Sri Ramana Teachings

Michael answers the following question of a devotee in this video: 'Who is aware of ‘I AM’? If it’s ego that will be aware of ‘I AM’, then ‘I AM’, i.e. the Self, will become an object for the ego. Still getting confused with who does the practice of investigation.'

This episode can also be watched as a video here and a more compressed audio copy in Opus format (which can be listened to in the VLC media player and some other apps) can be downloaded from here.

In a Zoom meeting with Ramana Kendra, Delhi, on 27th August 2023 Michael James concludes the discussion of the meaning and implications of verse 3 of Āṉ𝘮𝘢 𝘝𝘪𝘥𝘥𝘢𝘪.

Verse 3: https://happinessofbeing.blogspot.com/2023/07/anma-viddai-verse-3-knowledge-of-all.html

தன்னை யறிதலின்றிப் பின்னை யெதறிகிலென் றன்னை யறிந்திடிற்பின் னென்னை யுளதறிய பின்ன வுயிர்களில பின்ன விளக்கெனுமத் தன்னைத் தனிலுணர மின்னுந் தனுளான்ம — ப்ரகாசமே; அருள் விலாசமே; அக விநாசமே; இன்ப விகாசமே. (ஐயே)

taṉṉai yaṟidaliṉḏṟip piṉṉai yedaṟihileṉ ḏṟaṉṉai yaṟindiḍiṟpiṉ ṉeṉṉai yuḷadaṟiya bhiṉṉa vuyirgaḷila bhiṉṉa viḷakkeṉumat taṉṉait taṉiluṇara miṉṉun taṉuḷāṉma — prakāśamē; aruḷ vilāsamē; aha vināśamē; iṉba vikāsamē. (aiyē)

பதச்சேதம்: தன்னை அறிதல் இன்றி, பின்னை எது அறிகில் என்? தன்னை அறிந்திடில், பின் என்னை உளது அறிய? பின்ன உயிர்களில் அபின்ன விளக்கு எனும் அத் தன்னை தனில் உணர, மின்னும் தன் உள் ஆன்ம ப்ரகாசமே. அருள் விலாசமே, அக விநாசமே, இன்ப விகாசமே. (ஐயே, அதி சலபம், ...)

Padacchēdam (word-separation): taṉṉai aṟidal iṉḏṟi, piṉṉai edu aṟihil eṉ? taṉṉai aṟindiḍil, piṉ eṉṉai uḷadu aṟiya? bhiṉṉa uyirgaḷil abhiṉṉa viḷakku eṉum a-t-taṉṉai taṉil uṇara, miṉṉum taṉ uḷ āṉma-prakāśamē. aruḷ vilāsamē, aha vināśamē, iṉba vikāsamē. (aiyē, ati sulabham, ...)

அன்வயம்: தன்னை அறிதல் இன்றி, பின்னை எது அறிகில் என்? தன்னை அறிந்திடில், பின் அறிய என்னை உளது? பின்ன உயிர்களில் அபின்ன விளக்கு எனும் அத் தன்னை தனில் உணர, தன் உள் ஆன்ம ப்ரகாசமே மின்னும். அருள் விலாசமே, அக விநாசமே, இன்ப விகாசமே. (ஐயே, அதி சலபம், ...)

Anvayam (words rearranged in natural prose order): taṉṉai aṟidal iṉḏṟi, piṉṉai edu aṟihil eṉ? taṉṉai aṟindiḍil, piṉ aṟiya eṉṉai uḷadu? bhiṉṉa uyirgaḷil abhiṉṉa viḷakku eṉum a-t-taṉṉai taṉil uṇara, taṉ uḷ āṉma-prakāśamē miṉṉum. aruḷ vilāsamē, aha vināśamē, iṉba vikāsamē. (aiyē, ati sulabham, ...)

English translation: Without knowing oneself, if one knows whatever else, what? If one has known oneself, then what exists to know? When one knows in oneself that self, which is the light without separation in separate sentient beings, within oneself the shining of oneself alone will flash forth. The shining forth of grace; the annihilation of ego; the blossoming of happiness. (Ah, extremely easy, ...)

Explanatory paraphrase: Without knowing oneself, if one knows whatever else, [so] what? [That is, how can such knowledge be reliable, so how can it have any real value?] If one has known oneself, then what [else] exists to know? When one knows in oneself that self [one’s real nature], which is the light [that shines] abhinna [without bhinna: separation, division, difference or distinction] in separate sentient beings [or souls], within oneself ātma-prakāśa [the shining, clarity or light of oneself] alone will flash forth [like lightening]. [This is] aruḷ-vilāsa [the shining forth, amorous play or beauty of grace], aha-vināśa [the annihilation of ego], iṉba-vikāsa [the blossoming of happiness]. ([Therefore] ah, extremely easy, ātma-vidyā, ah, extremely easy!) 

This episode can also be watched as a video here and a more compressed audio copy in Opus format (which can be listened to in the VLC media player and some other apps) can be downloaded from here.

In a Zoom meeting with the Ramana Maharshi Foundation UK on 26th August 2023, Michael answers various questions about Bhagavan’s teachings.

The first question Michael answered was:

"My question is related to the apparent reality of the world, as experienced in our waking state; Bhagavan's teachings say that our so-called reality in fact is a dream, projected by ourselves. From an intellectual level I can relate to this when I look at the world and its inhabitants as being a collective of apparent individual entities, whereas in fact it's the one (Brahman) playing out the script we call life and erroneously take to be something 'happening' to us as an individual. Also, I think to understand the role the ego plays in this through our identification with the body, mistakingly making us believe to be ‘one amongst many’.

In all multiplicity that appears to be, where I seem to get stuck in my understanding, is:

a. how literally we should take life to be a dream?

b. and what can be called real in the apparent dream-like individual life?

1. Is it that (the sense of) individuality by definition is dualistic and therefore unreal, thus: a dream? For instance my neighbour will have a slightly different viewing point in looking at the world since his locality is slightly different. When my neighbour is merely a dream character projected by me, he actually doesn't exist at all, along with all wars, disease, the seasons, bodies, plants, volcanic eruptions, planets, entities etc etc. Can we conclude that these do actually not exist, hence, making all interpersonal dynamics in our lives unreal as well?

2. Or should we take the dreamlike waking state in a more metaphorical sense, so that the multiplicity of bodies seemingly exists because of the identification with our bodies and therefore mistakingly experienced as ’individuals’, forming a multiplicity of realities, limited in their nature, therefore arbitrary and impossible to be taken for ‘real’?

3. Or is it to be taken as a dream due to the impermanent nature of the world we see as defined in Advaita Vedanta as “Things that are changing, perceived and impermanent are unreal”?

4. Or a dream because of the fact that we can practically make up any narrative or world-view we like, creating the world as a projection made up by our (ever restlessly outgoing) mind?

5. Or a dream in the sense that all is predestined and we erroneously believe ourselves to be the doer or actor in the projected life we live? This, I find rather confusing to comprehend and sometimes difficult to deal with.

This episode can also be watched as a video here and a more compressed audio copy in Opus format (which can be listened to in the VLC media player and some other apps) can be downloaded from here. 

In a Zoom meeting of ‘Yo Soy Tu Mismo’ (a group of Spanish devotees of Bhagavan Sri Ramana) on 20th August 2023, Michael James was asked: I have been on this path for 3 years now and I have a feeling that, when I turn inwards, I turn shallowly because many times various inclinations seem to be much stronger and I see that my self-attentiveness is too shallow for my vasanas to be really weakened. I also have a very strong belief that I will have to live through many difficult situations or misfortunes and that, no matter how hard I try to investigate myself, I will not be able to stop the fulfilment of prarabdha karma to live through all those hard situations. So can this practice take me several lifetimes? Is it not a path unsuitable for such impure minds as mine? He answers this and several other related questions.

