We usually start walking along the southwest side of Arunachala where we live. Looking at the mountain, we thought that a shortcut across a low pass might be possible. We first walked to the area, and found part of a path up the pass. We forced our way up to the top that day, but [...]

Here in Tiruvannamalai for many Westerners the focus is on Sri Ramana Maharshi and Ramanasramam. Many of these go up Arunachala to the caves where Ramana lived and taught and gave darshan. One of these caves is Skandashram. It is perhaps one mile from Ramanasramam, up a well cared-for path, up the side of the [...]

Stated briefly, what has happened is that an advanced teaching pointer, normally give to the Sadhak by a fully Self Realised Guru, Jivan Mukta or Jnani, has been taken over as the preliminary step and is now given ‘piecemeal’ to any new adept. The suggestion that no further effort is necessary is only stated when the Sadhak has reached the point where effort is no longer possible .The mark of the true Guru is that peace, Love and Silence are palpably felt in his presence. What Neo-Advaita gives in fact boils down to the seductive formula that ”there is nothing you can do or need to do, all you have to know is that there is no one there.”

I am very often asked by Sri Bhagavan’s devotees what I feel about modern day teachers and gurus. I don’t know how to answer that question well. I do not personally know most of these teachers. For sincere devotees of Bhagavan, I recommend that they seek company of other devotees. Sri Ramana exemplified all that [...]

Birds in the sky and fish in water Dart and leave no track behind. And none can trace the path by which The sages journeyed to the Self.’ (Ramana Mandiram; Sri Muruganar) I am Being Which alone knows. I am Bliss, Which along shines. I am the Self Known as “I” by all. I am [...]