I Am That: Talks with Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj

nisargadatta maharaj maurice frydman

Ever since it was originally published in 1973 "I AM THAT" a modern spiritual classic has run into reprint (Paperback and Hardcover both put together) seventeen times.That is the kind of popularity the book is enjoying. I Am That is a legacy from a unique teacher who helps the reader to a clearer understanding of himself as he comes to Maharaj,the spiritual teacher, again and again with the age-old questions,"where am I" "who am I" and "whither am I".The listeners were never turned away from the humble abode of Maharaj then and are not turned away now!

Genres spiritualityphilosophynonfictionreligionmeditationbuddhismself helphinduismeastern philosophypsychology

550 pages, Paperback

First published January 1,1973

This edition

Format: 550 pages, Paperback
Published: December 5, 1999 by Chetana Private Ltd
ISBN: 9788185300535
ASIN: 8185300534
Language: English

About the author

nisargadatta maharaj

Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj was an Indian spiritual teacher and philosopher of Advaita (Nondualism), and a Guru, belonging to the Navnath Sampradaya. Sri Nisargadatta, with his direct and minimalistic explanation of non-dualism, is considered the most famous teacher of Advaita since Ramana Maharshi. In 1973, the publication of his most famous and widely-translated book, "I AM THAT", an English translation of his talks in Marathi by Maurice Frydman, brought him worldwide recognition and followers.

According to Sri Nisargadatta, the purpose of spirituality is to know who you are. His discussions are not for academic scholars. He is a rebellious spirit, abrupt in his style of discussion, provocative, and immensely profound, cutting to the core and wasting little effort on inessentials. His terse but potent sayings are known for their ability to trigger radical shifts from philosophical mind-games to the purity of consciousness, just by hearing or even reading them.

He talked about the 'direct way' of knowing the Final Reality, in which one becomes aware of one's original nature through mental discrimination, breaking the mind's false identification with the ego, knowing that "You are already That". The scene for these talks was a small upstairs room at his humble flat in Khetwadi, used for his own meditation and also for daily chantings. A simple man, Nisargadatta was a house-holder and a petty shop-keeper selling bidis - hand-made leaf-rolled cigarettes.