This episode can also be watched as a video here and a more compressed audio copy in Opus format (which can be listened to in the VLC media player and some other apps) can be downloaded from here. 

In a Zoom meeting with the Ramana Maharshi Foundation UK on 12th August 2023, Michael answers various questions about Bhagavan’s teachings.

This episode can also be watched as a video here and a more compressed audio copy in Opus format (which can be listened to in the VLC media player and some other apps) can be downloaded from here. 

In a Zoom meeting of ‘Yo Soy Tu Mismo’ (a group of Spanish devotees of Bhagavan Sri Ramana) on 9th August 2023, Michael James was asked: How to deal with periods of spiritual dryness or aridity and that we have to remember and reinforce as well as trying to return again and again to oneself? He answers this and several other related questions.

This episode can also be watched as a video here and a more compressed audio copy in Opus format (which can be listened to in the VLC media player and some other apps) can be downloaded from here. 

In a Zoom meeting with the San Diego Ramana Satsang (ramana-satsang-sd@googlegroups.com) on 6th August 2023 Michael answers various questions about Bhagavan’s teachings.

In this meeting the book 'Ramana Maharshi's Forty Verses on What Is' is mentioned, based on Michael's writings and talks. You can download a free book sample here.

This episode can also be watched as a video here and a more compressed audio copy in Opus format (which can be listened to in the VLC media player and some other apps) can be downloaded from here.

In a Zoom meeting with Sri Ramana Center, Houston, on 8th August 2023 Michael James discusses Uḷḷadu Nāṟpadu Anubandham, verses 4 and 5.

Verse 4

தாபந்தண் சந்திரனாற் றைனியநற் கற்பகத்தாற் பாபந்தான் கங்கையாற் பாறுமே — தாபமுத லிம்மூன்று மேகு மிணையில்லா சாதுக்க டம்மா தரிசனத்தாற் றான்.

tāpandaṇ candiraṉāṯ ṟaiṉiyanaṯ kaṯpakattāṯ pāpantāṉ gaṅgaiyāṯ pāṟumē — tāpamuda limmūṉḏṟu mēhu miṇaiyillā sādhukka ṭammā dariśaṉattāṯ ṟāṉ.

பதச்சேதம்: தாபம் தண் சந்திரனால், தைனியம் நல் கற்பகத்தால், பாபம் தான் கங்கையால் பாறுமே. தாபம் முதல் இம் மூன்றும் ஏகும் இணை இல்லா சாதுக்கள் தம் மா தரிசனத்தால் தான்.

Padacchēdam (word-separation): tāpam taṇ candiraṉāl, daiṉiyam nal kaṯpakattāl, pāpam tāṉ gaṅgaiyāl pāṟumē. tāpam mudal i-m-mūṉḏṟum ēhum iṇai illā sādhukkaḷ tam mā dariśaṉattāl tāṉ.

English translation: Heat will be destroyed by the cool moon, poverty by the good wish-fulfilling tree, and sin itself by the gaṅgā. All these three, beginning with heat, will depart just by the great sight of peerless sādhus.

Explanatory paraphrase: Heat will be destroyed [or removed] by the cool moon, poverty by the good kalpaka [the heavenly wish-fulfilling tree], and pāpa [sin or demerit] itself by the gaṅgā [the holy river Ganges]. All these three, beginning with heat, will depart [slip off or cease] just by the great darśana [seeing or sight] of peerless sādhus [namely jñānis, those who know and abide as sat, pure being].

Verse 5

கம்மயமாந் தீர்த்தங்கள் கன்மண்ணாந் தெய்வங்க ளம்மகத்துக் கட்கிணையே யாகாவா — மம்மவவை யெண்ணினா ளாற்றூய்மை யேய்விப்ப சாதுக்கள் கண்ணினாற் கண்டிடவே காண்.

kammayamān tīrtthaṅgaḷ kaṉmaṇṇān deyvaṅga ḷammahattuk kaṭkiṇaiyē yāhāvā — mammavavai yeṇṇiṉā ḷāṯṟūymai yēyvippa sādhukkaḷ kaṇṇiṉāṯ kaṇḍiḍavē kāṇ.

பதச்சேதம்: கம்மயம் ஆம் தீர்த்தங்கள், கல், மண் ஆம் தெய்வங்கள் அம் மகத்துக்கட்கு இணையே ஆகா ஆம். அம்ம! அவை எண்ணில் நாளால் தூய்மை ஏய்விப்ப; சாதுக்கள் கண்ணினால் கண்டிடவே காண்.

Padacchēdam (word-separation): kammayam ām tīrtthaṅgaḷ, kal, maṇ ām deyvaṅgaḷ a-m-mahattukkaṭku iṇaiyē āhā ām. amma! avai eṇṇil nāḷāl tūymai ēyvippa; sādhukkaḷ kaṇṇiṉāl kaṇḍiḍavē kāṇ.

English translation: Tīrthas, which are composed of water, and deities, which are stone or earth, are not at all akin to those mahātmas. Ah! Those give rise to purity by countless days, sādhus as soon as they see by eye. See.

Explanatory paraphrase: Tīrthas [sacred bathing places], which are composed of water, and deities [images of God], which are [composed of] stone or earth, are not at all akin [similar, comparable or equal] to those mahātmas [great souls or jñānis]. Ah! See, those [tīrthas and deities] give rise to purity [of mind, heart or will] by countless days [that is, gradually over a long period of time], [whereas] sādhus [jñānis] [do so] as soon as they see by eye.

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This episode can also be watched as a video here and a more compressed audio copy in Opus format (which can be listened to in the VLC media player and some other apps) can be downloaded from here.

Recording of an online meeting on 3rd August 2023. Michael talks about what Bhagavan teaches us in Uḷḷadu Nāṟpadu, and why this work shines as the core and crest-jewel of his teachings, being the quintessence of all of them. 

This episode can also be watched as a video here and a more compressed audio copy in Opus format (which can be listened to in the VLC media player and some other apps) can be downloaded from here.

Disclaimer: The book mentioned in this episode is an independent compilation and publication by Sandra Derksen. Michael James has not read this book prior to its publication and has not endorsed this book. Sri Ramana Center of Houston, too, has not endorsed this book. The episode is published only because it serves as a good introduction to Uḷḷadu Nāṟpadu, and not for promotion of this book - Sri Ramana Center of Houston

In a Zoom meeting with the Ramana Maharshi Foundation UK on 29th July 2023 Michael answers various questions about Bhagavan’s teachings.

This episode can also be watched as a video here and a more compressed audio copy in Opus format (which can be listened to in the VLC media player and some other apps) can be downloaded from here.

In this video filmed in Hyde Park, London, on 24th May 2023 Michael, Sean and Sandra are having a meeting. Michael answered several spontaneously asked questions about Bhagavan's teachings. The impromptu discussion was recorded on an iPad without the use of external microphones, so this affected the audio quality.

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This episode can also be watched as a video here and a more compressed audio copy in Opus format (which can be listened to in the VLC media player and some other apps) can be downloaded from here.

In a Zoom meeting with Boston Ramana Satsang on 22nd July 2023 Michael explains the basics of Bhagavan's teachings, and answers various questions about his teachings.

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This episode can also be watched as a video here and a more compressed audio copy in Opus format (which can be listened to in the VLC media player and some other apps) can be downloaded from here.

In a Zoom meeting with Ramana Kendra, Delhi, on 9th July 2023 Michael James concludes to discuss the meaning and implications of verse 2 of Āṉ𝘮𝘢 𝘝𝘪𝘥𝘥𝘢𝘪.

