I Am That
by Nisargadatta Maharaj · first published 1973
81% recommend19% neutral
Why HN recommends it
Direct, pared-down discussion of the nature of reality and the sense of 'I' from an Advaita perspective; suits long-time meditators and the philosophically inclined, and readers say it shifted how they see self.
Summarised by Claude from recommending comments
Conversations with Nisargadatta Maharaj. English translation of question-answer sessions with Advaita Vedanta (non-duality) guru in Mumbai. He does not tell people what to believe, but says do this--namely concentrate on "I am"-- and you'll never be the same again. No problem is so bad that dis-engagement can't fix it. Give up clinging to the past and fearing the future. You are not your body, you are not your mind. What you are, your true self, can only be approached by realizing what it is not. Just be. And follow your inner guru. He says many things off the cuff that seem fit to be f
Affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Mentions per year
What Hacker News says
Related books
2022–2023The Deed of Paksenarrion
Elizabeth Moon
Recommended by 2 · mentioned by 22 recommend · 2 mention2 recommend · 22 recommend
2012–2022Animal, Vegetable, Miracle
Barbara Kingsolver, Camille Kingsolver, Steven L. Hopp, Lily Hopp Kingsolver
Recommended by 2 · mentioned by 22 recommend · 2 mention2 recommend · 22 recommend
Mind magic
Bill Harvey
Recommended by 1 · mentioned by 21 recommend · 2 mention1 recommend · 21 recommend
2018–2024The Power of Your Subconscious Mind
Joseph Murphy
Recommended by 2 · mentioned by 42 recommend · 4 mention2 recommend · 42 recommend
2021–2024Opening the heart of compassion
Martin Lowenthal
Recommended by 2 · mentioned by 22 recommend · 2 mention2 recommend · 22 recommend
2017–2022The Disappearance of the Universe
Gary Renard
Recommended by 2 · mentioned by 22 recommend · 2 mention2 recommend · 22 recommend
2011–2020The retreat to commitment
William Warren Bartley
Recommended by 3 · mentioned by 33 recommend · 3 mention3 recommend · 33 recommend
I highly recommend "I Am That" by Nisargadatta Maharaj for anyone who has been meditating for a while and is looking for some orientation in the face of changing reality. "I Am That" is a pure, direct discussion on understanding the…
on “Changes to my life as a result of just four weeks of daily meditation” ↗"I am that" You can listen to some quotes from the book here: https://web.archive.org/web/2oe_/http://wayback-fakeurl.arch...
on “Ask HN: What book changed your life?” ↗…where author tried to explain self-referential systems. If you pick up any interest in asian philosophies, try https://www.amazon.com/Who-Am-Sri-Ramana-Maharshi/dp/1537599... and https://www.amazon.com/I-Am-That-Nisargadatta-Maharaj/dp/089...
on “Ask HN: What do you think is all this? (this reality, existence, space-time, us)” ↗"Freedom from the Known" by J. Krishnamurti. "I Am That" by Nisargadatta Maharaj.
on “Ask HN: What is the most mind blowing book you've ever read?” ↗I Am That, by Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj Freedom from the Known, by Jiddu Krishnamurti Think on These Things, by Jiddu Krishnamurti The Bhagavad Gita The Grand Design, by Stephen Hawking
on “Ask HN: Book Recommendations?” ↗I am That by Nisargdatta Maharaj. Shifted my perception of who/what I am. Not a book but Marshall Rosenberg's many lectures, audiobooks and workshops on nonviolent communication. I am now able to set boundaries…
on “Ask HN: What books have made the biggest impact on your mental models?” ↗…years ago and still 90%+ of it seemed right, because he says what he knows personally, not what he read or was taught. If you're more theoretically/philosophically inclined, try Nisargadatta Maharaj (I Am That). As a westerner, I also got a lot from the (white) US gurus Ram Dass (many, e.g. Be Here Now, Grist for the Mill, audio recordings of his retreats) and Gangaji (any of her books or videos). They couldn't…
on “Ask HN: What are some books that delve into Hinduism” ↗I am that - Nisargadatta Maharaj Come as you Are - Emily Nagosky The Fifth Sacred Thing - Starhawk The ministry of the Future - Kim Stanley Robinson
on “Ask HN: Life Changing Books?” ↗I am That - transcribed conversations with Nisargadatta Maharaj It’s like speaking with … the absolute? beyond human. Cuts through time and space and brings me to it, instantly, always.
on “Ask HN: Which book has had the most meaningful contribution in your life?” ↗…perspective impactful I’d like to recommend taking a look at the teaching of Advaita (“not-two”), or nonduality. Wayne Liquorman does free weekly satsang via zoom at Advaita.org. A book I recommend is I Am That by Nisargadatta Maharaj - a transcript of his Advaita talks and also one of the most influential books for 2023 or any other year in my life. An Advaita pointer (a question to sincerely investigate -…
on “Ask HN: Books you read in 2023 and recommend for 2024” ↗Alastair Reynolds’s House of Suns (novel) and Galactic North. Incredibly fun sci fi. I Am That by Nisargadatta Maharaj. It’s a collection of recorded conversations in QA format. I read from it on a weekly basis.
on “Ask HN: What books do you want to read over again?” ↗"I Am That" by Nisargadatta Maharaj. It changed how I think about "I".
on “Ask HN: What books changed the way you think about almost everything?” ↗I am That - talks with Nisargadatta Maharaj. Best for me.
on “Ask HN: What's the "best" book you've ever read?” ↗I Am That by Nisargadatta Maharaj. The Complete Mystical Works by Meister Eckhart. They both turn my world upside down and yet, they keep me grounded.
on “Ask HN: What book(s) changed your life?” ↗Have you tried “I Am That” by Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj? That would probably be my choice, but it’s very related (Harris praises it too). https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I_Am_That
on “Ask HN: Which book would you pick to re-read for the rest of your life?” ↗