Guide to this Blog
Arunachala is loved by many. This blog shows more of Arunachala than most people ever see and experience. These postings may remind you of what you love, or help you find out more about India and Arunachala. We are Americans living in Tiruvannamalai because of our love for Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi, and the holy mountain, Arunachala. In this blog, we share our experiences.
For ease of navigation, I have set up pages that show key sections of this blog. Click on any of the links below to open a page that shows many posts with that focus.
Arunachala Guide
Resources for Western Visitors to Tiruvannamalai
Life in South India
Touring and Travel in India
Touring and Travel outside India
Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi Timeline and Places
Temples, Shrines, and Ashrams in South India
Festivals, Celebrations and Rites in Tiruvannamalai
Spiritual Teachers and Teachings
If you plan a trip to Tiruvannamalai, this site can help you plan your visit. There are many wonderful places not usually seen. Many are shown on this blog. The most comprehensive coverage of Arunachala and Sri Ramana Maharshi is here for your viewing. Click here to see our recommendations on the Top Things to See in Tiruvannamalai.
- Arunachala Sunrise
This blog offers the most coverage available of Arunachala and the Inner Path. Arunachala, its many caves, and the area surrounding this holy mountain are featured. Click here to open the Arunachala Guide.
See every place associated with Sri Ramana Maharshi, click here to view the Ramana Maharshi Timeline and Places guide.
Resources for Westerners in Tiruvannamalai. This page is intended to help visitors of Tiruvannamalai have an easy and successful visit. We have found that access to these resources have made our stay much easier and happier.
In addition to Sri Ramana and Arunachala, our experiences of life in India are also covered. These include travel to other places in India, Indian village life, Hindu festivals and rites, scenes from Tiruvannamalai, and experiences with spiritual teachers.
Navigation
- From the main page, use the Recent Posts and Top Posts to get started viewing the blog.
- Other featured posts and series are listed above.
- On any page, clicking anywhere in Arunachala picture / blog name at the top of the page returns you to this page. This is important, since the individual pages do not have the ‘Navigation bar’ shown to the right of this page.
Subscribe
If you wish to receive automatic updates as new articles are added, use the Subscribe by email function, on the menu to the right.
Comments
Please feel free to add comments.
Om Arunachalesvaraya Namah,
Richard Clarke
December 19, 2008 at 12:10 am
I love your blog..keep it going!
May 6, 2009 at 11:02 am
Dear sir,
very nice ur devotinal site. great work. fentastic superb sir.
om nama shivaya….,,,,,,,,
devotional site lists http://kamalakanniamman.blogspot.com
September 23, 2009 at 9:07 am
Wow, awesome! Really liked the blog. Keep up the good work.. Felt happy browsing through the pics on the blog from the place of Ramana Maharishi. Thanks for putting up such an effort… All the best to your inner quest!
-Vikram
October 20, 2009 at 1:20 pm
hello sir,
i am delighted to found such a great work from you. do you have intrest to do such articles on other holy places? if you are then can get in touch with me. I am not as experienced as you . i am only in begining stage of knowing about siddhars and their teachings.
you can reach me at grkumarvv@yahoo.com
Regards,
Ramkumar
November 14, 2009 at 11:56 pm
Hi Richard Arunachala,
Great blog with wonderful inputs on our dear and beloved Arunachala.
May Arunachala keep you near him and motivate you to contribute more of the same.
Regards
Murugavel
January 7, 2010 at 12:40 am
Hi Richard & Carol,
I had seen u guys many times in Ramana Ashram unfortunetly i dont know u at that time. no while seeing your pics i recognize u. hope u had a great stay in Tvm
February 6, 2010 at 2:26 pm
Good works for Arunachala..
Im an fan of your blog..
February 22, 2010 at 9:09 pm
The first step to self-realisation is the “fear of death”. This fear turns one’s mind inwards. I ve experienced it myself. Your posts on samadhis of Smt Sarasvati and Shri A. Ramana helped me to turn my mind inwards. I only need to catch this feeling strongly to move forward. May Bhagvan Ramana maharshi be with me ever.
