Ramana Maharshi was an Indian Hindu sage and jivanmukta. He was born Venkataraman Iyer, but is most commonly known by the name Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi. Profoundly inspirational Ramana Maharshi quotes will make you look at life differently and help you live a meaningful life.
Famous Ramana Maharshi Quotes
Wanting to reform the world without discovering one’s true self is like trying to cover the world with leather to avoid the pain of walking on stones and thorns. It is much simpler to wear shoes. Ramana Maharshi
Happiness is your real nature.
Your own Self realization is the greatest service you can render the world. Ramana Maharshi
See who is the subject; and this inquiry leads you to pure Consciousness beyond the subject.
All that is required to realize the Self is to be still. What can be easier than that? Ramana Maharshi
Whatever is destined not to happen will not happen, try as you may. Whatever is destined to happen will happen, do what you may to prevent it. This is certain. The best course, therefore, is to remain silent
The reality is as it always is. We are not creating anything new or achieving something which we did not have before. Ramana Maharshi
Without understanding yourself, what is the use of trying to understand the world?
The Self cannot be found in books. You have to find it for yourself in yourself. Ramana Maharshi
A higher power is leading you; be led by the same. It knows what to do and how to do it.
The only useful purpose of the present birth is to turn within and realize the Self. Ramana Maharshi
Actions themselves form no bondage. Bondage is only the false belief, ‘I am the doer
Bliss is not added to your nature; it is merely revealed as your true and natural state, eternal and imperishable. The only way to be rid of your grief is to know and be the Self. Ramana Maharshi
The ultimate truth is so simple; it is nothing more than being in one’s natural, original state.
The revelation or intuition arises in its own time and one must wait for it. Ramana Maharshi
Consciousness is indeed always with us. Everyone knows ‘I am!’ No one can deny his own being.
Action and knowledge are not obstacles to each other. Ramana Maharshi
When one makes the mind stick to one thought, the mind becomes rock-steady and the energy is conserved.
We are that. The very fact that we wish for liberation shows that freedom from all bondage is our real nature. Ramana Maharshi
The mind is only a bundle of thoughts. The thoughts have their root in the I thought. Whoever investigates the True I enjoys the stillness of bliss.
When we stop regarding the unreal as real, then Reality alone will remain, and we will be That. Ramana Maharshi
When we turn the mind inwards, God manifests as the inner consciousness.
To do self enquiry and be that I am is the only thing to do. I am’ is reality. I am this or that is unreal. ‘I am’ is the truth, another name for Self. Ramana Maharshi
When the mind is left without anything to cling to, it becomes still.
Self enquiry is the one infallible means, the only direct one, to realize the unconditioned, absolute being that you really are. Ramana Maharshi
There is no mind to control if you realize the self. The mind having vanished, the self shines forth. In the realized man, the mind may be active or inactive, the self remains for him.
A man should surrender the personal selfishness which binds him to this world. giving up the false self is the true renunciation. Ramana Maharshi
Turn the mind inward and cease thinking of yourself as the body; thereby you will come to know that the self is ever happy. Neither grief nor misery is experienced in this state.
If we regard ourselves as the doers of action we shall also be the enjoyers of the fruits of such action. Ramana Maharshi
If the mind falls asleep, awaken it. Then if it starts wandering, make it quiet. If you reach the state where there is neither sleep nor movement of mind, stay still in that, the natural real state.
There is no greater mystery than this: being reality ourselves, we seek to gain Reality. Ramana Maharshi
Meditation depends upon the strength of mind. It must be unceasing even when one is engaged in work. Particular time for it is meant for novices.
Solitude is a function of the mind. A man attached to desires cannot get solitude wherever he may be, whereas a detached man is always in solitude. Ramana Maharshi
Meditation is sticking to one thought. That single thought keeps away other thoughts; distraction of mind is a sign of its weakness; by constant meditation it gains strength.
One should try to gain equipoise of mind under all circumstances. That is willpower. Ramana Maharshi
The mind of one meditating on a single object becomes one pointed. And one pointedness of mind leads to abidance in the self.
