Talks With Sri Ramana Maharshi

T. N.Venkataraman, Sri Ramanashram

This long but very easy to read book is regarded as the "bible" of the teachings of Sri Ramana Maharshi, the highly regarded 20th-century exponent of Advaita Vedanta. Its 600-plus pages contain nothing but questions to, and answers from, Sri Ramana on a wide range of topics, recorded during the period from 1935 to 1939. The material is presented in roughly chronological order, with no attempt to organize along topical lines. It thus offers a glimpse into the natural flow of conversations at Sri Ramanashram during this four-year period.

Sri Ramana always preferred that both teaching and learning occur in silence, rather than on the basis of verbal discussion. From his side, he preferred simply to sit and radiate a current of pure consciousness with which seekers could effortlessly align. From the aspirant's side, he encouraged actually engaging in the practice of self-enquiry, rather than posing questions to satisfy the mind while keeping it active on its surface level. Fortunately however, he did answer a few questions each day.

According to the interests of the his visitors, many topics are discussed here, including all of the favorites of spiritual aspirants throughout the ages, such as the nature of enlightenment, states of consciousness, the role of the witness, knowledge versus devotion, effort versus grace, etc.

At some point while reading this book one begins to notice that, while addressing various questions, Sri Ramana's replies all seem to follow a similar pattern. Intellectual understanding, initially in the foreground, gradually gives way to an intuitive recognition of this pattern as being somehow very personal to the reader himself.

This is because Sri Ramana persistently brings one's wandering mind back to its true purpose, the recognition of its own source. He does this by pointing out that every question asked is actually an extrapolation of the primal question, "Who am I?" and then by offering an experiential answer to this all-important question.

In this way, even "horizontal" theoretical discussions are used as opportunities for experiencing "vertical" self-enquiry, thereby coming full-circle to Sri Ramana's eternally practical purpose. This persistent switch from fascination with external objects (in which frame the question is posed) to fascination with the subject of enquiry (in which frame the answer is experienced) is Sri Ramana's special gift.

With its comprehensive scope, great depth, and reader-friendly style, Talks, as it is known by its many fans, is my second favorite book of all time. The journal-type entries are all very short. I recommend reading one or more of them each night right before falling asleep. An added advantage to this approach is that the calm, settled feeling one gets from the readings may well continue throughout the night and result in a wonderful rested feeling of inner wakefulness.

Review by Michael Baxter