Today we’re going to explore together one of the most profound yet simple spiritual teachings ever given – Ramana Maharshi’s deepest instruction, which in Tamil is “Chumma Iru.” The English translation is “simply be,” “just be,” or “be as you are.”
This isn’t just a technique – you cannot even call it a technique because how can simply being be a technique? Yet what it can do for you, if you are a spiritual seeker looking for truth, divinity, enlightenment, or self-realization, is nothing short of transformational. It will remove all illusion when truly understood and practiced.
This is both the simplest and most profound teaching of Ramana Maharshi. Because it’s so simple, it can become abstract and hard to understand for the mind, which tries to make everything complicated. Even though it is inherently simple, our minds can make it seem increasingly complex to grasp.
Building the Foundation of Understanding
Before we dive deeper, let me share a bit about myself. I’m Ra Netjer, a spiritual awakening mentor, and this teaching was pivotal on my spiritual awakening journey and path to enlightenment. I know this will be powerful for you too, if you’re seeking enlightenment.
For me personally, this teaching took years to really understand. It was something my mind was trying to grasp, conceptualize, and put into dualistic terms – because the mind is an instrument of duality, naturally working with “I,” “me,” “mine,” and “trying to do this.”
When combined with Ramana Maharshi’s main path of self-inquiry – asking yourself “Who am I?” – this becomes even more powerful. I highly recommend looking up Ramana Maharshi and reading his book “Who Am I?” – a tiny book so full of powerful insights that will transform your life.
Breaking Down Chumma Iru: The Language of Liberation
Let’s examine the root language. In Tamil, we can break down these two words: “Chumma” (or “Chumma” in some South Indian dialects) and “Iru.”
Chumma/Chumma: The Art of Playful Simplicity
The first word, “Chumma,” means simply – but it also carries the connotation of removing all complexity and making everything beautifully simple. There’s a cultural context here that’s important to understand. “Chumma” has a playfulness to it, a lightness that removes the heavy dramatization the mind often creates around spiritual teachings.
This playfulness reflects the deeper truth that life is play – what Sanskrit calls “Lila.” In this Maya of duality, in this illusion of separation, we play. It is God playing with God. Even though sometimes the spiritual journey may feel very serious and difficult – through depression, hopelessness, meaninglessness, and the dark night of the soul – all of this is included in the play.
And here’s the profound truth: even though the players may look numerous, there is just one player, and that is you. Yes, you. There is nobody else, nothing else, and you are being reflected back to yourself in the other. Right now, as you read these words, you are actually looking into your own eyes.
When you understand that this is all play, you really get the essence of “Chumma.” Take away the seriousness, take away the complexity, and what remains is freedom – the freedom to exist, the freedom of liberation, the simplicity of existence.
Going Deeper: Independence from Stories
On another level, “Chumma” means without depending on anything else – independently, simply. Normally, we depend on some story of ourselves, some narration of the situation. Our ego mind tries to grasp what’s happening, creating constant commentary that we believe at various levels of consciousness.
This creates the illusion of reality because we believe it and depend upon that belief. The root cause is the belief in “I” as a separate existence – the little ego self.
But once you see the emptiness (Shunyata in Buddhism) of the ego-self (Ahamkara), once you see the illusionary nature of the confined “I”, you’re no longer dependent on that foundational story. This leads to the same place as the ancient technique “Neti Neti” (not this, not this) – the removal of everything foreign to your essential nature.
Iru: From Becoming to Being
The second word, “Iru,” means “be” – it’s advice, instruction. We are normally in a state of becoming. We become attached to this, identified with that. The ego becomes trapped in stories of who we are, what we’ll do tomorrow, creating the illusion of being a separate doer.
In this process, consciousness narrows down from the entire universe into what we believe ourselves to be – a little human being with fears, worries, and anxieties about dinner plans and daily concerns.
But when you’ve gone through the preparation of removing everything non-essential, “being” becomes the natural next step. Here, there’s nothing to do, nothing to figure out, nothing to plan. You exist in perfect simplicity.
The Practice: Let Go, Let Go, Let Go
The application is beautifully simple yet requires vigilance. All you have to do is let go – again and again and again. There’s a Buddhist saying: you can meditate for 30 years in a cave, but in this moment right now, you can simply let go, let go, let go and arrive at the same place.
How can you be when you’re holding onto all this mental luggage and fighting with the world? Let go. Be vigilant about complicating things and grasping onto concepts. Notice where this action of grasping happens – because grasping is becoming, and letting go returns you to being.
The simplest technique follows this pattern: Breathe, notice, let go. With every breath, notice where grasping occurs and consciously release it.
Arriving at Simply Being
Finally, after cycles of practice and understanding, you arrive at this place where you simply are. There is nothing else, nobody else, no troubles, no separation – only the pure essence of existence itself.
You may go through periods of approaching this state and retreating to the familiar suffering of the ego. This is natural. But by making “simply being” your north star, you can return to equanimity no matter what’s happening in life.
The Invitation: Your Enlightenment is Possible
This state is possible for you. It’s not a myth or something requiring decades in a cave or special qualifications. Beyond all external appearances and roles we play in 3D reality, enlightenment is your birthright.
When you simply are, you realize this whole play is just for play. Then you can choose to engage consciously, acting out your role as an awakened being on the stage of awareness.
This is my invitation to you. If doing this alone feels overwhelming – and it often can be – remember that there is an easier path with the right guidance and support. There’s no honor in suffering alone when support is available.