February 28, 2010 at 9:43 pm
Hi Richard,
GREAT website! I’m a native Californian (Ojai) who has lived in France the past 29 years, and plan to come to Tiruvannamalai for 2 weeks this summer, roughly the last week of July/first week of August. I find conflicting stories about summer weather, so my question is, is it any hoter than California in summer??!!
Best,
Richard Laubly
March 1, 2010 at 7:51 pm
Most days it will be high of 100 low of 80. Stays hot after the sun goes down, unlike CA.
March 1, 2010 at 9:23 pm
Nice postings. Would like to meet you next time when I am in Arunachala.
March 2, 2010 at 4:40 am
Before you come, send me an email – richard@infinitepie.net.
March 6, 2010 at 6:52 am
interesting blog!
March 6, 2010 at 11:09 am
Hi Richard,
Thank You. I really appreciated the information you had shared through this blog; very informative. Though I am from Tamilnadu (settled in Bangalore now) only recently I became aware of Sri Ramana Maharishi and his teachings. Thanks again for sharing these wonderful experiences. Planning to visit TVM and walk the inner path soon.
Warm Regards,
Sathish
March 15, 2010 at 5:10 am
Hi Richard,
I’m visiting Tiruvannamalia on April 16th and plan on staying for 2 days at the ashram. I wanted to ask you how long it takes to do the giripradakshina? For someone who is deeply devoted to Sri Bhagavan how would you make the most of the 2 days? I’m asking for your advise since you have spent many years here. I’m visiting from NJ, USA.
Thanks for all the useful information you have posted on your website. I look forward to your feedback.
In reverence to Sri Bhagavan,
Babita
March 15, 2010 at 1:34 pm
Giripradakshina is 4 or 5 hours. What is best for two days depends on you. Many people find just sitting in the old hall is enough. I would try to be up a Skandashram at 8 AM for the chanting. The swami walks up the hill right after breakfast, so you could too. I would say no NOT do pradakshina in the middle of the day, too hot for most westerners. April will be hot, maybe 106 degrees.
March 16, 2010 at 2:49 am
Thanks a lot for the advice. It is very helpful.
March 16, 2010 at 8:15 am
Hi Richard, my name is Royal. Pista and Willa recently turned me on to you and your blog. I’m so ever grateful. I’ve been a devotee of beloved Ramana since he summoned me in 1996. I spent a couple months in T in 2002. I will return to settle there in April/May 2010. I would like to rent a small, modest house in the countryside around Arunachala. I’m coming from Los Angeles. There’s somewhat of an overwhelming feeling of details that is demanding my attention to make this transition as harmonious as possible. I heard a recent change in visa laws for US citizens? My current tourist visa is good until 2012. I obviously need to be free to stay indefinitely. I need some advice in a few areas. Thank you for your selfless service, may the winds of Grace be always at your back!
March 16, 2010 at 10:24 am
You can get residency permit, that extends that stay beyond the six months of visa, must be done within two weeks of coming to India. Many details you must attend to. Maybe house rent is rs 10,000. Will need to buy AC (rs 36000) and probably scooter (maybe after a while) – rs 40,000- 50,000. Recommend you make a monthly deal with my rickshaw driver, Rajan, to give you the help you need in first few months.
Also to make money transfer very easy, we got account with State Bank of India of California. US money goes there. We have SBI account in tiru, use their bank card to get funds. Send me email to ask about more richard@infinitepie.net. The time you come is the hottest of the year.
March 19, 2010 at 12:22 pm
Dear Sir,
Very good information. We are frequent visitor of Tiruvanamalai. My dad use to come on monthly basis or weekly basis. We got an oppurtunity to visit your blog thru the book “A Guide to Giripradakshina” We are stranch devotee of Sri Seshadri Swamigal & Sri Ramana Maharishi.
