Silence as the Highest Teaching

Many visitors came to Ramana Maharshi seeking answers to their questions, but often found that his silence spoke more powerfully than any words. His presence itself was the teaching.

Ramana Maharshi often said that silence is the highest form of teaching. While he did answer questions from devotees, his primary teaching was through his silent presence. Many who came to him reported that simply being in his presence brought about profound peace and clarity.

His silence was not the absence of sound, but the presence of the Self. In his presence, the mind would naturally quieten, and one would experience a taste of one's own true nature. This is why devotees would sit with him for hours, not speaking, just being in that sacred silence.

He explained that verbal teachings are necessary only to point the way, but the real understanding comes from within, from the Heart. The Guru's role is to help remove the obstacles that prevent one from recognizing what is already there.