Ramana Maharshi

Those who have been touched and influenced by the teachings of Ramana Maharshi (1979-1950) are changed.

He is not nearly as well-known as others among modern spiritual sages. He was not a founder of a movement or part of one. He was just someone who lived a simple life of wisdom and conveyed teachings to listeners and later to readers.

Wherever we have gone, whatever more particular traditions we have pursued, what we learned from him has been irreplaceable and unforgettable. If you are a part of any particular tradition, even if you find that tradition more than enough and prudently don’t want to overload your learning, he is worth exploring.

Best introductory book is Be As You Are: The Teachings of Ramana Maharshi.

Good documentary is The Sage of Arunachala.