Verse 2: https://happinessofbeing.blogspot.com/2023/05/anma-viddai-verse-2-thought-i-am-this.html

ஊனா ருடலிதுவே நானா மெனுநினைவே நானா நினைவுகள்சே ரோர்நா ரெனுமதனா னானா ரிடமெதென்றுட் போனா னினைவுகள்போய் நானா னெனக்குகையுட் டானாய்த் திகழுமான்ம — ஞானமே; இதுவே மோனமே; ஏக வானமே; இன்பத் தானமே. (ஐயே)

Padacchēdam (word-separation): ‘ūṉ ār uḍal iduvē nāṉ ām’ eṉum niṉaivē nāṉā niṉaivugaḷ sēr ōr nār eṉum adaṉāl, nāṉ ār iḍam edu eṉḏṟu uḷ pōṉāl, niṉaivugaḷ pōy, ‘nāṉ nāṉ’ eṉa guhai uḷ tāṉāy tikaṙum āṉma-ñāṉamē. iduvē mōṉamē, ēka vāṉamē, iṉba-tāṉamē. (aiyē, ati sulabham, ...)

English translation: Since the thought ‘this, the body composed of flesh, itself is I’ alone is the one thread on which the various thoughts are strung, if one goes within thus: what is the place from which I spread out, thoughts ceasing, in the cave ātma-jñāna alone will shine spontaneously as ‘I am I’. This alone is silence, the one space, the abode of bliss. (Ah, extremely easy, ...)

Explanatory paraphrase: Since the thought ‘this, the body composed of flesh, itself is I’ alone is the one thread on which [all] the various thoughts are strung, if one goes within [investigating] what is the place from which I spread out [or: who am I, what is [my] place], [all] thoughts [including the root thought, ‘I am this body’] will cease [or depart], and in the cave [of one’s heart] ātma-jñāna [pure self-awareness] alone will shine spontaneously [or as oneself] as ‘I am I’ [that is, as awareness of oneself as oneself alone]. This alone is silence, the one space [of pure awareness], the abode of bliss. ([Therefore] ah, extremely easy, ātma-vidyā, ah, extremely easy!).

This episode can also be watched as a video here and a more compressed audio copy in Opus format (which can be listened to in the VLC media player and some other apps) can be downloaded from here.

In a Zoom meeting with the Ramana Maharshi Foundation UK on 8th July 2023 Michael answers various questions about Bhagavan’s teachings.

This episode can also be watched as a video here and a more compressed audio copy in Opus format (which can be listened to in the VLC media player and some other apps) can be downloaded from here.

In this video filmed in Kensington Gardens on 23rd May 2023 Michael and Geetha were having a general discussion about identification.

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This episode can also be watched as a video here and a more compressed audio copy in Opus format (which can be listened to in the VLC media player and some other apps) can be downloaded from here.

In a Zoom meeting with the San Diego Ramana Satsang (ramana-satsang-sd@googlegroups.com) on 2nd July 2023 Michael answers various questions about Bhagavan’s teachings.

This episode can also be watched as a video here, and a more compressed audio copy in Opus format (which can be listened to in the VLC media player and some other apps) can be downloaded here.  

In a Zoom meeting with Sri Ramana Center, Houston, on 1st July 2023 Michael James discusses Uḷḷadu Nāṟpadu Anubandham verses 1 to 3.

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Verse 1

சத்திணக் கத்தினாற் சார்பகலுஞ் சார்பகலச்
சித்தத்தின் சார்பு சிதையுமே — சித்தச்சார்
பற்றா ரலைவிலதி லற்றார்சீ வன்முத்தி
பெற்றா ரவரிணக்கம் பேண்.

sattiṇak kattiṉāṟ sārbahaluñ sārbahalac
cittattiṉ sārbu sidaiyumē — cittaccār
baṯṟā ralaiviladi laṯṟārjī vaṉmutti
peṯṟā ravariṇakkam pēṇ.

தச்சேதம்: சத் இணக்கத்தினால் சார்பு அகலும்; சார்பு அகல, சித்தத்தின் சார்பு சிதையுமே; சித்த சார்பு அற்றார் அலைவு இல் அதில் அற்றார்; சீவன் முத்தி பெற்றார். அவர் இணக்கம் பேண்.

Padacchēdam (word-separation): sat iṇakkattiṉāl sārbu ahalum; sārbu ahala, cittattiṉ sārbu sidaiyumē; citta sārbu aṯṟār alaivu il adil aṯṟār; jīvaṉ mutti peṯṟār. avar iṇakkam pēṇ.

English translation: By association with being, attachment will leave; when attachment leaves, attachment of the mind will perish; those in whom mental attachment has ceased have ceased in that which is not moving; they have attained jīvanmukti. Cherish their association.

Explanatory paraphrase: By association [compatibility or fitting well together] with sat [pure being, ‘I am’, or those who abide as pure being], [outer] attachment [to all other things] will leave [or depart]; when [outer] attachment leaves, attachment of the mind [or will] [namely viṣaya-vāsanās (inclination to seek happiness in objects or phenomena), which are the subtle seeds that sprout as outer attachment] will perish [or be dispersed]; those in whom mental attachment has ceased [perished or been severed] have ceased [or perished] in that which is not moving [namely sat, pure being, which exists eternally without ever moving or undergoing even the slightest change of any kind whatsoever]; they have attained jīvanmukti [‘living liberation’, liberation while the body is still living]. Cherish their association.

Verse 2

சாதுறவு சாரவுளஞ் சார்தெளிவி சாரத்தா
லேதுபர மாம்பதமிங் கெய்துமோ — வோதுமது
போதகனா னூற்பொருளாற் புண்ணியத்தாற் பின்னுமொரு
சாதகத்தாற் சாரவொணா தால்.

sādhuṟavu sāravuḷañ cārteḷivi cārattā
lēdupara māmpadamiṅ geydumō — vōdumadu
bōdhakaṉā ṉūṯporuḷāṯ puṇṇiyattāṯ piṉṉumoru
sādhakattāṯ sāravoṇā dāl.

பதச்சேதம்: சாது உறவு சார உளம் சார் தெளி விசாரத்தால் ஏது பரம் ஆம் பதம் இங்கு எய்துமோ, ஓதும் அது போதகனால், நூல் பொருளால், புண்ணியத்தால், பின்னும் ஒரு சாதகத்தால் சார ஒணாது; ஆல்.

Padacchēdam (word-separation): sādhu uṟavu sāra uḷam sār teḷi vicārattāl ēdu param ām padam iṅgu eydumō, ōdum adu bōdhakaṉāl, nūl poruḷāl, puṇṇiyattāl, piṉṉum oru sādhakattāl sāra oṇādu; āl.

English translation: What exalted state one achieves here by clear investigation, which arises in the heart when one takes refuge in sādhu-association, that, which is extolled, is not possible to achieve by a teacher, by the meaning of texts, by virtuous actions, or moreover by any means.

Explanatory paraphrase: What exalted state [namely the supreme state of knowing and being what one actually is] one achieves here by clear vicāra [investigation, namely self-investigation], which arises in the heart when one takes refuge in sādhu-association [association with a sādhu, which in this context implies a jñāni, one who knows and abides as sat, pure being], that [exalted state], which is extolled [by the Vedas and other texts as the ultimate goal], is not possible to achieve by [studying under the guidance of] a bōdhaka [a teacher of religious or spiritual precepts], by [learning] the meaning of texts, by [doing any number of] virtuous actions, or moreover by any [other] means [whatsoever].

Verse 3

சாதுக்க ளாவார் சகவாச நண்ணினா
லேதுக்கா மிந்நியம் மெல்லாமு — மேதக்க
தண்டென்றன் மாருதத் தான்வீச வேவிசிறி
கொண்டென்ன காரியநீ கூறு.

sādhukka ḷāvār cakavāca naṇṇiṉā
lēdukkā minniyam mellāmu — mēdakka
taṇḍeṉḏṟaṉ mārutat tāṉvīsa vēvisiṟi
koṇḍeṉṉa kāriyanī kūṟu.

