I Am That by Nisargadatta Maharaj

January 2, 2008

Dear Jagbir and all,

Your initiative in registering silenceonself.org and silenceonself.com as a means to establishing the vedantic That-Thou-Art truth in a non-religious and non-sectarian manner is indeed very timely and laudable.

In connection with this topic I would like to introduce you to a very momentous book entitled " I Am That " by Shri Nisargadatta Maharaj. This book, available online, contains the wisdom of a person who is undoubtedly a gnani, a man of the ultimate achievement in advaitic knowledge; a stunning read indeed if ever there was one.

Shri Nisargadatta Maharaj came from a line of gurus called the Navnath Sampradaya which was said to have been started by the Rishi Dattatreya, the primordial guru. And this line of gurus have included luminaries like Machindranath and Gorakhnath. Shri Nisargadatta Maharaj died in early September 1981.

Incidentally, in late September 1981, a baby boy was born to a well-known Sahaja Yogi couple and by a coincidence (or perhaps not) Shri Mataji gave the new-born baby the name " Machindranath. " This child was one of a new generation of " born realized " babies of the early days of Sahaja Yoga in the West who were supposedly the vanguard of the new wave that would take Sahaja Yoga to a new level, if not to new glory. Shri Mataji used to say, " Wait till they grow up. " We are still waiting with bated breath.

Chandra

PS: Violet in post 8877 presented a very interesting account of Swami Rama Tirtha's meeting with the Muslims. He died in 1907. In 1910 his nephew was born who later became famous as Shri Poonjaji (also known as Papaji to his disciples) and he was one of the foremost disciples of Shri Ramana Maharshi. It was widely believed that Shri Poonjaji was the incarnation of his uncle Swami Rama Tirtha. Shri Ramana Maharshi, Shri Nisargadatta Maharaj and Shri Poonjaji are arguably the three foremost masters of Advaita Vedanta in the 20th century.

January 3, 2008

, " my2 pai " <my2pai

wrote:

>

> Dear Jagbir and all,

>

> Your initiative in registering silenceonself.org and

> silenceonself.com as a means to establishing the vedantic That-Thou-

> Art truth in a non-religious and non-sectarian manner is indeed

> very timely and laudable.

>

> In connection with this topic I would like to introduce you to a

> very momentous book entitled " I Am That " by Shri Nisargadatta

> Maharaj. This book, available online, contains the wisdom of a

> person who is undoubtedly a *gnani*, a man of the ultimate

> achievement in advaitic knowledge; a stunning read indeed if ever

> there was one.

>

> Shri Nisargadatta Maharaj came from a line of gurus called the

> Navnath Sampradaya which was said to have been started by the Rishi

> Dattatreya, the primordial guru. And this line of gurus have

> included luminaries like Machindranath and Gorakhnath. Shri

> Nisargadatta Maharaj died in early> September 1981.

>

> Incidentally, in late September 1981, a baby boy was born to a well-

> known Sahaja Yogi couple and by a coincidence (or perhaps not) Shri

> Mataji gave the new-born baby the name " Machindranath. " This child

> was one of a new generation of " born realized " babies of the early

> days of Sahaja Yoga in the West who were supposedly the vanguard of

> the new wave that would take Sahaja Yoga to a new level, if not to

> new glory. Shri Mataji used to say, " Wait till they grow up. " We

> are still waiting with bated breath.

>

> Chandra

>

> PS: Violet in post 8877 presented a very interesting account of

> Swami Rama Tirtha's meeting with the Muslims. He died in 1907. In

> 1910 his nephew was born who later became famous as Shri Poonjaji

> (also known as Papaji to his disciples) and he was one of the

> foremost disciples of Shri Ramana Maharshi. It was widely believed

> that Shri Poonjaji was the incarnation of his uncle Swami Rama

> Tirtha. Shri Ramana Maharshi, Shri Nisargadatta Maharaj and Shri

> Poonjaji are arguably the three foremost masters of Advaita Vedanta

> in the 20th century.

>

Dear Chandra,

After reading the reviews i immediately ordered the book. Thank you for this gem

which i know will prove invaluable when silenceonself.org

is launched. It will be a site devoted completely and purely to the

Self, and nothing else. Even SYs will be compelled to bow their heads

in silence, and look back at their past with the shame of ignorance.

Yes, it is a very timely and laudable effort.

Chandra, please collectively follow and help along during this

wonderful, and final, journey on Earth. i will be honored if you did.

regards,

jagbir

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Item Details:

Author: Editor: Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj

Title: I Am That: Talks with Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj

Quantity: 1

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Editorial Reviews

Book Description

This collection of the timeless teachings of one of the greatest sages of India,

Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj, regarded by many as a " modern spiritual classic " is a

testament to the uniqueness of the seer's life and work

" I Am That " preserves Maharaj's dialogues with the followers who came from

around the world seeking his guidance in destroying false identities. The sage's

sole concern was with human suffering and the ending of suffering. It was his

mission to guide the individual to an understanding of his true nature and the

timelessness of being. He taught that mind must recognize and penetrate its own

state of being, " being this or that, here or that, then or now, " but just

timeless being.

About the Author

A simple man, Nisargadatta Maharaj, was a householder and petty shopkeeper in

Bombay where he lived, and died in 1981 at the age of 84. He had not been

educated formally, but came to be respected and loved for his insights into the

crux of human pain and the extraordinary usidity of his direct discourse.

Hundreds of diverse seekers traveled the globe and sought him out in his

unpretentious home to hear him. To all of them he gave hope that " beyond the

real experience is not the mind, but the self, the light in which everything

appears...the awareness in which everything happens. "

Customer Reviews

I Am That: Talks with Sri Nisargadatta

104 Reviews

5 star: (95)

4 star: (4)

3 star: (3)

2 star: (2)

1 star: (0)

Average Customer Review (104 customer reviews)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

274 of 283 people found the following review helpful:

The Final Spiritual Teaching- Nisargadatta's " I AM THAT " , October 22, 2001

By Stephen Wingate (Boston, MA USA) - See all my reviews

Nisargadatta Maharaj's " I AM THAT " is the last spiritual book you'll ever need

to read. Congratulations, you've reached the end of your search! Nisargadatta's

words are alive and will cut like a razor to the core of your being. Get this

book! Read it and be devoured by it. Here are a few quotes...

Nothing can trouble you but your own imagination. (I AM THAT p.113)

General knowledge develops the mind, no doubt. But if you are going to spend

your life in amassing knowledge, you build a wall round yourself. To go beyond

the mind, a well-furnished mind is not needed. (p50)

The window is the absence of the wall, and it gives air and light because it is

empty. Be empty of al mental content, of all imagination and effort, and the

very absence of obstacles will cause reality to rush in. (p260)

Leave it all behind you. Forget it. Go forth, unburdened with ideas and beliefs.

Abandon all verbal structures, all relative truth, all tangible objectives.

