Ramana Maharshi

Sri Ramanasramam, summer 1936

Teachings of Sri Ramana Maharshi

In the summer of 1936 at Sri Ramanasramam, Sri Gajapathi Aiyyer wrote down Bhagavan’s replies to visitors. John David edited those dialogues from the Aham Sphurana manuscript. This page gathers the English teachings.

Bhagavan gave two direct paths. Self-enquiry turns attention back to the one who thinks. Surrender lets go of the person who is seeking. The same teaching is told through Who am I?, the Heart, the ego, and the ordinary meetings of the hall.

All the teachings

Rooting Out the Ego and Persevering on the PathRooting Out the Ego and Persevering on the Path Danger of Emptiness [shunyastithi]Danger of Emptiness [shunyastithi] BE As You AreBE As You Are Ripe Souls Attain JnanaRipe Souls Attain Jnana How we Sabotage VicharaHow we Sabotage Vichara Am I doing Vichara Correctly?Am I doing Vichara Correctly? Sex and the SelfSex and the Self Complete Cessation of Mental ActivityComplete Cessation of Mental Activity The Secret of Jnana is BhaktiThe Secret of Jnana is Bhakti Essential Extracts from the ManuscriptEssential Extracts from the Manuscript A Former Classmate Visiting BhagavanA Former Classmate Visiting Bhagavan Mrs Piggot’s DiaryMrs Piggot’s Diary A Dialogue with a Mature VisiterA Dialogue with a Mature Visiter Schopenhauer and RenunciationSchopenhauer and Renunciation A Small Wise BoyA Small Wise Boy The JugglerThe Juggler How shall we kill the mind?How shall we kill the mind? Sri Gajapathi Aiyyer Ashram ReportSri Gajapathi Aiyyer Ashram Report Trust in GodTrust in God Reference Books and TranslationReference Books and Translation Love IsLove Is Letters to BhagavanLetters to Bhagavan 40th Anniversary Event40th Anniversary Event Vishwanatha Aiyyer and the MonkeyVishwanatha Aiyyer and the Monkey Obstacles which Hinder Realisation of the Self.Obstacles which Hinder Realisation of the Self. Sri Gajapathi Healed and AttackedSri Gajapathi Healed and Attacked A Dog and A MonkeyA Dog and A Monkey Mrs. Piggot Introduces the Ashram And Bhagavan’s Meetings in 1934Mrs. Piggot Introduces the Ashram And Bhagavan’s Meetings in 1934 A Typical Western Visitor’s In-Depth Dialogue with BhagavanA Typical Western Visitor’s In-Depth Dialogue with Bhagavan The Aghori Sadhu Life StoryThe Aghori Sadhu Life Story Mr. Evans-Wentz’s VisitMr. Evans-Wentz’s Visit The Play Around BhagavanThe Play Around Bhagavan Libelling BhagavanLibelling Bhagavan The HeartThe Heart Non-DoingNon-Doing Sri Gajapathi Aiyyer, Author of Aham SprarunaSri Gajapathi Aiyyer, Author of Aham Spraruna The Aghori’s Death and LiberationThe Aghori’s Death and Liberation KaushikaKaushika An Incident between Bhagavan and the Ashram ManagerAn Incident between Bhagavan and the Ashram Manager Ramana Maharshi on Jesus TeachingsRamana Maharshi on Jesus Teachings SurrenderSurrender RenunciationRenunciation Only the Self, No GodOnly the Self, No God Illusion and the BodyIllusion and the Body The CountThe Count Unrealise the not-SelfUnrealise the not-Self Jaws of the TigerJaws of the Tiger SamadhiSamadhi Realise the SelfRealise the Self GossipGossip DestinyDestiny I have a bodyI have a body ConsciousnessConsciousness J.Krishnamurti’s, Dissolution of the Order of the StarJ.Krishnamurti’s, Dissolution of the Order of the Star What is the Purpose of Life?What is the Purpose of Life? Guru’s GraceGuru’s Grace The Answer is to Enquire,”Who Am I”The Answer is to Enquire,”Who Am I” Vichara, Self EnquiryVichara, Self Enquiry MeditationMeditation Day by Day with a JnaniDay by Day with a Jnani Commentaries on Bhagavan's TeachingsCommentaries on Bhagavan's Teachings

Questions about these teachings

What are the main teachings of Ramana Maharshi?

Sri Ramana Maharshi gave two direct paths. Self-enquiry asks who the “I” is and traces each thought back to its source. Surrender is unconditional letting go, including the wish to realise. Both are ways of returning the mind to the Self.

What is Self-enquiry, or vichara?

Vichara is the practice of following a thought back to where it rises. The question used is “Who am I?” Ramana said the point is not a verbal answer, but abiding as the source of the thought. The 1936 dialogue is Ramana Maharshi on vichara.

What did Ramana Maharshi say about surrender?

Surrender works when it is unconditional. It is not a bargain for realisation. The mind has to be willing for anything to happen, including not realising. Read Sri Ramana Maharshi on surrender.

Who wrote down these 1936 conversations?

Sri Gajapathi Aiyyer recorded them at Sri Ramanasramam in the summer of 1936. They are known as the Aham Sphurana manuscript. John David edited the English selections on this page.

How do these pages relate to the books?

These dialogues are the source of the Aham Sphurana series from Open Sky Press, including Vichara on Self-enquiry and Sharanagati on surrender. The pages are the teachings. The books collect them.

Where should a new reader begin?

Begin with Who am I?, Self-enquiry, or surrender. Then use the search to follow one question, such as the Heart, the mind, or the ego.