"Sri Ramana: The Self Supreme" refers to the teachings and philosophy of Sri Ramana Maharshi, one of the most revered spiritual figures of modern India. Sri Ramana Maharshi’s primary teachings center around the concept of Self-realization and the direct experience of the Self as the Supreme Reality, often referred to as Atman or Brahman in the Vedantic tradition.
Sri Ramana Maharshi (1879–1950) was born as Venkataraman Iyer in a small village called Tiruchuli, in Tamil Nadu, India. At the age of 16, he had a profound spiritual experience that led him to recognize the Self as the ultimate reality. He left his home and family and took residence in the Arunachala Hill in Tiruvannamalai, where he spent most of his life in deep meditation and spiritual contemplation. He became widely known for his simple yet profound teachings, emphasizing self-inquiry (known as Atma Vichara) as a path to liberation (Moksha).
Self-Inquiry (Atma Vichara):
The central teaching of Sri Ramana Maharshi is self-inquiry or Atma Vichara. This practice involves the question, "Who am I?" or "What is my true nature?"
By asking this question, the individual is encouraged to trace the source of the "I"-thought. Instead of identifying with the ego, mind, and body, one seeks to uncover the deeper essence that lies beyond.
Ramana Maharshi explained that the "I" thought is the root of all thoughts, and when one investigates deeply, one realizes that this "I" is not separate from the supreme Self (Atman). The ultimate realization is that the true Self is ever-present, unchanging, and beyond the mind.
The Nature of the Self:
According to Ramana Maharshi, the Self (Atman) is the Supreme Reality. It is the substratum of all experiences, yet it remains untouched by them.
The Self is not a product of the mind or body but is the pure consciousness that underlies the universe.
This Self is ever-present and eternal, and it is the source of all thoughts, actions, and perceptions. The idea of "I am this body" or "I am the mind" is the illusion, which Ramana Maharshi refers to as Maya.
Self-Realization as Liberation (Moksha):
For Sri Ramana Maharshi, Self-realization is synonymous with liberation (Moksha). To realize the Self is to realize one's true nature as Brahman, the ultimate reality.
The process of self-inquiry helps dissolve the illusion of ego and separation, revealing the non-dual nature of existence. Realizing that one’s true nature is consciousness or being itself leads to freedom from the cycle of birth and death (samsara).
The Role of the Mind:
According to Maharshi, the mind is a bundle of thoughts that arises from the illusion of separateness. However, the mind itself is not real; it is only an instrument that operates based on identification with the body and external phenomena.
The mind's function is to distract the individual from the true nature of the Self. When one ceases to identify with the thoughts and the ego, the mind’s power diminishes, and the individual experiences peace, clarity, and the Self.
The Practice of Silence (Mauna):
Silence was a key component of Sri Ramana Maharshi’s teaching. He emphasized that inner silence is the most profound state, where the mind is still, and the true Self is directly experienced.
While speech is important for teaching, true silence is the essence of the highest state of realization. Ramana’s own life was a testament to this; he often communicated through silence, conveying the wisdom of his being, which transcended words.
Surrender (Prapatti):
Ramana Maharshi did not emphasize a particular ritual or devotion to a personal god. However, he did emphasize the importance of surrender to the Divine or the Supreme Self.
Surrender is not passive resignation but an active recognition that the Self is the doer of all things. True surrender involves letting go of the ego and acknowledging the divine will, which leads to peace and self-realization.
The Nature of the World:
Sri Ramana Maharshi taught that the world is perceived through the lens of the mind and ego. The world is not separate from the Self but appears as a projection of the mind.
Ultimately, the world and all its phenomena are transient and illusory (Maya). When one realizes the Self, the illusion of the world dissolves, and the individual understands that everything is interconnected and rooted in the same consciousness.
The title "The Self Supreme" can be interpreted as referring to the ultimate nature of reality that Ramana Maharshi teaches. According to him, the Self (Atman) is the Supreme, indivisible, and eternal essence that is the source of all existence. Everything in the universe is a manifestation of this Supreme Self. The individual’s quest is to realize this truth through direct experience, leading to liberation.
Self-Inquiry (Atma Vichara) is the primary method to realize one's true nature.
The Self is eternal, beyond the ego, and is the Supreme Reality that underlies all existence.
Moksha or liberation is attained when one recognizes the non-dual nature of the Self and transcends the illusion of separateness.
Silence and surrender are essential to experiencing the Self.
The world and its phenomena are perceived through the mind’s illusion, but they are ultimately expressions of the same Self.
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