Maharshi Non-Dual Teaching
Mike Ervin

Below is a comprehensive summary of Ramana Maharshi’s teachings on Nonduality, one of the most influential spiritual teachings of the 20th century and a cornerstone of modern Advaita Vedanta.

Who Was Ramana Maharshi?

Ramana Maharshi (1879–1950) was an Indian sage and self-realized master of Advaita Vedanta, known for his deep silence, presence, and clarity. At the age of 16, he experienced a profound spontaneous awakening—a direct realization of the Self—after a near-death experience. He left home soon after and settled at the sacred mountain Arunachala, where seekers from around the world came to sit in his presence.

He taught primarily through silence, but also gave clear, minimalist verbal teachings centered on self-inquiry (ātma-vichāra).

Central Teaching: The Self Alone Is Real

At the heart of Ramana Maharshi’s teaching is the declaration:

“Know the Self, and all else will be known.”

The Self (Ātman) is pure, nondual consciousness—not the ego or body, but the silent, ever-present awareness behind all experience. The world, the ego, and all phenomena are illusory or transient (mithyā) in comparison to this unchanging reality.

Core Nondual Principles in Ramana’s Teaching

1. The Self Is Ever-Present and Nondual

• The Self is not something to be attained—it is always present as pure consciousness, the “I” before thought.
• It is nondual: there is no separation between subject and object, seer and seen.
• The world, mind, and ego are appearances within the Self, not separate from it.

2. The Ego Is the Root of Ignorance

• The ego (the “I-thought”) is the first and primary illusion—the false identification with body and mind.
• Suffering and delusion arise from mistaking this ego for the Self.
• Dissolving the ego leads to the direct realization of nondual awareness.

3. Self-Inquiry as the Direct Path

“Who am I?” (Ko aham?)

• Ramana’s unique and central teaching is self-inquiry, or ātma-vichāra—a meditative questioning of the source of the “I”-thought.
• Rather than getting caught up in philosophical analysis or ritual, he urges seekers to turn attention inward to find the origin of the sense of “I”.
• When pursued earnestly, the ego-thought dissolves, and only pure awareness remains.

Key Points of the Practice:

• Don’t answer the question intellectually—trace the feeling of “I” inward.
• Every time the “I” appears, ask: “To whom does this arise?”
• Eventually, the ego falls away, and the Self reveals itself in silence.

4. Silence as the Highest Teaching

• For Ramana, silence (mauna) is the most potent form of instruction. His silent presence transmitted realization beyond words.
• Speech arises only when necessary—his verbal teachings point back to silence.
• “Silence is the language of the Self.”

5. The World Is a Projection of the Mind

• Ramana taught that the world is a projection, much like a dream.
• When the mind subsides, the world dissolves into Self.
• This is not nihilism, but a recognition that appearances are not ultimately real, only the Self is.

6. No Need for Doership or Effort

• The idea that “I am the doer” is part of ego-illusion.
• All action happens according to the divine will or destiny (prārabdha karma).
• Realization involves letting go of doership, not striving to achieve enlightenment.
• He often said: “Be still and know. That is all.”

7. Grace and Surrender

• Self-inquiry is not based solely on effort; it is supported by Grace.
• For those who cannot do self-inquiry, surrender to God or Guru is a valid path.
• Surrender means relinquishing all identification and will to the divine Self.

Key Practices

1. Atma Vichara (Self-Inquiry)

• Ask “Who am I?” and trace the sense of “I” inward.
• Not about finding new answers, but dissolving the questioner.
• Eventually, the ego dies, and the Self alone remains.

2. Inner Silence (Mauna)

• Simply be still. Rest as awareness. Don’t follow thoughts.
• Silence is the natural state of the Self.

3. Surrender (Bhakti)

• If self-inquiry feels difficult, surrender the ego, will, and all concerns to God or the Self.
• “Not my will, but Thine.”

