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 5th October 2022, Michael James is first asked, ‘If our actions are driven by two forces, our will and God, and we can’t tell and nor we need to tell one from the other, can we really be responsible for our actions? What if I try to be swayed by a subha-vasana and I end up doing some immoral action because God made me do that action in order for me to experience some fruit? Could it be possible that God made me lie even though that wasn't my intention just because I was made to do that by God?’, so he answers this and several other related questions. ----more---- This episode can also be watched as a video, 2022-10-05a Yo Soy Tu Mismo: Are we responsible for our actions?, 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 the San Diego Ramana Satsang (ramana-satsang-sd@googlegroups.com) on 2nd October 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 17: ----more---- குப்பையைக் கூட்டித் தள்ளவேண்டிய ஒருவன் அதை யாராய்வதா லெப்படிப் பயனில்லையோ அப்படியே தன்னை யறியவேண்டிய ஒருவன் தன்னை மறைத்துகொண்டிருக்கும் தத்துவங்க ளனைத்தையும் சேர்த்துத் தள்ளிவிடாமல் அவை இத்தனையென்று கணக்கிடுவதாலும், அவற்றின் குணங்களை ஆராய்வதாலும் பயனில்லை. பிரபஞ்சத்தை ஒரு சொப்பனத்தைப்போ லெண்ணிக்கொள்ள வேண்டும். kuppaiyai-k kūṭṭi-t taḷḷa-vēṇḍiya oruvaṉ adai y-ārāyvadāl eppaḍi-p payaṉ-illai-y-ō appaḍi-y-ē taṉṉai y-aṟiya-vēṇḍiya oruvaṉ taṉṉai maṟaittu-koṇḍirukkum tattuvaṅgaḷ aṉaittaiyum sērttu-t taḷḷi-viḍāmal avai ittaṉai-y-eṉḏṟu kaṇakkiḍuvadāl-um, avaṯṟiṉ guṇaṅgaḷai ārāyvadāl-um payaṉ-illai. pirapañcattai oru soppaṉattai-p-pōl eṇṇi-k-koḷḷa vēṇḍum. English translation: Just as one who needs to gather [or sweep] up and throw away rubbish [would derive] no benefit by examining [investigating or analysing] it, so one who needs to know oneself [will derive] no benefit by, instead of collectively rejecting all the tattvas, which are concealing oneself, calculating that they are this many and examining their qualities. It is necessary to consider the world [which is believed to be an expansion or manifestation of such tattvas] like a dream. This episode can also be watched as a video, 2022-10-02 San Diego Ramana Satsang: Michael James discusses Nāṉ Ār? (Who am I?) paragraph 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 with Sri Ramana Center, Houston, on 1st October 2022 Michael James discusses verse 7 of Uḷḷadu Nāṟpadu: ----more---- உலகறிவு மொன்றா யுதித்தொடுங்கு மேனு முலகறிவு தன்னா லொளிரு — முலகறிவு தோன்றிமறை தற்கிடனாய்த் தோன்றிமறை யாதொளிரும் பூன்றமா மஃதே பொருள். ulahaṟivu moṉḏṟā yudittoḍuṅgu mēṉu mulahaṟivu taṉṉā loḷiru — mulahaṟivu tōṉḏṟimaṟai daṟkiḍaṉāyt tōṉḏṟimaṟai yādoḷirum pūṉḏṟamā maḵdē poruḷ. பதச்சேதம்: உலகு அறிவும் ஒன்றாய் உதித்து ஒடுங்கும் ஏனும், உலகு அறிவு தன்னால் ஒளிரும். உலகு அறிவு தோன்றி மறைதற்கு இடன் ஆய் தோன்றி மறையாது ஒளிரும் பூன்றம் ஆம் அஃதே பொருள். Padacchēdam (word-separation): ulahu aṟivum oṉḏṟāy udittu oḍuṅgum ēṉum, ulahu aṟivu-taṉṉāl oḷirum. ulahu aṟivu tōṉḏṟi maṟaidaṟku iḍaṉ-āy tōṉḏṟi maṟaiyādu oḷirum pūṉḏṟam ām aḵdē poruḷ. அன்வயம்: உலகு அறிவும் ஒன்றாய் உதித்து ஒடுங்கும் ஏனும், உலகு அறிவு தன்னால் ஒளிரும். உலகு அறிவு தோன்றி மறைதற்கு இடன் ஆய் தோன்றி மறையாது ஒளிரும் அஃதே பூன்றம் ஆம் பொருள். Anvayam (words rearranged in natural prose order): ulahu aṟivum oṉḏṟāy udittu oḍuṅgum ēṉum, ulahu aṟivu-taṉṉāl oḷirum. ulahu aṟivu tōṉḏṟi maṟaidaṟku iḍaṉ-āy tōṉḏṟi maṟaiyādu oḷirum aḵdē pūṉḏṟam ām poruḷ. English translation: Though the world and awareness arise and subside simultaneously, the world shines by awareness. Only that which shines without appearing or disappearing as the place for the appearing and disappearing of the world and awareness is the substance, which is the whole. Explanatory paraphrase: Though the world and awareness [the awareness that perceives the world, namely ego or mind] arise and subside simultaneously, the world shines by [that rising and subsiding] awareness [the mind]. Only that which shines without appearing or disappearing as the place [space, expanse, location, site or ground] for the appearing and disappearing of the world and [that] awareness is poruḷ [the real substance or vastu], which is pūṉḏṟam [the infinite whole