Inspiration

[Guest guest]

Inspiration I think is pretty important in this spiritual life equated

with the Razor's edge by the KathA Upanishad. I've often felt my

inspiration and interest wane when reading scholastic and critical works

on philosophy. Spiritual effort is not just a mere game of logic, but

should be complemented by an earnest emotional temperament. For it

answers the religious needs of man which is more heart than the mind. In

the final analysis I've no interest in learning anything which will not

contribute to my happiness.

 

I remember reading S Radhakrishnan's translation of the Dhammapada and

being greatly inspired by his introduction on the Buddha - his life and

teaching. The idea of a man who renounced the world to search for the

truth caught my imagination and I also felt greatly to follow in his

path! Such was the inspiration to be derived from accounts on the life

of the greats.

 

I'd found similar inspiration in reading the works of ShankarAchArya. On

reading it for a few weeks atleast, the desire to strive for ethical

perfection is high.

 

Maybe the above two may not appeal to all people, since we often hear

the complaint that the teachings are "antiquated" or that one is unable

to relate to these people who lived in different times during different

conditions. Whatever may be the truth about these claims, there's a

third alternative which I think will appeal to anybody.

 

The third book I've derived similar inspiration from is "Talks with

Ramana Maharishi". This is one book which I feel anybody who's into

Advaitam or spirituality should read. Ramana in his unique style

expounds the principles of Non-Dualism in a clear and precise way.

Though he adheres by the ancient rules, he pointedly tries to lift the

devotee to the higher plane of practical philosophy. He does engage in

metaphysics, but highlightens the importance of psychology, without

which the former is not truly intelligible. For Ramana, "Who am I?" or

Self Inquiry is the most important question and is the duty of every man

to find out. He takes pains to instruct the aspirant as to how to

proceed on the path.

 

The chapters are indexed based on actual dates when the conversations

took place, which gives the reader a sense of reality, as if one's in

the presence of the master himself. Devotees pose various questions,

ranging from the simple innocent ones to the highly complex ones in

psychology and metaphysics. Ramana in his incisive clear way answers

with great authority. He quotes various ancient texts in support of his

doctrines displaying his knowledge in traditional Indian philosophies

too. But above all he's practical - well, as practical as a paramartha

can be.