Famous Quotes from Ramana Maharshi

• “The question ‘Who am I?’ will destroy all other questions.”
• “The Self is always there—it is you. There is nothing but the Self.”
• “There is no greater mystery than this: Being reality ourselves, we seek to gain reality.”
• “Realization is nothing to be gained anew. It is only becoming aware of your natural state.”

Relation to Traditional Advaita Vedanta

• Ramana aligns with classical Advaita, but his approach is radically direct and experiential, bypassing the need for scriptural study or philosophical reasoning.
• His method is considered a direct path (samyak-mārga)—as opposed to the traditional path of scripture-study, reasoning, and meditation.
• He is revered by both orthodox Vedantins and modern nondual teachers.

Legacy and Influence

Ramana Maharshi is one of the most respected and universally loved figures in modern spirituality. His teachings have influenced:

• Papaji (Poonja-ji) – who in turn taught Gangaji, Mooji, and others.
• Nisargadatta Maharaj – who shared a similar emphasis on direct realization.
• Modern teachers like Rupert Spira, Adyashanti, and Eckhart Tolle.

His Arunachala Ashram in Tiruvannamalai remains a global pilgrimage site for nondual seekers.

Summary: The Essence of Ramana’s Nonduality

“You are the Self—pure, eternal, silent, and untouched. Simply stop identifying with what you are not. Remain as you are.”

Ramana Maharshi’s path of Self-Inquiry and abiding as the Self is a direct, elegant, and profound teaching of Nonduality. It requires no beliefs, rituals, or complex philosophies—only a sincere turning inward. In this turning, the ego dissolves, and only the indivisible, nondual Self remains.

Below is a practical guide to practicing Self-Inquiry (Ātma-Vichāra) in daily life, based on Ramana Maharshi’s original teachings, clarified for modern practitioners seeking direct nondual realization.

Overview: What Is Self-Inquiry?

Self-Inquiry is not an intellectual exercise but a direct inner turning toward the source of the “I”-sense. Its purpose is to dissolve the ego-identity and allow the true Self (pure awareness) to shine forth.

The core question:

“Who am I?” or

“To whom does this thought arise?”

This is not meant to produce a verbal answer—but to trace the “I”-thought back to its source, until the ego dissolves and only awareness itself remains.

Step-by-Step Guide to Practicing Self-Inquiry

1. Settle into the Present Moment

• Begin by sitting quietly or taking a moment to become aware of your current experience.
• Let go of any outer distractions.
• No need for complex posture—just a relaxed, alert presence.

✨ Tip: You can do this formally in meditation, or informally throughout your day.

2. Identify the “I” That You Take Yourself to Be

• Notice the inner sense of “I am”—the one who is experiencing, thinking, or feeling.
• Don’t analyze or describe it—just feel the sense of “I” that claims ownership over experience.

3. Ask the Question: “Who am I?”

• Not intellectually. Ask inwardly. Gently.
• Watch where this “I” comes from. Where does it arise from? Where does it go?

Alternate Forms:

• “To whom does this thought arise?”
• “Who is aware of this thought or feeling?”
• “What is this ‘me’ that is experiencing this moment?”

The goal is not to get an answer, but to hold the question and turn attention inward—toward the source of “I.”

4. Trace the “I”-Thought to Its Source

• The ego is a thought—“I am this body, this mind, this personality.”
• Trace this thought back to where it arises—like following a stream back to its spring.
• Keep attention turned toward the silent awareness behind the thought.

The deeper you go, the more the egoic sense loses its grip.

5. Rest in the Source—Silent Awareness

• When all thoughts subside, remain as the awareness that is left.
• Don’t try to hold on to silence—just be that which notices everything.
• This is your natural state, the Self.

6. When Thoughts Arise, Gently Return

• Every time a thought arises (e.g., desire, memory, worry), ask:
  
• “To whom does this arise?”
• The answer will be, “To me.”
• Then ask, “Who am I?”

This brings the mind back to its source.

Each time, it’s a loop that draws the mind inward until the “me” dissolves.

