advaita vedanta and western advaita (was: and buddhism)

[Guest guest]

Dear Shastriji, dear Nairji

Pranams

 

I am very glad that this kind of opening can happen in the list, even if not all

members will agree with it. It is my experience that quite a few of the Western

Satsang teachers and also of the neo-advatins say exactly what is stated in the

Upanishads. Not all but many seem to be authentic. I owe immensily to Gangaji

and Dolano for example. (I mention them because their are many more besides

Tolle worth listening to, if you are interested.)

 

Dennisji has quoted many of them in his Book of One and always made a point that

he is not necessarily doubting their realization. He doubts their ability to

teach.

 

As Durgaji pointed out: They are all sort of mystics, singing their truth in a

thousand ways, again and again.

 

And I would like to add: If you happen to be at the right point with your own

development, by chance you might even get " it " by one of their " songs " . But it

is a remote possibility.

 

They don't have the methodology to pick someone up from the point of being

immersed in misunderstandings and lead him step by step towards realization. As

Vedanta has.

 

Also Tolle does not have that. He and others did develop certain methods, but

their use is kind of random. As Dennisji again and again stressed in his books,

there is no teaching going on.

 

Still, isn't it better that there are thousands of Western people listening to

advaita truths with fascination and awe, than if they didn't? Isn't it a huge

potential?

 

I am in contact with hundreds of them: You can serve tradditional vedanta to

them on a golden plate garnished with fragrant flowers - they don't want it.

Many recognize advaita to be truth, but they seem to need a different form of

representation. Not a different content.

 

Or they need a bridge to the traditional representation which has not been built

yet.

 

My hunch is that what is needed is a reciprocal opening to happen from Western

teachers AND traditional teachers in order to reach all those obviously longing

to be reached.

 

I am not shure how much this deviates from the list guidelines. I hope it

doesn't because I consider it such a crucial point how to relate the truth of

advaita vedanta to the present day world.

 

Om Shanti

Sitara

 

 

 

 

 

 

advaitin , " snsastri " <sn.sastri wrote:

>

> advaitin , " Madathil Rajendran Nair " <madathilnair@>

wrote:

> >

> > Dear Shri Sastriji,

> >

> > His teachings have a lot to do with our recent topic of dealing with anger

and are of great practical value to Advaitic sAdhana.

> >

> > Kindly also read his " A New Earth " .

> >

> >

> > Best regards.

> >

> > Madathil Nair

>

> Dear Nair-ji,

> Thank you very much. It was from your mail that I came to know about this

book. I am enjoying reading it. One must have an open mind to appreciate such

works. I shall get the other book also.

> Regards,

> S.N.Sastri

>