Bernardo Kastrup, philosopher, and Michael James, expert on Ramana Maharshi's Advaita, discuss Analytic Idealism, quantum physics, the meaning of life, the teachings of Ramana Maharshi, ego, the nature of consciousness, and the reality of suffering.

In a Zoom meeting with Ramana Kendra, Delhi, on 15th October 2023, Michael James continues the discussion of the meaning and implications of verse  3 of Āṉ𝘮𝘢 𝘝𝘪𝘥𝘥𝘢𝘪. Verse 3: https://happinessofbeing.blogspot.com/2023/07/anma-viddai-verse-3-knowledge-of-all.html தன்னை யறிதலின்றிப் பின்னை யெதறிகிலென் றன்னை யறிந்திடிற்பின் னென்னை யுளதறிய பின்ன வுயிர்களில பின்ன விளக்கெனுமத் தன்னைத் தனிலுணர மின்னுந் தனுளான்ம —    ப்ரகாசமே; அருள் விலாசமே; அக விநாசமே;       இன்ப விகாசமே.      (ஐயே) taṉṉai yaṟidaliṉḏṟip piṉṉai yedaṟihileṉ ḏṟaṉṉai yaṟindiḍiṟpiṉ ṉeṉṉai yuḷadaṟiya bhiṉṉa vuyirgaḷila bhiṉṉa viḷakkeṉumat taṉṉait taṉiluṇara miṉṉun taṉuḷāṉma —    prakāśamē; aruḷ vilāsamē; aha vināśamē;       iṉba vikāsamē.      (aiyē) பதச்சேதம்: தன்னை அறிதல் இன்றி, பின்னை எது அறிகில் என்? தன்னை அறிந்திடில், பின் என்னை உளது அறிய? பின்ன உயிர்களில் அபின்ன விளக்கு எனும் அத் தன்னை தனில் உணர, மின்னும் தன் உள் ஆன்ம ப்ரகாசமே. அருள் விலாசமே, அக விநாசமே, இன்ப விகாசமே. (ஐயே, அதி சலபம், ...) Padacchēdam (word-separation): taṉṉai aṟidal iṉḏṟi, piṉṉai edu aṟihil eṉ? taṉṉai aṟindiḍil, piṉ eṉṉai uḷadu aṟiya? bhiṉṉa uyirgaḷil abhiṉṉa viḷakku eṉum a-t-taṉṉai taṉil uṇara, miṉṉum taṉ uḷ āṉma-prakāśamē. aruḷ vilāsamē, aha vināśamē, iṉba vikāsamē. (aiyē, ati sulabham, ...) அன்வயம்: தன்னை அறிதல் இன்றி, பின்னை எது அறிகில் என்? தன்னை அறிந்திடில், பின் அறிய என்னை உளது? பின்ன உயிர்களில் அபின்ன விளக்கு எனும் அத் தன்னை தனில் உணர, தன் உள் ஆன்ம ப்ரகாசமே மின்னும். அருள் விலாசமே, அக விநாசமே, இன்ப விகாசமே. (ஐயே, அதி சலபம், ...) Anvayam (words rearranged in natural prose order): taṉṉai aṟidal iṉḏṟi, piṉṉai edu aṟihil eṉ? taṉṉai aṟindiḍil, piṉ aṟiya eṉṉai uḷadu? bhiṉṉa uyirgaḷil abhiṉṉa viḷakku eṉum a-t-taṉṉai taṉil uṇara, taṉ uḷ āṉma-prakāśamē miṉṉum. aruḷ vilāsamē, aha vināśamē, iṉba vikāsamē. (aiyē, ati sulabham, ...) English translation: Without knowing oneself, if one knows whatever else, what? If one has known oneself, then what exists to know? When one knows in oneself that self, which is the light without separation in separate sentient beings, within oneself the shining of oneself alone will flash forth. The shining forth of grace; the annihilation of ego; the blossoming of happiness. (Ah, extremely easy, ...) Explanatory paraphrase: Without knowing oneself, if one knows whatever else, [so] what? [That is, how can such knowledge be reliable, so how can it have any real value?] If one has known oneself, then what [else] exists to know? When one knows in oneself that self [one’s real nature], which is the light [that shines] abhinna [without bhinna: separation, division, difference or distinction] in separate sentient beings [or souls], within oneself ātma-prakāśa [the shining, clarity or light of oneself] alone will flash forth [like lightening]. [This is] aruḷ-vilāsa [the shining forth, amorous play or beauty of grace], aha-vināśa [the annihilation of ego], iṉba-vikāsa [the blossoming of happiness]. ([Therefore] ah, extremely easy, ātma-vidyā, ah, extremely easy!) This episode can also be watched as a video here 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 Ramana Maharshi Foundation UK on 14th October 2023, Michael answers various questions about Bhagavan’s teachings. He started with: Question #1: In deep sleep only awareness remains. You said awareness knows awareness only. My question is why I don't know myself in deep sleep? Kindly Reply. Question #2: What is pure awareness? If it is aware of anything, it is