Sri Ramana Teachings

In a Zoom meeting with Ernesto, Carlos and José of ‘Yo Soy Tu Mismo’ (a group of Spanish devotees of Bhagavan Sri Ramana) on 1st February 2023, Michael James is first asked, ‘We think that happiness lies in objects and because of that belief we constantly allow ourself to be swayed by our vasanas, which are basically tendencies that result in efforts in the form of actions to maximize happiness and minimize suffering in our life. How can we be firmly convinced that this is not so while at the same time we are still perceiving ourself as a body? Do we inevitably have to live in this duality of conviction on a mental level that there is no happiness outside while on an experiential level we still believe we see happiness out there?’, so he answers this and several other related questions. ----more---- This episode can also be watched as a video, 2023-02-01b Yo Soy Tu Mismo: How can we be firmly convinced that happiness lies only within?, and a more compressed audio copy in Opus format (which can be listened to in the VLC media player and some other apps) can be downloaded from here.

In a Zoom meeting with Ernesto, Carlos and José of ‘Yo Soy Tu Mismo’ (a group of Spanish devotees of Bhagavan Sri Ramana) on 1st February 2023, Michael James is first asked, ‘To what extent would it be advisable for an aspirant who has a negative state of mind and a flood of thoughts, to propose some development of vipassana meditation and strengthening of his witnessing position before putting self-inquiry first if he is barely able to attend to himself?’, so he answers this and several other related questions. ----more---- This episode can also be watched as a video, 2023-02-01a Yo Soy Tu Mismo: Self-investigation and other practices, and a more compressed audio copy in Opus format (which can be listened to in the VLC media player and some other apps) can be downloaded from here.

During the global celebration of Bhagavan Ramana’s 143rd Jayanti (birthday) organised by Arunachala Ashrama in New York on 29th January 2023 Michael James discusses many passages of Bhagavan’s teachings in which he clearly implies that to know what actually exists, we must subside and lose ourself in it ----more----  This episode can also be watched as a video, 2023-01-29 Sri Ramana Jayanti: To know what actually exists, we must subside and lose ourself in it, and a more compressed audio copy in Opus format (which can be listened to in the VLC media player and some other apps) can be downloaded from here.

In a Zoom meeting of the ‘Ramana Maharshi Foundation UK’ on 28th January 2023 Michael James first discussed the meanings and deep implications of verse 20 of Śrī Aruṇācala Akṣaramaṇamālai, and that first portion of this meeting has been posted here as a separate episode: Śrī Aruṇācala Akṣaramaṇamālai verse 20. ----more---- After discussing this, Michael answered questions on this and other aspects of Bhagavan’s teachings, particularly the practice of self-investigation and self-surrender, so this second portion of the meeting is posted here as this video. This episode can also be watched as a video, 2023-01-28b Ramana Foundation UK: Michael answers questions on Śrī Aruṇācala Akṣaramaṇamālai 20, and a more compressed audio copy in Opus format (which can be listened to in the VLC media player and some other apps) can be downloaded from here.

