Self-Investigation and Self-Surrender: The Core Teachings of Bhagavan Ramana

Abstract

Is it possible for us to attain infinite and eternal happiness, untainted by even the least misery, and if so, how can we do so and what is the price we must be willing to pay for it? According to the teachings of Bhagavan Ramana, it is possible, and the means to attain it is to investigate and know what we actually are, for which the price to be paid is complete surrender of ourself to what alone is real, which requires “wholehearted and all-consuming love” (Sa. bhakti) born of and nurtured in our heart by the grace of God, who is what we actually are and what alone is real. This paper explores these teachings and their rationale as expressed by Bhagavan in his own original Tamil writings.

Keywords

• self
• being
• awareness
• happiness
• bhakti
• ātma-vicāra
• ego