Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj - I Am Not the Body: Discovering the Truth Beyond Bondage

It was at the age of 34 in 1933 that Maruti Shivrampant Kambli (Sri Nisargadatta Maharajs birthname) first met his Guru Sri Siddharameshwar Maharaj (18881936), whose teachings revolved around the realisation of self-knowledge and the renunciation of the impermanent. Three years later, Sri Nisargadatta realised himself as the Supreme Reality, the transcendental Self he often referred to as Parabrahman or Paramatman. Through earnestly heeding the words of his Guru, he discovered he was That which is unmanifest and eternalbeyond the bondage of name, form, shape, and size.

Subsequently, he was named Nisargadatta which means giver of the natural state. Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj became part of the Inchegiri Sampradaya which was founded by Sri Siddharameshwar Maharajs Guru, Sri Bhausaheb Maharaj (18431914). The Inchegiri Sampradaya was a lineage of Gurus from the Navnath Sampradaya which is considered to have ancient roots.

Sri Nisargadatta lived in an unassuming upper floor apartment in Khetwadi, Mumbai (then Bombay), and died in September 1981. For many years, thousands of people came from all over India and the world to listen to Sri Nisargadattas teachings, and his influence is still as powerful today as it was when he gave regular talks four decades ago. Although the river of time has carried away his body-mind, what he taught is timeless and still available through books and internet material. His words and teachings continue to challenge and nurture thousands of people, myself included.

The core of Sri Nisargadattas simple and direct message is this: focus on the I am (consciousness, beingness) and enquire into its Source. In becoming conscious of consciousness itself, we may discover we are not limited to the body, mind, or any passing identity, thereby realising our unlimited nature in this very life.

Although his teaching has been called Nisarga Yoga (chapters 8 to 14 and the appendix offer some principles), he did not want it to become another philosophy, dogma, or assortment of concepts for the mind. Sri Nisargadatta succeeded in cutting through the complicated practices imparted by other teachers, and although some schools of yoga may have relative value, he was very clear that all traditions, ideas, and fixed patterns of behaviour ultimately must be given up.

Undoubtedly one of the greatest spiritual teachers of all time, one can sense his depth of dedication to truth, rather than affluence, recognition, and agenda. His legendary plain-speaking way and heartfelt commitment to assisting those on the direct path will affect anyone serious about self-realisation and the transfiguration of consciousness.

The material presented here is based upon original cassette recordings carefully captured and translated from Marathi by Sri Mohan Gaitonde between 1979 and 1980. I am deeply honoured to have had this opportunity to share Sri Nisargadattas teaching in a curated format that I hope will take readers on a journey of truth beyond the limitations of the body-mind.

- Nic Higham,

December 2020

Start from the very beginning. In this gross world I began with my parents, because I knew full well that my principle was already dwelling there in the collection of their bodily elements out of which I emanated In truth, your state is one of Absolute bliss In that state there is no trace of misery or unhappiness, only unalloyed bliss.

- Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj

The body is present, and it has form, but upon what does this form depend? What came before the form? What came before the whole of existence?