Customer Reviews

Annamalai Swami - Final Talks

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This little book is invaluable. If you like, as I do, having reminders in your life to point to the SELF, this book is an excellent choice. The clear, concise and still voice of annamalai is a welcome pointer back to what really matters - holding to the self. This from a person who attained realization after a decade or so of being in the service of Ramana Maharshi. In addition, the copy I got was very small, fits right in your jacket pocket. A wonderful reminder of the peaceful stillness that is the background of us all.

Annamalai Swami was a direct student of Ramana Maharshi, the famous Advaita teacher of India. Annamalai taught a real world approach to Self-realization, unlike many India gurus of his time. Ramana strictly forbid Annamalai from sitting meditation, informing Annamalai of the traps of "yogic trance" states and dualistic effort-based meditations. Annamalai was encourage to participate in the active ashram live, serving as the construction supervisor for many years. It was in performing his duties that Annamalai gradually awakened to the truth of his teacher while amidst the worldly life. After Ramana's mahasamadhi, Annamalai realized the Self.

The teachings within this book are simple and direct, spoken from a man with a limited school education and genuine humility. The words of Annamalai are at many times easier to understand that the teachings of Ramana Maharshi. While Ramana often used traditional Hindu/Vedic scripture to teach to his Indian audience, Annamalai used more simple explanations that the uneducated would understand. This is not at all to say anyone is superior, it is only to emphasis the simple teachings found in this book.

I highly recommend this book if you are a student of Ramana Maharshi. Annamalai makes the esoteric simple and understandable. The pages of this book are filled with a simple peace and genuine understanding.