பதச்சேதம்: சாதுக்களாவார் சகவாசம் நண்ணினால், ஏதுக்கு ஆம் இந் நியமம் எல்லாமும்? மேதக்க தண் தென்றல் மாருதம் தான் வீசவே, விசிறி கொண்டு என்ன காரியம் நீ கூறு?

Padacchēdam (word-separation): sādhukkaḷ-āvār sahavāsam naṇṇiṉāl, ēdukku ām i-n-niyamam ellāmum? mēdakka taṇ teṉḏṟal mārutam tāṉ vīsavē, visiṟi koṇḍu eṉṉa kāriyam nī kūṟu?

English translation: If one adheres to living with those who are sādhus, for what are all these restrictions? When the air of the excellent cool southern breeze is blowing, you say, what is the purpose of having a fan?

Explanatory paraphrase: If one adheres to living with those who are sādhus [benevolent people, which in this context implies jñānis, those who know and abide as sat, pure being], for what are all these niyamas [restrictions or disciplinary practices such as fasting, yōga practices, ritualistic worship, mantra-japa or meditation on anything other than oneself]? When the air of the excellent cool southern breeze is blowing, you say, what is the purpose of having a fan?

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This episode can also be watched as a video here, and a more compressed audio copy in Opus format (which can be listened to in the VLC media player and some other apps) can be downloaded from here.

In a Zoom meeting with the Ramana Maharshi Foundation UK on 24th June 2023 Michael is asked, "It still feels like there is something missing because where does the 'desire' or 'love' to practice come from? I understand the love grows in relation to how much we practice but what can we do to increase our practice? Its so easy to not bother and spend all day being busy turning outwards. Plus our love to turn inwards is Grace then it feels like we cant do anything to speed up the process. It will happen when it happens. Even the desire to practice feels like it will only happen when its meant to happen. Where does the desire, the love to practice come from? Do we have to some how use our ego to try and consciously make an effort to practice and then as we do practice more then the love from Grace increases and our love to go inwards increases. There seems to have to be some real fight to get started first before our love to go inwards increases. Its a bit like when you know you need to exercise but have no interest to exercise but you have to force yourself to get started, then once you get started you find you quite like it and it gets easier. That effort and inner fight to get started with exercising isn't usually easy, you tend to put it of, find excuses, and it can be a real fight to get started. Is it like that for some of us when it comes to going inwards. You know its something you need to do, practice but your desire to go outwards is so strong its such a huge effort and you constantly put it of and are busy going outwards. Do we have to some how find the fight to make a start and is there any ways or suggestions we can make that easier for ourselves because when its such an effort, like for someone who wants to exercise but doesn't naturally have the desire to do so, then when they try it can be very difficult to sustain, they may try one day then not bother for a few days, or weeks, then try again. It can feel quite hopeless when it doesn't come easily, or naturally. So what can we do to over come our laziness, our strong desire to go outwards to get us started and be able to sustain some kind of practice. Any tips because it feels like a battle. Does the desire to even practice only come from Grace or does it have to actually come from ego? I understand once we get going and we are able to sustain some regular practice then our love will increase but to get going and get a regular practice isn't easy. Also what would you define as a good sustain practice? Once a day, several times a day, even if its only for a few minutes or even seconds? Reason I ask is i do wonder if we don't discuss these things we could find we are having high expectations of ourself and not being realistic which can lead us to think and feel we cant do it because we are struggling", so he answers this and several other related questions.

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This episode can also be watched as a video here, and a more compressed audio copy in Opus format (which can be listened to in the VLC media player and some other apps) can be downloaded here.  

In a Zoom meeting of ‘Yo Soy Tu Mismo’ (a group of Spanish devotees of Bhagavan Sri Ramana) on 21th June 2023, Michael James was asked about "pride, arrogance and spiritual envy and the effects they have on the sadhaka along the path'’, so he answers this and several other related questions.

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This episode can also be watched as a video here, and a more compressed audio copy in Opus format (which can be listened to in the VLC media player and some other apps) can be downloaded here.  

In this video filmed in Kensington Gardens on 23rd May 2023 Michael answers the following two questions asked by Geetha:

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"Verses 942 and 943 of Guru Vācaka Kōvai talk about severance of the knot. Does severance of the knot indicate the complete destruction of the ego?"

and:

"In verse B19 of Guru Vācaka Kōvai [verse 16 of Upadēśa Taṉippākkaḷ], Bhagavan writes: ‘The state of sleep in waking will result by subtle investigation, in which one always examines [or keenly attends to] oneself. Until sleep shines blending in waking [and] in dream, incessantly perform that subtle investigation’. Does severance of the knot described in verses 942 and 943 result in wakeful sleep, or does enquiry continue beyond that until it results in wakeful sleep?"

This episode can also be watched as a video here and a more compressed audio copy in Opus format (which can be listened to in the VLC media player and some other apps) can be downloaded from here.

In a Zoom meeting of ‘Yo Soy Tu Mismo’ (a group of Spanish devotees of Bhagavan Sri Ramana) on 18th June 2023, Michael James is asked, ‘What kinds of experiences have you had going inwards and how have you been able to come out of it? Please Michael, I would like to know all the types of traps I will have to face as I turn more and more and how I can transcend these traps. On the other hand, how can we overcome boredom, apathy and meaninglessness in the early stages where we don’t yet believe we can attend to ourselves with enough love and diligence?’, so he answers this and several other related questions.

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This episode can also be watched as a video here, and a more compressed audio copy in Opus format (which can be listened to in the VLC media player and some other apps) can be downloaded here.  

In a Zoom meeting with Sri Ramana Center, Houston, on 17th June 2023 Michael James discusses Uḷḷadu Nāṟpadu Anubandham, Maṅgalam (benedictory verse):

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எதன்கண்ணே நிலையாகி யிருந்திடுமிவ் வுலகமெலா
மெதன தெல்லா
மெதனின்றிவ் வனைத்துலகு மெழுமோமற் றிவையாவு
மெதன்பொ ருட்டா
மெதனாலிவ் வையமெலா மெழுந்திடுமிவ் வெல்லாமு
மெதுவே யாகு
மதுதானே யுளபொருளாஞ் சத்தியமா மச்சொருப
மகத்தில் வைப்பாம்.

edaṉkaṇṇē nilaiyāhi yirundiḍumiv vulahamelā 
medaṉa dellā
medaṉiṉḏṟiv vaṉaittulahu meṙumōmaṯ ṟivaiyāvu 
medaṉpo ruṭṭā
medaṉāliv vaiyamelā meṙundiḍumiv vellāmu 
meduvē yāhu
madudāṉē yuḷaporuḷāñ sattiyamā maccorupa 
mahattil vaippām.

பதச்சேதம்: எதன்கண்ணே நிலையாகி இருந்திடும் இவ் உலகம் எலாம், எதனது எல்லாம், எதனின்று இவ் அனைத்து உலகும் எழுமோ, மற்று இவை யாவும் எதன் பொருட்டு ஆம், எதனால் இவ் வையம் எலாம் எழுந்திடும், இவ் எல்லாமும் எதுவோ ஆகும், அது தானே உள பொருள் ஆம். சத்தியம் ஆம் அச் சொருபம் அகத்தில் வைப்பாம் [அல்லது: வைப்பு ஆம்].

Padacchēdam (word-separation): edaṉkaṇṇē nilaiyāhi irundiḍum i-vv-ulaham elām, edaṉadu ellām, edaṉiṉḏṟu i-vv-aṉaittu ulahum eṙumō, maṯṟu ivai yāvum edaṉ poruṭṭu ām, edaṉāl i-v-vaiyam elām eṙundiḍum, i-vv-ellāmum eduvō āhum, adu tāṉē uḷa-poruḷ ām. sattiyam ām a-c-sorupam ahattil vaippām [alladu: vaippu ām].

