Category: Talks – Numerical Order

Who is a Master Mr. Evans-Wentz continued another day: “May one have more than one spiritual master?” M.: Who is a Master? He is the Self after all. According to the stages of the development of the mind the Self manifests as the Master externally. The famous ancient saint Avadhuta said that he had more […]

Good Quality Diet Mrs. Piggott returned from Madras for a further visit. She asked questions relating to diet regulation.  D.: What diet is prescribed for a sadhak (one who is engaged in spiritual practices)? M.: Satvic food in limited quantities. D.: What is satvic food? M.: Bread, fruits, vegetables, milk, etc. D.: Some people take […]

Firm Knowledge Mr. Ellappa Chettiar, a member of the Legislative Council of Madras Presidency and an influential Hindu, asked: “Why is it said that the knowledge born of hearing is not firm, whereas that born of contemplation is firm?” Maharshi.: On the other hand it is said that hearsay knowledge (paroksha) is not firm, whereas […]

Solitude, Silence, Powers   Mr. Evans-Wentz: Is solitude necessary for a Jnani? M.: Solitude is in the mind of man. One might be in the thick of the world and maintain serenity of mind; such a one is in solitude. Another may stay in a forest, but still be unable to control his mind. He […]

Memory and Forgetfulness   Mr. Grant Duff asked: Where are memory and forgetfulness located? Maharshi: In the mind (chitta).   Talks With Ramana Maharshi – Part 1 January 29 and 30, 1935 Talk 19.

Yogis and Occult Powers Mr. Evans-Wentz asked: There are yogis with occult powers. What does Maharshi think of them? Maharshi:  The powers are known by hearsay or by exhibition. Thus they are in the realm of the mind only. D.: Mr. Brunton mentions a yogi in Madras who is said to hold communion with his […]

Self-Realization and Bliss Mr. Evans-Wentz asked questions about Self-Realization and Samadhi (Perfect Bliss). D.: How long did it take Maharshi to realize the Self? M.: This question is asked because the name and form are perceived. These are the perceptions consequent on the identification of the ego with the gross body. If the ego identifies […]

War and Crime Mr. Evans-Wentz asked about loss of life. D.: God being immanent in all, one should not take life of any kind. Is society right in taking the life of a murderer? Can the State do so either? The Christian countries begin to think that it is wrong to do so. M.: What […]

Work, Practice, Celibacy Mr. Evans-Wentz began to ask questions, mostly relating to Yoga preliminaries, for all of which Maharshi replied that they are aids to Yoga, which is itself an aid to Self-realization, the goal of all. D.: Is work an obstruction to Self-realization? M.: No. For a realized being the Self alone is the […]

English Scholar asks more questions Devotee.: Which time is most suitable for meditation? Maharshi: What is time? D.: Tell me what it is! M.: Time is only an idea. There is only the Reality. Whatever you think it is, it looks like that. If you call it time, it is time. If you call it existence, […]

English Scholar’s Questions Mr. W. Y. Evans-Wentz, an English research scholar of Oxford University, brought a letter of introduction from Mr. Brunton and arrived on a visit. He was tired after his journey and required rest. He is quite accustomed to Indian ways of living, having visited this country several times. He has learned the […]