Sri Ramana Teachings

In a Zoom meeting with Sri Ramana Center, Houston, on 3rd December 2022 Michael James discusses verse 9 of Uḷḷadu Nāṟpadu: ----more---- இரட்டைகண் முப்புடிக ளென்றுமொன்று பற்றி யிருப்பவா மவ்வொன்றே தென்று — கருத்தினுட் கண்டாற் கழலுமவை கண்டவ ரேயுண்மை கண்டார் கலங்காரே காண். iraṭṭaigaṇ muppuḍiga ḷeṉḏṟumoṉḏṟu paṯṟi yiruppavā mavvoṉḏṟē teṉḏṟu — karuttiṉuṭ kaṇḍāṯ kaṙalumavai kaṇḍava rēyuṇmai kaṇḍār kalaṅgārē kāṇ. பதச்சேதம்: இரட்டைகள் முப்புடிகள் என்றும் ஒன்று பற்றி இருப்பவாம். அவ் ஒன்று ஏது என்று கருத்தின் உள் கண்டால், கழலும் அவை. கண்டவரே உண்மை கண்டார்; கலங்காரே. காண். Padacchēdam (word-separation): iraṭṭaigaḷ muppuḍigaḷ eṉḏṟum oṉḏṟu paṯṟi iruppavām. a-vv-oṉḏṟu ēdu eṉḏṟu karuttiṉ-uḷ kaṇḍāl, kaṙalum avai. kaṇḍavarē uṇmai kaṇḍār; kalaṅgārē. kāṇ. அன்வயம்: இரட்டைகள் முப்புடிகள் என்றும் ஒன்று பற்றி இருப்பவாம். அவ் ஒன்று ஏது என்று கருத்தின் உள் கண்டால், அவை கழலும். கண்டவரே உண்மை கண்டார்; கலங்காரே. காண். Anvayam (words rearranged in natural prose order): iraṭṭaigaḷ muppuḍigaḷ eṉḏṟum oṉḏṟu paṯṟi iruppavām. a-vv-oṉḏṟu ēdu eṉḏṟu karuttiṉ-uḷ kaṇḍāl, avai kaṙalum. kaṇḍavarē uṇmai kaṇḍār; kalaṅgārē. kāṇ. English translation: Dyads and triads exist always holding one thing. If one sees within the mind what that one thing is, they will slip off. Only those who have seen have seen the reality. They will not be confused. See. Explanatory paraphrase: Dyads [pairs of opposites, such as existence and non-existence, life and death, awareness and non-awareness, knowledge and ignorance, happiness and unhappiness, good and bad, liberation and bondage] and triads [the tripuṭī or three factors of transitive knowledge or awareness, namely jñātā or pramātā (the knower or subject, namely ego), jñāna or pramāṇa (knowing or the means of knowing, such as seeing, hearing, perceiving, experiencing, inferring or believing reliable testimony) and jñēya or pramēya (whatever is known, namely objects, phenomena, facts, theories and so on)] exist [by] always holding [or depending on] one thing [namely ego, in whose view alone they seem to exist]. If [by looking keenly at oneself] one sees within the mind what that one thing is, they will slip off [run away or disappear] [implying that they will cease to exist, because their support and foundation, namely ego, will itself cease to exist]. Only those who have seen [what remains when all dyads and triads have thereby ceased to exist along with their root, ego] have seen the reality. They will not be confused [by ever again seeing anything else at all]. See [what is real in this way by seeing within the mind what that one thing is that rises as ‘I’ to know all other things]. This episode can also be watched as a video, 2022-12-03 Sri Ramana Center, Houston: Michael James discusses Uḷḷadu Nāṟpadu verse 9, 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 26th November 2022 Michael James first discussed the meanings and deep implications of verse 17 of Śrī Aruṇācala Akṣaramaṇamālai, and that first portion of this meeting has been posted here as a separate episode: Śrī Aruṇācala Akṣaramaṇamālai verse 