File - The Direct vs. Gradual Approach

[Guest guest]

The dichotomy suggesting that there are two approaches to the Truth (gradual

versus direct)is illusionary.

 

Vedas declare with authority, "I Am That." Sri Ramana has said that the Truth of

the Self Is Simple and is within everyone's grasp. However, the spiritual effort

needed in terms of meditation and inquiry to make the mind subtle and to refine

the intellect cannot be dismissed as trivial. If some people feel that they do

not need such efforts and can grasp the Truth immediately by hearing someone

restate or paraphrase what the ancient sages have said, that is wonderful

indeed.

 

The state of the Self is natural. Sages called it the Sahaj state. It means easy

and natural. So, you have to see what is easy and natural for you and what comes

natural to you. What practice and path are natural differ according to the needs

of people. You need not seek or follow some "advaita expert or master" as such a

person may simply be a novice. It is not difficult to sound like an advaita

master. So do not focus on whether a path is direct or gradual and be in a rush

towards enlightenment. It is all silly talk.

 

Wedded to either the "direct" approach or the "gradual" approach, one misses the

obvious. Both the "direct" and "gradual" depend on each other for meaning and

have no basis in the Reality of the Self. The Self Always Is. It is not seen by

"another" Directly. Neither is it approached by "another" gradually. Self

Reveals It Self Alone to It Self.

 

You Are the Self.

 

Love to all

Harsha