The Ultimate Understanding

by Ramesh S. Balsekar

This mind-expanding collection from one of the greatest sages of our time represents the pinnacle of Ramesh S. Balsekar’s teachings. It features excerpts from the guru’s handwritten comments and words of wisdom, all placed in a stylish and empathetic layout?with plenty of room in the margins for making notes and comments, as Balsekar himself liked to do in his own favorite books. Appropriately inspirational images of nature and monuments appear throughout, and each selection is meant to be savored slowly and meditated over. Emanating from the very source, Balsekar’s wisdom is for all generations.

244 pages, Hardcover

First published July 1, 2002

About the author

Ramesh S. Balsekar was a disciple of the late Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj, a renowned Advaita master. From early childhood, Balsekar was drawn to Advaita, a nondual teaching, particularly the teachings of Ramana Maharshi and Wei Wu Wei. He wrote more than 20 books, was president of the Bank of India, and received guests daily in his home in Mumbai until shortly before his death.

Balsekar taught from the tradition of Advaita Vedanta nondualism. His teaching begins with the idea of an ultimate Source, Brahman, from which creation arises. Once creation has arisen, the world and life operate mechanistically according to both Divine and natural laws. While people believe that they are actually doing things and making choices, free will is in fact an illusion. All that happens is caused by this one source, and the actual identity of this source is pure Consciousness, which is incapable of choosing or doing.

Reviews

[Murali · Rating 1 out of 5]

A pompous and over-rated teacher.