(p340)

All are mere words, of what use are they to you? You are entangled in the web of

verbal definitions and formulations. Go beyond your concepts and ideas; in the

silence of desire and thought the truth is found. (p295)

Too much analysis leads you nowhere. There is in you the core of being which is

beyond analysis, beyond the mind. You can know it in action only. The legitimate

function of the mind is to tell you what is not. But if you want possitive

knowledge, you must go beyond the mind. (p341)

Before you can know anything directly, non-verbally, you must know the knower.

So far, you took the mind for the knower, but it is not so. The mind clogs you

up with images and ideas, which leave scars in memory. You take remembering to

be knowledge. True knowledge is ever fresh, new, unexpected. It wells up from

within. When you know what you are, you also are what you know. Between knowing

and being there is no gap. (p520)

Consciousness, being a product of conditions and circumstances, depends on them

and changes along with them. What is independent, uncreated, timeless and

changeless and yet ever new and fresh is beyond the mind. When the mind thinks

of it, the mind dissolves and only happiness remains. (p488)

[With self-awareness] you grow more intelligent. In awareness you learn, in

self-awareness you learn about yourself. Of course, you can only learn what you

are not. To know what you are, you must go beyond the mind. Awareness is the

point at which the mind reaches out beyond itself into reality. In awareness you

seek not what pleases, but what is true. (p346)

Stop making use of your mind and see what happens. Do this one thing thoroughly.

That is all. (p197)

Stephen Wingate

livinginpeace-thenaturalstate.com

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200 of 211 people found the following review helpful:

Reading is not enough..., February 7, 2001

By T.G. (Newcastle, WA USA) - See all my reviews

I've had the book 'I Am That' for a long time, have read it many times (enough,

I don't read it anymore) and highly recommend it. But it should be recognized

that although reading may spur an intuition of 'that which is beyond words',

reading is not enough. I've seen too many reviews that seem to place emphasis on

the book itself, or on Maharaj (who ALWAYS placed the emphasis back on the Self

or Absolute, imploring the reader not to WORSHIP 'HIM'). One reader even stated

an addiction to the book ( " I've burned several copies " ).

Words are ultimately empty. If the recommendations in this book are put into

practice, a condition of ripeness may come about, the " I " or " me " (ego) may

drop. Nothing is guaranteed, but if an addiction to words exists, it can almost

be guaranteed that attachment to thought will continue. A brief respite is not

enough. Read with courage (once or twice), then put the book down and follow the

recommendations -- or let some self-inquiry happen naturally. Depend on nobody

and nothing but proceed courageously and alone, knowing 'You are That'!

Attaching to the book or to Nisargadatta will not bring freedom any nearer.

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37 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

After 160 books in 15 years this is still in my top 5, July 31, 2002

By Shawn Regan (marietta, GA United States) - See all my reviews

I read it the first time in June of 2002. It quite simply is one of the best

books on the Absolute (non-dual). In a very direct, no-nonsense style,

Nisargadatta spells it out. The book is full of deep metaphors pointing us

beyond the mind such as:

" The personal needs a base, a body to identify oneself with, just as a colour

needs a surface to appear on. "

" The mind exists in two states: as water and as honey. The water vibrates at the

least disturbance, while the honey, however disturbed, returns quickly to

immobility. "

What is not poetically stated as such is given very directly:

" To know that you are neither the body nor mind, watch yourself steadily and

live unaffected by your body and mind, completely aloof, as if you were dead. It

means you have no vested interests, either in the body or in the mind. "

" Self-remembrance, awareness of 'I am' ripens him powerfully and speedily. Give

up all ideas about yourself and simply be. "

The value of this book cannot be overstated I hold my copy very close and dear.

From the perspective of sheer knowledge this book wastes no paper. The non-dual

doesn't waste your time.

I've noticed in that the same depth of wisdom is given by a few others such as:

Jean Klein, Ramana Maharshi and Paul Brunton. All are authorities on the

non-dual. The reason for the similarities is that essentially the books are

written by the same author, The Absolute, filtered through the personality/ego

of the body delivering the material.

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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

Wisdom Beyond Expression, September 1, 2007

By Brian R. Sullivan (California) - See all my reviews

This book can only be described in the format of the writing. The interviewer

gets annoying due to his unnecessary struggle with the universe of philosophical

and existential crisis. However; the words of Maharaj exhibit a sort of

brilliance, a sort of light, that CANNOT be put into terms of a book-review. Buy

this book not to read every sentence from start to finish, but to expose

yourself directly (on any page) to the light of the mind of Sri Nisargadatta

Maharaj.

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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

Incites Spiritual Depth in the Reader, August 29, 2007

By D. Carlson (WI USA) - See all my reviews

A well done summary of Sri N.M.'s advice to seekers. It doesn't take long to

catch the simple principles that lead to greater insights into the divine self.

While the documented dialog does get repetitive after a point it still compels

the reader to further introspection and engagement. Highly recommended for the

serious seeker.

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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

My favorite , August 23, 2007

By Mel Johns (Orlando, Fl.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: I Am That: Talks with Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj (Paperback)

My favorite book in the world. I've read it 4 times and I imagine I'll read it

another 10 times! It was recommended by a friend, and it was his favorite book,

too. He had read it 3 or 4 times when he loaned it to me very reluctantly. So I

definitely had to purchase my own copy.

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9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

THE MOST LUCID BOOK ON THE SUBJECT--GET IT!!!, July 14, 2007

By J. Wilson (USA) - See all my reviews

I had come across this book many times over the years, and had thought that

Nisargaadatta looked like a " wild-eyed crazy person. " This scared me away from

reading his book, until about a year ago. I had been completely wrong about him,

and judged him only by his looks. I had also thought that the black and yellow

cover of the book was so bold and intense that it seemed really " fringe, " but I

was also wrong about that. My mistake! I judged a book by its cover, thinking

that Nisargadatta was out to convert people into a cult, or something like that.

That's a bunch of NONSENSE. It's bold and intense because the publishers know

that the book is dead-on about the truth and are not afraid to announce it, not

because Nisargadatta is trying to blind you with a bunch of pseudo-spiritual

crap.

So, one day I became curious about the book, and read some sections on Amazon. I

was amazed at the quality of the communication! No riddles, no bullsh-t, no

vague leading-on of the reader, no mindgames. It was as clear as a pure diamond,

and incredibly INTERESTING.

I am so glad that I finally got over my prejudices and read this book. Before

and after I read this book, I'd read works by Ramana Maharshi, Vivekananda,

Ramakrishna, Sailor Bob Adamson, John Wheeler, Leo Hartong, and many others, but

this one is THE MOST LUCID BOOK ON THE SUBJECT, period.

