Ramana Maharshi

Ramana Maharshi

Sage of self-enquiry teachings.

A highly respected Indian sage known for his teachings on self-enquiry and the nature of the self. His method of self-inquiry, particularly the question "Who am I?", encourages individuals to look beyond the ego and discover their true essence. His teachings emphasize the importance of inner silence and the realization of the self as the ultimate reality, guiding seekers towards profound self-awareness and spiritual liberation.

Ramana Maharshi Quotes about Source

  • The source of the ego is God.
  • Nobody doubts that he exists, though he may doubt the existence of God. If he finds out the truth about himself and discovers his own source, this is all that is required.
  • The "I" thought is said to be the sum total of all thoughts. The source of the "I" thought has to be inquired into.
  • The ego's phenomenal existence is transcended when you dive into the source from where the `I'-thought rises.
  • The fact is that the mind is only a bundle of thoughts. The mind is fattened by new thoughts rising up. Therefore it is foolish to attempt to kill the mind by means of the mind. The only way of doing it is to find its source and hold on to it. The mind will then fade away of its own accord.
  • That which rises and sinks is made up of what it rises from. The finality of the universe is the God Arunachala. Meditating on Him or on the seer, the Self, there is a mental vibration 'I' to which all are reduced. Tracing the source of 'I', the primal 'I-I' alone remains over, and it is inexpressible. The seat of Realisation is within and the seeker cannot find it as an object outside him. That seat is bliss and is the core of all beings. Hence it is called the Heart. The only useful purpose of the present birth is to turn within and realise it. There is nothing else to do.
  • By constantly keep one's attention on the Source, the ego is dissolved in that Source like a salt-doll in the sea.
  • Bliss is not something to be got. On the other hand you are always Bliss. This desire [for Bliss] is born of the sense of incompleteness. To whom is this sense of incompleteness? Enquire. In deep sleep you were blissful. Now you are not so. What has interposed between that Bliss and this non-bliss? It is the ego. Seek its source and find you are Bliss.
  • It is enough that one surrenders oneself. Surrender is giving oneself up to the original cause of one's being. Do not delude yourself by imagining this source to be some God outside you. One's source is within oneself. Give yourself up to it. That means that you should seek the source and merge in it.
  • See who is the doubter, who is the thinker. It is the ego. Hold it; the other thoughts will die away - the ego will be left pure. See the source from where the ego arises and abide in it. That is pure consciousness.
  • Grace is always present. You imagine it as something high in the sky, far away, something that has to descend. It is really inside you, in your heart. When the mind rests in its source, grace rushes forth, sprouting as from a spring within you.