When Emmanuel Sorensen visited Ramana Maharshi in southern India, he was recognized by this sage as “one of the rare-born mystics.” It was during Emmanuel's third visit to Ramana in 1940 that while he was just sitting quietly in meditation, he awared an effulgence especially radiated and directed upon his form. Suddenly out of the Silence came a telepathic message from Ramana in the form of these five English words: We Are Always Aware Sunyata. Emmanuel took Ramana's five words as recognition, initiation, mantra, and name. Thereafter, he referred to both himself and the hut in which he lived as Sunyata—which he translated as “full solid emptiness.”

Adyashanti writes: “Sunyata was the rarest of incarnations. A naturally born enlightened being of singular uniqueness and inventiveness. The story of his life is itself a profound spiritual teaching and a living example of how awakened spirit moves through the challenges of life. This is one of the best books on authentic enlightenment that you will ever read.”

From the book: “I am not interested in what men can say with words—I am interested only in what they can say with their Silence. You must realize that men who talk very well, and who utter beautiful speeches, usually have a very bad Silence. What is really important is Silence, for it is a preparation for the Great Silence. Step by step as thou goeth, the Way shall open up to thee—thou art the Tao.”