In a Zoom meeting of the ‘Ramana Maharshi Foundation UK’ on 28th January 2023 Michael James discusses verse 20 of Śrī Aruṇācala Akṣaramaṇamālai: ----more---- கூர்வாட் கண்ணியர் கொடுமையிற் படாதருள்       கூர்ந்தெனைச் சேர்ந்தரு ளருணாசலா kūrvāṭ kaṇṇiyar koḍumaiyiṟ paḍādaruḷ       kūrndeṉaic cērndaru ḷaruṇācalā பதச்சேதம்: கூர் வாள் கண்ணியர் கொடுமையில் படாது, அருள் கூர்ந்து எனை சேர்ந்து அருள் அருணாசலா. Padacchēdam (word-separation): kūr vāḷ kaṇṇiyar koḍumaiyil paḍādu, aruḷ kūrndu eṉai sērndu aruḷ aruṇācalā. English translation: Arunachala, so as not to become ensnared in the cruelty of those with sharp sword-eyes, being intensely compassionate be gracious uniting me. Explanatory paraphrase: Arunachala, so as not [to allow me] to become ensnared in the cruelty of those with [alluring] eyes [that pierce one’s heart like] a sharp sword, being intensely [or abundantly] compassionate be gracious [by] uniting me [with yourself]. Alternative interpretation 1: Arunachala, so as not [to allow me] to become ensnared in the cruelty of [māyā, which attracts, tempts, enchants and deludes the mind like] those with [alluring but malicious] eyes [that pierce one’s heart like] a sharp sword, being intensely [or abundantly] compassionate be gracious [by] uniting me [with yourself]. Alternative interpretation 2 [when கண்ணியர் (kaṇṇiyar) is taken to mean ‘those with nets’ instead of ‘those with eyes’]: Arunachala, so as not [to allow me] to become ensnared in the cruelty of those [wicked people who deceive, ensnare and exploit others with cunning words and other strategies, like hunters who deceive, ensnare and kill animals] with nets and sharp swords, being intensely [or abundantly] compassionate be gracious [by] uniting me [with yourself]. Alternative interpretation 3: Arunachala, so as not [to allow me] to become ensnared in the cruelty of those with eyes [that lack compassion and kindness and are instead filled with malice] [and who, not caring about the anguish I feel due to my separation from you, gossip about me, taunt me and make fun of me, speaking unkind words about me or to me that pierce my aching heart like] a sharp sword, being intensely [or abundantly] compassionate be gracious [by] uniting me [with yourself]. This episode can also be watched as a video, 2023-01-28a Ramana Maharshi Foundation UK: Michael discusses Śrī Aruṇācala Akṣaramaṇamālai verse 20, and a more compressed audio copy in Opus format (which can be listened to in the VLC media player and some other apps) can be downloaded from here. After discussing this verse of Śrī Aruṇācala Akṣaramaṇamālai Michael answers questions about this and other aspects of Bhagavan’s teachings, particularly the practice of self-investigation and self-surrender, and this part of the meeting is recorded in a separate episode: Śrī Aruṇācala Akṣaramaṇamālai verse 20 Q&A.

In a Zoom meeting with Bill and Sonia on 21st January 2023 Michael answers questions about the practice of self-investigation and self-surrender and other aspects of Bhagavan’s teachings, and explains that self-investigation is the culmination of the path of surrender. ----more---- While explaining this, he discusses verses 24, 25 and 26 of Uḷḷadu Nāṟpadu.  This episode can also be watched as a video, 2023-01-21 Self-investigation is the culmination of the path of surrender, and a more compressed audio copy in Opus format (which can be listened to in the VLC media player and some other apps) can be downloaded from here.