The only freedom you have is to turn your mind inward and renounce activities there. Ramana Maharshi
Good thoughts keep off bad thoughts. They must themselves disappear before the state of realization.
The mind can do nothing by itself. It emerges only with the illumination and can do no action good or bad, except with the illumination. Ramana Maharshi
Thoughts come and go. Feelings come and go. Find out what it is that remains.
Of all the thoughts that rise in the mind, the thought ‘I’ is the first thought.
When he falls asleep the whole idea vanishes; his mind is left a blank. Ramana Maharshi
Once the current of awareness of the self is set afoot, it becomes everlasting and continuous by intensification.
It is the human mind that creates its own difficulties and then cries for help. Ramana Maharshi
Realization is to get rid of the delusion that you have not realized.
A man may be sleeping here with his body inert, and yet he may be climbing hills and falling from them in dream at the same time. Ramana Maharshi
Realization is our true nature. It is nothing new to be gained. What is new cannot be eternal. Therefore there is no need to be doubting whether we would gain or lose the self.
Thoughts come and go. Feelings come and go. Find out what it is that remains. Ramana Maharshi
Wanting to reform the world without discovering one’s true self is like trying to cover the world with leather to avoid the pain of walking on stones and thorns. It is much simpler to wear shoes.
When we give up regarding the unreal as real, then the reality alone will remain and we will be that. Ramana Maharshi
Realization is not acquisition of anything new nor is it a new faculty. It is only removal of all camouflage.
In deep sleep the mind is merged and not destroyed. That which merges reappears. Ramana Maharshi
A realized one sends out waves of spiritual influence in his aura, which draw many people towards him. Yet he may sit in a cave and maintain complete silence.
You can only stop the flow of thoughts by refusing to have any interest in it. Ramana Maharshi
Your own Self realization is the greatest service you can render the world.
The spark of spiritual knowledge jnana will consume all creation. Ramana Maharshi
That which comes and goes, rises and sets, is born and dies is the ego. That which always abides, never changes, and is devoid of qualities is the Self”
Your true nature is that of infinite spirit. The feeling of limitation is the work of the mind. Ramana Maharshi
Silence is never ending speech.
Calmness is the criterion of spiritual progress. Plunge the purified mind into the Heart. Ramana Maharshi
Silence is truth. Silence is bliss. Silence is peace. And hence Silence is the Self.
A realized one sends out waves of spiritual influence in his aura, which draw many people towards him. Ramana Maharshi
Peace is the inner nature of humankind. If you find it within yourself, you will then find it everywhere.
If your spiritual practice itself assumes the existence of the limitations, how can it help you to transcend them? Ramana Maharshi
Silence is truth. Silence is bliss. Silence is peace. And hence Silence is the Self.
The degree of freedom from unwanted thoughts and the degree of concentration on a single thought are the measures to gauge spiritual progress. Ramana Maharshi
Remain still, with the conviction that the Self shines as everything yet nothing, within, without, and everywhere
When the wrong identification of oneself with the body ceases, the master will be found to be none other than the self. Ramana Maharshi
One must realize his Self in order to open the store of unalloyed happiness.
The Higher Power knows what to do and how to do it. Trust it. Ramana Maharshi
That which comes and goes, rises and sets, is born and dies is the ego. That which always abides, never changes, and is devoid of qualities is the Self.
Stillness is the sole requisite for the realization of the self as god. Ramana Maharshi
If you hold this feeling of I long enough and strongly enough, the false I will vanish leaving only the unbroken awareness of the real, immanent I consciousness itself.
God takes the form of a Guru and appears to the devotee, teaches him the Truth, and, moreover, purifies his mind by association. Ramana Maharshi
Happiness is your nature. It is not wrong to desire it. What is wrong is seeking it outside when it is inside.
God’s will for the prescribed course of events is a good solution for the vexed question of free will. Ramana Maharshi
Correcting oneself is correcting the whole world. The Sun is simply bright. It does not correct anyone. Because it shines, the whole world is full of light. Transforming yourself is a means of giving light to the whole world.