We were at Tiruvanamalai from 14th – 16th March. Also, we went for Giripradakshina & Skandashram. My father is very eager to do Giripradakshina in inner path
During next time visit we would like to meet you.
Thank u…
March 20, 2010 at 9:10 am
I nsaw your post on March 20th. Maybe the next time you are in Tiru?
March 23, 2010 at 7:58 pm
Respectfully Respected Sir, I have read your guide about GIRIPRADHAKSHANA, I am verymuch impressed and I want more information from you. After seeing your photos in net and description about other information, I really felt that I have missed so many thing in my life, about information furnished by yourself. We are frequent visitor of Tiruvannamalai and stranch DEVOTEE OF MAHAN SRI SESHADRI SWAMIGAL a grate SAINT who bring BHAGAVAN SRI RAMANA MAHARISHI to the outer world. We are very lucky. From the age of 20 I am coming to T.V.Malai and now I am running 60 with good health/physique. I am very much eager to round with all INNER PATH. I need you help and guidence. I hope you will help me to fulfull my ambitions. I am very much eager and want to speak to you. I want to here your voice, kindly give me your cell number. I am also very much eager to meet you in person.
Thanking you Sir,
K.KUMARASWAMI, 9444208625
April 18, 2010 at 11:43 pm
Hi,
Your website has become an encyclopedia of the holy mountain, i could like to know more on saints (sadhus) in T.V Malai, and their mysterious powers if any. I strongly believe there must exist a bit of secrets still left from A Search in Secret India.
Thanks
April 20, 2010 at 9:18 am
The locals say that there are six saints living around Arunachala at any time. Some are known, many are known only by a few, or not at all. There is one man now, who walks the road around Arunachala. He does not wear sadhu’s orange, rather a blanket, or just a dhoti when it is hot. He will refuse any money. If you give it to him, he will just take it and throw it on the ground. The same with food. He is revered by some, unknown by most.
May 20, 2010 at 9:05 pm
Thanks for you info.
I’ve been visiting T.V.Malai for last five years. When you said they are just six (observed) saints, what about the rest.
How does one distinguishes between saints and orange clad men. Is the answer that one should find his guru.
May 20, 2010 at 9:30 pm
Hi Richard,
I was in Tiru in April and want to return in December with my husband. We are planning on coming in end of December. Do you think it will be too crowded then? Your comments will be greatly appreciated.
Blessings,
Babita
May 21, 2010 at 3:44 am
Deepam is early this year, in Early Dec, so I think it will be OK.
May 21, 2010 at 3:46 am
Some feel the men in orange are half way to becoming saints. Perhaps some are.
May 21, 2010 at 3:50 am
As to how to distinguish a saint, a jnani (one who knows himself), there is no outer ‘test.’ One way is by the sense of peace you feel when you are with them.
June 7, 2010 at 7:48 pm
Hi, Richard and Carol! We are very pleased to discover your blog! We have been studying Bhagavan´s teaching for several years. I have just finished translating texts of our Guru, writing a book in Portuguese: AOS PÉS DO GURU (At the feet of the Guru). Please, visit our site: http://www.nitcult.com.br/sobuhir.htm and tell us your opinion. We intend to continue visiting and enjoying your site. Thank you! Yours in Bhagavan. Sebastião Carvalho and Rosa Maria Rossi de Carvalho
June 8, 2010 at 9:03 am
I hope this site helps you to see Bhagavan in your Heart! The page that shows all of the places associated with Ramana, should be very good for you: http://richardarunachala.wordpress.com/guide-to-this-blog/ramana-maharshi-timeline-and-sites/
I was important for us to visit all these places. I feel important to share them with others as well.
