What is Ramana?
Ramana refers to Ramana Maharshi (1879–1950), one of the most influential Hindu sages of the 20th century. Born Venkataraman Iyer in Tamil Nadu, India, he underwent a spontaneous awakening at age 16 and spent the remainder of his life teaching a method of self-inquiry known as atma-vichara. His central instruction was deceptively simple: ask yourself “Who am I?” and trace the sense of “I” back to its source. Ramana’s teaching emphasized direct experience over scriptural study, ritual, or external practice, making his approach accessible to seekers from diverse backgrounds.
Ramana’s influence extends far beyond his ashram at the base of Arunachala mountain in Tiruvannamalai. He answered questions from visitors in Tamil, Telugu, Sanskrit, and broken English, and his dialogues were recorded by disciples and published in works such as Talks with Sri Ramana Maharshi and The Spiritual Teaching of Ramana Maharshi. His method is rooted in Advaita Vedanta, the non-dualistic school of Hindu philosophy, yet he distilled it into a practice requiring no formal religious affiliation.
Origins & Lineage
Venkataraman Iyer was born on December 30, 1879, in Tiruchuli, a village in Tamil Nadu. At age 16, in July 1896, he experienced a sudden and overwhelming fear of death while alone in his uncle’s house in Madurai. Rather than panic, he lay down and simulated death, asking himself what would remain when the body died. In that moment, he reported a direct realization of the Self—an unchanging, eternal awareness distinct from the body and mind.
Six weeks later, he left home without告 and traveled to Arunachala, a sacred mountain associated with the deity Shiva. He remained there for the rest of his life, first living in caves and temples, later residing at Sri Ramanasramam, the ashram that grew around him. Ramana did not claim a human guru; he considered Arunachala itself his teacher. However, his teachings align closely with the Advaita Vedanta of Adi Shankaracharya (8th century CE) and draw from classical texts including the Upanishads, the Bhagavad Gita, and the Ribhu Gita.
His method of self-inquiry was not invented by Ramana but rather rediscovered. He pointed to ancient precedents, particularly in the works of the Tamil Shaivite saints and the Vedantic tradition. His ownwritten works are minimal—his primary text, Upadesa Saram (The Essence of Instruction), consists of just 30 verses.
How It’s Practiced
Ramana’s core practice, self-inquiry, involves repeatedly asking “Who am I?” not as an intellectual exercise but as a means of turning attention inward. The practitioner observes thoughts, emotions, and sensations, and asks to whom they occur. The answer is always “to me.” The next question is: “Who is this ‘I’?” The inquiry continues until attention rests in the source of the “I”-thought, which Ramana identified as pure awareness or the Self.
This is not meditation in the conventional sense. Ramana distinguished self-inquiry from concentration practices, breath control, or visualization. The inquiry requires no special posture, time of day, or location. It can be practiced while sitting, walking, or engaged in daily activities. The key is sustained attention to the sense of “I” and a refusal to identify with thoughts, emotions, or the body.
Ramana also taught surrender (bhakti) as an alternative path for those who found self-inquiry difficult. Surrender involves relinquishing personal will and resting in the conviction that a higher power directs all actions. He considered self-inquiry and surrender to be two sides of the same coin, both leading to the dissolution of the ego.
Ramana Today
Ramana Maharshi’s teachings are encountered today primarily through books, recordings, and the ashram he left behind. Sri Ramanasramam in Tiruvannamalai remains an active pilgrimage site, offering free accommodation and meals to visitors. The ashram maintains Ramana’s tomb (samadhi), publishes his works, and hosts daily chanting and meditation sessions.
Numerous teachers and organizations have emerged to transmit Ramana’s method. The Ramana Maharshi Foundation UK, Arunachala Ashrama in New York, and similar centers worldwide offer resources, retreats, and study groups. Teachers such as David Godman, Mooji, and Gangaji have popularized Ramana’s approach, though interpretations vary. Recordings of Ramana’s conversations, compiled in texts like Day by Day with Bhagavan and Talks with Sri Ramana Maharshi, serve as primary sources for contemporary students.
Ramana’s influence also appears in the work of Western seekers and psychologists. Carl Jung referenced Ramana in his writings on Eastern spirituality, and the philosopher Arthur Osborne became a prominent disciple and biographer.
Common Misconceptions
Ramana’s teaching is often conflated with practices it explicitly rejects. Self-inquiry is not guided meditation, positive affirmation, or psychological introspection. It is not about analyzing childhood trauma, cultivating positive emotions, or visualizing the Self. Ramana emphasized that the Self cannot be attained because it already is; the practice removes obstacles rather than adding anything new.
Another misconception is that Ramana taught passivity or withdrawal from the world. While he himself lived a renunciate life, he did not prescribe renunciation for all. He insisted that self-inquiry could be practiced by householders, and that enlightenment did not require abandoning responsibilities.
Finally, Ramana is sometimes presented as a figure of easy awakening or instant enlightenment. While his own realization was sudden, he acknowledged that for most seekers, the dissolution of the ego is gradual and requires sustained practice.
How to Begin
The most direct entry point is Ramana’s own instructions. The Spiritual Teaching of Ramana Maharshi, edited by Arthur Osborne, is a concise compilation of his core teachings. Be As You Are, edited by David Godman, organizes Ramana’s answers by topic and is widely recommended for beginners.
For those who prefer a more narrative approach, The Path of Sri Ramana by Sadhu Om offers detailed guidance on self-inquiry from a direct disciple. Audio and video recordings of teachers influenced by Ramana, such as Mooji’s satsangs, are available online and provide contemporary interpretations of the method.
Visiting Sri Ramanasramam in Tiruvannamalai offers immersion in the environment where Ramana taught. The ashram welcomes visitors of all backgrounds and requires no formal commitment. For those unable to travel, local Ramana study groups and online forums provide community support for practitioners.