Unlike some Advaitan authors, like Gangaji, for example, Nisargadatta DOES NOT

PLAY " HIDE THE BALL " with you. Gangaji hides the ball behind opaque, riddle-like

nonsense and she makes money off of it, too. I've seen Gangaji speak in person,

on videos, heard her on audio, and read some of her writings, and while many

like her, I think that she's leading people down a path of needless confusion

and makes people worse-off by leading them astray through a maze of

irrelevancies and BABBLE. Clearly thinking herself ABOVE the masses--although

she claims to be an Advaitin, which is purely contradictory!--she'll just look

her stage guests in the eye and start in on her " knowing " laughter, or smile at

them silently. Whatever. There's no mojo flowing from her during her " Satsang, "

just a bunch of devotees plopping down $20 to hear her prattle on in circles as

she leads them into a paralyzing maze of verbiage. It's totally annoying. Her

delivery is so baffling and time-wasting that few people in the audience even

knew what the hell she was getting at. I felt like standing up and shouting:

" Look, people, what she's trying to say is that YOU ARE GOD, DUH!!! " She's

completely cryptic and self-obsessed, and of course being obsessed with your own

ego is the OPPOSITE of Advaita.

Many " teachers, " like her, mean well. Yes. But if they can't communicate, they

should go home and leave people alone before they do any more damage. They may

have understanding inside of them, but if they can't inspire understanding in

others, they have NO BUSINESS acting like they're " teachers. "

Nisargadatta, on the other hand, doesn't f-ck around with his audience in order

to make himself seem larger than life, or in order to make a buck. He was poor

his whole life, but still communicated the message with vastly more clarity and

directness than any white-robe-clad goon with a fat bank account and a penchant

for acting like The Riddler.

Even writers like John Wheeler just repeat their vague assertions thousands of

times in a row with no new content delivered. Nisargadatta, on the other hand,

has an astounding knack for communicating LUCIDLY with the reader. His

questioners aren't " nice and polite " like Gangaji's are. No, they ask him tough

questions and sometimes argue with him, and he answers their questions dead-on.

They don't worship him and treat every word he says like it's true, even if they

don't understand it. No, they challenge him, and the reader is better off for

it.

He's down-to-earth, he's incredibly insightful, and the book will change your

life!

I also heartily recommend Leo Hartong and Ramana Maharshi...

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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

Get this book!, July 7, 2007

By Randall Friend - See all my reviews

Putting it plain and simple, the spiritual search was almost a hobby. I read

Buddhism and other " Eastern " philosophical and religious texts for many, many

years. I never really understood. Reading this book changed everything.

This book sparked a small flame that ended up engulfing the person I took myself

to be. The raging inferno consumed the mind, thoughts, concepts, everything I

believed, everything I left unexamined... it left the " ME " in ashes...

As Stephen Wolinsky puts it, Nisargadatta's words are like a virus... once you

are infected it spreads and leaves no trace of the life story you once held so

dear.

This book is a living expression of your True Self, the true Guru - if you only

get one book, this is the one. But in reality, you don't need any books to

discover what you really are. Nisargadatta said that Spirituality was as

discardable as dishwater. You already are what you are seeking. You just have to

answer one question - who is it that is seeking?

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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

Amazing book, June 9, 2007

By Arun V. Sathanur " Arun " (Seattle,WA) - See all my reviews

This is one book that should be on the shelves of any one is seeking to know

what is this wonderful thing called self and what is this universe around us . I

was surprised to see such a rational treatment in spirituality. It transcends

all man made boundaries and directs you into inquiring about this wonderful

thing called self. Coming from an enlightened person who had modest formal

education, this is a proof of how self realization is independent of the

" worldly knowledge " that we seem to stress a lot especially in the modern world.

Definitely 5 sizzling stars for this book.

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3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

I am That:: lucid writing about the inexpressible, June 7, 2007

By Steven J. Baumgartner (Pennsylvania) - See all my reviews

For those interested in clarity of writing about the evolution of consciousness,

this is the best I've read in the 35 years of my vedic practice.

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3 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

I AM THAT, May 23, 2007

By Ray T. Parmley - See all my reviews

This book is special for one who is serious about being on the path. Just read

and reread over and over. It is all here in this book. Be patient and persistent

Ray Parmley

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4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

Cutting Through to the Essence, May 13, 2007

By Mr. Errol G. Larkan " prajna " (Oz) - See all my reviews

This is the direct path for those who have reached the point where it can be

recognised. Nisgagadatta is a rare gem and this book is full of his single

pointed very clearly enunciated words about what can be only hinted at and

suggested. This is a very concentrated and full book and is great value. It will

be able to be dipped into for the rest of your life. Come back to again and

again. If you havent encountered this type of teaching before but are intrigued

..... try it. It will help you cut through most of the confusion that can

surround a lot of current so called " spirituality "

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4 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

pretty tough wading, April 10, 2007

By Gary Pearce - See all my reviews

This is a book that must be trudged through. Seemingly contradictory at times.

After a couple of chapters, I decided to wait a few years to attempt it. A lot

of assumptions that the reader is familiar with all sanskrit words, but even

after being a " student " for over 30 years, there was much that left me in the

dark.

Not much fun

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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

INSTANT HEART CONNECTION, April 10, 2007

By KUAYIN - See all my reviews

INSTANT HEART CONNECTION

I AM

THE LOVE OF YOUR LIFE

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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

An important book, April 6, 2007

By Jerry Katz " Nonduality.com " (Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada) - See all my

reviews

I Am That is important because it so strongly and immediately resonates with

your true nature. Nisargadatta Maharaj had a tremendous gift of communication.

He was able to speak from presence itself and in a way that was literary and

poetic. While realization may or may not be rare, his ability to speak about

self-realization in a way that was directly understood, is very rare. If there

is any spiritual book that is a " must " to read, this is it.

Jerry Katz

One: Essential Writings on Nonduality

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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

I am that, April 4, 2007

By F. Ohare (Warwickshire England) - See all my reviews

Finally, I understand everything and have found the answers to my questions. I

will be reading and re-reading these words until they are second nature to me.

By far the best and only great book ever.

Fran O'Hare

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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

Find your way out of the mess, March 20, 2007

By Dedonno Jason Enzo - See all my reviews

This book is a collection of recordings of conversations between Sri

Nisargadatta Maharaj, and vistors who came to see him at his Ashram in the slums

of Bombay in the late 1960s.

It's not for everyone. But if you're a thinking person, thoughtful and

reflective, and have grown tired of philosophy because it's not giving you the

answers you seek concerning the nature of reality, God, the Universe and

everything; and if you're skeptical of various religious systems, and Buddhism

is not working for you; and if you want read the teachings of someone who knows

the ulitmate, someone who talks only straight, someone with no self-interest at

all -- then may have come to the right place with this book.

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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

I Am That: Talks with Sri Nisargardatta Maharaj, March 18, 2007

By A. Ward (Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: I Am That: Talks with Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj (Paperback)

He answers the question, " Why am I here, Who Am I, Why Am I? " .

He doesn't cater to your ego, feelings, insercurities.