impure. So, if awareness is aware even of itself, being aware, that is already impure, since awareness has an object (itself). So, pure awareness is awareness of... what? And, anyway, as soon as you notice it, it would not be pure awareness any longer, since now there is a duality: awareness (apparently of nothing) and the awareness of awareness. My point then is, what good is pure awareness, since it is aware of nothing, and cannot even know itself without disturbing its pure awareness? If you are it, you cannot know it, and if you know it, you no longer are it. I do not see a way out of this. Has anyone ever recognized pure awareness? If so, they are separate from it. But, it also cannot be aware of itself, or for that matter anything at all. And this is supposed to be the highest knowledge no less? Knowledge of what, exactly? Question #3: Philosophy, Sartre in particular, would deny that there is anything such as intransitive awareness. Awareness must be of something, or what is it awareness of? As soon as you are aware of even just being aware, now awareness is the object, and you are observing awareness. I do not think we are aware of our sleep. I think we infer it. We can recall our dreams, and we might say we did not dream all night, so there must have been a period of sleep, but that does not mean we were aware of our awareness. Also, the fact that we are not aware of the world while asleep is particularly unconvincing when it is argued that therefore the objective world arises when our ego arises. That is far too solipsistic for my tastes. We blink and the sun disappears, for us. No one believes the sun disappears; similarly, we sleep and the world does not disappear. Where is the evidence one can see pure awareness, or failing that, that awareness of nothing exists. And so what if we can have pure awareness of nothing at all; what does that prove, exactly? This episode can also be watched as a video here 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.  

Michael answers the following question in this video: At what point are we ego? Is ego false identification as being the body. So is it a sense that we are the body, and that ‘sense’ we call ‘I’ and this ‘I sense as the body’ is called ego? This episode can also be watched as a video here 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 7th October 2023, Michael James discusses Uḷḷadu Nāṟpadu Anubandham, verse 8 The following is Michael's translation of this verse: இதயமாங் குகையி னாப்ப ணேகமாம் பிரம்ம மாத்ர மதுவக மகமா நேரே யவிர்ந்திடு மான்மா வாக விதயமே சார்வாய் தன்னை யெண்ணியா ழலது வாயு வதனுட னாழ்ம னத்தா லான்மாவி னிட்ட னாவாய்.   idayamāṅ guhaiyi ṉāppa ṇēkamām biramma mātra maduvaha mahamā nērē yavirndiḍu māṉmā vāha vidayamē sārvāy taṉṉai yeṇṇiyā ṙaladu vāyu vadaṉuḍa ṉāṙma ṉattā lāṉmāvi ṉiṭṭa ṉāvāy.   பதச்சேதம்: இதயம் ஆம் குகையின் நாப்பண் ஏகம் ஆம் பிரம்மம் மாத்ரம் அது ‘அகம் அகம்’ ஆ நேரே அவிர்ந்திடும் ஆன்மாவாக. இதயமே சார்வாய், தன்னை எண்ணி ஆழ் அலது வாயு அதன் உடன் ஆழ் மனத்தால்; ஆன்மாவில் நிட்டன் ஆவாய்.   Padacchēdam (word-separation): idayam ām guhaiyiṉ nāppaṇ ēkam ām birammam mātram adu ‘aham aham’ ā nērē avirndiḍum āṉmā-v-āha. idayamē sārvāy, taṉṉai eṇṇi āṙ aladu vāyu adaṉ uḍaṉ āṙ maṉattāl; āṉmāvil niṭṭaṉ āvāy.   அன்வயம்: இதயம் ஆம் குகையின் நாப்பண் ஏகம் ஆம் பிரம்மம் மாத்ரம் அது ‘அகம் அகம்’ ஆ ஆன்மாவாக நேரே அவிர்ந்திடும். தன்னை எண்ணி ஆழ் அலது வாயு அதன் உடன் ஆழ் மனத்தால் இதயமே சார்வாய்; ஆன்மாவில் நிட்டன் ஆவாய்.   Anvayam (words rearranged in natural prose order): idayam ām guhaiyiṉ nāppaṇ ēkam ām birammam mātram adu ‘aham aham’ ā āṉmā-v-āha nērē avirndiḍum. taṉṉai eṇṇi āṙ aladu vāyu adaṉ uḍaṉ āṙ maṉattāl idayamē sārvāy; āṉmāvil niṭṭaṉ āvāy.   