Guest guest Posted April 24, 2002 Report Share Posted April 24, 2002 Dear Raghu: You wrote: "am I losing my sensitivity?) Otherwise, my mind has always been a cauldron of thoughts on everything in manifest creation. YOU ARE GAINING SESITIVITY TO YOUR "SELF" BY BEING IN THIS SATSANG. I TOO HAVE BEEN IN THE "CAULDRON OF THOUGHTS" SINCE CHILDHOOD. WHAT BOTHERED ME NO END, NOW ARE JUST BUBBLES THAT BURST WHEN SEEN AS UNREAL. There's a Sansrit saying which goes like this -- "in an assemblage of swans, it is best if the crane keeps its mouth shut" -- exactly my case! THERE ARE NO DISTINCTIONS WITH "SELF" LOVE. THANKS FOR THE DIALOGUE. Aloha, Alton RamanaMaharshi, "richard_clarke95125" <r_clarke@i...> wrote: > Dear Raghu, > > Asking questions seems pretty fundamental to Self-inquiry. > > May I suggest two things: > > First get a copy of Ramana Maharshi's "Who Am I?" and read it. > When you read it, you want to go slow, perhaps even reading it aloud. > > As you read, read with the ancient sspiritual process of "Listen (or > read), reflect, and meditate. The meditation is intended to make > your knwoledge experiential, more than just a conceptual thought. No > hurry. You will want to read this many times during the time of your > practice. > > And find a way to start your own Self-inquiry. Sit in a comfortable > position with your eyes closed and ask yourself, "Who am I?" As > thoughts or sensations arise, ask "For whom is this?" It will be > obvious that it is for you. Then ask again, "Who am I?" I have > found that before I inquire, I let myself notice that I do exist. > (What is this existance? Where does the sense of reality come from?) > > You are that which you seek. It is the "I" that lights up your ego- > I. Of this there is no doubt. > > Start your own daily practice. As you have questions, please ask. > My sense is that this spritual journey we are taking is for all of > us. Your questions are for all of us. > > We are Not two, > Richard > > RamanaMaharshi, Raghu Sankaran <raghunathans> wrote: > > Dear Alton/Viorica/Richard and all other active > > members, I do not know if I am speaking for myself or > > if this is true with others too -- the most important > > reason I do not contribute (except to read) is this: > > the stage that you all have already reached makes me > > feel so small and such a non-entity. Even to come up > > with questions, one needs to be on the way. I read > > your questions with envy, Richard's answers with awe > > and Viorica's mails with a feeling that I am not even > > fit to call myself a beginner -- all that I can say is > > the thirst is there. That's all. The exchanges here > > are of immense use to me. My sincerest thanks to all > > of you. > > > > While at work, I read a few mails from this group, and > > try to look inside for a few minutes -- no doubt, it's > > such a constant struggle -- few seconds, and then I > > find deluged by thoughts. The one change in me over > > the past few months has been that I am slowly > > realizing how meaningless it is to keep questioning > > everything that is happening around me. And I credit > > this to this group (sometimes, though, there are > > disturbing thoughts -- am I losing my sensitivity?) > > Otherwise, my mind has always been a cauldron of > > thoughts on everything in manifest creation. > > > > There's a Sansrit saying which goes like this -- "in > > an assemblage of swans, it is best if the crane keeps > > its mouth shut" -- exactly my case! > > > > With love, > > Raghu Sankaran > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 25, 2002 Report Share Posted April 25, 2002 Dear friends, The last few weeks, I have been trying to ask myself "Who am I?" and trying to observe my body, my thoughts (not with much success, of course). The one difference I am seeing with myself is that I am suddenly more restless, getting irritated and annoyed with things quicker than before. Is something wrong here? This change is so unsettling. Sincere thanks for reading this. Raghu --- lostnfoundation <leenalton wrote: > Dear Raghu: > You wrote: > "am I losing my sensitivity?) > Otherwise, my mind has always been a cauldron of > thoughts on everything in manifest creation. > > YOU ARE GAINING SESITIVITY TO YOUR "SELF" BY BEING > IN THIS SATSANG. > I TOO HAVE BEEN IN THE "CAULDRON OF THOUGHTS" SINCE > CHILDHOOD. WHAT > BOTHERED ME NO END, NOW ARE JUST BUBBLES THAT BURST > WHEN SEEN AS > UNREAL. > > > There's a Sansrit saying which goes like this -- "in > an assemblage of swans, it is best if the crane > keeps > its mouth shut" -- exactly my case! > > THERE ARE NO DISTINCTIONS WITH "SELF" LOVE. > THANKS FOR THE DIALOGUE. > > Aloha, > Alton > > > > > RamanaMaharshi, "richard_clarke95125" > <r_clarke@i...