I looked at your site, can’t read Portuguese though. Have you considered translating THE book most used at Ramanasramam during Bhagavan’s day into Portuguese? this is the Tamil Ribhu Gita. Our teacher, Nome, along with Dr. Ramamoorthy, a Tamil and Sanskrit scholar, made a wonderful English translation, ‘Song of Ribhu. This has been reprinted by Ramanasramam, and also been translated into other languages (I think Italian and Korean). Maybe it is time for the Portuguese version?
June 8, 2010 at 11:07 am
Hi Richard,
I have a strange query. I was in the ashram in April of this year for three days. Although I had a wonderful visit ever since I have come back my mind seems to have become more cluttered with thoughts. My meditation is disturbed and I have started suffering from insomnia (It’s 1.30 am in the US right now). I’m unable to explain this unrest. I’ve suddenly been taken by this urge to abandon all books and experience things within rather than reading the wonderful experiences of Bhagavan’s devotees. All this is suddenly creating anxiety in me and I’m confused and baffled by this turn of events. Any idea what could be the reason? Bhagavan is everything to me and I can’t believe I could feel such unrest after returning from his abode.
Blessings,
Babita
June 8, 2010 at 2:36 pm
Bhagavan said that real self-inquiry is more of a feeling than a thought. If your urge is to directly know that within you that does not come and go, then follow the urge. Books are mental. They are beneficial in that they can get the mind prepared for inquiry. Inquiry needs no books. It just needs the genuine investigation of what is your real nature.
Ramana talked about ‘the stick used to stir the fire.’ This stick gets consumed in the fire when it is not longer needed.
Books are for the mind. Are you a mind? Who knows this mind? Does the mind know itself? In this way you can ‘look’ to where the books are pointing, to ‘the unknown knower of all the known.’ There is a Zen saying to the effect that when the master uses his finger to point to the moon (the absolute Self) do not confuse the finger with the moon.
June 8, 2010 at 6:05 pm
thanks Richard. Any idea why the sudden unrest and disturbed meditation after the visit to the ashram. It seems like my sadhana is taking me backwards instead of forward. How does one explain that? Can’t find the answers on my own unfortunately.
June 8, 2010 at 8:25 pm
Forward and backwards are just ideas. How do you measure these in the vast absolute Being-Consciousness-Bliss?
What is it that brings you the thought of ‘moving backwards?’
Deeper or less deep are what matters. Deeper is more absorbed in Being. Less deep is more being involved with that imaginations of mind, body and world.
There is immediate Existence-Consciousness. Only. If your practice is that as your experience, then no more needs to be done. If you practice moves this way, then that is good. (If it moves this way, then there is probably less ego) If not, then why not? What imagined identity are you taking that moves it ‘away.’ (By the way, It never moves away, it is just obscured by imagination and ideas.)
June 8, 2010 at 11:40 pm
Thanks a lot Richard. I will ponder over this.
June 29, 2010 at 3:07 pm
HELLO IM NEW TO THIS SITE,BUT IM VERY INTRESTED
July 27, 2010 at 3:32 pm
This is such a wonderful resource for anyone interested in Arunachala and Sri Ramana. Many Thanks for offering it.
September 28, 2010 at 9:15 am
Hey Richard, sorry I missed you and Carol when you came to CA. I met you when I came with Jim C last Oct. I will be back in Tiru in Nov. and have some questions. Send me an email and I will reply to that. Hope to see you in November. Glad to see the many additions to the site.
December 13, 2010 at 12:45 pm
hi richard
why r u so much impressed with arunachala . I feel taht you are not spresding the message of Raman maharshi rather you are promoting tiruvannamalai or rajan?
December 13, 2010 at 12:52 pm
Many voices already praise Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi. There is little I feel I can add to what is already there. Bhagavan was drawn by Arunachala, as are many millions of people each year. IF I ‘promote’ anything, it is Arunachala. I also have found it of benefit to provide information that may be of use to the many people. both Indian and westerners, who visit Tiruvannamalai and Arunachala.
If you want to see more on the internet extolling Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi perhaps you should start a blog yourself.
