Ramesh and the Teachings are inseparable. There's a body-mind organism known as Ramesh, and even in its appearance the instrument through which the words come is the Teachings. The total understanding that No One Does Anything happened in 1979. Ramesh had a Guru for 20 years prior, but shortly after his retirement he met his final Guru, Nisargadatta Maharaj, for whom he translated daily talks in Mumbai until Maharaj died in 1981. For most of his life Ramesh has also been devoted to Ramana Maharshi. Ramesh is known around the world as a Master of pure Advaita, even though as a Hindu Brahmin child he was brought up surrounded by traditional Hindu spiritual practices. Being somewhat resistant, around the age of twelve years he conceded to his mother a promise of a minimal daily practice of chanting the Ramaraksha Stotra, which has been happening ever since. Why does he continue this practice?: he sees no reason for stopping it! The Teachings, in fact, begin with bhakti: what is there more devotional than "Thy Will Be Done"? And the Teachings end in jnana, "All there is is Consciousness": the pure knowledge of Advaita. Ramesh might be considered a "householder" Guru - he has lived a full and rich life, which is reflected in his teaching. Upon meeting Ramesh, it doesn't take long to see that he is no ordinary individual, though at first glance that may be the impression. Prior to teaching, Ramesh served the Bank of India for 37 years until a mandatory retirement at age 60 in 1977. He served as the General Manager, or President of the bank, for ten years. When asked about his life, the answer consistently reflects the impact of his life-long intuitive understanding that nothing happens unless it is God's will. For example, with great humor Ramesh explains that there was never any concern about his promotions from the time his career began as a bank clerk - "no boot-licking" - knowing that whatever would happen would be according to God's will, and that "no power on earth could prevent the promotions from happening." Though undoubtedly his career was brilliant, Ramesh claims that in most of his life's pursuits, he was very successful but not number one. It was his position as President rather than Chairman of the Board of Directors towards the end of his career that allowed Ramesh time in his schedule to visit Maharaj every morning. Both during his general education and at the London School of Economics his class ranking was usually third, and occasionally fourth or fifth. And for years Ramesh was enthusiastic about golf, and though an avid player he was rarely the top man on the team. While his golf handicap improved considerably over the years playing only on weekends, his strokes over par remained in the two-digit category, never dropping into the single-digit range. Similarly, he enjoyed badminton but was not a champion on the court. Also, there are several photos dated around sixty years ago that reveal his success as a body builder. When a surprised visitor inquires about those photographs, Ramesh admits that occasionally the photos occupied prime spots in the sports magazines, but that the acclaim was just for the category of small-statured athletes. The most highly esteemed heroes of the iron-pumping world were the massive heavy-weight giants. In reflecting on the achievements as they happened during his active life, with a twinkle in his eye Ramesh commented that God must have thought: "This is enough for you; more than that and you'll be proud." And then gently he remarked: "God has been exceedingly kind to me - there never was opportunity for pride and arrogance." Truly, there never is any pretense and always an admirable and irrefutable glow of humility and love. The role as a Teacher began for Ramesh not because he wanted to be a Teacher, but by full authorization from Nisargadatta Maharaj. The command to "talk" was given once by his Guru during a talk and again shortly before his death in a loud and clear voice which came out of his body which was dying from cancer. The conversations originated in 1982, beginning with a talk with an Australian man who showed up at Ramesh's home early one morning, having traveled for nearly three hours from an ashram outside of Bombay. Sharda graciously offered him breakfast, and they talked for over an hour. The very next day the same man came again with a few others, who returned again and again, each time bringing with them a few more friends. Curiously, that was the last time Ramesh heard from this man, but so the morning talks commenced. Since that time, Ramesh has offered a number of seminars in the United States and in Europe, and he continues to speak every morning in Mumbai. When asked about attendance at the daily talks Ramesh invariably replies: " No one is invited, and everyone is welcome." The Teachings that come through Ramesh are pure Advaita - Consciousness is all there is, there is only the Unbroken Whole. He closes the gap between Eastern and Western thinking. The Teachings are simple and clear and, along with the fact that Ramesh is no ordinary Indian Guru, this is perhaps why most of the people who come to him are Westerners. Even during the days as a translator for Maharaj, the combination of his Western education and cultural influence contributed to Ramesh's reputation as being the interpreter most preferred by Western visitors. The impact of the Teachings is fueled with the force of his Total Understanding. From his own life experience Ramesh makes the Teachings for here and now. In reference to the morning talks, Ramesh himself admits with a laugh that for those with interest in the subject it's the best entertainment in Mumbai! For more information on Ramesh Balsekar visit www.rameshbalsekar.com - Rohit Arya Archive