Advaita Vedanta & Ramana Maharshi

What is Advaita Vedanta?

Advaita Vedanta, in simple words, is a philosophy or spiritual tradition that originated in ancient India. “Advaita” means “non-duality” or “oneness,” and “Vedanta” refers to the end or culmination of the Vedas, the ancient scriptures of Hinduism. Advaita Vedanta teaches that the true nature of reality is non-dualistic, meaning that there is ultimately no separation between the individual self (known as the “ego” or “I”) and the ultimate reality (often referred to as Brahman or the Absolute).

According to Advaita Vedanta, the individual self, often caught up in the illusions of the material world, is essentially the same as the supreme reality. The goal of Advaita Vedanta is to realize this fundamental oneness and overcome the sense of separateness and suffering that arise from identifying solely with the individual self. This realization is often achieved through self-inquiry, meditation, and the study of spiritual texts.

In essence, Advaita Vedanta teaches that we are not separate entities but interconnected with all existence. It encourages the recognition of our true nature beyond the limitations of the ego, leading to a profound understanding of unity, liberation from suffering, and the realization of the ultimate truth.

Who is Ramana Maharshi?

Ramana Maharshi was a revered spiritual teacher and sage who lived in India from 1879 to 1950. He is considered one of the most influential figures in Advaita Vedanta and is known for his self-inquiry and non-dual awareness teachings.

Ramana Maharshi’s main teaching emphasized the path of self-inquiry, also known as “Who am I?” In this practice, individuals are encouraged to turn their attention inward and investigate the nature of the self. By continuously asking themselves, “Who am I?” and seeking the source of their identity, seekers can ultimately realize their true essence beyond the limitations of the ego or individual personality.

According to Ramana Maharshi, the true Self, or the “I,” is not the body, mind, or personal history but a pure consciousness beyond these temporary manifestations. Through self-inquiry and deep introspection, one can experience a direct realization of this pure consciousness and recognize it as the unchanging, eternal reality that underlies all appearances.

Ramana Maharshi also emphasized the importance of surrendering the egoic sense of control and allowing oneself to be guided by a higher power or the divine. He taught that by surrendering the limited identification with the ego, one can experience a profound sense of peace, freedom, and unity with the entire universe.

Ramana Maharshi’s teachings continue to inspire and guide spiritual seekers worldwide. They emphasize the importance of self-inquiry, surrender, and the direct experience of one’s true nature beyond the illusions of the mind. At Shangriballa, we focus on Ramana’s teachings based on self-inquiry and knowing the self.

We believe that hois teachings is very relevant to our time, the only way out is in. During a time when humanity is facing many crises, duality can be a liberation from the mind-created limitations that we impose on ourselves and this reality.