What do you think?
Rate this book
Ramana Maharshi and the Path of Self-Knowledge
This book is an account of the life and teachings of this great spiritual guide. Introduced to the West by Paul Brunton in the 1950s, Ramana Maharshi's presence invoked a remarkable and transformational impression of benevolence and dignity, kindness and simplicity, which proved to be fundamental to the movement toward spiritual enlightenment throughout the Western world. In the foreword to this volume, Dr. S. Radhakrishman, a former Vice President of the Republic of India writes "[This book] has a special relevance to our age with its dominant mood of wistful reluctant scepticism...Sri Ramana Maharshi gives us the outlines of a religion based on the Indian Scriptures which is essentially spiritual, without ceasing to be rational and ethical."
208 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1954
60 people are currently reading
428 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
December 14, 2022
Ramana Maharshi is famously described as someone 'who wanted to find out whether he was real'.
His teaching of Advaita (Non dualism) rests on one single question to be asked to yourself - 'Who Am I ?'.
The idea is to keep looking inward and self-enquiring till you stop identifying with anything which is 'not real' (Maya) except the Self (Atman) which is real.
For example, if you ask - Am I this body? You will realise the body is just something you have accumulated from the soil. Therefore you are not the body. Similarly the mind is a accumulation of thoughts and impressions. Thus, if you keep detaching yourself from whatever the ego attaches itself to, in end what will remain is the ultimate truth, which you will realise.
The ultimate truth is something which cannot be described or explained by words. Because words are again illusions, and will limit the truth. It is something which can only be realised.
The way the book is written is painfully slow and a lazy read. To discover some really good pieces of wisdom sprinkled throughout, you have to put up with absorbing and rejecting endless irrelevant information, and a thousand hearsay incidences by random bhakts like how Bhagwan (Ramana Maharshi) came into their dream and solved their crisis or how his magical grace cured their cancer.
It is almost reinforcing and encouraging most primitive superstitions peddled in India in the name of spirituality which we are slowly coming out of, with centuries of effort. Thus, the rating of 2/5.
Ironically, this book tends to cater to people still on the Bhakti Maarga (devotion) rather than the Karma Maarga (path of selfless action or Nishkaamya karma) , or the supreme and most profound Gyan Maarga (Path of knowledge) which Ramana Maharshi claimed to practise himself.
When I looked up about the current setup and activities of Ramanashram, I felt that Ironically instead of showing a new way to people, it has become just another religion.
I would have enjoyed reading if the book had dived deeper into the actual philosophy of Advaita rather than RM's personal life and explained his teachings in a better way with illustrations, or daily life examples.
His teaching of Advaita (Non dualism) rests on one single question to be asked to yourself - 'Who Am I ?'.
The idea is to keep looking inward and self-enquiring till you stop identifying with anything which is 'not real' (Maya) except the Self (Atman) which is real.
For example, if you ask - Am I this body? You will realise the body is just something you have accumulated from the soil. Therefore you are not the body. Similarly the mind is a accumulation of thoughts and impressions. Thus, if you keep detaching yourself from whatever the ego attaches itself to, in end what will remain is the ultimate truth, which you will realise.
The ultimate truth is something which cannot be described or explained by words. Because words are again illusions, and will limit the truth. It is something which can only be realised.
The way the book is written is painfully slow and a lazy read. To discover some really good pieces of wisdom sprinkled throughout, you have to put up with absorbing and rejecting endless irrelevant information, and a thousand hearsay incidences by random bhakts like how Bhagwan (Ramana Maharshi) came into their dream and solved their crisis or how his magical grace cured their cancer.
It is almost reinforcing and encouraging most primitive superstitions peddled in India in the name of spirituality which we are slowly coming out of, with centuries of effort. Thus, the rating of 2/5.
Ironically, this book tends to cater to people still on the Bhakti Maarga (devotion) rather than the Karma Maarga (path of selfless action or Nishkaamya karma) , or the supreme and most profound Gyan Maarga (Path of knowledge) which Ramana Maharshi claimed to practise himself.
When I looked up about the current setup and activities of Ramanashram, I felt that Ironically instead of showing a new way to people, it has become just another religion.
