In the contemporary world run by media and hype, spiritual teachers of Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj’s calibre would only stand a chance if managed by a clever PR guru. Sad, but true. In Maharaj’s times, it wasn’t so bad. That’s why despite of others like Oshi, he was able to get his spiritual message contained in “I Am That” book, to those genuinely seeking the answer to “What am I?”. There were many gurus and teachers in India contemporary to him, yet his teachings gained world acclaim and recognition for their purity. Maharaj as a teacher was renowned for his direct and informal teaching style; energetic and uncompromising, brush yet gentle and understanding. His message was free of religious overtones, ritualistic and dogmatic baggage and thus able to reach deeply into the hearts and minds of his audience.

Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj

Nisargadatta Maharaj belongs to the last century’s most effective communicators of the nondualism (Advaita Vedanta) teachings, taking over from where Ramana Maharshi left. As his popularity grew, Maharaj was receiving ever larger groups of spiritual seekers from all over the world. They came to “compare the notes” or to gain a new lease of energy on their way to liberation. Those who dared to show their spiritual ego were rapidly brought to Earth by Maharaj’s intuitive probing. Others, who wanted to “be in the presence of a guru” never left disappointed, with their consequent lives the testimony to the power of his spiritual message, and as fulfilment of his words: “What you have learned here becomes the seed. You may forget it apparently. But it will live, and in due season sprout and grow and bring both flowers and fruits. All will happen by itself. You need not do anything: only, don’t prevent it.”

Living in one of Bombay’s poorer neighborhoods, he conducted his daily satsangs and bhajans from a cramped room, holding only a limited number of those who often travelled thousands of miles to be in his presence. He never asked for or accepted valuable gifts, honors or favors. To his last days he refused to participate in establishing an ashram, or moving to a residence that would be adequate, as his disciple thought, with his status.  There was no publicity machine building and reinforcing “Nisargadatta Maharaj’s brand”. Message about this somewhat obscure spiritual teacher, with his unique provocative and abrupt style was spreading purely through the word of mouth. Those who came were exposed, through the profundity of his teachings, to the momentous shifts in consciousness. Yes, hearing his words was enough…

Although Maharaj always said that ultimately, we all have one guru – consciousness, I am happy to call him my spiritual guru. Rather than partake in rituals, seminars and ceremonies that those belonging to the contemporary spiritual circuses of various creed and color value so much, I’ll leave it all to the process of self-enquiry. This is what Maharaj would want me to do. Indeed, this is the fastest way to realize that you are THAT already. Apart from that, there’s nothing to be done. You and I belong to the same, one and only consciousness that Maharaj belonged and still belongs… although unnoticed.