English translation: In the centre of the cave that is the heart brahman, which is the one, alone shines directly as oneself as ‘I am I’. May you reach the heart by the mind that sinks investigating itself or that sinks with the breath; may you be one fixed in yourself.    Explanatory paraphrase: In the centre of the cave that is the heart brahman, which is the one [the only one that actually exists, and hence the one without a second], alone shines directly as oneself as ‘I am I’ [that is, as awareness of oneself as oneself alone]. May you reach [take refuge in, unite with or merge in] the heart by the mind that sinks [or subsides] [deep within] investigating itself or that sinks with the [sinking] breath; [and] may you [thereby] be one fixed in yourself. And the Sanskrit original is: हृदय कुहर मध्ये केवलं ब्रह्म मात्रं ह्यहमह मिति साक्षा दात्मरू पेण भाति। हृदि विश मनसास्वं चिन्वता मज्जता वा पवन चलन रोधा दात्मनिष्ठो भव त्वम्॥   hṛdaya kuhara madhyē kēvalaṁ brahma mātraṁ hyahamaha miti sākṣā dātmarū pēṇa bhāti hṛdi viśa manasāsvaṁ cinvatā majja tāvā pavana calana rōdhā dātmaniṣṭhō bhava tvam.   पदच्छेद: हृदय कुहर मध्ये केवलम् ब्रह्म मात्रम् हि ‘अहम् अहम्’ इति साक्षात् आत्म रूपेण भाति. हृदि विश मनसा स्वम् चिन्वता मज्जता वा पवन चलन रोधात्, आत्म निष्ठः भव त्वम्.   Padacchēda (word-separation): hṛdaya kuhara madhyē kēvalam brahma mātram hi ‘aham aham’ iti sākṣāt ātma rūpēṇa bhāti. hṛdi viśa manasā svam cinvatā majjatā vā pavana calana rōdhāt, ātma niṣṭhaḥ bhava tvam.   English translation: In the centre of the heart-cave solitarily brahman alone shines clearly in the form of oneself as ‘I am I’. Entering the heart by the mind sinking investigating itself or by restraining the movement of the breath, may you be fixed in yourself.   Explanatory paraphrase: In the centre of the heart-cave solitarily brahman alone shines clearly [directly or immediately] in the form of oneself as ‘I am I’ [that is, as awareness of oneself as oneself alone]. Entering the heart by the mind sinking [deep within] investigating itself or by restraining the movement of the breath, may you be fixed in yourself. This episode can also be watched as a video here 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 1st October 2023, Michael answers various questions about Bhagavan’s teachings. Devotee #1: When doing self-enquiry, when asking in whom is this thought occurring, the answer is, in me. And when asking, who am I, you understand this is not a question to be answered but to be explored or investigated. But if I were to answer, would it be correct to say that I am the observer of the illusory mind/body Susan? To explain, I, Susan am walking down the street, I follow Ramana’s teachings and so I say to myself, I, the I, as in I am is observing Susan walking down the street, and I am now observing Susan stopping to by a cup of coffee. Devotee #2: No matter how much I try, I am unable to pursue the path of athma vichara with dedication. Firstly, it is very hard to practice self inquiry. Secondly, on those very few occasions when I actually sit and try and focus, I don’t know what to expect when I close my eyes and observe my thoughts because I am not sure how “self” even feels. Is the thoughtless state the actual self, because I am unable to go beyond that? How do I not fall into the trap of frustration and keep persevering? This episode can also be watched as a video here 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 Ramana Maharshi Foundation UK on 30th September 2023, Michael answers various questions about Bhagavan’s teachings. This episode can also be watched as a video here 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.