December 14, 2010 at 12:15 pm
My Dear Richard
Thanks for reply. Recently I visited Arunachala and Asram for the first time , being Indian Hindu ,after 50 years of my birth and I was fascinated about the glory of temple and arunachala and the power of silence in the asram premises.India is a vedic land and as per vedas , 33 crores davatas are protecting this land. All westerners are fascinated and adopting Hindu way of life and I pity some of the brothers in India are making mockery of this culture by their sheer ignorance. I also feel that you are only showing one custom of tamil nadu and you must see the entire Indian states and write about their customs and culture. We have 23 states and each state has its own importance. Come to telugu land of Andhra pradesh and write about our culture. You also see the marriages , upanayanams, pushkar bathings and other rituals so that you can understand fully about this great India., Mahan Bharat. Jai Ramana
January 27, 2011 at 9:36 pm
Discovered this blog recently. I’m thoroughly enjoying your articles. Thank you for sharing your experiences with us. It’s interesting to see things from a westerner’s perspective. Also, thanks for the facebook account, ‘Song of the Ribhu’.
Regards,
Jyothi
February 7, 2011 at 9:16 pm
my dad thinks this blog is great and he would like to get in touch with u n he knows a lot of arunachala… he would want ur email to interract. r u on facebook?
thankyou
February 7, 2011 at 9:54 pm
On facebook. Or he can contact me through this blog. Such contact is most welcome.
February 7, 2011 at 10:45 pm
Hi Richard,
Any idea if Swami Annamalai is still alive? Does David Godman live in Tiruvannamalai? Thanks again for all your help!
Regards,
Babita
February 12, 2011 at 9:15 pm
Swami Annamalai was killed in when a motor bike hit him while he was dancing around Arunachala, maybe three years ago. David Godman still lives in Tiru.
March 23, 2011 at 5:46 pm
Hello, Richard, and thank you for this informative website.
Question what do all of you do about malaria? I too am thinking of coming to Tıru for resident sadhana, and I wonder what precautions are necessary.
best,
Jamesbey in Konya
March 23, 2011 at 8:22 pm
We learned from an Indian nurse in the USA that the same medicine used to prevent the disease is the same as to cure an infection. So we do not take the preventative, but have the meds so in case we have a problem we can start taking them.
April 7, 2011 at 3:48 pm
Hi I am planning to buy property in TVM can you suggest the rules and how to get land for lease for some charity activity
April 7, 2011 at 8:20 pm
Are you Indian? Or NRI? The rules are very different if not.
April 8, 2011 at 8:35 am
I am NRI and my Wife Indian . I am told the cost of land is heavy in TVM and you must have known person to help you out. As such I do not want to go by the internet ads until I personally visit and then finish the deal maybe after 14th April the new year since this is a public forum I do not want to disclose more details unless I can mail you
April 8, 2011 at 8:44 am
And Further I am now desperate to buy a land. When I was there(TVM) few months ago I met a Swami who predicted three deaths , that will happen as the result of Raja minister deals . Today just now reading the news e version of Times I was shoked to see the second death of 30 year nephew of Raja.
I was also told by this Swami that Japan is the north east position in the globe and called esan portion of the world the wet area of death and birth as per Siva’s law and he told me to help him do a pooja for Biravar for 48 days at the agni of SIva which is TVM and take it to Japan and install it there.
Lookign at the hindsight well the problem of Japan is they have kept agni or the reactors in esan of the earth and Siva the destroyer has started his rudra destruction dance.
So I am now inclined to meet this person again and then do the second job Thanks for your help and guidance
April 9, 2011 at 4:50 am
It is good that you want to look at the4 land, not buy from Internet. I am not a land or real estate expert, and there is only a little help that I can give.
