Caught up in the Words

Often one gets caught up in all the words to describe the Absolute. This leaves one wondering as to why he/she cannot continuously experience what is being pointed to as Bliss, Stillness, Peace etc. Unfortunately, this can lead one to utter frustration and desperation in the search for the Truth.  Simply put, the Truth is already here and always now.  What one needs to do is to simply stop identifying one's self with the body.  All one needs is to have the intuitive and deep Understanding of what is being pointed to and remove the false identification with the body.

This could not have been put more simply than by Bhagavan Ramana Maharshi who stated: "The means prescribed for securing the spiritual end, such as charity, penance, sacrifice, dharma (virtuous conduct), yoga, bhakti (devotion) and the end itself described variously as Heaven, Supreme Object, Peace, Truth, Grace, The Quiescent State, Deathless Death, True Knowledge, Renunciation, Moksha (liberation) and Bliss, are all nothing but being free from the obsession that the body is the Self. Give up regarding yourself as this despicable body and realize your Real Nature, which is one of Eternal Bliss."

Ramana Maharshi continues by saying "Seeking to know thyself while still anxious about the welfare of the body is like attempting to cross a stream with the aid of a crocodile for a raft".

What more can this author add to this utterly simple message from the Maharshi? The author remains eternally grateful to Ramana Maharshi.

Renouncing Maya/ Illusion

The seeker often asks "what after Realization?".  Will Maya (Illusion) still persist? While a long discourse could be given to expand on this question, this author feels that the words of Saint Kabir are more to the point in this matter. Perhaps the reader will agree.

Tell me, Brother, how can I renounce Maya?
When I gave up the tying of ribbons, still I tied my garment
about me:
When I gave up tying my garment, still I covered my body in its
folds.
So, when I give up passion, I see that anger remains;
And when I renounce anger, greed is with me still;
And when greed is vanquished, pride and vain and glory remain;
When the mind is detached and casts Maya away, still it clings to
the latter.
Kabîr says, "Listen to me, dear Sadhu! the true path is rarely
found."                               

                                                                    -Saint Kabir

To Do or Not to Do, That is the Question

There is somewhat of a paradox in all of this teaching. Sometimes, the Teacher or Guru will say 'do this' and at other times will contradict himself in saying 'don't do this'.  The student or seeker gets confused and wonders what is the right thing to do.  The student then asks the Guru a question for clarification and the Guru tells him/her, " don't do either and just keep quiet".  That makes the student even more confused. Is this a ploy on part of the Guru to keep the student constantly confused and therefore be a disciple forever? Obviously, NOT! The true Guru has only the interest of the student in his mind. He wants the student to Understand what He is pointing to with the greatest of ease. Then why is it that there are so many contradictory messages coming from the same Guru?  The reason is simple enough.  Depending on the mental development of the questioner (the seeker), the Guru gives the appropriate answer which is tailored only to the needs of the questioner.  Just as there infinite expressions of the same Truth,  there are infinite number of pointers to the only Truth.

For one who has still got a strong belief in being an entity with a body and mind (which is true for all seekers), there will always be a question of what exactly must one do to attain Enlightenment or Self-Realization.  For such a seeker, despite all assurances by the Guru that one already is what one is seeking, there are still many questions and doubts persisting.  For such a seeker, it is essential to do some form of spiritual practice (sadhana) to get the mind to be able to focus one-pointedly at the core of the Teaching. The sadhana or practice can be in the form of japa (mental chanting of a mantra or the Lord's name), dhyana or meditation, bhajan (praise of the Lord in the form of a song), or pranayama (control of the breath) or study of the scriptures. This practice is essential for many a seeker to calm the mind down enough to be able to grasp the gist or essence of what is being pointed to.

When a seeker has reached the level of mental maturity or if he/she is initially so inclined even without any spiritual practice (sadhana), then the very essence of the Teaching from the Guru reaches its mark, like an arrow hits the bulls-eye.  Once the pointers from the Teacher are very clear to the seeker, the seeker then pursues an investigation (vichara) or more appropriately an investigation into the source of his own self (atma vichara).  By pursuing such a course of investigation, the seeker Realizes the Truth or the Self (the REAL SELF).  On Realizing the Self, the seeker disappears or merges into the Self. As the seeker disappears, who is there to ask any questions and who is there to have any doubts?  No seeker, no questions, no doubts, no answers needed. Just the Self, shining in its own Glory. 

If such a Person (one who has Realized the Self) is then asked by a seeker "what should I do to get to where you are?",  the Person will answer quite appropriately " there is nothing to be done by anyone for All is One and One is All. Who or what is there to do anything? Just Be as you ARE."

