Sleep and its relevance to self-investigation

In a Zoom meeting with Ramana Kendra, Delhi, on 10th October 2021 Michael James answers the following five sets of questions about the practice of self-investigation and other aspects of Bhagavan’s teachings:

1. As per Ramana’s teachings what is the meaning of the word “pareccha”? How does this affect the seeker? Please explain with a practical example for a spiritual seeker.
2. What is the significance of the heart center in Bhagavan’s teachings? Is it fair to say that until one has had some experience, however vague, of the heart center, one cannot grasp the full import of Bhagavan’s core teaching, the hridaya-vidya?
3. How does it feel when the “mind sinks in the heart”? I know the scriptures say it’s hard to describe but are there words that could come close to express the feeling?
4. Do you believe that it is Bhagavan who chooses His devotees?
5. How can we use the experience of deep sleep to gain a clearer understanding of Bhagavan’s teachings?

While answering these questions, Michael discusses the meaning and implications of various passages from Bhagavan’s writings, including Nāṉ Ār?, Uḷḷadu Nāṟpadu, Upadēśa Undiyār and Śrī Aruṇācala Pañcaratnam.

This episode can also be watched as a video: 2021-10-10 Ramana Kendra, Delhi: Michael discusses sleep and its relevance to self-investigation.