I would have enjoyed reading if the book had dived deeper into the actual philosophy of Advaita rather than RM's personal life and explained his teachings in a better way with illustrations, or daily life examples.
June 2, 2019
I bought this book in Tiruvannamalai (India), at Ramana Maharshi Ashram. As soon as I entered the ashram bookshop, I asked the assistant which book about Ramana Maharshi he recommended me to buy. He headed for one of the many bookshelves and then picked a book, with no hesitation. “This is the best book about Ramana Maharshi,” he said. The title was Ramana Maharshi and the Path of Self Knowledge by Arthur Osborne.
Today I finished reading it and I have to say that the man who advised me to buy it was right. In fact, Arthur Osborne, who knew Ramana Maharshi well, describes the stages of Ramana’s life from childhood to death.
According to Osborne, Ramana didn’t need words to communicate with others. He was a saint whose figure radiated joy and peace. He also appeared in the dreams of those who needed his help to point them the right way to follow to elevate their spirit.
Ramana Maharshi followed the path of self inquire: Who am I? Also Socrates and Jesus taught the same thing. In fact the kingdom of heaven is inside each of us. If we are able to purify our heart and mind we will find it definitely. Looking inside ourselves, we will discover our true nature, our higher self which is different from the material body. According to Osborne, a great spirit like Ramana Maharshi cannot die. He is always with us and attracts whoever he wants to his ashram by Arunachala Hill.
Ettore Grillo author of these books:
- A Hidden Sicilian History
- The Vibrations of Words
-Travels of the Mind
http://www.amazon.com/author/ettoregr...
Today I finished reading it and I have to say that the man who advised me to buy it was right. In fact, Arthur Osborne, who knew Ramana Maharshi well, describes the stages of Ramana’s life from childhood to death.
According to Osborne, Ramana didn’t need words to communicate with others. He was a saint whose figure radiated joy and peace. He also appeared in the dreams of those who needed his help to point them the right way to follow to elevate their spirit.
Ramana Maharshi followed the path of self inquire: Who am I? Also Socrates and Jesus taught the same thing. In fact the kingdom of heaven is inside each of us. If we are able to purify our heart and mind we will find it definitely. Looking inside ourselves, we will discover our true nature, our higher self which is different from the material body. According to Osborne, a great spirit like Ramana Maharshi cannot die. He is always with us and attracts whoever he wants to his ashram by Arunachala Hill.
Ettore Grillo author of these books:
- A Hidden Sicilian History
- The Vibrations of Words
-Travels of the Mind
http://www.amazon.com/author/ettoregr...
April 7, 2022
يناير الماضي
قرأت شيئا على فيسبوك..
""انظر! الراديو يغني ويلقي الخطب. حتى أنه يعلن أسماء فناني الأداء. لكن لا يوجد أحد داخل الراديو. وجودنا كذلك. قد يبدو الجسد وكأنه يمشي ويتحدث ويؤدي عددًا من الوظائف ، ولكن في الحقيقة لا يوجد فرد داخل الجسد. كل شيء هو الله. هو وحده موجود.
سري رامانا.
شعرت بشئ عجيب، لايوصف، حتى انني قرأتها لكل شخص في محاولة مني لمشاركة هذا الدفق من شي لا أعرفه حقا، كل القصة انني تأثرت بشدة.
قررت بعدها ان اعرف من هو "سري رامانا ماهارشي".. بحثت ووجدت هذا الكتاب.
درب معرفة الذات..
الميتافيزيقا ،دائما ماكانت تقف عائقا أمام الفلاسفة، ببساطة لأنها تسمو عن الفهم حيث كل المقصود هو فهم القلب، و الرؤية وليس المعرفة..
يقول : "عندما تختفي الأشياء التي نراها تظهر الطبيعة الحقيقية للذي يرى ".
درب معرفة الذات، يقول فيه: " معرفة النفس ليس شيئا سوى رؤية الله حرفيا، خطأنا الاعظم هو اعتقادنا ان الله يتصرف بطريقة رمزية او استعارية ،بدل عمليا وحرفياا"
"الحب للذات الجوهرية هو حب لله"..
في درب معرفة الذات ليس ثمة معلومات يمكن أن تجعلك" تكون " او ان تتحد مع ذاتك
وان من يحكم على الإشارات الخارجية، لايجد شيئا..
