Be As You Are: The Teachings of Sri Ramana Maharshi

Edited by David Godman

This is the best book for introducing serious spiritual seekers to the teachings of Sri Ramana Maharshi, the foremost exponent of experiential Advaita Vedanta of at least the last century. It is also the finest job of book editing I've ever seen.

Prior to compiling this book, Godman had been the librarian at Sri Ramanashram for several years. He has arranged the material in such a way as to present the most important ideas first, as was Sri Ramana's own style in teaching. So carefully has this been done that I am tempted to believe that if a Vedantic principle is not presented in the first half of this book, I probably don't need it in the long run. The questions and answers which form the bulk of each chapter have been taken from many sources and assembled in such a way as to give the appearance of a smooth and continuous conversation. The brief prefaces to each chapter are also very clear and informative.

The most impressive aspect of the book, however, is its emphasis on the practice of self-enquiry to re-establish one's identity with the unbounded Self. While some form of this technique, sometimes referred to as atma vichara, has existed since antiquity, Sri Ramana prescribed it in an innovative form designed for the modern world, to be practiced during both silence and activity. He recommended this technique so often and so vigorously that it is regarded as the most distinctive motif in his teachings.

Godman presents Sri Ramana's instructions for self-enquiry in three chapters, placed second only to the presentation of the concept of Self. Although the practice itself is very simple, much has been said about it by Sri Ramana and others over the years, with potentially confusing results. The questions and answers in these three chapters greatly clarify these issues.

In addition, Godman's summary of the mechanics of the practice is completely lucid, indeed in a class of its own when compared to other discussions on this topic that I have come across. I have been in correspondence with Godman on this point myself, and have found his clarifications to be invaluable.

Sri Ramana taught that different spiritual paths are appropriate for different individuals according to one's temperament and qualification. He has said:

Self-enquiry is the first and most important step. The I-thought is traced to its source, which is the final goal. However, if the aspirant is temperamentally unsuited for self–enquiry, he must develop devotion. If neither enquiry nor devotion appeals to him, he can gain tranquility by yoga techniques. If he is unsuited to the first two methods by temperament and to the third on account of age or health, he must try karma marga, the path of good deeds and social service. He thus, in course of time, comes to be suited for one of the three former paths.

Sri Ramana preferred to teach in silence. If requested to speak, he would usually recommend self-enquiry unadorned with theoretical discussions. If pressed further, he would occasionally discuss related topics of a theoretical nature, always in the language of purest Advaita Vedanta (lit. 'non-dual end-of-knowledge'), a language spoken in the very heart of Gyan Yoga, "the path of knowledge."

Similarly, Sri Ramana taught the Vedantic perspectives on Bhakti Yogafor those with a devotional nature and Karma Yoga for those much inclined to action. Godman has done an excellent job of presenting Sri Ramana's teachings on these topics, as well. One cannot help but notice that the section on "Theory" is presented last, as is consistent with Sri Ramana's emphasis on practicality at all times.

Overall, I feel that this is the best introductory book written about the most respected teacher of modern times, and that the fifty pages devoted to self-enquiry present the most practical advice I have ever received. Although there are several other excellent modern–day books on experiential Advaita Vedanta, I could not recommend Be As You Are more highly. This is the one I would take to the proverbial desert island.

Review by Michael Baxter