English translation: In what all this world steadily exists, of what all are, from what this entire world arises, as well as for what all these are, by what all this world arises, whatever this all is, that itself is the existing substance. Let us hold that svarūpa, which is real, in the heart.

Explanatory paraphrase: In what all this world [seemingly] steadily exists, of what [or whose] all are, from what this entire world arises [appears or originates], also for what [or because of what] all these are, by what all this world arises [appears or originates], [and] whatever this all is, that itself is uḷḷa-poruḷ [the existing substance or sat-vastu, the one and only substance that actually exists]. Let us [always] hold [keep, cherish or meditate on] that svarūpa [our own real nature], which [alone] is real, in the heart. [Or: That svarūpa, which is real, is the [great] treasure [of divine grace] [that always exists] in [our] heart.]

This episode can also be watched as a video here, and a more compressed audio copy in Opus format (which can be listened to in the VLC media player and some other apps) can be downloaded from here.

In this video filmed in Kensington Gardens on 23rd May 2023 Michael answers the following questions asked by Geetha:

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"You defined grace beautifully in one of your talks the other day when you said ‘grace is the act of attention being pulled inwards’. This is sometimes very perceptive and sometimes not. How does one open oneself up to grace so as to be pulled inwards constantly? Or is this happening all the time, and we are sometimes aware of it and at other times not?"

and:

"How can one develop sufficient love to turn within so that one prioritises self-attention over everything else?"

This episode can also be watched as a video here and a more compressed audio copy in Opus format (which can be listened to in the VLC media player and some other apps) can be downloaded from here.

In a Zoom meeting with Ramana Kendra, Delhi, on 11th June 2023 Michael James continues to discuss the meaning and implications of verse 2 of Āṉ𝘮𝘢 𝘝𝘪𝘥𝘥𝘢𝘪.

Verse 2: https://happinessofbeing.blogspot.com/2023/05/anma-viddai-verse-2-thought-i-am-this.html

ஊனா ருடலிதுவே நானா மெனுநினைவே நானா நினைவுகள்சே ரோர்நா ரெனுமதனா னானா ரிடமெதென்றுட் போனா னினைவுகள்போய் நானா னெனக்குகையுட் டானாய்த் திகழுமான்ம — ஞானமே; இதுவே மோனமே; ஏக வானமே; இன்பத் தானமே. (ஐயே)

Padacchēdam (word-separation): ‘ūṉ ār uḍal iduvē nāṉ ām’ eṉum niṉaivē nāṉā niṉaivugaḷ sēr ōr nār eṉum adaṉāl, nāṉ ār iḍam edu eṉḏṟu uḷ pōṉāl, niṉaivugaḷ pōy, ‘nāṉ nāṉ’ eṉa guhai uḷ tāṉāy tikaṙum āṉma-ñāṉamē. iduvē mōṉamē, ēka vāṉamē, iṉba-tāṉamē. (aiyē, ati sulabham, ...)

English translation: Since the thought ‘this, the body composed of flesh, itself is I’ alone is the one thread on which the various thoughts are strung, if one goes within thus: what is the place from which I spread out, thoughts ceasing, in the cave ātma-jñāna alone will shine spontaneously as ‘I am I’. This alone is silence, the one space, the abode of bliss. (Ah, extremely easy, ...)

Explanatory paraphrase: Since the thought ‘this, the body composed of flesh, itself is I’ alone is the one thread on which [all] the various thoughts are strung, if one goes within [investigating] what is the place from which I spread out [or: who am I, what is [my] place], [all] thoughts [including the root thought, ‘I am this body’] will cease [or depart], and in the cave [of one’s heart] ātma-jñāna [pure self-awareness] alone will shine spontaneously [or as oneself] as ‘I am I’ [that is, as awareness of oneself as oneself alone]. This alone is silence, the one space [of pure awareness], the abode of bliss. ([Therefore] ah, extremely easy, ātma-vidyā, ah, extremely easy!).

This episode can also be watched as a video here and a more compressed audio copy in Opus format (which can be listened to in the VLC media player and some other apps) can be downloaded from here.

In this episode recorded on 23rd May 2023 Michael answers the following question asked by Geetha:

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“When the mind is quiet but alert, how does one ensure that one is not attending to the quiet mind but rather to the self? The difference between the two is very subtle." 

This episode can also be watched as a video here and a more compressed audio copy in Opus format (which can be listened to in the VLC media player and some other apps) can be downloaded from here.

In a Zoom meeting with the Ramana Maharshi Foundation UK on 10th June 2023 Michael answers various questions about Bhagavan’s teachings.

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This episode can also be watched as a video here, and a more compressed audio copy in Opus format (which can be listened to in the VLC media player and some other apps) can be downloaded from here.

In a Zoom meeting with the San Diego Ramana Satsang (ramana-satsang-sd@googlegroups.com) on 4th June 2023 Michael answers various questions about Bhagavan’s teachings.

This episode can also be watched as a video here, and a more compressed audio copy in Opus format (which can be listened to in the VLC media player and some other apps) can be downloaded here.  

In this episode recorded on 23rd May 2023 Michael answers the following question asked by Geetha:

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“On good days, the current of self is strong, and thoughts appear and disappear automatically. But on most days, thoughts take shape and attention drifts away from the self before one realises that attention has moved from the self to the thought, and pramada or inattention has occurred. Verse 921 of Guru Vācaka Kōvai advises one to ignore the mind as if it were non-existent. This works sometimes but not always. How can one constantly remind oneself that this world is unreal, and thereby ignore the mind?" 

This episode can also be watched as a video, 2023-05-23 Geetha and Michael 2: How to ignore the mind and know oneself, its base?, and a more compressed audio copy in Opus format (which can be listened to in the VLC media player and some other apps) can be downloaded from here.

In a Zoom meeting with the Ramana Maharshi Foundation UK on 27th May 2023 Michael answers various questions about Bhagavan’s teachings.

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This episode can also be watched as a video here, and a more compressed audio copy in Opus format (which can be listened to in the VLC media player and some other apps) can be downloaded from here.

In this episode recorded on 23rd May 2023 Michael answers the following question asked by Geetha:

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“Bhagavan talks about holding on incessantly to the self in several places in Who am I. In verse 130 of Guru Vacaka Kovai he provides the lizard analogy to illustrate how tightly one should hold on to the self. Elsewhere in Who am I he says that as soon as a thought appears, one should enquire to whom it has appeared. To enquire or shift attention back to self even before the thought takes shape requires a great deal of vigilance and sharpness of mind. How does one cultivate such vigilance or sharpness of mind and sustain it?”

This episode can also be watched as a video, 2023-05-23a Geetha and Michael: How to cultivate the sharpness of mind to hold onto oneself?, and a more compressed audio copy in Opus format (which can be listened to in the VLC media player and some other apps) can be downloaded from here.

In a Zoom meeting with Ramana Kendra, Delhi, on 14th May 2023 Michael James concludes to discuss the meaning and implications of verse 1 of Āṉma-Viddai and begins to discuss verse 2:

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Verse 1:

மெய்யாய் நிரந்தரந்தா னையா திருந்திடவும் பொய்யா முடம்புலக மெய்யா முளைத்தெழும்பொய் மையார் நினைவணுவு முய்யா தொடுக்கிடவே மெய்யா ரிதயவெளி வெய்யோன் சுயமான்மா — விளங்குமே; இரு ளடங்குமே; இட ரொடுங்குமே; இன்பம் பொங்குமே. (ஐயே)

meyyāy nirantarandā ṉaiyā dirundiḍavum poyyā muḍambulaha meyyā muḷaitteṙumpoy maiyār niṉaivaṇuvu muyyā doḍukkiḍavē meyyā ridayaveḷi veyyōṉ suyamāṉmā — viḷaṅgumē; iru ḷaḍaṅgumē; iḍa roḍuṅgumē; iṉbam poṅgumē. (aiyē)

பதச்சேதம்: மெய் ஆய் நிரந்தரம் தான் ஐயாது [அல்லது: நையாது] இருந்திடவும், பொய் ஆம் உடம்பு உலகம் மெய் ஆ முளைத்து எழும். பொய் மை ஆர் நினைவு அணுவும் உய்யாது ஒடுக்கிடவே, மெய் ஆர் இதய வெளி வெய்யோன் சுயம் ஆன்மா விளங்குமே; இருள் அடங்குமே; இடர் ஒடுங்குமே; இன்பம் பொங்குமே. (ஐயே, அதி சுலபம், ...)