" لايمكن أن يكون هناك توجيهات للحشود الأمر يعتمد على النضج الروحي للفرد.. "
قرأت شيئا على فيسبوك..
""انظر! الراديو يغني ويلقي الخطب. حتى أنه يعلن أسماء فناني الأداء. لكن لا يوجد أحد داخل الراديو. وجودنا كذلك. قد يبدو الجسد وكأنه يمشي ويتحدث ويؤدي عددًا من الوظائف ، ولكن في الحقيقة لا يوجد فرد داخل الجسد. كل شيء هو الله. هو وحده موجود.
سري رامانا.
شعرت بشئ عجيب، لايوصف، حتى انني قرأتها لكل شخص في محاولة مني لمشاركة هذا الدفق من شي لا أعرفه حقا، كل القصة انني تأثرت بشدة.
قررت بعدها ان اعرف من هو "سري رامانا ماهارشي".. بحثت ووجدت هذا الكتاب.
درب معرفة الذات..
الميتافيزيقا ،دائما ماكانت تقف عائقا أمام الفلاسفة، ببساطة لأنها تسمو عن الفهم حيث كل المقصود هو فهم القلب، و الرؤية وليس المعرفة..
يقول : "عندما تختفي الأشياء التي نراها تظهر الطبيعة الحقيقية للذي يرى ".
درب معرفة الذات، يقول فيه: " معرفة النفس ليس شيئا سوى رؤية الله حرفيا، خطأنا الاعظم هو اعتقادنا ان الله يتصرف بطريقة رمزية او استعارية ،بدل عمليا وحرفياا"
"الحب للذات الجوهرية هو حب لله"..
في درب معرفة الذات ليس ثمة معلومات يمكن أن تجعلك" تكون " او ان تتحد مع ذاتك
وان من يحكم على الإشارات الخارجية، لايجد شيئا..
" لايمكن أن يكون هناك توجيهات للحشود الأمر يعتمد على النضج الروحي للفرد.. "
April 16, 2022
A special book that encapsulates the life and teachings of Sri Ramana Maharshi, the Sadguru (“the Guru who has realized Oneness with the Spirit that is the Self of all”).
The book opens with Sri Bhagavan’s “Awakening” to Self-realization when he was yet a schoolboy named Venkataraman, untrained in religious theory. There was “no quest, no striving, no conscious preparation” for what was about to happen to him.
Sitting alone at his uncle’s house one day, a “sudden violent fear of death overtook” him. “The shock of the fear of death drove my mind inwards and I said to myself mentally, without actually framing the words: ‘Now death has come; what does it mean? What is it that is dying? This body dies.’ And I at once dramatized the occurrence of death.”
He lay on the floor, limbs stretched out stiff, acting out his own death.
“‘Well then,’ I said to myself, ‘this body is dead. It will be carried stiff to the burning ground and there burnt and reduced to ashes. But with the death of this body am I dead? Is the body ‘I’? It is silent and inert but I feel the full force of my personality and even the voice of the ‘I’ within me, apart from it. So I am Spirit transcending the body. The body dies but the Spirit that transcends it cannot be touched by death. That means I am the deathless Spirit.’”
This brief childhood experience encapsulates Bhagavan’s ‘Path of Self-Knowledge’ that he spent the rest of his life instructing to his devotees, mostly in silence. The object of meditation never differed: it is always this ‘I’; the ego. “Who am I?” Is one’s mantra, the root of all thought, the ‘First thought’ that provides roots for all others to branch off.
Maharshi said, “Find out who the ‘I’ is, the seer or thinker, and his abode.” This is the obstacle to Realization, Liberation. “These bodies and minds are only the tools of the ‘I’, the illimitable Spirit.” In Reality, “A man is identical with the Self, which is our Being, pure Consciousness, pure Bliss, but the mind creates the illusion of a separate individuality.”
This “Oneness” is the core concept in the Hindu doctrine of Advaita, or “Non-duality.” Nothing exists apart from the Spirit, but everything is a form assumed by the Spirit. This is to be contrasted by the Dvaitists, or Dualists, who worship a Personal God separate from the worshipper. The Advaitists don’t dismiss the truth of this conception but go beyond it to the Absolute in which a man is absorbed back into That which is his Source and real Self, “surviving in the pure Bliss and boundless Consciousness of Being.”
