Highland Encounter with Michael James by Jaya Ram Das
Earlier this year, in September, I was lucky enough to find myself staying in the Scottish Highlands at my family’s cabin I only vaguely knew about prior. I was a little dubious to go up there alone, with no car or means to get around, but my aunt and uncle encouraged me and met me up there with the keys and took me to the nearby town of Oban to show me around before leaving me to my own devices.
It was on their favourite beach at Ganavan Sands that my auntie told me about an interesting character I should meet: a man wearing a kilt who walks barefoot on the beach every day. She said, in her typically Mancunian way, “he seems like your sort of person,” meaning someone with character. It suddenly began to pour it down, and as a rainbow emerged, so did the man she had told me about, emerging from the sea. I couldn’t believe it. He toddled on past us with a smile, waved hello, and promptly continued his march up a small cliffside.
As I was with my family, I didn’t feel like it was the right time to pursue him to talk with him, but I had enough information to know where to find him again. I’ve spent time with sadhus in India, and I’m very aware that you meet the right people exactly where and when you are supposed to, and I knew the whole purpose of my journey to Scotland was to meet this man. One of the reasons I went north was, in fact, to focus on creative practice and my sadhana, as well as making it through the energy of Chandra Grahan (lunar eclipse) alone. I felt like the path to my solitude had been laid out perfectly for me. In Sanatan Dharma, the Moon (Chandra) represents the mind, emotions, intuition, and subconscious. A Chandra Grahan is therefore seen as a time when the mind is temporarily “covered,” symbolizing inner disturbance, confusion, or emotional intensity. Spiritually, it is viewed as a powerful period for inner awareness.
Once this time passed, I decided to return to the beach where I had seen this wise man, and with nothing more than hope and a prayer I waited for him, perched upon a rock. I wasn’t sure if I was too late, too early, or if he would turn up at all, but I had faith. This area of the world is beautiful, overlooking the islands of Kerrera, Lismore, and Mull, where I later discovered Michael was born.
Finally, as can be seen in the image above, Michael appeared, paddling in the shallows. I was thrilled, and I knew he would make his way towards where I lay in waiting. It’s important to note that at this point I knew nothing about him, but I wanted to take his portrait. As part of an ongoing project, I have been photographing my time living with sadhus in India, people who are spiritually and intrinsically connected with nature, and I believe, as much as an ancient oak or the heather-covered hills, he represents the landscape he lives in.
This I explained to him when he finally clambered over the rocks in front of me, and I spoke to him with my palms pressed together in respect. He found it quite amusing that I felt like he represented the land here, because he felt much more connected to India, where he told me he had lived for 20 years.
We spoke at length. I asked him about his life, and he told me that he had dedicated the past 50 years to the works of Bhagawan Sri Ramana Maharishi, an Indian saint who I had heard of but was not overly familiar with. Michael lived with one of his closest devotees, Sadhu Om, and had learnt classical Tamil by his side and translated the bulk of his original writings into English, opening up the authentic teachings of self-enquiry to a vast audience.
We spoke of our connection with Sanatan Dharma, how, as Westerners, we strive to learn with humility and surrender to traits that MJ encapsulates fully. Since our meeting, I’ve come to understand just how important his work has been, and how sincere his dedication to his life’s work and Bhagawan is. His work is so respected that he told me he had to stop receiving emails, as he was inundated with constant messages and questions about Bhagawan Ramana, and he feels compelled to answer every single one. So he has limited his communication to regular Zoom sessions he hosts with devotee communities from across the world.
I write this from Arunachala, months later. I felt so compelled to come here after our encounter. MJ kindly introduced me to a sadhu who has been living here for 16 years, Swami Nivritananda Puri, from whom I have graciously been learning the teachings of Sri Ramana whilst here, taking us on parikrama of the mountain and to the caves where Bhagawan meditated. When asking him who is the best person to learn about Bhagawan’s teachings, he said that truly all roads lead back to Michael James. With much love, he told me that among the sincere followers of his teachings, Michael is the unparalleled authority.
So, by the mercy of Bhagawan, I very much look forward to my next meeting with MJ, whether it be here in Arunachala or back in the Highlands. I pray to learn from him, he who carries the flame of the teachings of this saint who speaks with the voice of God.
Om Namo Ramanaya
Jai Sri Ma