For one who is mentally prepared to receive the Final Answer to all questions and doubts, the message from the Guru will be the sword that will kill the questioner or the seeker itself.  But, as long as one holds on to the imaginary entity called "me" and cherishes the survival of this entity, the Final Answer will not be acceptable. He or she will play the game of Advaita entertainment- a game of asking a million questions- what if and why this or why not that- and in the end wonder what is the Truth.

Each one of you who is reading this message knows exactly where you stand in terms of your search for the Truth.  Based on your stand, you will get the answer to the question " Should I or should I not do spiritual practice (sadhana)?".

May God bless you.

No Questions About IT

"I clearly understand all that is taught in Advaita philosophy, but.....". This is perhaps the most common comment from a true seeker and most will admit that while this teaching in some way resonates with them, they still continue to have doubts and as a result continue to suffer.  Why is that? The reason is quite simple enough.  Almost all seekers look at this teaching as something to attain. They somehow have this notion that once they intellectually understand the teaching, then everything will automatically fall in place. The problem is that they have started out with the wrong belief of being an individual, an entity that has some substance and is independent of the world around them. They look at themselves as being separate.  To them, THAT is some 'thing' that can be attained and added to their list of achievements. To them, God is a separate entity, an entity that can be KNOWN. They fail to realize that anything that is known is an object.  And all objects can exist only if there is a SUBJECT that can know them.  They have failed to understand the very foundation of the entire teaching of Advaita or Non-Duality.  Instead of turning their ENTIRE ATTENTION TOWARDS THE SUBJECT i.e. "I", they look to the world of objects, reading material, talks, and sensual experiences for an answer.  As long as there is this feeling of being a separate entity, there is no way that one can REALIZE one's True Nature.  Give up this concept of being a conceptual entity. Enquire into the nature of this concept called 'me'.  Giving up all concepts, what and who are you?  Without a form or name or a label, can you please describe your self?  Any description has to be related to a concept.  Because you believe your True Self to be also a concept, you look for conceptual understanding.  You are not a concept. YOU ARE THAT!  How can THAT which is beyond all concepts be ever described or grasped?

So, what can one do to REALIZE?  One can only let this Knowledge sink in deep within, without trying to conceptualize. Thereafter, the intellect is given up in favor of intuition. Intuition comes from the Heart. Heart is what one has to rely on to Realize one's True Nature. Heart is where the Grace is.  When one gives up the intellectual battles and relaxes, leaving everything to Grace, then Grace takes over and Self-Realization is natural. In fact, you can never be apart from Grace. All struggle, including the struggle for Realization is by the ego. Giving up the struggle means giving up the ego.

One who has REALIZED will never say " I understand IT!".  He or she will just keep quiet. When there are no further doubts or questions, then one can be sure that there has been UNDERSTAND-ING.  The one who has questions dissolves as soon as Realization occurs.  Who is there to have any questions? There can be no questions about IT.

I Know Not Who I am

Bulla! I know not who I am
Bulla! I know not who I am

Nor am I the believer in the mosque
Nor am I in Idol worship
Nor am I in the pure or the impure

Nor am I in the Vedas
Nor am I in intoxicants
Nor am I the carefree deviant

Nor am I union nor grief
Nor am I in the pure or the impure
Nor am I of the water nor of the land

Nor am I fire nor air
Bulla! I know not who I am

Nor am I Arabic nor from Lahore (city in Punjab)
Nor am I the Indian city of Nagpur
Nor a Hindu nor a Peshawari Turk

Nor did I create the difference of faith
Nor did I create Adam or Eve
Nor did I name myself

Beginning or end, I know just the self
Do not recognize "the other one"
There is none wiser than I

Who is this Bulla Shah?
Bulla! I know not who I am

Written by Bulla Shah, an 18th Century Sufi Saint

Love for the Divine

You may wonder where this particular essay is heading to. Is this really Advaita when we talk about love for the Divine? The fact of the matter is that you long for union with the Universal Consciousness.  It is the common goal of every individual. Only, one does not know that this is what they want. This union, if it can be so called, is what results in the feeling of unexplainable peace or joy. In this state of union, there is no sense of a "me" and there is no description of the state that can be put into words. This state of union with the Divine is ineffable. This union, this discovery of God or the Divine, is the simplest and most natural of things, if only one could grasp what is being pointed to. This union can be achieved not through any intellectual exercise (including just reading this or other Advaitic literature) or through ceremonial and ritual activities, but only through sheer and sincere devotion and love for the Divine. The Divine is closer to you than you are. The Divine or God, is the source of you and thereby everything else. The goal can be literally reached without crossing the road. The Divine may be best found in the here and now. It is just a matter of letting go of the external distractions and influences and surrendering to the Divine. As the saying goes you must believe in what you don't know so that you can come to know what you believe in. There is no point in looking for the Divine elsewhere when HE is right here and now. Just return home to the place you never left.