Padacchēdam (word-separation): mey āy nirantaram tāṉ aiyādu [or: naiyādu] irundiḍavum, poy ām uḍambu ulaham mey ā muḷaittu eṙum. poy mai ār niṉaivu aṇuvum uyyādu oḍukkiḍavē, mey ār idaya veḷi veyyōṉ suyam āṉmā viḷaṅgumē; iruḷ aḍaṅgumē; iḍar oḍuṅgumē; iṉbam poṅgumē. (aiyē, ati sulabham, ...)

English translation: Though oneself exists incessantly and indubitably as real, the body and world, which are unreal, arise sprouting as real. When unreal darkness-pervaded thought is dissolved without reviving even an iota, in the reality-pervaded heart-space oneself, the sun, will certainly shine by oneself; darkness will cease; suffering will end; happiness will surge forth. (Ah, extremely easy, ...)

Explanatory paraphrase: Though oneself exists incessantly and indubitably [or imperishably] as real, the body and world, which are unreal, arise sprouting as [if] real. When thought, which is pervaded by [or full of] unreal darkness [the darkness of self-ignorance, namely ego, which is the cause for the appearance of the body and world], is dissolved without reviving even an iota [in other words, when it is dissolved in such a manner that it does not ever revive even an iota], in the heart-space, which [alone] is real, oneself, [who is] the sun [of pure awareness], will certainly shine by oneself [spontaneously or of one’s own accord]; darkness [self-ignorance in the form of ego] will cease; suffering will end; happiness will surge forth. ([Therefore] ah, extremely easy, ātma-vidyā, ah, extremely easy!)

Verse 2:

ஊனா ருடலிதுவே நானா மெனுநினைவே நானா நினைவுகள்சே ரோர்நா ரெனுமதனா னானா ரிடமெதென்றுட் போனா னினைவுகள்போய் நானா னெனக்குகையுட் டானாய்த் திகழுமான்ம — ஞானமே; இதுவே மோனமே; ஏக வானமே; இன்பத் தானமே. (ஐயே) ūṉā ruḍaliduvē nāṉā meṉuniṉaivē nāṉā niṉaivugaḷsē rōrnā reṉumadaṉā ṉāṉā riḍamedeṉḏṟuṭ pōṉā ṉiṉaivugaḷpōy nāṉā ṉeṉakkuhaiyuṭ ṭāṉāyt tikaṙumāṉma — ñāṉamē; iduvē mōṉamē; ēka vāṉamē; iṉbat tāṉamē. (aiyē)

பதச்சேதம்: ‘ஊன் ஆர் உடல் இதுவே நான் ஆம்’ எனும் நினைவே நானா நினைவுகள் சேர் ஓர் நார் எனும் அதனால், ‘நான் ஆர் இடம் எது?’ [அல்லது, ‘நான் ஆர்? இடம் எது?’] என்று உள் போனால், நினைவுகள் போய், ‘நான் நான்’ என குகை உள் தானாய் திகழும் ஆன்ம ஞானமே. இதுவே மோனமே, ஏக வானமே, இன்ப தானமே. (ஐயே, அதி சுலபம், ...)

Padacchēdam (word-separation): ‘ūṉ ār uḍal iduvē nāṉ ām’ eṉum niṉaivē nāṉā niṉaivugaḷ sēr ōr nār eṉum adaṉāl, nāṉ ār iḍam edu eṉḏṟu uḷ pōṉāl, niṉaivugaḷ pōy, ‘nāṉ nāṉ’ eṉa guhai uḷ tāṉāy tikaṙum āṉma-ñāṉamē. iduvē mōṉamē, ēka vāṉamē, iṉba-tāṉamē. (aiyē, ati sulabham, ...)

அன்வயம்: ‘ஊன் ஆர் உடல் இதுவே நான் ஆம்’ எனும் நினைவே நானா நினைவுகள் சேர் ஓர் நார் எனும் அதனால், ‘நான் ஆர் இடம் எது?’ (அல்லது, ‘நான் ஆர்? இடம் எது?’) என்று உள் போனால், நினைவுகள் போய், குகை உள் ‘நான் நான்’ என ஆன்ம ஞானமே தானாய் திகழும். இதுவே மோனமே, ஏக வானமே, இன்ப தானமே. (ஐயே, அதி சுலபம், ...)

Anvayam (words rearranged in natural prose order): ‘ūṉ ār uḍal iduvē nāṉ ām’ eṉum niṉaivē nāṉā niṉaivugaḷ sēr ōr nār eṉum adaṉāl, nāṉ ār iḍam edu eṉḏṟu uḷ pōṉāl, niṉaivugaḷ pōy, guhai uḷ ‘nāṉ nāṉ’ eṉa āṉma-ñāṉamē tāṉāy tihaṙum. iduvē mōṉamē, ēka vāṉamē, iṉba-tāṉamē. (aiyē, ati sulabham, ...)

English translation: Since the thought ‘this, the body composed of flesh, itself is I’ alone is the one thread on which the various thoughts are strung, if one goes within thus: what is the place from which I spread out, thoughts ceasing, in the cave ātma-jñāna alone will shine spontaneously as ‘I am I’. This alone is silence, the one space, the abode of bliss. (Ah, extremely easy, ...)

Explanatory paraphrase: Since the thought ‘this, the body composed of flesh, itself is I’ alone is the one thread on which [all] the various thoughts are strung, if one goes within [investigating] what is the place from which I spread out [or: who am I, what is [my] place], [all] thoughts [including the root thought, ‘I am this body’] will cease [or depart], and in the cave [of one’s heart] ātma-jñāna [pure self-awareness] alone will shine spontaneously [or as oneself] as ‘I am I’ [that is, as awareness of oneself as oneself alone]. This alone is silence, the one space [of pure awareness], the abode of bliss. ([Therefore] ah, extremely easy, ātma-vidyā, ah, extremely easy!).

This episode can also be watched as a video here, and a more compressed audio copy in Opus format (which can be listened to in the VLC media player and some other apps) can be downloaded from here.

In a Zoom meeting with the Ramana Maharshi Foundation UK on 13th May 2023 Michael answers various questions about Bhagavan’s teachings.

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This episode can also be watched as a video here, and a more compressed audio copy in Opus format (which can be listened to in the VLC media player and some other apps) can be downloaded from here.

In a Zoom meeting of ‘Yo Soy Tu Mismo’ (a group of Spanish devotees of Bhagavan Sri Ramana) on 10th May 2023, Michael James is first asked, ‘In Path of Sri Ramana p. 156, Sadhu Om says "It is normal for one who is truly engaged in the practice of self- attention to frequently experience as if one’s true nature of absolute self shines at times and then obscures. On such occasions, one will be able to understand very clearly from one’s own experience how the world’s appearance vanishes and how it again comes into existence". Is he talking about subsiding in laya or does the world really vanish when a deep vairagya is combined with a strong love to turn within? Does this happen in the advanced stages of practice?’, so he answers this and several other related questions.

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This episode can also be watched as a video here and a more compressed audio copy in Opus format (which can be listened to in the VLC media player and some other apps) can be downloaded here.  

In a Zoom meeting with the San Diego Ramana Satsang (ramana-satsang-sd@googlegroups.com) on 7th May 2023 Michael answers various questions about Bhagavan’s teachings.