Michael answers the following question in this video: I’m still confused. Who is aware? I thought it was ego that is the only thing that is aware. It’s the reflected consciousness. When I say I’m aware of these thoughts, these feelings, these emotions, this body, this mind, who’s really aware? Isn’t it really the false awareness ego? Yes I understand underneath the underlying assumed reality is the real self but we don’t really realize that until we annihilate ego completely. Until then everything is ego. Can you please expound on this. This episode can also be watched as a video here 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.

Michael answers the following questions in this video: A monk recently told me that it is well known in India that thieves use this udumbu lizard to help them climb up buildings to help them in their thieving work! Isn’t the ego the same? With no form or substance of its own, the apparent ego borrows the light of the Self to grasp form and feed its mischief! Note: This question seems to have been asked in reference to verse 130 of Guru Vācaka Kōvai: உடம்போ டுலகை யுறுதியெனப் பற்றி மடம்படுவோன் சாந்தி மடுத்தல் — மடம்பேர்ந் துடும்புபோன் றுள்ளத் துயிர்நிலையுற் றோவான் இடும்பையுற லென்று மில. uḍambō ḍulahai yuṟudiyeṉap paṯṟi maḍambaḍuvōṉ śānti maḍuttal — maḍambērn duḍumbupōṉ ḏṟuḷḷat tuyirnilaiyuṯ ṟōvāṉ iḍumbaiyuṟa leṉḏṟu mila. பதச்சேதம்: உடம்போடு உலகை உறுதி எனப் பற்றி மடம் படுவோன் சாந்தி மடுத்தல் [என்றும் இல]. மடம் பேர்ந்து உடும்பு போன்று உள்ளத்து உயிர்நிலை உற்று ஓவான் இடும்பை உறல் என்றும் இல. Padacchēdam (word-separation): uḍambōḍu ulahai uṟudi eṉa paṯṟi maḍam paḍuvōṉ śānti maḍuttal [eṉḏṟum ila]; maḍam pērndu uḍumbu pōṉḏṟu uḷḷattu uyirnilai uṯṟu ōvāṉ iḍumbai uṟal eṉḏṟum ila. English translation: One who is ensnared in ignorance, clinging to the body and world as real, [will not ever] achieve peace. Leaving ignorance, one who like an uḍumbu steadfastly does not let go of the real nature of the soul in the heart will not ever experience suffering. Explanatory paraphrase: One who is ensnared in ignorance, clinging to the body and world as uṟudi [stable, permanent, certain or real], [will not ever] achieve peace. Leaving [such] ignorance, one who [clinging firmly] like an uḍumbu [a variety of monitor lizard noted for its ability to cling firmly to any surface] steadfastly does not let go of the real nature of the soul in the heart will not ever experience suffering. [Therefore, if we wish to attain peace and be eternally free of suffering, we need to give up considering the body and world to be real, and instead need to cling firmly like an uḍumbu to our own real nature, namely sat-cit, pure being-awareness, which is what is always shining in our heart as ‘I am’.] This episode can also be watched as a video here 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.  

Śrī Ramaṇa Varuhai is a 360-verse poetical work composed by Sri Sadhu Om when he was anguishly longing to see Bhagavan Ramana in form after Bhagavan left his body in 1950. Selections from the book 'The Path of Sri Ramana' 2023 Ed., a free video copy of which is available here . A free copy of the Tamil book of Ramana Varuhai can be accessed here . A full English translation is currently not available. Music: Pond5 This video was originally presented in the 2023 International Advent Day Celebrations. This episode can also be watched as a video here 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.