or pūrṇa]. This episode can also be watched as a video, 2022-10-01 Sri Ramana Center, Houston: Michael James discusses Uḷḷadu Nāṟpadu verse 7, 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 24th September 2022 Michael James first discussed the meanings and deep implications of verse 13 of Śrī Aruṇācala Akṣaramaṇamālai, and that first portion of this meeting has been posted here as a separate episode: Śrī Aruṇācala Akṣaramaṇamālai verse 13. ----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, 2022-09-24b Ramana Foundation UK: Michael answers questions on Śrī Aruṇācala Akṣaramaṇamālai 13, 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 24th September 2022 Michael James discusses verse 13 of Śrī Aruṇācala Akṣaramaṇamālai: ----more---- ஓங்கா ரப்பொரு ளொப்புயர் வில்லோ       யுனையா ரறிவா ரருணாசலா ōṅkā rapporu ḷoppuyar villō       yuṉaiyā raṟivā raruṇācalā பதச்சேதம்: ஓங்கார பொருள், ஒப்பு உயர்வு இல்லோய், உனை யார் அறிவார் அருணாசலா? Padacchēdam (word-separation): ōṅkāra poruḷ, oppu uyarvu illōy, uṉai yār aṟivār aruṇācalā? English translation: Arunachala, substance of ōṁkāra, you for whom there is not equal or superior, who can know you? Explanatory paraphrase: Arunachala, [inner and ultimate] substance [reality, import or referent] of ōṁkāra [the sacred syllable ōm], you for whom there is not [anything or anyone] equal [or similar] or superior, who [other than yourself] can know you [as you actually are]? This episode can also be watched as a video, 2022-09-24a Ramana Maharshi Foundation UK: Michael discusses Śrī Aruṇācala Akṣaramaṇamālai verse 13, 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 13 Q&A.

In this episode Michael James answers the question: “Although many deep-rooted attachments have fallen away on their own, I am still not sufficiently detached so as to surrender completely and experience total contentment at all times. This may have to do with the fact that I still identify myself with the body at some level, albeit not as strongly as before. Is uninterrupted self-attention the only means to overcome this?” ----more---- This episode can also be watched as a video, 2022-08-02e Is uninterrupted self-attention the only means to overcome all deep-rooted attachments?, 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 11th September 2022 Michael James discusses the meaning and implications of verses 23 to 26 of Upadēśa Sāraḥ: ----more---- Upadēśa Sāraḥ verse 23: सत्त्व भासिका चित्क्व वेतरा । सत्त याहिचि च्चित्त याह्यहम् ॥ २३ ॥ sattva bhāsikā citkva vētarā satta yāhici ccitta yāhyaham पदच्छेद: सत्त्व भासिका चित् क्व वा इतरा? सत्तया हि चित्. चित्तया हि अहम्. Padacchēda (word-separation): sattva bhāsikā cit kva vā itarā? sattayā hi cit. cittayā hi aham. English translation: Where indeed is another awareness to illumine existence? As existence is certainly awareness. As awareness is certainly ‘I’. Explanatory paraphrase: Where indeed is [any] cit [awareness] other [than sat] to illumine sat [existence, beingness or what actually exists]? [What shines] as sat [existence] is certainly cit [awareness]. [What exists] as awareness is certainly ‘I’. Upadēśa Sāraḥ verse 24: ईश जीवयो र्वेष धीभिदा । सत्स्व भावतो वस्तु केवलम् ॥ २४ ॥ īśa jīvayō rvēṣa dhībhidā satsva bhāvatō vastu kēvalam पदच्छेद: ईश जीवयोः वेष धी भिदा सत् स्वभावतः वस्तु केवलम्. Padacchēda (word-separation): īśa-jīvayōḥ vēṣa-dhī bhidā. sat-svabhāvataḥ vastu kēvalam. English translation: Between God and soul the difference is costume-thought. By existence-nature, substance is only one. Explanatory paraphrase: Between God and soul the difference [separation or distinction] is [only] vēṣa-dhī [costume-thought, the thought or awareness of their respective costumes, disguises or assumed appearances, namely their upādhis or adjuncts]. By [or because of] sat-svabhāva [their real nature, which is just existence or being], vastu [their substance] is only one. Upadēśa Sāraḥ verse 25: वेष हानतः स्वात्म दर्शनम् । ईश दर्शनं स्वात्म रूपतः ॥ २५ ॥ vēṣa hānataḥ svātma darśanam īśa darśanaṁ svātma rūpataḥ पदच्छेद: वेष हानतः स्वात्म दर्शनम् ईश दर्शनम्. स्वात्म रूपतः. Padacchēda (word-separation): vēṣa hānataḥ svātma-darśanam īśa-darśanam. svātma rūpataḥ. English translation: By giving up costume, seeing one’s own self is seeing God, because of the form of one’s own self. Explanatory paraphrase: By giving up [one’s own] costume [disguise or assumed appearance, namely one’s upādhis or adjuncts], svātma-darśanam [seeing one’s own self] is īśa-darśanam [seeing God], because of [God being] the form [or real nature] of one’s own self. Upadēśa Sāraḥ verse 26: आत्म संस्थितिः स्वात्म दर्शनम् । आत्म निर्द्वया दात्म निष्ठता ॥ २६ ॥ ātma saṁsthitiḥ svātma darśanam ātma nirdvayā dātma niṣṭhatā पदच्छेद: आत्म संस्थितिः स्वात्म दर्शनम् आत्म निर्द्वयात्. आत्म निष्ठता. Padacchēda (word-separation): ātma-saṁsthitiḥ svātma-darśanam ātma nirdvayāt. ātma-niṣṭhatā. English translation: Being oneself is seeing one’s own self, because of oneself not being two. Self-abidance. Explanatory paraphrase: Being [or standing firmly as] oneself is svātma-darśanam [seeing one’s own self], because of oneself not being two [that is, since we are not two, we cannot see ourself as an object, so we can see what we actually are only by being what we actually are, namely pure awareness, sat-cit]. [This is] ātma-niṣṭhatā [being firmly and steadily fixed, standing or abiding as oneself]. This episode can also be watched as a video, 2022-09-11 Ramana Kendra, Delhi: Michael James discusses Upadēśa Sāraḥ verses 23 to 26, 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 international celebration of Bhagavan Ramana’s 126th Advent (anniversary of the day he came to Arunachala on 1st September 1896) organised by Arunachala Ashrama, New York, on 11th September 2022 Michael James discusses how Bhagavan and his teachings are the full blossoming, flower, cream, nectar or crest-jewel of the entire Vēdānta, as well as its original source. ----more---- This episode can also be watched as a video, 2022-09-11 Sri Ramana Advent: Bhagavan Ramana, the flower of Vēdānta, 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 10th September 2022 Michael James first discussed the meaning and deep implications of verse 12 of Śrī Aruṇācala Akṣaramaṇamālai, and that first portion of this meeting has been posted here as a separate episode: Śrī Aruṇācala Akṣaramaṇamālai verse 12. ----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, 2022-09-10b Ramana Foundation UK: Michael answers questions on Śrī Aruṇācala Akṣaramaṇamālai 12, 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 12 Q&A.

In a Zoom meeting of the ‘Ramana Maharshi Foundation UK’ on 10th September 2022 Michael James discusses verse 12 of Śrī Aruṇācala Akṣaramaṇamālai: ----more---- ஒருவனா முன்னை யொளித்தெவர் வருவா       ருன்சூ தேயிது வருணாசலா oruvaṉā muṉṉai yoḷittevar varuvā       ruṉsū dēyidu varuṇācalā பதச்சேதம்: ஒருவன் ஆம் உன்னை ஒளித்து எவர் வருவார்? உன் சூதே இது அருணாசலா. Padacchēdam (word-separation): oruvaṉ ām uṉṉai oḷittu evar varuvār? uṉ sūdē idu aruṇācalā. English translation: Arunachala, hiding you, who are the one, who can come? This is only your trick. Explanatory paraphrase: Arunachala, hiding [from] you, who are the one [the only one who actually exists], who can come [into my heart]? This [the entry of the five sense-thieves in my heart] is only [or certainly] your trick. Alternative interpretation 1: Arunachala, hiding [from] you, who are the one [the peerless one, other than whom there is nothing and no one equal or superior, and hence no one who could ever delude or evade you, preventing you from seeing their entry], who can come [into my heart]? This is only [or certainly] your trick. Alternative interpretation 2: Arunachala, excluding [or other than] you, who are the one [the only one, other than whom nothing exists], who [else] can come [into my heart]? This is only [or certainly] your trick. Alternative interpretation 3: Arunachala, hiding [or concealing] you, who are the one [the only one who actually exists], who can come [into my heart]? This is only [or certainly] your trick. This episode can also be watched as a video, 2022-09-10a Ramana Maharshi Foundation UK: Michael discusses Śrī Aruṇācala Akṣaramaṇamālai verse 12, 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.