Advaita and Western 'Teachers' ..Tolle etc.

[Guest guest]

advaitin , " Sitara " <smitali17 wrote:

>

> 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?

 

Namaste S,

 

I agree with what you are saying...Tolle who lives locally claimed he became

enlightened after sitting on a park bench unemployed for six months..Now he is

well employed writing books and people paying for expensive tickets to hear him

speak....This activity would indicate to me at least that it is unusual for

enlightened beings.

Tolle is eclectic and touches on Oupensky, Gurdjieff and Indian Vedanta...His

first book was a composite of talks he had given...His main thrust apart from

selling books etc...is to advise on the Ego and living in the Now...He writes in

an everyday style that ordinary non philosophical people, like Oprah can

understand, and that is the reason for his acceptance by many. He writes for

people early on the path but as mentioned he doesn't really teach a method or a

system. So even if people find out the have an ego, what do they do with it?

Also living in the Now isn't really fully explained either.

 

So my personal assessment is that he is regurgitating mostly and writing in

everyday language..This serves a purpose for those that wouldn't ordinarily

follow Vedanta or Buddhism or whatever.

 

I have no objection to him other than his claims to enlightenment, and I have a

question about all the books selling and paid speeches..................Other

than that he is perfect for ordinary people early on the path so to

speak....Cheers Tony.