17. ----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 episode. This episode can also be watched as a video, 2022-11-26b Ramana Foundation UK: Michael answers questions on Śrī Aruṇācala Akṣaramaṇamālai 17, 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 26th November 2022 Michael James discusses verse 17 of Śrī Aruṇācala Akṣaramaṇamālai: ----more---- கிரியுரு வாகிய கிருபைக் கடலே       கிருபைகூர்ந் தருளுவா யருணாசலா giriyuru vāhiya kirupaik kaḍalē       kirupaikūrn daruḷuvā yaruṇācalā பதச்சேதம்: கிரி உரு ஆகிய கிருபை கடலே, கிருபை கூர்ந்து அருளுவாய் அருணாசலா. Padacchēdam (word-separation): giri uru āhiya kirupai kaḍalē, kirupai kūrndu aruḷuvāy aruṇācalā. English translation: Arunachala, ocean of grace, which is the form of a hill, being abundantly gracious may you bestow grace. Explanatory paraphrase: Arunachala, [who shine in the heart as the infinite] ocean of grace [or compassion], which is [what is seen outside as] the form of [this great] hill, being abundantly [or intensely] gracious [or compassionate] may you bestow grace [upon me in whatever way you wish, knowing it to be what is best for me]. This episode can also be watched as a video, 2022-11-26a Ramana Maharshi Foundation UK: Michael discusses Śrī Aruṇācala Akṣaramaṇamālai verse 17, 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 17 Q&A.

In a Zoom meeting with a group of Ramana devotees from Paris on 20th November 2022, Michael James explains that Bhagavan’s path of self-investigation and self-surrender is the pinnacle of the path of bhakti, and then answers questions on this and other aspects of his teachings. ----more----  This episode can also be watched as a video, 2022-11-20 Paris Ramana Group: Bhagavan’s path is the pinnacle of the path of bhakti, 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 13th November 2022 Michael James discusses the meaning and implications of verses 29 and 30 of Upadēśa Sāraḥ: ----more---- Upadēśa Sāraḥ verse 29: बन्ध मुक्त्यती तंप रंसुखम् । विन्द तीहजी वस्तु दैविकः ॥ २९ ॥ bandha muktyatī taṁpa raṁsukham vinda tīhajī vastu daivikaḥ पदच्छेद: बन्ध मुक्ति अतीतम् परम् सुखम् विन्दति इह जीवः तु दैविकः. Padacchēda (word-separation): bandha mukti atītam param sukham vindati iha jīvaḥ tu daivikaḥ. English translation: The divine soul certainly experiences here supreme happiness, which transcends bondage and liberation. Explanatory paraphrase: The divine soul [the soul that has seen itself without adjuncts, thereby remaining as its real nature, which is the real nature of God] certainly experiences here [and now] supreme [or ultimate] happiness, which transcends [or is beyond] bondage and liberation. Upadēśa Sāraḥ verse 30: अहम पेतकं निजवि भानकम् । महदि दंतपो रमण वागियम् ॥ ३० ॥ ahama pētakaṁ nijavi bhānakam mahadi daṁtapō ramaṇa vāgiyam पदच्छेद: अहम् अपेतकम् निज विभानकम् महत् इदम् तपः. रमण वाक् इयम्. Padacchēda (word-separation): aham apētakam nija vibhānakam mahat idam tapaḥ. ramaṇa vāk iyam. English translation: One’s own shining devoid of ‘I’, this is great tapas. This is Ramana’s saying. Explanatory paraphrase: One’s own shining [or shining as one’s own real nature] devoid of ‘I’ [ego], this is great tapas. This is [Bhagavan] Ramana’s saying. This episode can also be watched as a video, 2022-11-13 Ramana Kendra, Delhi: Michael discusses Upadēśa Sāraḥ verses 29 and 30, 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 12th November 2022 Michael James first discussed the meaning and deep implications of verse 16 of Śrī Aruṇācala Akṣaramaṇamālai, and that first portion of this meeting has been posted here as a separate episode: Śrī Aruṇācala Akṣaramaṇamālai verse 16. ----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, 2022-11-12b Ramana Foundation UK: Michael answers questions on Śrī Aruṇācala Akṣaramaṇamālai 16, 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 12th November 2022 Michael James discusses verse 16 of Śrī Aruṇācala Akṣaramaṇamālai: ----more---- காந்த மிரும்புபோற் கவர்ந்தெனை விடாமற்       கலந்தெனோ டிருப்பா யருணாசலா kānta mirumbupōṟ kavarndeṉai viḍāmaṟ       kalandeṉō ḍiruppā yaruṇācalā பதச்சேதம்: காந்தம் இரும்பு போல் கவர்ந்து எனை, விடாமல் கலந்து எனோடு இருப்பாய் அருணாசலா. Padacchēdam (word-separation): kāntam irumbu pōl kavarndu eṉai, viḍāmal kalandu eṉōḍu iruppāy aruṇācalā. அன்வயம்: காந்தம் இரும்பு போல் எனை கவர்ந்து, விடாமல் கலந்து எனோடு இருப்பாய் அருணாசலா. Anvayam (words rearranged in natural prose order): kāntam irumbu pōl eṉai kavarndu, viḍāmal kalandu eṉōḍu iruppāy aruṇācalā. English translation: Arunachala, like a magnet iron, forcibly seizing me, uniting without leaving, may you be with me. Explanatory paraphrase: Arunachala, like a magnet [grasping] iron [by its natural power of attraction], forcibly seizing [grasping, captivating or attracting] me [by the captivating power of your grace], uniting [me with you] without [ever] leaving [or letting go of] [me], may you be [eternally one] with me. This episode can also be watched as a video, 2022-11-12a Ramana Maharshi Foundation UK: Michael discusses Śrī Aruṇācala Akṣaramaṇamālai verse 16, 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 16 Q&A.

In a Zoom meeting with the San Diego Ramana Satsang (ramana-satsang-sd@googlegroups.com) on 6th November 2022 Michael answers various questions about Bhagavan’s teachings, particularly the practice of self-investigation and self-surrender, after discussing Nāṉ Ār? (Who am I?) paragraph 18: ----more---- ஜாக்ரம் தீர்க்கம், சொப்பனம் க்ஷணிக மென்பது தவிர வேறு பேதமில்லை. ஜாக்ரத்தில் நடக்கும் விவகாரங்க ளெல்லாம் எவ்வளவு உண்மையாகத் தோன்றுகின்றனவோ அவ்வளவு உண்மையாகவே சொப்பனத்தில் நடக்கும் விவகாரங்களும் அக்காலத்திற் றோன்றுகின்றன. சொப்பனத்தில் மனம் வேறொரு தேகத்தை யெடுத்துக்கொள்ளுகிறது. ஜாக்ரம் சொப்பன மிரண்டிலும் நினைவுகளும் நாமரூபங்களும் ஏககாலத்தில் நிகழ்கின்றன. jāgram dīrgham, soppaṉam kṣaṇikam eṉbadu tavira vēṟu bhēdam-illai. jāgrattil naḍakkum vivahāraṅgaḷ ellām e-vv-aḷavu uṇmai-y-āha-t tōṉḏṟugiṉḏṟaṉa-v-ō a-vv-aḷavu uṇmai-y-āha-v-ē soppaṉattil naḍakkum vivahāraṅgaḷ-um a-k-kālattil tōṉḏṟugiṉḏṟaṉa. soppaṉattil maṉam vēṟoru dēhattai y-eḍuttu-k-koḷḷugiṟadu. jāgram soppaṉam iraṇḍil-um niṉaivugaḷ-um nāma-rūpaṅgaḷ-um ēka-kālattil