The meditation methods of Ramana Maharshi

 

Teacher’s Introduction

Let us study about meditation techniques by Ramana Maharishi. He was the great Indian philosopher and spiritual teacher who is famous for his teachings on Atma Vichara or self-inquiry. He motivated Sadhak into direct realization of the Self. He had an extraordinary spiritual experience when he was 16 years old. . He stressed the importance of knowing us and finding inner silence. If we want to transcend our ego, his powerful meditation techniques would be of great help to us.
Meditation techniques
1. Self-Inquiry (Atma Vichara)
We should keep on pondering the question "Who am I?" This is the central message of the teachings of Ramana Maharishi. By connecting the "I" concept within us to its origin, we can achieve the depth of self-realization.

2. Abiding in the 'I AM'
This method requires us to simply be aware of who we are, without any sense of entitlement. Avoid thinking about roles such as "I am a father," "I am a businessman," "I am a student," or "I am a wife." Just contemplate on “I am.”. This is an alternative to figuring out, "Who am I?" This will help our ego to get melted completely.
3. Watching the Source of Thoughts
Instead of getting caught up in our thoughts or ideas, we should examine their origin. Once we start returning to the original source of every idea or thought, we must gain a better understanding of our true selves.
4. Silence (Mouna Sadhana)
We must live in the environment that would invoke silence externally or internally in us. This is necessary for true meditation to take place. When we live in stillness, we become more efficient and effective.

5. Surrender to the Higher Power (Ishwara Pranidhana)
When we totally submit ourselves to a guru or God, then our ego gets dissolved due to the grace of some divine power, and that finally leads to enlightenment or deep realization of the truth.
6. Being Present with the Mind (Sakshi Bhava)
We must monitor our ideas and avoid becoming enmeshed in them. We need to see them as observers or Sakshi. Essentially, we perceive ourselves as pure awareness.
7. Attention to the heart's core
There is a spiritual heart, which is nothing but the seat of absolute awareness. We need to focus on it, as it will help us to transcend our egoistic tendencies.

8. Sitting Quietly (Summa Iru)
Summa Iru is Tamil phrase which means “ Just be” or “sitting quietly”. In this technique, we have to sit quietly and try nothing, even if we are not trying to attain enlightenment. This will help us get into natural awareness, and finally we will understand our true nature.

9. Dissolving the "I" thought in sleep-like awareness
This method helps in developing complete alertness, but the mind is resting as if it is sleeping. In this process, we are able to dissolve our “I “ thoughts.
10. Pranayama (the art of relaxed breathing)
If we observe our natural breathing process, gradually our mind will get calm. We just need to observe the ins and outs of our breath.
11. Rejecting the Unreal (Neti Neti—"Not This, Not This")
Whatever is transient or ephemeral, for example, thoughts, emotions, body, and mind—negate all of them. Just focus on the present and stay meditative the whole day. This will make us remain as our pure selves.

12. Merging the Mind in the Self
We must focus on the awareness instead of trying to suppress our thoughts or minds. Awareness is the source of all thoughts. This will help us to integrate our mind with the self (our pure awareness) more effortlessly.
13. No Effort, No Struggle (Sahaja Samadhi Approach)

There is no need to struggle or force yourself mentally to practice true meditation. Just be. We are always aware of what is happening internally or externally, and there is no need to try to control our thoughts.
14. Seeing the World as a Dream
Keep ourselves disentangled from all materialistic happenings or illusions. We must see life through the lens of a dream. Everything happening around us is nothing but a dream. This would create detachment in us from worldly activities, and gradually it would help in deep meditation.
15. The “I” Feeling as a Meditation Object
Instead of trying to fix our minds on anything outside of ourselves, we must try to meditate on the 'I' sensation. This would expose the illusory self in us, and finally disintegration from it would happen.

16. Renouncing Ownership
Everything that is happening to us or outside is due to divine will, not because of our efforts. When we meditate on this thought, our ego won’t be associated with the consequences of activities.

17. Mindful Self-Awareness
Ramana Maharishi emphasized that we should focus on effortless awareness instead of forced attention. We should remain within ourselves and allow our awareness to grow naturally.
18. Entering Samadhi without effort (Inner Absorption)
We should enter into Samadhi or natural enlightenment through effortless activities instead of striving for them. Effortless activities mean the body is actively involved without chattering in mind.

19: Meditating on Arunachala as the Self.
Ramana Maharshi used to experience Arunachala Hill (where he was living) as a place of pure consciousness. His one way to achieve enlightenment is to meditate on Arunachal Hill, which is known as a place of shapelessness.
20. Everyday Jnana Yoga (Living every day in meditation)
We have to change our lifestyle with mindfulness and dispassion. This will transform every moment of our lives into a state of meditation or bliss.
Conclusion:
Ramana Maharishi emphasized that we should not struggle or be effortful, but rather live in a state of effortless awareness and self-discipline. Its core teachings revolve around letting go of our egoistic illusions and having faith that we possess everything within; we just need self-realization. We have to understand that we don’t need to achieve any enlightenment, and what matters is that we realize we are with it every moment.