David Godman paints scripture and study as helpful stepping-stones rather than the finish line on the road to self-realization. Treating sacred texts as treasure chests of pointers, they clear away mental cobwebs and plant seeds of insight. But without the inner key—direct self-inquiry, or “Who am I?”—those seeds remain dormant.

Scriptures offer the roadmap: they outline what the Self is and how it’s already here, right under everyday awareness. Going through passages from the Upanishads or the Bhagavad Gita can light up corners of understanding, dismantling false identifications with body and mind. In today’s era of spiritual podcasts and meditation apps, this feels especially relevant—study can fire up that initial spark of curiosity.

Yet Godman stresses a warning flag: over-intellectualizing becomes a double-edged sword. Memorizing verses or debating doctrinal points may dazzle the ego, but they won’t dissolve the sense of “I.” Ramana Maharshi repeatedly pointed to direct experience—listening inwardly for the “I” thought—as the true path. Study alone can even calcify into pride or subtle attachment to knowledge, steering one off course.

Best results come when study dovetails with practice. Reflecting on a scripture’s message, then immediately turning attention back to the source of awareness, creates a dynamic balance. For beginners or those wrestling with modern distractions—TikTok scrolling, work stress—scripture can act like a safety rail, keeping the mind from wandering too far into confusion. Over time, however, the rail fades into the background as self-inquiry takes center stage.

In effect, Godman honors scripture as both foundation and fuel, crucial for early progress but ultimately something to be transcended. When words point clearly enough, they vanish, revealing the ever-present silence at the heart of being.