This book is most useful for Westerners wanting an introduction to Eastern thought that can otherwise confuse our strong-egos and dualistic tendencies. There’s many riddle-like dialogues between Bhagavan and Western devotees seeking his wisdom, answers, and Grace.
Personally, it answered something that has long perplexed me about the concept of Maya, or “illusion.” One hears often that the “world is Maya/illusion/unreal”, but the Western mind requires an explanation of in what sense it is unreal. Sri Bhagavan explains this most concisely on page 92:
“Shankaracharya has been criticized for his philosophy of Maya (illusion) without understanding his meaning. He made three statements: that Brahman is real, that the universe is unreal, and that Brahman is the universe. He did not stop with the second. The third statement explains the first two; it signifies that when the universe is perceived apart from Brahman that perception is false and illusory. What it amounts to is that phenomena are real when experienced as the Self and illusory when seen apart from the Self.”
The book opens with Sri Bhagavan’s “Awakening” to Self-realization when he was yet a schoolboy named Venkataraman, untrained in religious theory. There was “no quest, no striving, no conscious preparation” for what was about to happen to him.
Sitting alone at his uncle’s house one day, a “sudden violent fear of death overtook” him. “The shock of the fear of death drove my mind inwards and I said to myself mentally, without actually framing the words: ‘Now death has come; what does it mean? What is it that is dying? This body dies.’ And I at once dramatized the occurrence of death.”
He lay on the floor, limbs stretched out stiff, acting out his own death.
“‘Well then,’ I said to myself, ‘this body is dead. It will be carried stiff to the burning ground and there burnt and reduced to ashes. But with the death of this body am I dead? Is the body ‘I’? It is silent and inert but I feel the full force of my personality and even the voice of the ‘I’ within me, apart from it. So I am Spirit transcending the body. The body dies but the Spirit that transcends it cannot be touched by death. That means I am the deathless Spirit.’”
This brief childhood experience encapsulates Bhagavan’s ‘Path of Self-Knowledge’ that he spent the rest of his life instructing to his devotees, mostly in silence. The object of meditation never differed: it is always this ‘I’; the ego. “Who am I?” Is one’s mantra, the root of all thought, the ‘First thought’ that provides roots for all others to branch off.
Maharshi said, “Find out who the ‘I’ is, the seer or thinker, and his abode.” This is the obstacle to Realization, Liberation. “These bodies and minds are only the tools of the ‘I’, the illimitable Spirit.” In Reality, “A man is identical with the Self, which is our Being, pure Consciousness, pure Bliss, but the mind creates the illusion of a separate individuality.”
This “Oneness” is the core concept in the Hindu doctrine of Advaita, or “Non-duality.” Nothing exists apart from the Spirit, but everything is a form assumed by the Spirit. This is to be contrasted by the Dvaitists, or Dualists, who worship a Personal God separate from the worshipper. The Advaitists don’t dismiss the truth of this conception but go beyond it to the Absolute in which a man is absorbed back into That which is his Source and real Self, “surviving in the pure Bliss and boundless Consciousness of Being.”
This book is most useful for Westerners wanting an introduction to Eastern thought that can otherwise confuse our strong-egos and dualistic tendencies. There’s many riddle-like dialogues between Bhagavan and Western devotees seeking his wisdom, answers, and Grace.
Personally, it answered something that has long perplexed me about the concept of Maya, or “illusion.” One hears often that the “world is Maya/illusion/unreal”, but the Western mind requires an explanation of in what sense it is unreal. Sri Bhagavan explains this most concisely on page 92:
“Shankaracharya has been criticized for his philosophy of Maya (illusion) without understanding his meaning. He made three statements: that Brahman is real, that the universe is unreal, and that Brahman is the universe. He did not stop with the second. The third statement explains the first two; it signifies that when the universe is perceived apart from Brahman that perception is false and illusory. What it amounts to is that phenomena are real when experienced as the Self and illusory when seen apart from the Self.”
