Advaita-Vedanta & non-dualistic Tantra

[Guest guest]

Namaste!

 

The list-owner seems to encourage new members to introduce themselves so I

will briefly do this and pose several topics for discussion if that is

all-right.

 

My name is Ralph Nataraj born in a noble family in the Netherlands where

everybody was and still is involved in the study of Vedanta-philosophy.

Already at the age of nine I commenced in scriptural vedantic study and

severe meditation-practise. I learned advanced techniques during intensive

retreats and had several outstanding and high calibre masters/teachers in

Advaita and alchemy. I had the strongest recognition(s) and revelations in

and through non-dualistic Kashmir Saivism also known as

Pratyabhijna-Darsana. I have an egroup called Advaita-Tantra (the Path of

Yoga, Beauty & Delight) and students whom I guide through the dense forest

of ignorance (always hate to use the word Œi¹ so much in a introduction for

which i sincerely apologise).

 

I would be interested to discuss with other people on the list the

differences in Advaita-Vedanta and non-dual Kashmir Saivism.

 

Another topic that interests me is to know more about the life of the great

Adi Shankar as the unsurpassable Advaita-philosopher and at the same time

being a tantric. The authorship of the Saundaryalahari is often contributed

to him and this is a tantric text of great depth.

 

Also I wonder what scholars on this list think of the many Advaita-teachers

who declare that no sadhana or practise is necessary while it is known that

Adi Shankar lived in a tremenous bhakti, engaged in profound study and

difficult sadhana living as a strict and celibate monk.

 

Many of these modern and western teachers give satsangs with a photo of

Ramana Maharishi whom they never met. It is known that Ramana received his

name (Ramana Maharishi) from his foremost disciple Ganapati Muni who was

indisputably a great tantric possessing e.g. all the knowledge (and boons)

of the Mahavidya¹s.

 

In addition I would be interested to hear from the esteemed members about

the practise of worshipping the divine Mother at the different seats in

India of the Shankaracharya¹s, of whom I visited two. Where does this fit in

to what became known as Advaita-philosophy in the West?

 

Another question that I have is whether you conceive or experience mysticism

to be part of Advaita-Vedanta and the guru-sisya parampara. It is estimated

that Adi Shankar authored the Vivekacudamani at the age of nine or eleven.

That is from a human standpoint almost impossible and it looks to me (e.g. I

sense) that the guru speaks through the disciple in which case it can also

be considered to be a revelation of Lord Shiva. What are the official

viewpoints from Advaita scholars and experts on this matter if I may ask?

 

Something else that I am curious about is whether everything that has to do

with kundalini (including the science of chakras) is rejected by serious

Advaitins or is it Œincluded¹ and embraced / expounded upon?

 

It is always difficult to find the most appropriate words to express a

sincere question and english is my second language. I look forward to hear

from some of you.

 

AUM NAMAH SHIVAYA

 

Ralph Nataraj

 

Note from the List Moderators:

We wholeheartedly welcome Sri Nataraj to the list. Sri Nataraj has raised

several insightful questions and they will be certainly included to the list of

future topics for discussions. Sri Nataraj is more than welcome to initiate the

discussion by addressing these questions one by one.