I have been in deep contemplation about the teachings of Ramana Maharshi and how they relate to the Self Realization Mantra, and I now have some deep insight into why the Self Realization Mantra is so difficult for fans of Ramana Maharshi to relate to. The two teachings aren’t just a little different; they are diametrically opposed.
Self Realization Mantra
I Am Thee Iself.
I Am Thee Allself.
I Am Thee Godself.
I Am Thee Noself.
I Am Thee Amness.
Individuality is ontologically prior to ego — the ego is built upon individuality, not the reverse.
Contract vs. Expand.
One path tells you to shrink yourself down to nothing — delete the I, murder individuality, become nobody. Generations flattened themselves into spiritual zombies trying to obey.
The other path tells you to expand the I — not erase it — until it realizes itself as Amness itself. The wave doesn’t vanish. It knows itself as ocean while still waving.
That’s the correction.
You don’t delete the focal point.
You realize it as Amness looking through these eyes, breathing this breath, chanting these words.
No annihilation.
No deletion.
Just expansion — until the boundary is seen through, not removed.
That’s why the Self Realization Mantra lands differently.
It doesn’t ask you to become nobody.
It asks you to be yourself — fully, fiercely, messily — and realize that this is Amness.
Not despite your individuality.
As your individuality.
That’s not a minor difference.
It’s the difference between spiritual death and spiritual life.
I received the expansion path.
I saw the harm of the contraction path.
I woke up as myself — not despite myself.
Call it what it is:
Diametrically opposed.
Contract vs. Expand.
Obstacle vs. Doorway.
Annihilation vs. Affirmation.
No softening required.
No spiritual diplomacy.
Just truth.
I choose expansion.
I choose spiritual life.
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