All things are being carried on by the omnipotent power of a Supreme God. Ramana Maharshi
Why should you trouble yourself about the future? You do not even properly know about the present. Take care of the present, the future will take care of itself.
The man who prays, the prayer, and the God to whom he prays all have reality only as manifestations of the Self. Ramana Maharshi
Whatever is destined not to happen will not happen, try as you may. Whatever is destined to happen will happen, do what you may to prevent it. This is certain. The best course, therefore, is to remain silent. Ramana Maharshi
Your duty is to Be, and not to be this or that. Ramana Maharshi
Happiness is your nature. It is not wrong to desire it. What is wrong is seeking it outside when it is inside. Ramana Maharshi
The ultimate truth is so simple; it is nothing more than being in one’s natural, original state. Ramana Maharshi
Thoughts come and go. Feelings come and go. Find out what it is that remains. Ramana Maharshi
The end of all wisdom is love, love, love. Ramana Maharshi
Your own Self Realization is the greatest service you can render the world. Ramana Maharshi
Hope for the best, expect the best, toil for the best and everything will come right for you in the end. Ramana Maharshi
Silence is truth. Silence is bliss. Silence is peace. And hence Silence is the Self. Ramana Maharshi
Liberation is not anywhere outside you. It is only within. Ramana Maharshi
Engage yourself in the living present. The future will take care of itself. Ramana Maharshi
Aim high, aim at the highest, and all lower aims are thereby achieved. Ramana Maharshi
You are already that which you seek. Ramana Maharshi
Those who succeed owe their success to perseverance. Ramana Maharshi
If one’s mind has peace, the whole world will appear peaceful. Ramana Maharshi
There is neither created nor destruction, neither destiny nor free will, neither path nor achievement. Ramana Maharshi
As you are, so is the world. Ramana Maharshi
Man’s search for happiness is an unconscious search for his true Self. Ramana Maharshi.
Peace is your natural state. It is the mind that obstructs the natural state. Ramana Maharshi
You are already that which you seek. Ramana Maharshi
The degree of freedom from unwanted thoughts and the degree of concentration on a single thought are the measures to gauge spiritual progress. Ramana Maharshi
Happiness is your nature. It is not wrong to desire it. What is wrong is seeking it outside when it is inside. Ramana Maharshi
Silence is most powerful. Speech is always less powerful than silence. Ramana Maharshi
If one’s mind has peace, the whole world will appear peaceful. Ramana Maharshi
How to get rid of the mind? Is it the mind that wants to kill itself? The mind cannot kill itself. So your business is to find the real nature of the mind. Then you will know that there is no mind. When the Self is sought, the mind is nowhere. Abiding in the Self, one need not worry about the mind. Ramana Maharshi
Transforming yourself is a means of giving light to the whole world. Ramana Maharshi
If the ego rises, all else will also rise; if it subsides, all else will also subside. Ramana Maharshi
The solution to your problem is to see who has it. Ramana Maharshi
Correcting oneself is correcting the whole world. The Sun is simply bright. It does not correct anyone. Because it shines, the whole world is full of light. Transforming yourself is a means of giving light to the whole world. Ramana Maharshi
Everyone knows ‘I am!’ No one can deny his own being. Ramana Maharshi
Pleasure and pain are only aspects of the mind. Our essential nature is happiness. Ramana Maharshi
Instead of indulging in mere speculation, devote yourself here and now to the search for the Truth that is ever within you. Ramana Maharshi
The Self alone exists. When you try to trace the ego, which is the basis of the perception of the world and everything else, you find the ego does not exist at all and neither does all this creation that you see. Ramana Maharshi
Mind is consciousness which has put on limitations. Ramana Maharshi
When one makes the mind stick to one thought, the mind becomes rock-steady and the energy is conserved. Ramana Maharshi
In truth, you are a spirit. The body has been projected by the mind, which itself originates from Spirit. Ramana Maharshi
He who thinks he is the doer is also the sufferer. Ramana Maharshi
Turn your vision inward and the whole world will be full of supreme spirit. Ramana Maharshi
Grace is ever present. All that is necessary is that you surrender to it. Ramana Maharshi
