"Removal of the non-Self" - a trivial analogy

[Guest guest]

Namaste

 

 

 

A few hours ago I pointed out (in Message #19058) to Ranjeet Shankar that his

own quotes from Shankara Bhashya showed only that ‘no effort is needed to know

the Self; the effort is needed only to remove the non-self’. After posting that,

I went to the kitchen to make a cup of coffee for myself (from scratch) and in

doing so I ‘discovered’ an analogy for ‘the removal of the non-self to be the

only thing attempted’. I am presenting this analogy below, not because it is a

wonderful analogy, but because it made sense to me at the time when it struck me

like a flash. So here is my two cents worth.

 

 

 

My methods of making coffee. I pour boiling water over the coffee powder in the

coffee cone (# 1). The filtered coffee drips down into the coffee jug (# 2)

below. But I usually want a second filtration. So what do I do? After all the

water has filtered through the powder into #2 as coffee, I pour the contents of

#2 back into the cone (#1). But when I take #2 out from under the cone there has

to be something at the bottom to receive any residual drip from #1. So I put #1

over a temporary cup (#3) and pour the contents of #2 back into the cone. But my

final coffee has to be in #2, the coffee jug. So I have now to take #1 away

from its position over #3 and put it back over #2. But in doing so I cannot

allow any dripping of coffee (now #1 is full and dripping) on the counter top.

So this process has to be done in an artistic way which is nothing but obvious.

 

I keep the cone (#1) in my right hand, the temporary cup #3 below it in my left

hand, keeping them in the same position of their vertical order, lift both

hands, bring them vertically above #2 (final destination of the coffee) and when

all the #s 1, 2 and 3 are in the same vertical line, SIMPLY REMOVE #2.

 

So this is the removal of the non-Self to see the Self. The Self is already

there, namely #2. I only remove the non-Self!.

 

 

 

praNAms to all advaitins

 

profvk

 

 

 

Prof. V. Krishnamurthy

My website on Science and Spirituality is http://www.geocities.com/profvk/

You can access my book on Gems from the Ocean of Hindu Thought Vision and

Practice, and my father R. Visvanatha Sastri's manuscripts from the site.

 

 

[Guest guest]

Namaste Profvk:

 

I enjoy reading mathematical method of making coffee precisely! The

French had revolutionized coffee making with their own French-press!

Coffee making using the french press is simpler - first put the

coffee powder at the bottom and poar the hot water over the coffee

powder. Now insert the filter with the handle (circular filter fits

tightly inside the jar) and keep the filter just above the water

level. Exactly after 3 minutes, press the filter down and the filted

coffee comes over the top of the filter. Those who want stronger

coffee like you can pull and push the filter as many times as needed.

The advantage of this method from the advaitic point of view is that,

we don't need to introduce 'non-Self' and with great difficulty

remove it to see the SELF!

 

I guarantee there will no more spilling on the counter if you use the

French press. French press is available in many departmental stores

and price ranges between 10 to 20 dollars.

 

Warmest regards,

 

Ram Chandran

 

Note: in the paragraph below there is a typo - in the last sentence,

it should have been "Simply Remove #3" instead of "Simply Remove #2"

 

 

advaitin, "V. Krishnamurthy" <profvk>

wrote:

> I keep the cone (#1) in my right hand, the temporary cup #3 below

it in my left hand, keeping them in the same position of their

vertical order, lift both hands, bring them vertically above #2

(final destination of the coffee) and when all the #s 1, 2 and 3 are

in the same vertical line, SIMPLY REMOVE #2.

>

> So this is the removal of the non-Self to see the Self. The Self is

already there, namely #2. I only remove the non-Self!.

[Guest guest]

Namaste Ramji,

 

We have to introduce the non-self. There is no other way. We have to reflect

upon everything we perceive. We have to carefully analyze and discard them if

they are not found to be 'non-self'.

 

If we start with "All is Brahman" , we will remain just an Idealist, not a

advaitin. :-)

 

Hair Om

 

-

Ram Chandran

 

The advantage of this method from the advaitic point of view is that,

we don't need to introduce 'non-Self' and with great difficulty

remove it to see the SELF!

 

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

Namaste Sri Ranjit:

 

Your point is well taken. My reference was quite specific with

respect to the anology with respect to coffee making. The coffee

residue (non-Self) at the bottom of the french-press and the essencce

of coffee (SELF) was indeed separated during coffee making. We do

remove the residue before enjoying the coffee!

 

Warmest regards,

 

Ram Chandran

 

Note: Both Profvk and myself come from the southern part of India and

we demonstrated our coffee addiction!

 

advaitin, "Ranjeet Sankar"

<thefinalsearch> wrote:

> Namaste Ramji,

>

> We have to introduce the non-self. There is no other way. We have

to reflect upon everything we perceive. We have to carefully analyze

and discard them if they are not found to be 'non-self'.

[Guest guest]

Namaste Ramji,

 

It is because of that very same reason that I couldn't resist responding to that

mail !

 

Hari Om

 

-

Ram Chandran

 

Note: Both Profvk and myself come from the southern part of India and

we demonstrated our coffee addiction!