In a Zoom meeting with Ramana Kendra, Delhi, on 15th January 2023 Michael James discusses the meaning and implications of the pallavi (refrain), anupallavi (post-refrain) and verse 1 of Āṉma-Viddai: ----more---- Āṉma-Viddai pallavi: ஐயே! யதிசுலபம் — ஆன்மவித்தை ஐயே! யதிசுலபம். aiyē! yatisulabham — āṉmaviddai aiyē! yatisulabham. பதச்சேதம்: ஐயே, அதி சுலபம், ஆன்ம வித்தை, ஐயே, அதி சுலபம்! Padacchēdam (word-separation): aiyē, ati sulabham, āṉma-viddai, aiyē, ati sulabham! English translation: Ah, extremely easy, ātma-vidyā, ah, extremely easy! Explanatory paraphrase: Ah [what a wonder], knowing oneself is [so] extremely easy, ah, [so] extremely easy! Āṉma-Viddai anupallavi: நொய்யார் தமக்குமுளங் கையா மலகக்கனி பொய்யா யொழியமிகு மெய்யா யுளதான்மா.      (ஐயே) noyyār tamakkumuḷaṅ kaiyā malakakkaṉi poyyā yoṙiyamihu meyyā yuḷadāṉmā.      (aiyē) பதச்சேதம்: நொய்யார் தமக்கும் உளங்கை ஆமலக கனி பொய் ஆய் ஒழிய மிகு மெய் ஆய் உளது ஆன்மா. (ஐயே, அதிசுலபம், ...). Padacchēdam (word-separation): noyyār tamakkum uḷaṅkai āmalaka kaṉi poy āy oṙiya mihu mey āy uḷadu āṉmā. (aiyē, ati sulabham, ...) English translation: Oneself exists as so very real even for those who are simple-minded that an āmalaka fruit on the palm ends as unreal. (Ah, extremely easy, ...) Explanatory paraphrase: Oneself exists as so very real [and clear] even for those who are simple-minded that [in comparison] [even] an āmalaka fruit on the palm is found to be unreal [and unclear]. ([Therefore] ah, extremely easy, ātma-vidyā, ah, extremely easy!) Āṉma-Viddai verse 1: மெய்யாய் நிரந்தரந்தா னையா திருந்திடவும் பொய்யா முடம்புலக மெய்யா முளைத்தெழும்பொய் மையார் நினைவணுவு முய்யா தொடுக்கிடவே மெய்யா ரிதயவெளி வெய்யோன் சுயமான்மா —    விளங்குமே; இரு ளடங்குமே; இட ரொடுங்குமே;       இன்பம் பொங்குமே.      (ஐயே) meyyāy nirantarandā ṉaiyā dirundiḍavum poyyā muḍambulaha meyyā muḷaitteṙumpoy maiyār niṉaivaṇuvu muyyā doḍukkiḍavē meyyā ridayaveḷi veyyōṉ suyamāṉmā —    viḷaṅgumē; iru ḷaḍaṅgumē; iḍa roḍuṅgumē;       iṉbam poṅgumē.      (aiyē) பதச்சேதம்: மெய் ஆய் நிரந்தரம் தான் ஐயாது [அல்லது: நையாது] இருந்திடவும், பொய் ஆம் உடம்பு உலகம் மெய் ஆ முளைத்து எழும். பொய் மை ஆர் நினைவு அணுவும் உய்யாது ஒடுக்கிடவே, மெய் ஆர் இதய வெளி வெய்யோன் சுயம் ஆன்மா விளங்குமே; இருள் அடங்குமே; இடர் ஒடுங்குமே; இன்பம் பொங்குமே. (ஐயே, அதி சுலபம், ...) Padacchēdam (word-separation): mey āy nirantaram tāṉ aiyādu [or: naiyādu] irundiḍavum, poy ām uḍambu ulaham mey ā muḷaittu eṙum. poy mai ār niṉaivu aṇuvum uyyādu oḍukkiḍavē, mey ār idaya veḷi veyyōṉ suyam āṉmā viḷaṅgumē; iruḷ aḍaṅgumē; iḍar oḍuṅgumē; iṉbam poṅgumē. (aiyē, ati sulabham, ...) English translation: Though oneself exists incessantly and indubitably as real, the body and world, which are unreal, arise sprouting as real. When unreal darkness-pervaded thought is dissolved without reviving even an iota, in the reality-pervaded heart-space oneself, the sun, will certainly shine by oneself; darkness will cease; suffering will end; happiness will surge forth. (Ah, extremely easy, ...) Explanatory paraphrase: Though oneself exists incessantly and indubitably [or imperishably] as real, the body and world, which are unreal, arise sprouting as [if] real. When thought, which is pervaded by [or full of] unreal darkness [the darkness of self-ignorance, namely ego, which is the cause for the appearance of the body and world], is dissolved without reviving even an iota [in other words, when it is dissolved in such a manner that it does not ever revive even an iota], in the heart-space, which [alone] is real, oneself, [who is] the sun [of pure awareness], will certainly shine by oneself [spontaneously or of one’s own accord]; darkness [self-ignorance in the form of ego] will cease; suffering will end; happiness will surge forth. ([Therefore] ah, extremely easy, ātma-vidyā, ah, extremely easy!) This episode can also be watched as a video, 2023-01-15 Ramana Kendra, Delhi: Michael James discusses Āṉma-Viddai pallavi, anupallavi and verse 1, and a more compressed audio copy in Opus format (which can be listened to in the VLC media player and some other apps) can be downloaded from here.