nihaṙgiṉḏṟaṉa. English translation: Besides the saying that waking is dīrgha [long lasting] and dream is kṣaṇika [momentary or lasting for only a short while], there is no other difference [between them]. To what extent all the vyavahāras [activities, affairs, transactions or events] that happen in waking seem to be real, to that extent even the vyavahāras that happen in dream seem at that time to be real. In dream the mind takes another body [to be itself]. In both waking and dream thoughts and names-and-forms [the phenomena that constitute the seemingly external world] occur in one time [or simultaneously]. This episode can also be watched as a video, 2022-11-06 San Diego Ramana Satsang: Michael James discusses Nāṉ Ār? (Who am I?) paragraph 18, 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 Sri Ramana Center, Houston, on 5th November 2022 Michael James discusses verses 27 and 28 of Bhagavad Gītā Sāram: ----more---- தீரஞ்சேர் புத்தியினாற் சித்தத்தை மெல்லமெல்ல நேரச் செயவேண்டு நிச்சலன — மாரதனே சித்தத்தை யான்மாவிற் சேர்த்திடுக மற்றெதுவு மித்தனையு மெண்ணிடா தே. dhīrañcēr buddhiyiṉāṯ cittattai mellamella nērac ceyavēṇḍu niścalaṉa — mārathaṉē cittattai yāṉmāviṟ cērttiḍuka maṯṟeduvu mittaṉaiyu meṇṇiḍā dē. பதச்சேதம்: தீரம் சேர் புத்தியினால் சித்தத்தை மெல்ல மெல்ல நேர செய வேண்டும் நிச்சலன. மா ரதனே, சித்தத்தை ஆன்மாவில் சேர்த்திடுக; மற்று எதுவும் இத்தனையும் எண்ணிடாதே. Padacchēdam (word-separation): dhīram sēr buddhiyiṉāl cittattai mella mella nēra seya vēṇḍum niścalaṉa. mā rathaṉē, cittattai āṉmāvil sērttiḍuka; maṯṟu eduvum ittaṉaiyum eṇṇiḍādē. அன்வயம்: தீரம் சேர் புத்தியினால் சித்தத்தை மெல்ல மெல்ல நிச்சலன நேர செய வேண்டும். மா ரதனே, சித்தத்தை ஆன்மாவில் சேர்த்திடுக; மற்று எதுவும் இத்தனையும் எண்ணிடாதே. Anvayam (words rearranged in natural prose order): dhīram sēr buddhiyiṉāl cittattai mella mella niścalaṉa nēra seya vēṇḍum. mā rathaṉē, cittattai āṉmāvil sērttiḍuka; maṯṟu eduvum ittaṉaiyum eṇṇiḍādē. English translation: It is necessary by a courage-imbued intellect to gently gently make the mind achieve motionlessness. Great charioteer, fix the mind on yourself; do not think even the slightest of anything else at all. Explanatory paraphrase: It is necessary by a courage-imbued intellect to gently gently [calmly and gradually] make the mind achieve motionlessness. Great charioteer, fix the mind [your attention] on [or in] ātman [yourself]; do not think even the slightest of anything else at all. எதுவுந் திரமின்றி யென்றுமலை சித்த மெதெதனைப் பற்றியே யேகு — மததினின் றீர்த்தந்தச் சித்தத்தை யெப்போது மான்மாவிற் சேர்த்துத் திரமுறவே செய். eduvun thiramiṉḏṟi yeṉḏṟumalai citta mededaṉaip paṯṟiyē yēhu — madadiṉiṉ ḏṟīrttandac cittattai yeppōdu māṉmāviṟ cērttut thiramuṟavē sey. பதச்சேதம்: எதுவும் திரம் இன்றி என்றும் அலை சித்தம் எது எதனை பற்றியே ஏகும், அது அதினின்று ஈர்த்து அந்த சித்தத்தை எப்போதும் ஆன்மாவில் சேர்த்து திரம் உறவே செய். Padacchēdam (word-separation): eduvum thiram iṉḏṟi eṉḏṟum alai cittam edu edaṉai paṯṟiyē ēhum, adu adiṉiṉḏṟu īrttu anda cittattai eppōdum āṉmāvil cērttu thiram uṟavē sey. அன்வயம்: எதுவும் திரம் இன்றி என்றும் அலை சித்தம் எது எதனை