Integrating into Daily Life

You don’t need to be on a cushion to practice Self-Inquiry. Here are ways to weave it into everyday situations:

During Conversations:

• Notice the sense of “I” as you speak. Pause briefly and ask inwardly, “Who is speaking?”

In Nature:

• Instead of identifying as the one looking, ask, “What is aware of this beauty?”

In Emotional Reactions:

• When anger, fear, or sadness arises, don’t fight it. Ask, “To whom does this arise?”
  Let the inquiry shift attention inward, rather than feeding the emotion.

During Chores or Walking:

• Gently place awareness on the sense of “I am.” No thoughts, just Being.
• Ask occasionally, “Who is doing this?”

💡 Each moment becomes a doorway to return to the Self.

What to Expect

Common Experiences

• A growing sense of stillness and presence
• The ego feels less “real” or urgent
• Moments of pure awareness without self-referencing
• Spontaneous joy, peace, or love arising

Common Obstacles

• The mind wants to seek answers, not silence
• Identification with thoughts and emotions may return
• Effort may feel tiring—don’t force the inquiry
• Doubt: “Am I doing this right?”

Ramana said: If the inquiry is sincere, the Self will reveal itself.

Final Words from Ramana Maharshi

“The ‘I’-thought is the root of all other thoughts. If the ‘I’-thought is held and the others are left alone, they will vanish by themselves.”

“Be still. The aim of all practice is to give up all practices.”

                      _______________________________________

Below is a 10-minute daily Self-Inquiry Routine based on Ramana Maharshi’s teachings, adapted for modern spiritual seekers who want to directly realize the Self in the midst of everyday life.

10-Minute Self-Inquiry Practice

Duration: 10 minutes

Posture: Sit comfortably. You may close your eyes or leave them half-open in a relaxed gaze.

Minute 0–1: Arrive & Settle

• Gently bring awareness to the present moment.
• Let the body relax. Let the breath find its natural rhythm.
• Say inwardly:
  “I am here. I am aware. I am.”

Feel the sense of simply being present—not as an idea, but as a living experience.

Minutes 1–3: Locate the “I”

• Gently bring attention to the sense of “I”—the one who is sitting, breathing, aware.
• Ask inwardly, without expecting a verbal answer:
  “Who am I?”
• Let the question point into the space behind thought, not toward the mind but inward toward awareness itself.
• Notice:
  
• Where does the “I” arise from?
• Is it a thought, a feeling, a position

Don’t chase an answer—rest in the direction the question opens.

Minutes 3–7: Deepen the Inquiry

Each time a thought, image, or sensation arises:

• Ask:
  “To whom does this arise?”
• The answer will be: “To me.”
• Then ask:
  “Who is this ‘me’?”
  “Who is aware of this thought or feeling?”

Use each thought as a doorway—not a distraction—to return inward.

Let the mind’s attention turn back toward its source.

Thoughts may come - don’t fight them. Just gently return inquiry to the sense of “I.”

Minutes 7–9: Rest as Awareness

• Let go of the inquiry for a moment.
• Simply rest in the background awareness—the silent, spacious presence that has been watching the whole process.
• No effort. Just Be.
• Notice that:
  
• You are not your thoughts.
• You are not your emotions.
• You are not even the “I”-thought.

You are the awareness in which all these arise.

Feel the natural peace of Being itself.

Minute 9–10: Closing

• Gently return your attention to the body, breath, and surroundings.
• Don’t re-identify with the ego or resume the “story of me.”
• Say inwardly:
  “I am not this body or mind. I am the Self—silent, aware, free.”

Open your eyes slowly, if closed, and carry that inner stillness into your day.

📿 Optional Daily Mantra (Post-Practice Reminder):

“I am not the doer. I am awareness itself.”

Pro Tips:

• Set a daily time and place for this practice to build a rhythm.
• Use triggers during the day (e.g., emotions, decisions, waiting in line) to pause and briefly ask:
  “Who is experiencing this?”
• For deeper practice, extend to 20–30 minutes when you feel ready.

Maharshi Non-Dual Teaching