He only speaks the truth, it really is only up to you if you truely

want to hear the truth, or, your just playing at wanting to know the truth.

I bought the hard cover only because my paperback was falling apart.

It's only my fourth reading. You know when something is at the tip of your

tongue, you know it, but it escapes you?

That....this feeling I feel as I am reading his wishes....and they are his

wishes....that we all free ourselves. I will keep on reading his wishes until I

finally remember what it is that I have forgotten.

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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

Simply superb...and a lot of fun to read., February 19, 2007

By anonymoose (LA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: I Am That: Talks with Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj (Paperback)

Rather than writing a bunch of superlatives for this incredible book, I will

simply suggest you experience it for yourself...

Other excellent books in a similar but different spirit (that will complement

your understanding of Advaita) are " Who Cares?! " by Ramesh Balsekar, and

" Oneness " by John Greven.

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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

The Answer To All Of Your Questions..., February 8, 2007

By Dan Fissel " www.DanFissel.com " (PA) - See all my reviews

If you have a strong desire to learn what reality REALLY is, get this book.

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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

This is it, January 30, 2007

By Zen Lightening (Laguna Beach, Ca) - See all my reviews

This is the one you want on a desert island. Nothing else is needed - seeking

ends here. I have been fortunate enough to sit with Ramesh Balsekar, Nisargatta

Maharaj's enlightened follower in Mumbai. He is getting up there in years, so if

you would like an up-close and personal encounter with Truth, call your travel

agent now. Ramesh talks every morning in his home to

anyone who shows up. Check online for details. My sage wife says " I Am This "

would be a more appropriate title for this jewel - but really, honey, what's in

a name?

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11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

New way of looking at the idea of 'god', January 26, 2007

By TriviaBug.com - See all my reviews

Most of the reviews here praise this book for what it is. I will try to review

it on the basis of whom it will appeal to.

Regardless of your belief system, if you feel that worshiping is a meaningless

exercise, but are still curious about understanding if there is something beyond

the cause-and-effect realm we inhabit, you have come to the right place. Am not

referring to an uninformed iconoclastic attitude towards organized religion but

to a healthy dose of skepticism born out of thought and enquiry. Surely, in a

world with so much pain and where genocides still occur (as in Sudan), millions

of people attending places of worship and chanting prayers does seem foolish, if

not outright delusional.

`I am that' introduces you to the concept of `I', the one beyond the idea of an

individual self and the body. One of the most attractive features of this idea

is that it stands on it own and is beyond all dogma and religion and does not

need any membership or subscription (what a relief!). Despite what the Maharaj

says about his concepts being so simple that anyone can comprehend them, this is

a book that probably cannot be understood in its entirety by an average reader

(like myself). No problem, it will still give you a new perspective at the

deeper meaning of life.

As an accompanying and a more practical book, I also recommend `Phantoms in the

brain' by the neurologist VS Ramachandran. Here, the author describes the

function of the various components of the brain through easy to understand

experiments and dwells on the idea of consciousness. While science is no where

close to discovering how the idea of a self is formed, there are tantalizing

teases that it is created by the various components of brain acting together. If

this is so, it only serves to prove what the Maharaj and various other realized

masters like Sri Ramana have been saying all along. There must be something

beyond the self to which it (the self) must wrap around.

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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

Peerless Q & A, January 16, 2007

By J. Whittle (Hong Kong) - See all my reviews

Sri Nisargadatta's answers to these many spiritual questions cut through the

chaff of culture, feel good factor, moralizing and systems that overlay the

quest for the self. He remains ruthlessly fixed on the state of yoga and the

power of his conviction resonates in these pages. I have read this book four

times and will no doubt continue to return to it for guidance.

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5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

The Classic, December 28, 2006

By Scotty (New York City) - See all my reviews

This review is from: I Am That: Talks with Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj (Paperback)

A while ago I was looking for answers to life's questions so and I looked into

religion and I looked into philosophy, what I found was pretty interesting but

intuitively I knew none of the stuff I read was the truth, the world was just

too plain crazy for there to be a God and much too beautiful for there not to be

God. I ran into Advaita after reading hundreds of books and well I just knew

this was the real deal. After reading Maharaj and quite a few of his students

all questions on existence were answered and believe it or not I just went back

to leading a pretty dull and prosaic life. What Maharaj will tell you is that

the world is perfectly alright (really!) once you realize " what " you are. Since

this stuff will never really catch on with most folks as something just not

credible, I'll leave it to this book to tell you his message. This book can be

pretty tough to understand if you're new to non-duality so you may want to check

out those " other " students and then come back, cause this 'ol book's gonna be

around for a long time.

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23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

Words of a liberated man!, October 13, 2006

By S. Srinivasan (Burlingame, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This book is pure gold! It is an translated transcript of Q & A sessions between

spiritual aspirants and a liberated sage Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj. Each Q & A

session has been grouped as a chapter with a suitable titles like 'the sense of

I AM', 'What is born must die', 'Meditation', 'Greatest Guru is Your Inner Self'

etc. Nisargadatta answers most of the common questions and doubts that arise in

the mind of a spiritual aspirant. It also contains very practical and clear

spiritual instructions. A must buy for every spiritual aspirant.

A few quotes from the book ....

" Go deep into the sense of 'I am' and you will find. How do you find a thing you

have mislaid or forgotton? You keep it in your mind until you recall it. The

sense of being, of 'I am' is the first to emerge. Ask yourself whence it comes,

or just watch it quietly. When the mind stays in the 'I am', without moving, you

enter a state that cannot be verbalized but can be experienced. All you need to

do is to try and try again. "

" We discover it by being earnest,

by searching, inquiring,

questioning daily and hourly,

by giving one's life to this discovery. "

" It has nothing to do with effort.

Just turn away, look between the thoughts,

rather than at the thoughts.

When you happen to walk in a crowd, you do not fight every man you meet,

you just find your way between.

When you fight, you invite a fight.

But when you do not resist, you meet no resistance.

When you refuse to play the game, you are out of it. "

" Pay no attention [to your thoughts]. Don't fight them. Just do

nothing about them, let them be, whatever they are. Your very

fighting them gives them life. just disregard. Look through. "

" The all important word is 'try'.

Allot enough time daily for sitting quietly

and trying, just trying,

to go beyond the personality,

with its addictions and obsessions. "

" You just keep on trying until you succeed.

If you persevere, there can be no failure. "

" What prevents you from knowing is not

the lack of opportunity,

but the lack of ability to focus in your mind

what you want to understand.

If you could but keep in mind

what you do not know,

it would reveal to you its secrets.

But if you are shallow and impatient,

not earnest enough to look and wait,

you are like a child crying for the moon. "

" It is not a matter of easy, or difficult.