பற்றியே ஏகும், அது அதினின்று அந்த சித்தத்தை ஈர்த்து ஆன்மாவில் சேர்த்து எப்போதும் திரம் உறவே செய். Anvayam (words rearranged in natural prose order): eduvum thiram iṉḏṟi eṉḏṟum alai cittam edu edaṉai paṯṟiyē ēhum, adu adiṉiṉḏṟu anda cittattai īrttu āṉmāvil cērttu eppōdum thiram uṟavē sey. English translation: Whatever the mind, which is always wavering without any steadiness, grasps and wanders, drawing that mind back from that and fixing it on yourself, make it be always steady. Explanatory paraphrase: Whatever the mind, which is always wavering without any steadiness, grasps and [wherever it consequently] wanders, drawing that mind back from that and fixing it on [or in] ātman [yourself], make it be always steady. This episode can also be watched as a video, 2022-11-05b Sri Ramana Center, Houston: Michael James discusses Bhagavad Gītā Sāram verses 27 and 28, 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 Sri Ramana Center, Houston, on 5th November 2022 Michael James discusses verse 8 of Uḷḷadu Nāṟpadu: ----more---- எப்பெயரிட் டெவ்வுருவி லேத்தினுமார் பேருருவி லப்பொருளைக் காண்வழிய தாயினுமம் — மெய்ப்பொருளி னுண்மையிற்ற னுண்மையினை யோர்ந்தொடுங்கி யொன்றுதலே யுண்மையிற் காண லுணர். eppeyariṭ ṭevvuruvi lēttiṉumār pēruruvi lapporuḷaik kāṇvaṙiya dāyiṉumam — meypporuḷi ṉuṇmaiyiṯṟa ṉuṇmaiyiṉai yōrndoḍuṅgi yoṉḏṟudalē yuṇmaiyiṯ kāṇa luṇar. பதச்சேதம்: எப் பெயர் இட்டு எவ் வுருவில் ஏத்தினும் ஆர், பேர் உருவில் அப் பொருளை காண் வழி அது. ஆயினும், அம் மெய்ப் பொருளின் உண்மையில் தன் உண்மையினை ஓர்ந்து, ஒடுங்கி ஒன்றுதலே உண்மையில் காணல். உணர். Padacchēdam (word-separation): e-p-peyar iṭṭu e-vv-uruvil ēttiṉum ār, pēr-uruvil a-p-poruḷai kāṇ vaṙi adu. āyiṉum, a-m-mey-p-poruḷiṉ uṇmaiyil taṉ uṇmaiyiṉai ōrndu, oḍuṅgi oṉḏṟudalē uṇmaiyil kāṇal. uṇar. அன்வயம்: ஆர் எப் பெயர் இட்டு எவ் வுருவில் ஏத்தினும், அது அப் பொருளை பேர் உருவில் காண் வழி. ஆயினும், தன் உண்மையினை ஓர்ந்து, அம் மெய்ப் பொருளின் உண்மையில் ஒடுங்கி ஒன்றுதலே உண்மையில் காணல். உணர். Anvayam (words rearranged in natural prose order): ār e-p-peyar iṭṭu e-vv-uruvil ēttiṉum, adu a-p-poruḷai pēr-uruvil kāṇ vaṙi. āyiṉum, taṉ uṇmaiyiṉai ōrndu, a-m-mey-p-poruḷiṉ uṇmaiyil oḍuṅgi oṉḏṟudalē uṇmaiyil kāṇal. uṇar. English translation: Whoever worships in whatever form giving whatever name, that is the way to see that substance in name and form. However, investigating the reality of oneself, dissolving in the reality of that true substance, becoming one alone is seeing in reality. Know. Explanatory paraphrase: Whoever worships [it] in whatever form giving [it] whatever name, that is the way to see that [nameless and formless] poruḷ [the real substance, namely brahman, the ultimate reality or God] in name and form. However, [by] investigating [or knowing] the reality of oneself, [and by thereby] dissolving [or subsiding] in the reality of that true poruḷ, becoming one [with it] alone is seeing [it] in reality. Know [or be aware]. This episode can also be watched as a video, 2022-11-05a Sri Ramana Center, Houston: Michael James discusses Uḷḷadu Nāṟpadu verse 8, 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.