Arthur Osborne Paintings

Arthur Osborne was a notable British writer and devotee of Ramana Maharshi, an Indian sage renowned for his teachings on self-inquiry and Advaita Vedanta, a non-dualistic school of Hindu philosophy. Born on September 25, 1906, in London, Osborne's journey was marked by a deep spiritual quest that eventually led him to India and to the teachings of Ramana Maharshi at the ashram in Tiruvannamalai, Tamil Nadu.

Educated in England, Osborne's early life was characterized by a search for meaning beyond the materialistic worldview prevalent in the West. This quest led him to explore various spiritual paths and philosophies, including Buddhism and Christianity. However, it was his encounter with the teachings of Ramana Maharshi that profoundly transformed his life. In the mid-1940s, after enduring the hardships of World War II, including a period of internment in a Japanese prison camp, Osborne moved to India with his family to live near Ramana Maharshi.

Osborne became one of the foremost interpreters and promoters of Ramana Maharshi's teachings in the West. He authored several books on spirituality, including 'Ramana Maharshi and the Path of Self-Knowledge', which remains a seminal work on the sage's life and teachings. Osborne's writings were instrumental in introducing Western audiences to Advaita Vedanta and the practice of self-inquiry as a means to realization.

Apart from his biographical and philosophical works, Osborne also founded and edited 'The Mountain Path', a quarterly journal published by the Sri Ramanasramam, which is dedicated to sharing the teachings of Ramana Maharshi and related spiritual topics. His efforts significantly contributed to the global awareness and appreciation of Ramana Maharshi's teachings.

Arthur Osborne passed away on May 8, 1970, in India. Despite his departure, his legacy continues through his writings and the ongoing influence of 'The Mountain Path'. Osborne's life and work remain a testament to the transformative power of spiritual inquiry and the enduring appeal of Ramana Maharshi's teachings on self-realization and non-duality.