Either you try or you don't. "

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13 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

Hats Off to Nisargadatta!, September 1, 2006

By John D. Padgett " CowDad " (Provo, Utah, USA) - See all my reviews

I'm not sure this guy deserves the title of " Sri " . I think of him more as a

successful swami or guru. He didn't get very far in the biz, and maybe he'd have

gotten nowhere if somebody hadn't started tape recorded these question and

answer sessions at his so called tenement in Bombay. I've seen pictures of the

tenement, and though the digs are not as high a quality as Rev Ike's, it's not

quite a tenement either.

After selling cigarettes all his life, Nisargadatta got around to enlightening

who he could--and that was not many. While most enlightened ones are calm, cool,

and collected, Nisargadatta occasionally blows a fuse. Sometimes you can't blame

him for that as many of his so called disciples aren't exactly Harvard Business

School material.

The discussions are entertaining and well worth reading if you ask me. I'd give

this book a higher rating, but I think you should throw in a little dogma into

the mix, and Nisargadatta is minimalist on that, and he doesn't have too much to

say about God either.

If you're somebody who's looking for a guru but looking to avoid too much God

talk, I highly recommend Nisargadatta. I don't much mind the God talk myself,

but if you're looking to avoid it, you'll give this book 5 stars.

Personally, I think he's a great guy, and if he were alive today, I'd most

certainly make a trip to Bombay if I could get a back row seat and listen to

this stuff. It beats TV and most TV preachers, that's for sure.

---------

1 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

I do not understand, August 24, 2006

By Stephen B. Aust (United States) - See all my reviews

I don't understand... someone enlighten me please. Can you drink alcohol, kill

and eat animals, kill animals so that you can sit on their skins while you teach

spiritual matters, smoke tobacco and chew tobacco until you eventually die of

cancer, obviously get angry and yell at people... --> and still be enlightened?

Does thinking that you are pure awareness make one pure awareness, or does it

just make you think that you think that you are awareness, via an altered but

still active individual mind?

It seems to me that self-realization is realizing that nothing but God exists,

and thus, you are God too, and that this has to be done through an actual

process that stops the body and mind... such as meditation. But what do I know.

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21 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

professor of comparative religion, August 14, 2006

By Mark Canter " university instructor in compara... (Tallahassee, FL USA) - See

all my reviews

I teach comparative religion at the university level and I have personally

studied Advaita, Zen and Taoism since I was a teen-ager (I'm now 54). A woman

introduced me to this book 30 years ago, but I wasn't quite ready for its

exquisitely simple and profound message. Then, at age 41, after a couple decades

of sadhana, I had a huge awakening. At the time, I subsequently looked for books

that would help me to convey my understanding in clear English, and I returned

to " I AM THAT " by Niz. Wow! Every line in the book resonated at the deepest

level of enlightenment. I consider this the single best book on Advaita ever

published. It cuts through illusion like a buzz saw. Also highly recommended:

" Pointers from Nisargadatta Maharaj " by his most famous student, Ramesh

Balsekar.

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14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

I Am That, July 14, 2006

By Edward S. Molek (Fairbank, pa. United States) - See all my reviews

This book is the closest you can get to understanding your ture nature.That can

be put down in human words.It is a treasure chest of knowledge,and truth.

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13 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

Freedom!, May 12, 2006

By Peter Anastasia (Santa Barbara, CA.) - See all my reviews

I AM THAT takes the reader beyond the words and the mind into Understanding.

This is a remarkable book in that it communicates the REALITY beyond the mere

words. Sri Nisargadatta hails from the Navnath Sampradaya lineage of gurus. What

makes this lineage so unique and dynamic is the simple method of transmission

they employ via the instrument of the mind through Understanding or the

recognition of Self. Another way to look at it, is the mind which is the

illusory root of ego and separation, is actually used to undo or vanquish itself

as a thorn is used to unembed another thorn to use the analogy. The illusion of

mind when turned inward or introverted dissolves itself through the Power of

Pure Intention and Awareness. This IS Understanding! What makes this Book so

Powerful? The Grace of the Guru and the Power of Truth! Together through

Compassion/Love and Wisdom, they have the Power to liberate the " seeker " . The

Truth that Maharaj transmits through the Grace of His Guru, Sri Siddharameshwar

is sublime and subtle. If the aspirant's mind is sufficiently ripe and subtle

through meditation practices etc., then these Teachings can facilitate the Final

Understanding of REALITY: that there is indeed no/thing or no/body to realize;

that Realization is our Natural State, already existing as who we are and

ultimately the only REALITY that truly IS. Maharaj's teaching is nisarga yoga or

revealing to the " seeker " one's own innate " Natural State " . Since REALITY is all

that truly exists beyond duality and the illusion of the mind, then we are

already THAT! Simply our awareness has not been sufficiently purified of

concepts, ignorance and conditioning to allow us to merge into Pure Awareness

Itself. Enter this Book.Maharaj's Teachings are based on the precepts of Advaita

Vedanta and the practice of cultivating Self Awareness through Self inquiry and

abiding in the Awareness of I AM. An introverted mind leads to recognition and

realization of the Supreme Self or Parabrahman, wheras, the extroverted mind

leads to perception of an illusory world revolving around the concept of a

" doer " . Once this concept dissolves into nothingness, Nothing remains beyond the

REALITY of Self or Parabrahman. Maharaj teaches the " Way of the Bird " as taught

by His Guru, in contrast to the " Way of the Ant " as taught by most teachers

emphasizing years and years of arduous meditation, diets and techniques. As the

Bird flies effortlessly from tree to tree plucking the ripe fruits of

Understanding so the " seeker " realizes the Self through this Understanding of

REALITY in contrast to the Ant who must climb to the top of the tree to simply

taste the fruit and who often perishes in the process. Once the Final

Understanding is attained, Self is Realized. The illusion of a separate " I " and

concept of " doer " effortlessly falls away revealing the Supreme REALITY. Pure

Awareness of Awareness. Emptiness abiding in Emptiness. Prior to reading this

book, there appeared to be a " reader " but somehow during the course of reading

this Book, through the Grace of Guru and transmission of Understanding, the

" reader " dissolved into a Stateless State of Nothingness, leaving nobody to any

longer become " realized " . All that remained was Guru or Self. Such is the

Infinite Grace of Guru. To dissolve into the Final REALITY is what this Book is

about. And Beyond...OM Namah Shivaya!

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6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

Buy it, it's worth the cheese., April 27, 2006

By Stephen Sundaresan (Columbus, OH USA) - See all my reviews

I am reading it for a second time, because I doubt I'll find another book on the

level of this one.

The 500+ page behemoth starts off with a bang. Consider everything interpretted

by your mind to be false - " I Am " is the only true statement you can ever make -

this is the tall order Maharaj suggests in I Am That. After reading such high

opinions of the book I purchased it, and literally could not put it down.

Maharaj, a simple man who followed his Guru's advice concerning

self-realization, becomes the most informative speaker when he talks about

awareness, consciousness, the mind and Self, or God.

Buy it, it's worth the cheese.

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9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

Associated Reading Material, April 14, 2006

By Craig D. Wescoe (Knoxville, TN United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: I Am That: Talks with Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj (Paperback)

This work is a classic in Advaita Vedanta philosophy. If you liked this book,

you may also be interested in the works associated with Ramana Maharshi. These

are probably the two quintessential figureheads for Vedanta philosophy in the

20th century. Parallels have been drawn between Vedanta and the works of Martin

Buber and also those of western phenomenalogist thinkers such as Heidegger,

Sartre and Merleau-Ponty. Nevertheless, do not get caught up in words and

concepts and miss the point. All is Self, you alone are real.

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10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

This is it!, March 20, 2006

By Radek Dobias (Ontario, Canada) - See all my reviews

This is the single best book on advaita (non-duality). Reading Maharaj is like

coming home: entering the Inner Reality of peace, love, and joy. He is clear and

compelling. There are very few books of which I would say: " this work has the

solution to all your problems " . I am That is such a book. I would give it 10

stars, if it were possible.

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10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

Absolutely A Powerful Boost to the Process of Waking-Up!, February 27, 2006

By brotherrick " surfphilosopher " (south carolina) - See all my reviews

Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj is presented in this book in sessions of questions and

answers with seekers " who came from around the world seeking guidance in

destroying false identities. " The back jacket of the book paints a true picture

of what was happening: " The sage's sole concern was with human suffering and the

ending of suffering. It was his mission to guide the individual to an

understanding of his true nature and the timelessness of being. " Not educated

formally, here is a clear demonstration of the truth that resides within us all,

as exemplified in this awakened human being. Once awakened, one need not get the

truth out of books, but merely pronounce that which resides within. This, of

course, is a book. But, in that form, is a container of sparks of knowledge, and

" keys " if you will. It's one of those cases whereupon you read something and

have one of those " ah! " moments in which something inside of you clicks with

what you have read. I came across this book upon a link offered to me during an

online chat in a chatroom. It meant nothing to me when I first clicked on

it, and had no appeal. But, something registered and I eventually went back to

it, and secured a copy. It is one of maybe two books in this lifetime in which I

fill almost every page with underlinings, boxing, and the margins with notes and

quotes. I am one of some 30 years of " seeking " , and this book connected with me

at a time in this period in which it would speak to me. Such things happen all

the time; I cannot explain how and have no desire to. If you are a serious

seeker, I say go for it. Read it. Even if you are just a little interested... if

it catches your eye, then buy it. Even if you open it, read some and put it

down, that's okay. It will call you again at the right point in your life. As I

write this review, I am still yet not through the entire book. I will read

intensively for a while, then put it down, as if my being has to absorb it. No

matter if your interests are in Buddhism, zen or whatever, truth is universal

and this is a remarkable discourse.

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7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

Uncompromising Truth, February 21, 2006

By M. Taylor " M. Taylor " (Weare, NH USA) - See all my reviews

Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj's philosophy is the purest form of advaita vedanta

(advaita = non-dualistic, vedanta = one of the six main branches of Indian

spiritual philosophy) I've ever encountered. When SNM speaks, he speaks only

simple, uncorrupted truth, and he speaks from personal experience. It is simple,

profound and experiential, devoid of complex intellectual theory.

The topic is the nature of the self. The title is a little misleading. SNM never

says, " I am That " . He even states that to say, " I am That " objectifies " That " ,

which is incorrect. He only says, " I am " . Which probably sounds hopelessly vague

to most people. But if you meditate, or have had similar spiritual experiences,

you'll be able to relate to this book on an experiential level.

If I was going to be shipwrecked on a desert island the rest of my life and

could only take one book, this would be it. I kept it on my nightstand for two

years, and read it several times. I wasn't able to read more than a couple of

pages per night, as it was so profound that I needed time to digest.

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9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

the most rarified teaching, February 14, 2006

By Dr. J. Adam Shaw (Glen Ellen, CA United States) - See all my reviews

After over 70 reviews there is little to add. But I write these words as an act

of gratitude and in the hope that perhaps even 1 person will be brought to this

book by what I have written.

I started reading this book over 30 years ago. No matter what other books pile

up by my bedside, I Am That is always there. I have had an active inner work for

a vey long time and studied several teachings in depth. This book bolsters and

in some ways surpasses all of them. It is the ultimate teaching.

I come back to it again and again and again and it is like a clear mirror,

always showing me where my understanding is. This teaching can never be

engulfed, surmised, abbreviated or destroyed. It is what is. Given the small

place we spend most of our time inhabiting, how could a teaching such as this

not seem to be contradictory? It contains everything!

If I were to be cast upon a desert island this would be the one book I would

want to have. If you have ever sat with an illuminated being you know that the

moment of that exchange could never be captured with words, but this is the text

that best distills that energetic experience. It is not an elaborate cosmology

or detailed explanation of the many levels of manifestation. It cuts through

everything right down to the bone of space.

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10 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

It rambles..., January 19, 2006

By Jim " Jim " (USA) - See all my reviews

This book is just an ongoing rambling that never seems to go anywhere. The

question and answering of the two is repetitive with the questions nor the

answers not being very clear.

I found it all tough to choke down.

The book is full of contradictions, for example, he says not to have any

desires, none, desirelessness, but then he says you should want to do this and

you should want to do that. Well that want is still a desire.

I liked some of what I read. There are a some things that are enlightening if

you can get past all the chatter. In fact if you took all the ideas that take an

entire chapter to cover, you could probably put them into a 50 page book.

I bought this book here based on the reviews that I read here, so I feel someone

needs to shed some light on this book.

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4 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

Being is All, January 19, 2006

By Frank DeFelice (San Jose, CA) - See all my reviews

This book consists of dialogues during which Sri Nisargadatta answers in the

Spirit. He sees himself as an incarnation of God. He speaks as I AM, not as a

person with a gigantic ego. What struck me, was that he said that whether you

are sad, suffering or happy, the Universe is unperturbed. It still functions OK.

This is in contrast to teachings in The Course in Miracles, where the Course

tells us that we are joined, that there is only one mind, and that when we

realize our real nature, our brothers and sisters benefit as well.

I AM THAT essentially gives us what every God-realized teacher conveys. We are

not an ego, we should not work on our selves, because working on the ego is a

waste of time. We must

re-discover (i.e., be reborn) ourselves as spirit, or Being. This can be

experienced instantly.

The dialogues were redundant I felt, because this book could have been much

shorter.

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2 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

I AM THAT - I AM, January 15, 2006

By One Iam (Columbus, Ohio) - See all my reviews

Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj is not important, it is I that AM. It appears that I

can sense myself suspended in the thoughts upon the pages of this work.

Suspended and held captive by poor translation and editing. The translation of

clear thought starts off bad on the cover and continues through out the book.

For example from the cover; " The real does not die, the unreal never lived. " The

statement is incomplete and it leaves the reader with the impression that " The

real " lives. I don't live or die, I AM and that is all. Can I be described as

" The Real " ? Real compared to what? What is there other than me?