April 9, 2011 at 8:17 am
Dear Sir,
You have been in TVM for long and I am sure whatever little help you can give or guide me shall be the right direction as you are not only the follower of Ramana but in principle arunachala and good or bad I shall be glad to have got something from a blessed person living in the TVM for years If you can give your mail id I can take your suggestion or meet you when I am there next week
April 10, 2011 at 7:18 pm
Dear sir,
Hope you and carol are doing well. I regulary follow your blog. Since last year I have been coming to TVM every 3-4 months. I want to meet you when I come over there next time. Could you let me know how can contact you over there?
Thank you,
Lakkireddy
April 12, 2011 at 5:18 pm
Then Gautama Maharshi, an expert in Pranayama, went into deep meditation on Varuna Deva for 6 months. Then Varuna Deva appeared before him and offered him a boon. (It is interesting for us to see that Gautama did not do a Yajna, he did a Tapas, and that it was directed towards Varuna Deva and not towards Indra.
Gautama asked Varuna to make it rain. Varuna said, “How can I disobey the Gods and make it rain? Please ask for something that I can do”. Then, Gauthama, who wanted to help others, said, “Please give me a water source, that never dries and gives us rewards everyday”. Then Varuna made Gauthama dig a shallow pit (as deep as a hand’s breadth), and filled it with water, that would never be exhausted, that would be called Gauthama tirtha. And the special reward of that Tirtha was that any tapas, or charity, yajnam, or shraddham performed in that place – would also have everlasting effects.
, because of the inexhaustible water supply, there was never a drought again.
The 7 wells in annamalai is the replica, Gautama Maharishi wife is daughter of Brahma and Gautama Maharishi gave place for UMA to unite with SIva to become arthanari.
It is a fact not many knows that seshadiri when he went to see the place where UMA met Siva was struck by lightening and the person who poured water on him could see fumes. the rishi died after four days and buried at Ramana ashram.. It was Ramana Maharishi who sent Seshadiri with an intusion and then quoted Sehsdiri got the punya instead of me.
April 12, 2011 at 5:21 pm
Gautama Maharishi ashram is in TVM and in one of the blog of Richard there are palces especially the tortoise rock and the seven pits always with water
May 14, 2011 at 6:56 pm
Hi Richard. I recently read Swami Abhishiktananda’s ‘The secret of Arunachala’. I would be interested to know if you have ever dipped into this source about the use of various caves on Arunachala in the early 1950s; which he spent periods living on the mountain. Kevin
May 14, 2011 at 7:10 pm
No I have not, sounds like it would be interesting. Thanks.
June 17, 2011 at 6:49 pm
Hello Richard,
Good photographs which are explaining each and every steps of the whole process of a function,
or a village, or a traditional event and etc in Tiruvannamalai. Good work. Keep it work.
And How did Tiruvannamalai inspired you this much?! Just i want to know…
if you have some free time, please visit my blogs… karthigainathan.wordpress.com
June 18, 2011 at 4:09 am
Looked at your blog, can not read Tamil, so cannot read blog. Tiruvannamalai is not what inspired me, it was Arunachala.
July 29, 2011 at 3:09 am
Richard, please contact me at zfireiam(at)yahoo.com You may remember me from NoMe? Zephyr. I need some help with a situation in Tiru and you are the perfect Being to help in accomplishing this simple task. Thanks Brother, look forward to hearing from you!
September 13, 2011 at 7:05 pm
Hi, Richard,
I am a constant reader of this blog and like very much your posts and also the photos you take. I am just preparing a simple video with Arunachala as subject, and I’d like to have your permission to use some of your shots in this video. My intention is just to pay a humble homage to the mountain and to my guru, Sri Ramana. If you give your permission, when ready the video, i will upload it in youtube with the proper credits. If you prefer, email me at ana,bhakta@gmail.com.
Om Namo Bhagavate Sri Ramanaya!
Ana.
September 14, 2011 at 4:28 am
Certainly you can use my photos. Please creadit ‘Richard Clarke at richardarunachala.wordpress.com.
