An Interview with Ganesan

This interview with Ganesan, the grand nephew of Ramana Maharshi, and Richard Miller at Never Not Here, is a rare gem. Ganesan's presence and insight is beyond words. Enjoy!

The Seer

At one of Gangaji's silent retreats in California a few years ago, Gangaji picked up a letter and read it quietly for a few moments. She then looked up to find the author of the letter and when she located her, she said in a somewhat annoyed voice, "Linda, I do see you." She then continued speaking to Linda, and addressed all of us in the room. She said, "The real question is, are you seeing?"

We are often so concerned with being seen by the world, but it's really the opposite of that. It is really when we see that is the opening. Many attempts are made in life to be seen and to be heard. The ego tries to accomplish this through our actions, through our work and through our relationships. If we really look at what we want, at the very core, being seen is often one of the most basic of desires. When we pause for a moment and notice this, there is a profound opportunity to stop and to open. This opening can allow us to notice that we are being seen right now, because we are the Seer.

Since we are the Seer, we are seeing and being seen, both being accomplished at the same time, in this very moment. All polarity vanishes in the realization that there truly is only Oneself. Nothing is needed because it is complete by one's own existence, by one's very nature. As we let this knowledge in and as we notice oneself as the Seer, we are naturally seeing all as Self. Nothing else is required. It is now simply a matter of, in each moment, seeing the world through the perspective of the Seer's eyes, the eyes that rest in You. The world is a rich, beautiful and intricate mirror for the Seer to see Itself everywhere, in all things and in all ways.

Silence is the True Teacher

Silence is the pause between the breath,
the space between the thoughts,
the moment of stillness at sunrise,
The container of It All.

Simply notice the quiet,
unmovingness of life.
It is here, eternal, alive.

This Silent Awareness
asks us to surrender,
in this moment.
It asks us to be conscious,
as it reveals the profound,
quiet knowledge;
our true nature
as Silence.

Life Itself is a Pointer

Self Realization is an all consuming experience. It is occurring with each breath, and in each moment. We often believe that we need to attend satsang and retreats with a realized teacher, read books, listen to recordings, watch videos and meditate in order to deepen into the truth of one's being. These resources are all very helpful on the journey, yet, on a daily basis, we are being asked to surrender in countless ways. These small surrenders seem insignificant, yet they are profound. Instead of looking into the future for the next satsang with a teacher, simply notice, right now, what is calling you. What are you being asked to acknowledge? Is there resistance appearing? Is there a need to control a situation? Is there unmet pain, such as fear, sadness or anger? Are you holding back love somewhere, even with yourself? Right now, are you willing to let go?

Life is the true teacher, life as you. There is no need to look to the apparent outside for the next moment of deepening. Simply use this moment, whatever is here, as an opportunity to surrender. In this portal of time, allow what is arising here, and then see. Sometimes allowing may mean we change our perspective on the situation and it naturally shifts. Other times we may make a choice to actively change the situation, yet the decision is not based on fear. It comes from a place of peace and knowing. The more we trust this, the more we can live from here with each breath. We know we are being guided by our true nature.

Our daily experiences are pointers, calling us to rest in who we are and to trust That. When we surrender to being held in the arms of Oneself, life transforms into a mysterious play. It engages us in unknown ways, asking us to let go again and again. Eventually, we realize there is no end to the opportunity to surrender and no one here to resist it. In this life, this play, there are simply innumerable doors opening to be even more quiet, more still and to dissolve more into Love, as our Self.

Om Shanti

Let there be peace and love

among all beings of the universe.
Let there be peace, let there be peace.
Om shanti, shanti, shantihi.