The Only Way to Live

Ramesh Balsekar

Ramesh Balsekar has written about 30 books, and he gives daily Satsang in his apartment in Mumbai. His guru was Nisargadatta . Ramesh Balsekar is considered one of the leading teachers in the tradition of Advaita (non-duality). That is a huge amount of teaching and a prodigious amount of intellectual output for a man who has basically taught that becoming a sage or gaining what he calls “The Ultimate Knowledge” is a product of fate or grace rather than something that can be taught or attained through effort or discipline. In essence this paradox is very similar to the paradox of Lao-tzu, who begins the Tao Te Ching by saying that the “Tao that can spoken is not the true Tao” and then follows that up with verses and pages all about the Tao.

One of Ramesh’s earliest works, Pointers , conveyed his approach which is that while no one can be taught and no one can learn to become a sage, it is possible that certain “pointers” may be useful in the process. Over the last 20 years or so, Ramesh’s teachings have slowly been evolving towards a more pragmatic or practical approach. The Only Way to Live , his latest book, is, as the title implies, more of a practical manual than a philosophical text.

Ramesh’s basic teaching, which he claims is the same as that taught by the Buddha, is that while deeds are done and things happen, there is no personal doer. In other words only God, or “Source”, or “Consciousness” is moving this whole happening we call life. Therefore, since we are merely products of our nature (genes) and our nurture we have no reason to be proud or guilty or sinful. He claims that if this “ultimate understanding” is realized on a very deep and fundamental level, beyond the level of a “concept” then one can be a sage and live life in peace, harmony, and fulfillment.

The Only Way to Live is a book that could be very helpful in attaining this wisdom. Additionally there is very practical and useful insight into love, relationships, religion, values and many more topics of utmost importance. I have read about 20 of his books, attended Satsang in Mumbai, watched numerous videos of him, and listened to countless CD’s. As a thinker, philosopher, and observer of human nature and psychology I think Ramesh Balsekar is right up there with Kant, Bertram Russell, Freud and all of the best of breed. Since this is definitely one of his best books, and since it incorporates his most current thinking, I very highly recommend this book.

Review by Len Oppenheim