This episode can also be watched as a video here and a more compressed audio copy in Opus format (which can be listened to in the VLC media player and some other apps) can be downloaded here.  

In a Zoom meeting with the Ramana group, Helsinki, on 1st May 2023, there was a very special gathering with the guests Swami Sarvapriyananda and Michael James who discussed the essence of Advaita Vedanta and the teachings of Sri Ramana Maharshi, and how to put these teachings into practice.

The event was broadcasted live on Zoom/YouTube and reached hundreds of participants. The discussion brought up many interesting and deep insights about the true core of Advaita and how Sri Ramana has given an easy but also subtle practice of self-investigation. In the end this is the only practice to eliminate the ego, which seems to exist if not investigated.

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This episode can also be watched as a video here, and a more compressed audio copy in Opus format (which can be listened to in the VLC media player and some other apps) can be downloaded from here.

During the international celebration of Bhagavan Ramana’s 73rd Aradhana (anniversary of the day he left his body) organised by Arunachala Ashrama, New York, on 30th April 2023 Michael James discusses the law of karma as taught by Bhagavan.

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This episode can also be watched as a video here, and a more compressed audio copy in Opus format (which can be listened to in the VLC media player and some other apps) can be downloaded from here.

In a Zoom meeting with the Ramana Maharshi Foundation UK on 29th April 2023 Michael answers various questions about Bhagavan’s teachings.

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This episode can also be watched as a video here, and a more compressed audio copy in Opus format (which can be listened to in the VLC media player and some other apps) can be downloaded from here.

In a Zoom meeting of ‘Yo Soy Tu Mismo’ (a group of Spanish devotees of Bhagavan Sri Ramana) on 16th April 2023, Michael James is first asked, ‘I would be grateful if you could talk to us about how to cultivate patience and recommendations so as not to slacken easily in order to persevere and persist on this slow path of self-inquiry where, because our minds are so impure, there is so little recognition of progress, at least for me. When one arrives at any path one needs a series of confirmations to keep one motivated, what would these be?’, so he answers this and several other related questions.

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This episode can also be watched as a video on YouTube here, and a more compressed audio copy in Opus format (which can be listened to in the VLC media player and some other apps) can be downloaded from here.

In a Zoom meeting with the Ramana Maharshi Foundation UK on 8th April 2023 Michael answers various questions about Bhagavan’s teachings.

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This episode can also be watched as a video here, and a more compressed audio copy in Opus format (which can be listened to in the VLC media player and some other apps) can be downloaded from here.

In a Zoom meeting with the San Diego Ramana Satsang (ramana-satsang-sd@googlegroups.com) on 2nd April 2023 Michael answers various questions about Bhagavan’s teachings, particularly about the practice of self-investigation in daily life.

This episode can also be watched as a video, 2023-04-02 San Diego Ramana Satsang: How to practice self investigation during our daily life, and a more compressed audio copy in Opus format (which can be listened to in the VLC media player and some other apps) can be downloaded here.  

In a Zoom meeting with Sri Ramana Center, Houston, on 1th April 2023 Michael James discusses verse 13 of Uḷḷadu Nāṟpadu:

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ஞானமாந் தானேமெய் நானாவா ஞானமஞ்
ஞானமாம் பொய்யாமஞ் ஞானமுமே — ஞானமாந்
தன்னையன்றி யின்றணிக டாம்பலவும் பொய்மெய்யாம்
பொன்னையன்றி யுண்டோ புகல்.

ñāṉamān tāṉēmey nāṉāvā ñāṉamañ
ñāṉamām poyyāmañ ñāṉamumē — ñāṉamān
taṉṉaiyaṉḏṟi yiṉḏṟaṇiga ḍāmpalavum poymeyyām
poṉṉaiyaṉḏṟi yuṇḍō puhal.

பதச்சேதம்: ஞானம் ஆம் தானே மெய். நானா ஆம் ஞானம் அஞ்ஞானம் ஆம். பொய் ஆம் அஞ்ஞானமுமே ஞானம் ஆம் தன்னை அன்றி இன்று. அணிகள் தாம் பலவும் பொய்; மெய் ஆம் பொன்னை அன்றி உண்டோ? புகல்.

Padacchēdam (word-separation): ñāṉam ām tāṉē mey. nāṉā ām ñāṉam aññāṉam ām. poy ām aññāṉamumē ñāṉam ām taṉṉai aṉḏṟi iṉḏṟu. aṇigaḷ tām palavum poy; mey ām poṉṉai aṉḏṟi uṇḍō? puhal.

English translation: Oneself, who is awareness, alone is real. Awareness that is manifold is ignorance. Even ignorance, which is unreal, does not exist except as oneself, who is awareness. All the many ornaments are unreal; do they exist except as gold, which is real? Say.

Explanatory paraphrase: Oneself, who is jñāna [knowledge or awareness], alone is real. Awareness that is manifold [namely the mind, whose root, ego, is the awareness that sees the one as many] is ajñāna [ignorance]. Even [that] ignorance, which is unreal, does not exist except as [besides, apart from or as other than] oneself, who is [real] awareness. All the many ornaments are unreal; do they exist except as gold, which is real? Say. [In other words, though ego or mind, which is the false awareness that sees itself as numerous phenomena, is ignorance and unreal, the real substance that appears as it is only oneself, who is true knowledge or pure awareness, so what actually exists is not ego or mind but only oneself.]

This episode can also be watched as a video, 2023-04-01 Sri Ramana Center, Houston: Michael James discusses Uḷḷadu Nāṟpadu verse 13, and a more compressed audio copy in Opus format (which can be listened to in the VLC media player and some other apps) can be downloaded from here.

In a Zoom meeting with the Ramana Maharshi Foundation UK on 25th March 2023 Michael answers various questions about Bhagavan’s teachings.

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This episode can also be watched as a video, 23-03-25 Ramana Maharshi Foundation UK: How to purify the mind?, and a more compressed audio copy in Opus format (which can be listened to in the VLC media player and some other apps) can be downloaded from here.

In a Zoom meeting with the Ramana Maharshi Foundation UK on 18th March 2023 Michael answers various questions about Bhagavan’s teachings.

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This episode can also be watched as a video, 23-03-18 Ramana Maharshi Foundation UK: Our aim is to attend to nothing other than our own being, and a more compressed audio copy in Opus format (which can be listened to in the VLC media player and some other apps) can be downloaded from here.

From the book 'The Path of Sri Ramana'. ISBN-13: ‎ 979-8373962537
Published by Sri Ramana Center of Houston, 2023.
Available from Amazon marketplaces worldwide. The US site can be accessed here.

----more----This episode in an audiovisual format, where the text can also be followed, can be accessed here .
More episodes of 'The Path of Sri Ramana' in audiovisual format, can be accessed in this advertisement-free Vimeo channel showcase .

This edition, which is a revised and more complete translation of the Tamil original, translated by a team of volunteers supervised and co-ordinated by Kumar Saran (Sri Ramana Center of Houston) in collaboration with Michael James, combines what were previously referred to as Part One and Part Two of Path of Sri Ramana. The former is now the main part of this book, and the latter is referred to as the ‘Supplement’.

Intro and Extro music: Pond5
Editing: Kumar Saran

'The Path of Sri Ramana'
Copyright © 2023 Sri Ramana Center of Houston
All rights reserved.
The text of this audio may not be reproduced, except for brief and duly acknowledged quotations, or as expressly permitted by law, without prior permission in writing from the president of Sri Ramana Center of Houston.

In a Zoom meeting with the San Diego Ramana Satsang (ramana-satsang-sd@googlegroups.com) on 5th March 2023 Michael answers various questions about Bhagavan’s teachings, particularly about the practice of self-investigation, self-surrender and prayer.