September 29, 2013
The life and teachings of Sri Ramana Maharshi, from the story of his awakening as a teenager when he asked himself “Who dies?” to his journey to and life at Arunachula, where he spent the rest of his years. Great stories with some of his devotees, his mother and with the animals of the ashram.
January 13, 2023
A book that brings peace and deep inner reflection
Reading about Ramana Maharshi’s life has been a pilgrimage in itself. So many points that make you stop and ponder on the magnanimity of simple words.
India has such depth when it comes to spirituality and the quest to find one’s Self. I only hope that the teachings of more gurus, Saints and divine beings continue to inspire inner journeys, inner work and inner transcendence for all.
I consider this opportunity to learn about Sri Baghavan’s life a blessing.
Reading about Ramana Maharshi’s life has been a pilgrimage in itself. So many points that make you stop and ponder on the magnanimity of simple words.
India has such depth when it comes to spirituality and the quest to find one’s Self. I only hope that the teachings of more gurus, Saints and divine beings continue to inspire inner journeys, inner work and inner transcendence for all.
I consider this opportunity to learn about Sri Baghavan’s life a blessing.
April 11, 2022
This is a perfect book for someone who would love to know the life of Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi, the time, his path, devotees and Arunachala.
Arthur Osborne an ardent devotee does justice to the biography and will take you to the times of late 80’s and mid 90’s.
To all who seek he is here and this book is for you ♥️
Arthur Osborne an ardent devotee does justice to the biography and will take you to the times of late 80’s and mid 90’s.
To all who seek he is here and this book is for you ♥️
December 17, 2021
This book enabled me to know about the life of the great sage Ramana Maharishi from his boyhood to the last day of his mortal life.
I also became aware about his primary teachings and spiritual approach.
I also became aware about his primary teachings and spiritual approach.
March 12, 2018
A well written book
March 15, 2019
A very good introduction to his life and teachings. Starting with this book, one can then go on to read his works and works by several devotees.
May 26, 2020
I thoroughly loved this biography of Bhagwan Raman Maharshi.
Thanks to author for such a comprehensive account.
Thanks to author for such a comprehensive account.
July 18, 2022
A concise introduction to an impactful sage...
October 19, 2022
Leitura de alguma forma interessante de um dos mais notáveis sábios da Índia.
Vale a pena ler
Vale a pena ler
February 28, 2025
Something that lights up about seeking!
December 7, 2016
Amazingly beautiful biography.
May 18, 2015
Thoroughly enjoyed this biography/summary teaching of Ramana Maharshi. Overall there was a good balance of both biographical details, and also his methods and way of teaching (ie. self-inquiry, devotion, silence/darshan, etc.) Some areas seemed to be a little skimmed over, such as Ramana's own 'enlightenment experience', though there was enough information to give the gist of the matter. The writing style is a little old fashioned (being written pre-1970s, but is easy to read. There were also a couple of stories related to devotees, which I haven't come across elsewhere, and which made interesting and inspiring reading.
December 4, 2019
Really nice book. This book narrates the early life of Sri Ramana Maharshi very beautifully. The book also discusses on meditation. Why you should meditate on 'Who am I' question is beautifully expressed in different parts of the book.
This book has a story to tell whether it is of human devotee or an animal.
I really like the way where author specifically describes death as physical death only. The spirit or the Atman is always here.
This book has a story to tell whether it is of human devotee or an animal.
I really like the way where author specifically describes death as physical death only. The spirit or the Atman is always here.
May 3, 2015
The book spans the entire life of Sri Bhagavan starting from his early life as Venkatraman and ending with his Mahasamadhi. Illustrations are drawn from various devotees to give a broader picture of Sri Bhagavan’s magnanimity.
Though sometimes the reader might feel digression, it makes a overall good read.
Though sometimes the reader might feel digression, it makes a overall good read.
February 1, 2023
I cannot tell you how much I love Ramana Maharshi. It's pure joy to read about my Guru. I constantly enquire myself "Naan Yaar"
I learnt about Adwaita & realised that Nature of Consciousness is Satchitananda
I learnt about Adwaita & realised that Nature of Consciousness is Satchitananda
January 27, 2011
This is a biography, not talking much about the principles or thougths
November 12, 2013
Slow. But really interesting.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews