Two Giants of 20th Century Advaita - Ramana Maharshi and Nisargadatta Maharaj

Advaita is a branch of Indian philosophy and the Hindu religion which postulates that everything is one. Many of the great true realizers in the history of man have aligned themselves and their teaching with this ancient system of “pointers”.

In Advaita, it is common for teachers to say that nothing they say is the truth. It is all just merely pointers to the truth. After all, language comes out of the mind, and the ultimate truth is beyond, or prior to, the mind.

Below are some brief introductions to two books and authors who have claimed some staying power in the onward marching evolution of the “system of pointers” that is Advaita:

• “I Am That” by Nisargadatta Maharaj… Nisargadatta was a shopkeeper in Bombay, India, who sold children’s clothes and beedies (little cigarettes) for a living. One day one of his friends insisted that he meet his guru. Despite having no real desire to pursue religion at this level, he went along. The guru told Nisargadatta to repeat a mantra and focus on the sense of “I am” within himself. Not long after that this shopkeeper “awoke” to the ultimate truth. “I Am That” is a thick book full of dialogues that spiritual seekers had with Nisargadatta after he awoke.


• “Be As You Are” by Ramana Maharshi… Ramana was an Indian who awoke at the age of 16 when he had an odd experience lying on a couch in his parents’ house: suddenly and out of nowhere a paralyzing fear of death came over him. In that moment he faced completely this fear and was never the same again. He left his home, eventually coming to reside on a mountain in Southern India. He remained silent for years, but eventually began speaking. “Be As You Are” is a very accessible collection of his words on many different subjects.

These two men have directly influenced most of the people teaching Advaita today. Their lineages are branching out like a tree as time marches on. Unfortunately, both of them have passed. But at least we have vast volumes of their words.

Two Giants of 20th Century Advaita - Ramana Maharshi and Nisargadatta Maharaj