Again, from the cover; " Once you know that death happens to the

body and not to you, you just watch your body falling off like a discarded

garment. " What the Self aware knows is that there is

no body, no physical World, only the illusion of. So why would

I say " that death happens to the body " and not to me. I wouldn't. I give the

book three stars because I'm there but you have to read between the lines to

find me.

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7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

Mindblowing!, January 12, 2006

By Andrew Mann (Windermere, Tasmania Australia) - See all my reviews

This book is amazing in that it bring you some of the depth of Sri

Nisargadatta's understanding of reality and consciousness.

The level of insight of this barely educated cigarette salesman, is almost

beyond conception. What he is pointing at is the thing that is always there. The

I that is reading this page (without any thought) is the I Am he is talking

about. For me that meant awareness watching awarenss.

It is not an easy read, something you only take in little bits of at a time, as

most of it is beyond the understanding of the mind, talking to someplace much

deeper within.

Once you understand what he is saying (awareness watching awareness)it almost

becomes annoyingly repetive, but it is always said in a new refreshing light.

Some of his later books written by Robert Powell and Jean Dunn are supposed to

go even deeper than this, but I imagine this would be more than enough for most

people.

Amazingly deep insight from a rare jewel.

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7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

Excellent and deep book, November 21, 2005

By musicfan " musicfan " (australia) - See all my reviews

This book is layed out in the easy to read style of a few pages per chapter and

in a question and answer style. The questions asked of Nisargadatta Maharaj are

on a broad range of subjects. The answers given are always thoughtful and

profound. So profound in fact that you have to stop reading and ponder them as

you go.

Topics addressed iclude:

- Suffering

- Pleasure and pain

- Desire

- The false and the real

to name but a few.....

This book will lead you towards a union with the absolute through the stripping

away of everything you think you are and know.

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12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

Review on an Realized Being?, October 12, 2005

By A name is another boundery " * " (Here. Now.) - See all my reviews

All I can say is this.

I pray to one day reach this state of realization. This study is a must and so

is this book.

Aside from that. To " review " this work, would be the same as putting my opinions

to this Great Human Beings state of understanding & I would not be so foolish to

comment.

If you want to understand the level of YOUR misunderstandings... get this book,

and get to work.

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9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

I Am That, September 25, 2005

By Christopher T. Karlic " chris karlic " (brooklyn, ny) - See all my reviews

I Am That is a beautiful book of discussions with Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj that

prompts one to open their mind and see all things from a different perspective.

His philosophy is that the mind and the body are illusory and can be easily

disregarded freeing a person from their preoccupations and ultimately freeing

yourself of your " self. " This book should be required reading for the entire

human race...

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9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

BUY THIS BOOK, BUY THIS BOOK, BUY THIS BOOK!, September 15, 2005

By M. F. Toro " Fernie " - See all my reviews

Sorry for going too strong in the title for this review, but I can not stop

saying good things on this work of art. Sri Nisargadatta is so clear & simple

with his communications yet in his profound reality, The Self, which is where he

speaks from I can't help but to pause and feel a deep intuitive sense that I

have just been bestowed the highest truths of all creation. In fact sometimes,

without trying, my mind in silenced by what he says as if his words were a

mantra. I usually come out of that state with a " whoa " . The other writers that

can accomplish a silenced mind state just from their writings are Buddha: The

Enlightened One, Huang Po: Transmission of Mind & Dr. David Hawkins (not so much

in Power Vs. Force, but in " The Eye of I " and " I: Subjectivity and Reality " ).

This book is formatted in a very useful question and answer style where the

questioners do not pull any punches. They fiercely question the (stateless)

" state " that he speaks from. They ask for the truth, receive it directly and

most eloquently, and then ask for the truth again in a different more attractive

package - go figure hehe.

To read the book is to love the book. To love the book is to love truth.

Namaste.

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12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

I AM THAT, September 6, 2005

By Roy Whenary (Totnes, Devon, England) - See all my reviews

If you have come across this book whilst searching for books on

advaita/non-duality, don't search any more. I would highly recommend that you

buy this book now. It has simply become the Bible of the modern Advaita

movement. I first came across it 30 years ago now, and for many years it was the

only book I took with me on my travels. One of the beautiful things about

Nisargadatta's approach is that it is not 'fixed'. In the very same chapter he

can often be seen to make what, on the surface, may appear to be completely

contradictory statements - supporting completely conflicting views. This is no

accident, as a mind that is not 'fixed' is flexible enough to be able to fully

appreciate opposing views. In the 'spiritual' search, the mind can often hook

onto various views, positions, attitudes, beliefs, etc - not seeing that this is

all simply a movement of the mind - not ultimately 'real'. Nisargadatta's

approach (in 'I Am That', and indeed, his other works) is a multi-faceted one,

and one of the clearest pointers to truth that has ever been written down. I

cannot speak highly enough about this book ... however, it may be the last one

you will need to buy as a 'seeker'! The good news is that even after that, you

can still appreciate it as a masterpiece of modern literature!

Roy Whenary (author of 'The Texture Of Being')

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5 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

Nisargadatta book, September 4, 2005

By T. Eren " to be enlightened " (West Lafayette, IN USA) - See all my reviews

This is one of the best books about spirituality that I've ever read.I recommend

it highly.

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5 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

What comes from the Heart goes to the Heart (Coleridge), September 1, 2005

By winston " winston " - See all my reviews

This is a most beautiful, simple, delightful book. It's inspirational. It's the

truth. Read it.

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9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

An Absolute must reading for anyone trying to understand self., August 29, 2005

By Raj (CA USA) - See all my reviews

I read through this book once completely, and then I developed the habit of

opening up a random page. I found the message appropriate for the current state

of mind.

1. Once you learn about the self (as EGO, a bundle of thoughts and emotions),

all feelings of hatred vanishes.

2. Past - stops haunting you once you realize that past is just a product of

mind and a bundle of memories.

3. Present - becomes easy to live once you realize that what ever happens is

automatic and is destined to happen - including the action and initiative by

oneself out of free will.

4. Future - becomes easy as something powerful leads you to the action to be

performed for which you were born.

While I have read thru the pages of this book, I have not grasped the full power

of words of Sri. Nisargadatta-ji in this book. This will stay as my companion

life long.

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18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

None Is Hopeless - Obstacles Can Be Overcome, July 29, 2005

By Mazie Lane (Carlotta, CA USA) - See all my reviews

I began my spiritual journey in ernest in 1980 when I found my Guru -

Paramahansa Yogananda. The journey ended in " I Am That, " by Sri Nisargadatta.

His words, his teachings have illuminated the Yoga teachings of my own Guru and

given the science of Kriya Yoga an entirely new meaning and full measure of its

blessing. I could never have guessed how much I did not know, and how much of my

knowing I had to let go of in order to " Understand " Who I Am.

