to corporations?
Imagine if Franklin Jones lived today. His creativity gets wiped out by a apparent human drone in a office and he becomes a none person.