September 17, 2011 at 2:47 am
Thank you, Richard.
The link to the video is this:
Om Namo Bhagavate Sri Ramanaya!
Ana.
November 26, 2011 at 5:12 am
I thank you for taking the time to help us! I will take the time to read more. I will be In Tiruvannamalai in January 2012. Do you have the email address of the SP guest house, or a phone number, because it was highy recommended but I cannot find any info on the place except for the address THANK YOU
Galina Husaruk from Montreal , Canada
ghusaruk1@hotmail.com
December 4, 2011 at 9:36 pm
Hi Richard,
Can you tell us something about Hillviewresidency, is it any good because the prices are really good for us. We cannot find any info about this hotel other than their website so we thought we are going to ask Richard because he knows. We are planning a trip to tir. in Februari/ March.
Thank you so much and Namaste.
Wim and Marjan from The Netherlands
December 5, 2011 at 2:49 pm
Hillview REsidency is pretty close to Ramanasramam and to places to eat and internet cafes. Rooms usually good AC available (you will want in Feb/March. It is a place that I suggest. Prices good, too. Some people have had problems with the people who run it, others not.
January 3, 2012 at 10:24 pm
Thank You very much for such lovely pictures of Arunachala !
January 17, 2012 at 3:47 pm
Hi Richard and Carol,
We enjoyed chatting to you at the Hotel Ashreya at Tiruvannamalai in November 2011. Hope you are both well.
Kind Regards,
Heather and Neil (Australia)
January 20, 2012 at 3:33 pm
Can you recommend a good Vedic astrologer in Thiruvanamalai? Many thanks for your blog.
January 20, 2012 at 7:23 pm
Do not know, maybe another reader can recommend?
January 22, 2012 at 2:02 am
I would like to share my views about the greatness of Sri Ramana Maharshi’s teaching which is the path of self enquiry. Previously, the question who am I ? was very confusing later when this question became very serious in my mind, I found in one of Sri Ramana’s book that the enquiry – who am I would make sense only if the mind is turned inwards. He has recommended eating sattvic food, being in the company of seers (sat sang), or doing japa, meditating / uttering the divine names/attributes of God with such an intense feeling that the meditator, the object of meditation become one and finally what remains ultimately is the experience of meditation. He has also strictly advised to the seekers not to speak ill about others and interfere in other’s matter as this would pollute the mind and make it flow outwards. He further explains the seekers about self enquiry with the example of an Hand kerchief..the hand kerchief is composed of minute threads thus the collection of these threads is hand kerchief. Similarly, mind is nothing but collection of feeling, latent tendencies which we have accumulated over a vast expanse of time.. when the seeker realises that he is not the personality who is getting affected by the feeling be it positive or negative for example, the feeling may be happiness, sorrow, greed, jealous lust, pride, virtue, helping tendency, or any other good / bad attribute for that matter then he becomes free from the influence of these tendencies. The seeker can actually “see” this drama going only if his mind is turned inwards. Because a mind turned inwards has tremendous strength and like a concave mirror burning a piece of paper by concentrating sun’s beam, a concentrated, inwardly turned mind can burn out the latent tendencies of the mind. Thus the seeker could find that because of certain happening which he/she has experienced in the past, he/she has imbibed a certain type of personality or a feeling (positive / negative) which actually ‘suffers’ or ‘enjoys’ but the seeker remains a mere observer unmoved by the experience (pain/joy). He just remains a witness. At this stage, the mind reaches a state where it doesn’t get affected either by pleasure or pain. The mind reaches eqanimity which the Hindu scripture – Bhagwad Gita refers as “Sthitha Pragya” (meaning sthitha – equilibrium, pragya – consciousness). Thus the seeker’s mind attains a state of equlibrium and for such a seeker there is nothing like friend or foe. He treats every one as equal because he clearly sees that the there is no “person (good or bad)” in others but only personalities (good and bad) exist. As the mind becomes quiter and quiter because of this uninterrupted witnessing consciousness (which the buddhist say Zen meditation) the seeker slowly becomes aware that there is nothing called mind. Because the identification with ‘inner personalities(good / bad)’ has almost faded. So, he gives up judging others. For such a seeker, the question WHO AM I strikes like a thunder bolt on the pseudo existance of the mind. with this Self enquiry, the seeker becomes identified with the changeless, pure self awareness which the Hindu scriptures mention as “Atman”. Thus, the “person” gets totally “relieved ” “personalities” what remains is existence which can not be described. But even to a worldy person, if his / her energies are surrendered to a Guru (like Bhagavan Sri Ramana). If the “mind” is able to find rest at the lotus feet of Guru, then he / she need not worry about “getting” liberation because Sri Ramana insists that by surrender, the seeker surrenders everything to Guru and even the question of getting freedom will NOT arise in seeker’s heart because the ‘questioner’ should cease existence if the seeker has truely surrendered. All of us are really blessed because it is our good fortune that we have heard about Sri Ramana. I would call this a good fortune because out of millions of people in this world only few have came to know about him and only very few people were able to comprehend his unique approach of self enquiry.