Sri Nisargadatta said that his words, if listened to, would destroy all other

concepts and words. The verity of this has born out its truth and validity, and

the wisdom-fruit is falling from the tree of I Am. From " I Am That " -

Q: Since you count your spiritual ancestry from Rishi Dattatreya, are we right

in believing that you and all your predecessors are reincarnations of the Rishi?

M: You may believe in whatever you like and if you act on your belief, you will

get the fruits of it; but to me it has no importance. I am what I am and this is

enough for me. I have no desire to identify myself with anybody, however

illustrious. Nor do I feel the need to take myths for reality. I am only

interested in ignorance and the freedom from ignorance. The proper role of the

Guru is to dispel ignorance in the hearts and minds of his disciples. Once the

disciple has understood, the confirming action is up to him. Nobody can act for

another. And if he does not act rightly, it only means that he has not

understood and that the Guru's work is not over.

Q: There must be some hopeless cases too?

M: None is hopeless. Obstacles can be overcome. What life cannot mend, death

will end, but the Guru cannot fail.

Q: What gives you the assurance?

M: The Guru and the man's inner reality are really one and work together towards

the same goal - the redemption and salvation of the mind. They cannot fail. Out

of the very boulders that obstruct them they build their bridges. Consciousness

is not the whole of being - there are other levels on which man is much more

co-operative. The Guru is at home on all levels and his energy and patience are

inexhaustable.

Q: You keep on telling me that I am dreaming and that it is high time that I

should wake up. How does it happen that the Maharaj, who has come to me in my

dreams, has not succeeded in waking me up? He keeps on urging and reminding, but

the dream continues.

M: It is because you have not really understood that you are dreaming. This is

the essence of bondage - the mixing of the real with unreal. In your present

state only the sense 'I am' refers to reality; the 'what' and 'how I am' are

illusions imposed by destiny, or accident.

Q: When did the dream begin?

M: It appears to be beginningless, but in fact it is only now. From moment to

moment you are renewing it. Once you have seen that you are dreaming, you shall

wake up. But you do not see, because you want the dream to continue. A day will

come when you will long for the ending of the dream, with all your heart and

mind, and be willing to pay any price; the price will be dispassion, the loss of

interest in the dream itself.

Q: How helpless I am. As long as the dream of existence lasts, I want it to

continue. As long as I want it to continue, it will last.

M: Wanting it to continue is not inevitable. See clearly your condition, your

very clarity will release you.

Q: As long as I am with you, all you say seems pretty obvious; but as soon as I

am away from you I run about restless and anxious.

M: You need not keep away from me, in your mind at least. But your mind is after

the world's welfare!

Q: The world is full of troubles, no wonder my mind too is full of them.

M: Was there ever a world without troubles? Your being as a person depends on

violence to others. Your very body is a battlefield, full of the dead and dying.

Existence implies violence.

Q: As a body - yes. As a human being - definitely no. For humanity nonviolence

is the law of life and violence of death.

M: There is little of nonviolence in nature.

Q: God and nature are not human and need not be humane. I am concerned with man

alone. To be human I must be compassionate absolutely.

M: Do you realize that as long as you have a self to defend, you must be

violent?

Q: I do. To be truly human, I must be self-less. As long as I am selfish, I am

sub-human, a humanoid only.

M: So, we are all sub-human and only a few are human. Few or many, it is again

'clarity and charity' that make us human. The sub-human - the 'humanoids' - are

dominated by tamas and rajas and the humans by sattva. Clarity and charity is

sattva as it affects mind and action. But the real is beyond sattva. Since I

have known you, you seem to be always after helping the world. How much did you

help?

Q: Not a bit. Neither the world has changed, nor have I. But the world suffers

and I suffer along with it. To struggle against suffering is a natural reaction.

And what is civilization and culture, philosophy and religion, but a revolt

against suffering. Evil and the ending of all evil - is it not your main

preoccupation? You may call it ignorance - it comes to the same.

M: Well, words do not matter, nor does it matter in what shape you are just now.

Names and shapes change incessantly. Know yourself to be the changeless witness

of the changeful mind. That is enough.

~ Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj, " I Am That "

(...)

Love & Peace,

Mazie Lane

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10 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

I am not this nor that..I am, June 22, 2005

By Original Mixed Up-Kid " jg " (New York United States) - See all my reviews

The beauty of this book in particular is it's length and rare psychological

insights that come out..The question and answer format employed by many eastern

writers not only gives a sense of community of spirit/leading often to man made

idol worship ready made for seekers who for whatever reasons are not comfortable

with their born traditions, but also hones in on the value of developing a close

relationship with your inner somewhat neglected torn turbulent self.

The Godly spirit within and without is often stressed and I often read in these

pages on the person's need for realization that they are eternal which certainly

helps heals one's rift and conflict in the abyss between heart (inner world with

it's womblike tendencies) and the mind (outerworld,image creation, desire).

Unlike the born free " loner " Krishnamurti, whose themes of mystical silence

between thought and object in order to hear the revealation of G-D leaves one in

a state of inactivity and truly alone(as he was), and indeed while it is a truth

that healing society requires the urgency for self change and the awareness of

the recognition of one's unique conditioning, STILL in my opinion Krishnamurti's

remains somewhat utopian in a highly populated cosmopolitan western competitive

black and white world dominated by time and acquisition.

Maharaj on the other hand goes a step further and stresses the personal quest

for deliverance as a happy fatalism to G-D and/or the inner(out is in,in is

out)Self.

Self acceptance,stress elimination are indeed worthy goals to be actualized.This

book offers reassurance without needing to drive you away from society,leave

your wife and kids,drop acid, or move to India, nor to abandon your born

religion.

Life becomes one loving meditation if one works at it and does not allow himself

to bleed slowly away. Eliminating suffering and repairing the world's

distractions are still worthy pursuits not to be abandoned because all is

eternal beyond words.

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19 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

A paperbound nuclear reaction for your mind., April 11, 2005

By Quantum Prescience (this endless-beginningless-impermanent-reality) - See

all my reviews

In the last year, I've read some of the most powerful books ever written on

spiritual awakening / realization / enlightenment. None so far, has surpased

what these concatenated symbols found in this book have emoted within me. He

speaks from the Ultimate Ground of Being and addressing that same Ground within

me - it's like I'm listening to a recorded message I've left myself to remind

myself of who I am.

[if you've ever had a lucid dreaming experience, I can tell you that his

message/Self-reminder will probably elicit the same feeling-realization you had

upon achieving consciousness inside a dream for the very first time.]

His words cut through the ego, makes ashes of spellbounding psychological time

in order to reveals what is naked, true, brilliantly vivid and Real; your own

true being which cannot be described, only experienced. I feel as though my

whole search has lead me to this point. If you find yourself here reading this

review then congratulations! It's time to wake up sunshine because you've been

dreaming for far too long.