> > wrote: > > Dear Raghu, > > > > Asking questions seems pretty fundamental to > Self-inquiry. > > > > May I suggest two things: > > > > First get a copy of Ramana Maharshi's "Who Am I?" > and read it. > > When you read it, you want to go slow, perhaps > even reading it > aloud. > > > > As you read, read with the ancient sspiritual > process of "Listen > (or > > read), reflect, and meditate. The meditation is > intended to make > > your knwoledge experiential, more than just a > conceptual thought. > No > > hurry. You will want to read this many times > during the time of > your > > practice. > > > > And find a way to start your own Self-inquiry. > Sit in a > comfortable > > position with your eyes closed and ask yourself, > "Who am I?" As > > thoughts or sensations arise, ask "For whom is > this?" It will be > > obvious that it is for you. Then ask again, "Who > am I?" I have > > found that before I inquire, I let myself notice > that I do exist. > > (What is this existance? Where does the sense of > reality come > from?) > > > > You are that which you seek. It is the "I" that > lights up your ego- > > I. Of this there is no doubt. > > > > Start your own daily practice. As you have > questions, please ask. > > My sense is that this spritual journey we are > taking is for all of > > us. Your questions are for all of us. > > > > We are Not two, > > Richard > > > > RamanaMaharshi, Raghu Sankaran > <raghunathans> > wrote: > > > Dear Alton/Viorica/Richard and all other active > > > members, I do not know if I am speaking for > myself or > > > if this is true with others too -- the most > important > > > reason I do not contribute (except to read) is > this: > > > the stage that you all have already reached > makes me > > > feel so small and such a non-entity. Even to > come up > > > with questions, one needs to be on the way. I > read > > > your questions with envy, Richard's answers with > awe > > > and Viorica's mails with a feeling that I am not > even > > > fit to call myself a beginner -- all that I can > say is > > > the thirst is there. That's all. The exchanges > here > > > are of immense use to me. My sincerest thanks to > all > > > of you. > > > > > > While at work, I read a few mails from this > group, and > > > try to look inside for a few minutes -- no > doubt, it's > > > such a constant struggle -- few seconds, and > then I > > > find deluged by thoughts. The one change in me > over > > > the past few months has been that I am slowly > > > realizing how meaningless it is to keep > questioning > > > everything that is happening around me. And I > credit > > > this to this group (sometimes, though, there are > > > disturbing thoughts -- am I losing my > sensitivity?) > > > Otherwise, my mind has always been a cauldron of > > > thoughts on everything in manifest creation. > > > > > > There's a Sansrit saying which goes like this -- > "in > > > an assemblage of swans, it is best if the crane > keeps > > > its mouth shut" -- exactly my case! > > > > > > With love, > > > Raghu Sankaran > > > > > ===== Raghu Sankaran (718)-460-5666 Flushing, Queens New York NY 11355 Games - play chess, backgammon, pool and more http://games./ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 25, 2002 Report Share Posted April 25, 2002 Dear Raghu: You are doing fine. Dont we all go through what you are experiencing? The same process works no matter what comes up. Always ask "to whom is this occurring". The pots gets sturred when we do the practice, but it wont last, it will surely pass. Just stay with it and you will be rewarded. You already know that you are not your thoughts, feelings and reactions. What ever you are going through I have too, in the order of magnitude. This path works. I am more and more joyful each day no matter what events occur. It's like when someone changes to a more healthy diet, there is a discharge period, that is sometimes painful. Go through it with dedication and courage and come out your SELF. Love, Alton RamanaMaharshi, Raghu Sankaran <raghunathans> wrote: > Dear friends, > > The last few weeks, I have been trying to ask myself > "Who am I?" and trying to observe my body, my thoughts > (not with much success, of course). The one difference > I am seeing with myself is that I am suddenly more > restless, getting irritated and annoyed with things > quicker than before. Is something wrong here? This > change is so unsettling. > > Sincere thanks for reading this. > > Raghu > > > --- lostnfoundation <leenalton@h...> wrote: > > Dear Raghu: > > You wrote: > > "am I losing my sensitivity?) > > Otherwise, my mind has always been a cauldron of > > thoughts on everything in manifest creation. > > > > YOU ARE GAINING SESITIVITY TO YOUR "SELF" BY BEING > > IN THIS SATSANG. > > I TOO HAVE BEEN IN THE "CAULDRON OF THOUGHTS" SINCE > > CHILDHOOD. WHAT > > BOTHERED ME NO END, NOW ARE JUST BUBBLES THAT BURST > > WHEN SEEN AS > > UNREAL. > > > > > > There's a Sansrit saying which goes like this -- "in > > an assemblage of swans, it is best if the crane > > keeps > > its mouth shut" -- exactly my case! > > > > THERE ARE NO DISTINCTIONS WITH "SELF" LOVE. > > THANKS FOR THE DIALOGUE. > > > > Aloha, > > Alton > > > > > > > > > > RamanaMaharshi, "richard_clarke95125" > > <r_clarke@i...