Do We Really Need More Teachings — or Just Practise? | Michael James

Added: 2026-05-07

[00:00:00]How important is it to remember all the statements and the numerous teachings, even Bhagwan's teachings, other than the fundamental essential lesson that we really need to know?

[00:00:13]Bhagwan Bhagwan has All that we need to understand about Bhagwan's teachings are in his own original writings.

[00:00:24]There's one prose work, Nana, and one or two other small pieces of prose writing like that note he wrote for his mother.

[00:00:31]And if we take all his verses, there's less than 300 original verses of Bhagwan. There's the the the Arunachala Stuti Panchakam, the five hymns, Upadesa Undiyar, Ulladu Narpadu, some of the verses of Upadesa Undiyar, I mean, sorry, some of verses of Ulladu Narpadu Anubandham, Ekamala Panchakam, uh uh Appala Paattu, and the Bhagavad And some verses among Upadesa Tannippattu, original verses of Bhagwan.

[00:01:06]That's really all we need to know.

[00:01:08]It's important that we we that we are familiar with all of Bhagwan's teachings because if we if we are familiar with them and understand them correctly, whenever any unnecessary thought arises in the mind, we we there's an answer to it in among Bhagwan's teachings, so we can put us it will help us to put aside unnecessary thoughts. It'll help us to keep our understanding very simple and very clear.

[00:01:39]That is s- uh clarity comes with simplicity.

[00:01:45]There are some philosophies in this world. If you read some philosophy books, you your your head will begin spinning after some time. They make it so complicated, but Bhagwan has made it so simple.

[00:01:58]If ego comes into existence, everything comes into existence. If ego doesn't exist, everything doesn't exist. Ego itself is everything. Therefore, investigating what it is is giving up everything. What can be simpler than that?

[00:02:13]So, understanding Bhagavan's teachings correctly is important to keep our understanding simple and clear.

[00:02:25]And because the nature of the mind is constantly going outwards and we don't None of us, if we are honest with ourselves, yet have sufficient love to merge completely back within. Whenever our mind comes out, good to keep it dwelling on Bhagavan's teaching because that constantly encourages us to go back within. Because all of Bhagavan's teachings are repeatedly pointing our attention back towards ourself.

[00:02:54]Towards that Lord who is shining in the cave of our own heart.

[00:03:00]Right.

[00:03:01]Um So, again, you're stressing the importance of Bhagavan's original works and just focusing on that. Bhagavan's original works and putting them into practice. That's what's most important. Putting them into practice.

[00:03:15]Um And then there's another thing you pointed out, you know, if you just get into the series of questions and questions, it just is a never-ending thing. Um but that's the Never-ending.

[00:03:23]Never-ending. That's the significance of the story of Dakshinamurti, you know, where he kept on answering for Sanakadi sages. Yeah, yeah. Finally, he just went into silence and that's when it really happened.

[00:03:34]I Another thing we can observe, people who ask most questions are those who understand least. Those who understand keep quiet.

[00:03:46]But there are some people I have seen, they will go on and on and on and on asking questions.

[00:03:52]And ultimately, all their questions are the same. They may be asked in different ways, but it's all because of failing to understand the simple basic principles of teaching. If we understand the simple basic principles, there's no room for any questions.

[00:04:12]Everything is answered. Either explicitly or implicitly in his original writings.

[00:04:20]And if it's not answered, then it's not worth answering.