January 25, 2012 at 4:34 pm
Hi Richard & Carol
Just wanted to say how much I am enjoying your website. We were met you at the Ashreya Hotel where we were staying in November.
We were only in Tiruvanamalai for 2 days although I had been there once before a couple of years ago. After reading the articles I now wish that we had stayed longer as I would liked to have explored the mountain a bit more.
India is such an amazing place and in many ways I envy you for making a life there.
Neil
February 17, 2012 at 2:33 pm
hey richard, hope this finds you enjoying the moment.. I am currently in auroville and hoping to make the journey to the mountain in the next few weeks, and i was hoping you might be able to help me track down 2 beautiful canadians i met in mcloud gang a few years ago… The info i have is pretty sparse as unfortunately all info , addresses, etc went the way of the west wind.. They live or are from somewhere across from vancouver island, maybe in there late 50s early sixties and have a house on the other side of the mountain. I know the other side is probably not much use, but thats what i remember them saying ” go to the other side and ask for us, but as i dont remember their names, that is probably going to be a problem.. Anyway, if any of this rings any bells, fantastic, if not, then thats the way its meant to be… blue skies, mark.
February 18, 2012 at 3:11 am
Don’t know, Mark.
March 16, 2012 at 12:45 pm
thank for you 2 years before i see your blog about Guide to the Inner Path,last year i went,
I see all your blog , but you are not write about Parvathamalai Place is very auspicious Siva Temple in 35 kms north of thiruvannamalai (Arunachala). Now he is call You,,
[ http://sadhanandaswamigal.blogspot.in/2010/11/parvathamalai-place-is-very-auspicious.html ]
March 20, 2012 at 10:08 pm
Dear Richard,
Have you been Tirukovilur next to Tiruvannamalai.
In Tirukovilur, there is a Vishnu temple at the center of the town. It is Ulagalandha Perumal / Tiruvikramaswamy temple.
The veerataneshwarar temple is a Shiva temple which is older than the Vishnu temple is in Tirukovilur. It is located in the same Arakandanallur were the cave temple is located.
If visit or already visited please post the pictures of veerataneshwarar Shiva temple.
Thanks
Shan
March 21, 2012 at 5:12 am
Here is a link to the posting about the Siva temple you asked about> http://richardarunachala.wordpress.com/2009/06/17/tirukkoyilur-where-ramana-stopped-on-the-way-to-arunachala-part-one-arayaninallur/ It was posted three years ago.
March 22, 2012 at 11:17 am
i am so facinated and read the writings of Richard. he is doing fantastic service to bring alive all information of arunachala.
March 22, 2012 at 11:19 am
will anabhakta tell me the video link that he has posted in Living in the embrace of arunachala. thank you
drsdm23@yahoo.in