> > > wrote: > > > Dear Raghu, > > > > > > Asking questions seems pretty fundamental to > > Self-inquiry. > > > > > > May I suggest two things: > > > > > > First get a copy of Ramana Maharshi's "Who Am I?" > > and read it. > > > When you read it, you want to go slow, perhaps > > even reading it > > aloud. > > > > > > As you read, read with the ancient sspiritual > > process of "Listen > > (or > > > read), reflect, and meditate. The meditation is > > intended to make > > > your knwoledge experiential, more than just a > > conceptual thought. > > No > > > hurry. You will want to read this many times > > during the time of > > your > > > practice. > > > > > > And find a way to start your own Self-inquiry. > > Sit in a > > comfortable > > > position with your eyes closed and ask yourself, > > "Who am I?" As > > > thoughts or sensations arise, ask "For whom is > > this?" It will be > > > obvious that it is for you. Then ask again, "Who > > am I?" I have > > > found that before I inquire, I let myself notice > > that I do exist. > > > (What is this existance? Where does the sense of > > reality come > > from?) > > > > > > You are that which you seek. It is the "I" that > > lights up your ego- > > > I. Of this there is no doubt. > > > > > > Start your own daily practice. As you have > > questions, please ask. > > > My sense is that this spritual journey we are > > taking is for all of > > > us. Your questions are for all of us. > > > > > > We are Not two, > > > Richard > > > > > > RamanaMaharshi, Raghu Sankaran > > <raghunathans> > > wrote: > > > > Dear Alton/Viorica/Richard and all other active > > > > members, I do not know if I am speaking for > > myself or > > > > if this is true with others too -- the most > > important > > > > reason I do not contribute (except to read) is > > this: > > > > the stage that you all have already reached > > makes me > > > > feel so small and such a non-entity. Even to > > come up > > > > with questions, one needs to be on the way. I > > read > > > > your questions with envy, Richard's answers with > > awe > > > > and Viorica's mails with a feeling that I am not > > even > > > > fit to call myself a beginner -- all that I can > > say is > > > > the thirst is there. That's all. The exchanges > > here > > > > are of immense use to me. My sincerest thanks to > > all > > > > of you. > > > > > > > > While at work, I read a few mails from this > > group, and > > > > try to look inside for a few minutes -- no > > doubt, it's > > > > such a constant struggle -- few seconds, and > > then I > > > > find deluged by thoughts. The one change in me > > over > > > > the past few months has been that I am slowly > > > > realizing how meaningless it is to keep > > questioning > > > > everything that is happening around me. And I > > credit > > > > this to this group (sometimes, though, there are > > > > disturbing thoughts -- am I losing my > > sensitivity?) > > > > Otherwise, my mind has always been a cauldron of > > > > thoughts on everything in manifest creation. > > > > > > > > There's a Sansrit saying which goes like this -- > > "in > > > > an assemblage of swans, it is best if the crane > > keeps > > > > its mouth shut" -- exactly my case! > > > > > > > > With love, > > > > Raghu Sankaran > > > > > > > > > > > ===== > Raghu Sankaran > (718)-460-5666 > Flushing, Queens > New York NY 11355 > > > > Games - play chess, backgammon, pool and more > http://games./ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 25, 2002 Report Share Posted April 25, 2002 Dear Raghu, A couple of things. Firstm Sages teach that liberation comes not from acquiring anything. LIberation is Who You Are. So liberation is a matter of see who you are NOT. So as you are observing your thoughts or your body, it is OK to take you time, and to look at the thought or body sensation and to ask yourself, "Is this who I am?" As you look in this way, you will start to notice that the body sensation or the throught or the flow of breath is something objective. It is somehting that is known. When you see this, you can start to ask yourself, "Who knows this?" Does the thought know itself? Does the body know itself? AS you do this, you may feel your inquiry getting deeper. One other thing: DO NOT LOOK FOR THE ANSWER TO THE INQUIRY IN ANY OBJECTIVE EXPERIENCE. This makes it hard for the mind, since that is what the mind "does." What happens over time is this: You know you exist. This is beyond question and beyond any conceptual knowledge. In time, you will know Who You Are at that same deep level. This is called Self-knowledge. Over time, your discrimination and your concentration will improve, and the inquiry deepens. When I was first getting started, my mind was not very calm when I started the inquiry. For a while, I would start with a few minutes of breath-watching. This helped calm my mind, and helped improve my concentration. Again, one thing that I recommend is to start each meditation with noticing that you exist. Once done, if you delve deeply into either the "You" or the "Existance" you will find what you seek. We are Not two, Richard RamanaMaharshi, Raghu Sankaran <raghunathans> wrote: > Dear friends, > > The last few weeks, I have been trying to ask myself > "Who am I?" and trying to observe my body, my thoughts > (not with much success, of course). The one difference > I am seeing with myself is that I am suddenly more > restless, getting irritated and annoyed with things > quicker than before. Is something wrong here? This > change is so unsettling. > > Sincere thanks for reading this. > > Raghu Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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