Faith-the Link Between Man and God

 This is a story that this author recently came across and wanted to share with you all.  It goes as follows:

An atheist Professor of Philosophy speaks to his class on the problem science has with God, The Almighty.

He asks one of his new students to stand and.....

Prof: So you believe in God?

Student: Absolutely, sir.

Prof: Is God good?

Student: Sure.

Prof: Is God all-powerful?

Studen: Yes.

Prof: My brother died of cancer even though he prayed to God to heal him. Most of us would attempt to help others who are ill. But God didn't. How is this God good then? Hmm?

(Student is silent.)

Prof :You can't answer, can you? Let's start again, young fella. Is God good?

Student:Yes.

Prof: Is Satan good?

Student: No.

Prof: Where does Satan come from?

Student: From...God.. .

Prof: That's right. Tell me son, is there evil in this world?

Student:Yes.

Prof: Evil is everywhere, isn't it? And God did make everything. Correct?

Student: Yes.

Prof: So who created evil?

(Student does not answer.)

Prof: Is there sickness? Immorality? Hatred? Ugliness? All these terrible things exist in the world, don't they?

Student: Yes, sir.

Prof: So, who created them?

(Student has no answer.)

Prof: Science says you have 5 senses you use to identify and observe the world around you. Tell me, son...Have you ever seen God?

Student: No, sir.

Prof: Tell us if you have ever heard your God?

Student: No, sir.

Prof: Have you ever felt your God, tasted your God, smelt your God? Have you ever had any sensory perception of God for that matter?

Student: No, sir. I'm afraid I haven't.

Prof:  Yet you still believe in Him?

Student:Yes.

Prof: According to empirical, testable, demonstrable protocol, science says your GOD doesn't exist. What do you say to that, son?

Student: Nothing. I only have my faith.

Prof: Yes. Faith. And that is the problem science has.

Student: Professor, is there such a thing as heat?

Prof: Yes.

Student: And is there such a thing as cold?

Prof: Yes.

Student: No sir. There isn't.

(The lecture theatre becomes very quiet with this turn of events.)

Student: Sir, you can have lots of heat, even more heat, superheat, mega heat, white heat, a little heat or no heat. But we don't have anything called cold. We can hit 458 degrees below zero which is no heat, but we can't go any further after that. There is no such thing as cold . Cold is only a word we use to describe the absence of heat. We cannot measure cold. Heat is energy. Cold is not the opposite of heat, sir, just the absence of it.

(There is pin-drop silence in the lecture theatre.)

Student: What about darkness, Professor? Is there such a thing as darkness?

Prof: Yes. What is night if there isn't darkness?

Student :You're wrong again, sir. Darkness is the absence of something. You can have low light, normal light, bright light, flashing light....But if you have no light constantly, you have nothing and it's called darkness, isn't it? In reality, darkness isn't. If it were you would be able to make darkness darker, wouldn't you?

Prof: So what is the point you are making, young man?

Student: Sir, my point is that your philosophical premise is flawed.

Prof: Flawed? Can you explain how?

Student: Sir, you are working on the premise of duality. You argue there is life and then there is death, a good God and a bad God. You are viewing the concept of God as something finite, something we can measure. Sir, science can't even explain a thought. It uses electricity and magnetism, but has never seen, much less fully understood either one. To view death as the opposite of life is to be ignorant
of the fact that death cannot exist as a substantive thing. Death is not the opposite of life: just the absence of it. Now tell me, Professor. Do you teach your students that they evolved from a
monkey?

Prof: If you are referring to the natural evolutionary process, yes, of course, I do.

Student: Have you ever observed evolution with your own eyes, sir?

(The Professor shakes his head with a smile, beginning to realize where the
argument is going.)

Student: Since no one has ever observed the process of evolution at work and cannot even prove that this process is an on-going endeavor, are you not teaching your opinion, sir? Are you not a scientist but a preacher?

(The class is in an uproar by now.)

Student: Is there anyone in the class who has ever seen the Professor's brain?

(The class breaks out into laughter.)

Student: Is there anyone here who has ever heard the Professor's brain, felt it, touched or smelt it? No one appears to have done so. So, according to the established rules of empirical, stable, demonstrable protocol, science says that you have no brain, sir.  With all due respect, sir, how do we then trust your lectures, sir?

(The room is silent.. The professor stares at the student, his face
unfathomable. )

Prof: I guess you'll have to take them on faith, son.

Student: That is it, sir... The link between man and God is FAITH.  That is all that keeps things moving & alive.

This is a true story, and the student was none other than.........Swami Vivekananda.