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This episode can also be watched as a video, 2023-03-05 San Diego Ramana Satsang - Investigating ourself is the antidote to our rising as ego, and a more compressed audio copy in Opus format (which can be listened to in the VLC media player and some other apps) can be downloaded from here.

In a Zoom meeting with Sri Ramana Center, Houston, on 4th March 2023 Michael James discusses verse 12 of Uḷḷadu Nāṟpadu:

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அறிவறி யாமையு மற்றதறி வாமே
யறியும துண்மையறி வாகா — தறிதற்
கறிவித்தற் கன்னியமின் றாயவிர்வ தாற்றா
னறிவாகும் பாழன் றறி.

aṟivaṟi yāmaiyu maṯṟadaṟi vāmē
yaṟiyuma duṇmaiyaṟi vāhā — daṟitaṟ
kaṟivittaṟ kaṉṉiyamiṉ ḏṟāyavirva dāṯṟā
ṉaṟivāhum pāṙaṉ ḏṟaṟi.

பதச்சேதம்: அறிவு அறியாமையும் அற்றது அறிவு ஆமே. அறியும் அது உண்மை அறிவு ஆகாது. அறிதற்கு அறிவித்தற்கு அன்னியம் இன்றாய் அவிர்வதால், தான் அறிவு ஆகும். பாழ் அன்று. அறி.

Padacchēdam (word-separation): aṟivu aṟiyāmaiyum aṯṟadu aṟivu āmē. aṟiyum adu uṇmai aṟivu āhādu. aṟidaṟku aṟivittaṟku aṉṉiyam iṉḏṟāy avirvadāl, tāṉ aṟivu āhum. pāṙ aṉḏṟu. aṟi.

English translation: What is devoid of knowledge and ignorance is actually knowledge. That which knows is not real knowledge. Since one shines without another for knowing or for causing to know, oneself is knowledge. One is not void. Know.

Explanatory paraphrase: What is devoid of knowledge and ignorance [about anything other than itself] is actually aṟivu [knowledge or awareness]. That which knows [or is aware of anything other than itself, namely ego] is not real aṟivu [knowledge or awareness]. Since [the real nature of oneself] shines without another for knowing or for causing to know [or causing to be known], oneself is [real] aṟivu [knowledge or awareness]. One is not void [emptiness, desolation, nothingness or non-existence]. Know [or be aware].

This episode can also be watched as a video, 2023-03-04 Sri Ramana Center, Houston: Michael James discusses Uḷḷadu Nāṟpadu verse 12, and a more compressed audio copy in Opus format (which can be listened to in the VLC media player and some other apps) can be downloaded from here.

In a Zoom meeting with Ernesto, Carlos and José of ‘Yo Soy Tu Mismo’ (a group of Spanish devotees of Bhagavan Sri Ramana) on 26th February 2023, Michael James is first asked, ‘How can we strengthen our desire to want to self-surrender and what can most effectively convince us to do so?’, so he answers this and several other related questions.

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This episode can also be watched as a video, 2023-02-26 Yo Soy Tu Mismo: How can we strengthen our love to surrender ourself, and a more compressed audio copy in Opus format (which can be listened to in the VLC media player and some other apps) can be downloaded from here.

In a Zoom meeting with the Ramana Maharshi Foundation UK on 25th February 2023 Michael answers various questions about Bhagavan’s teachings, particularly clarifying the practice of self-investigation.

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This episode can also be watched as a video, 2023-02-25 Ramana Maharshi Foundation UK: Clarifying the practice of self-investigation, and a more compressed audio copy in Opus format (which can be listened to in the VLC media player and some other apps) can be downloaded from here.

In a Zoom meeting with Ramana Kendra, Delhi, on 12th February 2023 Michael James continues to discuss the meaning and implications of verse 1 of Āṉma-Viddai:

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மெய்யாய் நிரந்தரந்தா னையா திருந்திடவும்
பொய்யா முடம்புலக மெய்யா முளைத்தெழும்பொய்
மையார் நினைவணுவு முய்யா தொடுக்கிடவே
மெய்யா ரிதயவெளி வெய்யோன் சுயமான்மா —
   விளங்குமே; இரு ளடங்குமே; இட ரொடுங்குமே;
      இன்பம் பொங்குமே.      (ஐயே)

meyyāy nirantarandā ṉaiyā dirundiḍavum
poyyā muḍambulaha meyyā muḷaitteṙumpoy
maiyār niṉaivaṇuvu muyyā doḍukkiḍavē
meyyā ridayaveḷi veyyōṉ suyamāṉmā —
   viḷaṅgumē; iru ḷaḍaṅgumē; iḍa roḍuṅgumē;
      iṉbam poṅgumē.      (aiyē)

பதச்சேதம்: மெய் ஆய் நிரந்தரம் தான் ஐயாது [அல்லது: நையாது] இருந்திடவும், பொய் ஆம் உடம்பு உலகம் மெய் ஆ முளைத்து எழும். பொய் மை ஆர் நினைவு அணுவும் உய்யாது ஒடுக்கிடவே, மெய் ஆர் இதய வெளி வெய்யோன் சுயம் ஆன்மா விளங்குமே; இருள் அடங்குமே; இடர் ஒடுங்குமே; இன்பம் பொங்குமே. (ஐயே, அதி சுலபம், ...)

Padacchēdam (word-separation): mey āy nirantaram tāṉ aiyādu [or: naiyādu] irundiḍavum, poy ām uḍambu ulaham mey ā muḷaittu eṙum. poy mai ār niṉaivu aṇuvum uyyādu oḍukkiḍavē, mey ār idaya veḷi veyyōṉ suyam āṉmā viḷaṅgumē; iruḷ aḍaṅgumē; iḍar oḍuṅgumē; iṉbam poṅgumē. (aiyē, ati sulabham, ...)

English translation: Though oneself exists incessantly and indubitably as real, the body and world, which are unreal, arise sprouting as real. When unreal darkness-pervaded thought is dissolved without reviving even an iota, in the reality-pervaded heart-space oneself, the sun, will certainly shine by oneself; darkness will cease; suffering will end; happiness will surge forth. (Ah, extremely easy, ...)

Explanatory paraphrase: Though oneself exists incessantly and indubitably [or imperishably] as real, the body and world, which are unreal, arise sprouting as [if] real. When thought, which is pervaded by [or full of] unreal darkness [the darkness of self-ignorance, namely ego, which is the cause for the appearance of the body and world], is dissolved without reviving even an iota [in other words, when it is dissolved in such a manner that it does not ever revive even an iota], in the heart-space, which [alone] is real, oneself, [who is] the sun [of pure awareness], will certainly shine by oneself [spontaneously or of one’s own accord]; darkness [self-ignorance in the form of ego] will cease; suffering will end; happiness will surge forth. ([Therefore] ah, extremely easy, ātma-vidyā, ah, extremely easy!)

This episode can also be watched as a video, 2023-02-12 Ramana Kendra, Delhi: Michael James discusses Āṉma-Viddai verse 1 (continued), and a more compressed audio copy in Opus format (which can be listened to in the VLC media player and some other apps) can be downloaded from here.

In a Zoom meeting of the ‘Ramana Maharshi Foundation UK’ on 11th February 2023 Michael James first discussed the meaning and deep implications of verse 21 of Śrī Aruṇācala Akṣaramaṇamālai, and that first portion of this meeting has been posted here as a separate episode: Śrī Aruṇācala Akṣaramaṇamālai verse 21.

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After discussing this, Michael answered questions on this and other aspects of Bhagavan’s teachings, particularly the practice of self-investigation and self-surrender, so this second portion of the meeting is posted here as this episode.

This episode can also be watched as a video, 2023-02-11b Ramana Foundation UK: Michael answers questions on Śrī Aruṇācala Akṣaramaṇamālai 21, and a more compressed audio copy in Opus format (which can be listened to in the VLC media player and some other apps) can be downloaded from here.