In a Zoom meeting of the ‘Ramana Maharshi Foundation UK’ on 14th January 2023 Michael James first discussed the meaning and deep implications of verse 19 of Śrī Aruṇācala Akṣaramaṇamālai, and that first portion of this meeting has been posted here as a separate episode: Śrī Aruṇācala Akṣaramaṇamālai verse 19. ----more---- After discussing this, Michael answered questions on this and other aspects of Bhagavan’s teachings, particularly the practice of self-investigation and self-surrender, so this second portion of the meeting is posted here as this video. This episode can also be watched as a video, 2023-01-14b Ramana Foundation UK: Michael answers questions on Śrī Aruṇācala Akṣaramaṇamālai 19, and a more compressed audio copy in Opus format (which can be listened to in the VLC media player and some other apps) can be downloaded from here.

In a Zoom meeting with Ernesto, Carlos and José of ‘Yo Soy Tu Mismo’ (a group of Spanish devotees of Bhagavan Sri Ramana) on 11th January 2023, Michael James is first asked, ‘A person is going to separate from 2 wives and finally will not separate from his third wife. Although his not divorcing his third wife is already predestined, to what extent were the awareness and learning that took place in this person after the first two divorces, part of the necessary material for the third divorce not to take place, even though it was already predestined?’, so he answers this and several other related questions. ----more---- This episode can also be watched as a video, 2023-01-11 Yo Soy Tu Mismo: Turning back within is the only solution for all problems, and a more compressed audio copy in Opus format (which can be listened to in the VLC media player and some other apps) can be downloaded from here.

In a Zoom meeting of the ‘Ramana Maharshi Foundation UK’ on 14th January 2023 Michael James discusses verse 19 of Śrī Aruṇācala Akṣaramaṇamālai: ----more---- குற்றமுற் றறுத்தெனைக் குணமாய்ப் பணித்தாள்       குருவுரு வாயொளி ரருணாசலா kuṯṟamuṯ ṟaṟutteṉaig guṇamāyp paṇittāḷ       guruvuru vāyoḷi raruṇācalā பதச்சேதம்: குற்றம் முற்று அறுத்து எனை குணம் ஆய் பணித்து ஆள், குரு உரு ஆய் ஒளிர் அருணாசலா. Padacchēdam (word-separation): kuṯṟam muṯṟu aṟuttu eṉai guṇam āy paṇittu āḷ, guru-v-uru-v-āy oḷir aruṇācalā. English translation: Arunachala, who shine as the form of guru, eradicating defects completely, making me as virtue, take charge. Explanatory paraphrase: Arunachala, who shine as the form of guru, eradicating [removing or cutting off] [all my] defects completely [namely all my viṣaya-vāsanās along with ego, their root] and making me as [one who is endowed with every] guṇa [virtue or good quality] [especially sadguṇa, the ultimate virtue of just being as I actually am without ever rising as ego even to the slightest extent], take charge [of me as your very own so that I may never again fall prey to the evil demon-ego and its horde of viṣaya-vāsanās]. This episode can also be watched as a video, 2023-01-14a Ramana Maharshi Foundation UK: Michael discusses Śrī Aruṇācala Akṣaramaṇamālai verse 19, and a more compressed audio copy in Opus format (which can be listened to in the VLC media player and some other apps) can be downloaded from here. After discussing this verse of Śrī Aruṇācala Akṣaramaṇamālai Michael answers questions about this and other aspects of Bhagavan’s teachings, particularly the practice of self-investigation and self-surrender, and this part of the meeting is recorded in a separate episode: Śrī Aruṇācala Akṣaramaṇamālai verse 19 Q&A.