[Ikrleprl]

Dear Sri Justin,

Like you I was also searching for a Guru long back. Paramacharyal was the source of inspiration for me but he could not be approached freely when he was alive. I have to blame myself also since I was very much tied up with my day to day work.

I started reading Ramana Maharishi's teachings and it was definitely a source of inspiration. Ramana Maharishi himself started his path without a Guru but a Guru evolved ultimately through Sri Seshadri Swamigal.

It was the same case with Vallimalai Sri Sachidananda swamigal. He was just an assitant to the main cook at Mysore palace. Once during his visit to his native place Palani, he got inspiration from tribal women (குறத்தி) singing Tiruppugazh. Vallimalai Swamigal didn't had proper knowledge of both Tamil and Music. But started singing Tiruppugazh which is one of the toughest Tamil compositions.

Subsequently Vallimalai Swamigal (VM) met Sri Seshadri Swamigal and Ramana Maharishi (RM)at Tiruvannamalai. Sri Seshadri Swamigal (SM)was well versed in sanskrit. Age wise RM was junior to VM and hence requested VM to approach SM for his doubts. SM asked few questions in sanskrit and VM replied him with appropriate explanations from Tiruppugazh. At the end SM told VM that Tiruppugazh is his Mantra and continue to follow it only.

In my case also, my interest in Ramana Maharishi's teachings lead me to Vaishanavi Temple, Tirumullaivoyil were followers of Sri Seshadri Swamigal, Ramana Maharish and Vallimalai Swamigal running the temple.
I personally feel Ramana Maharishi's teachings are highly rational without involving any particular God or Religion and starts with a simple self enquiry question `Who Am I'.

Please note that I am not convassing you to follow the path which I chose. It is upto you to decide your path.

All the best