Guest guest Posted August 27, 2001 Report Share Posted August 27, 2001 Dear Dr Mourad Advaita or non-duality is central to Indian philosophy. The basic theme is that whatever we see and experience is illusion and there is no difference between the self and everything other than self. At the root we are all the same and therefore to hate others is like hating ourselves, harming others is like harming oneself. God resides in everything as God permeates everything. To realise this truth, vedanta (Indian scriptures) says that ego must be cast off since it is ego (assuming that the self is different from others) that precludes one from seeing the truth. Ramakrishna says it is like mirror covered with dust. If you remove the dust, you can see your true image. If you reside in the 'ego state' then there is a dwaita (dual) experience. This natural tendency of assuming duality is caused by Maya or illusion. When we cast it off sages say that we experience a great bliss (out of this world experience). I hope this explains the position. The subject is vast and I would suggest that you read the literature of Swami Vivekanand (1863-1902), the greatest of the Hindu monks and his Chicago speeches. You could also visit the website of Ramakrishna Mission. THere is also an extremely informative website of Dr C. S Shah who contributes to this list very often. Regards Milind Vivekananda Centre [vivekananda] Monday, 27 August 2001 3:59 AM dr.mourad; list; Self Knowledge List [ramakrishna] Fw: Question Question from DR Mourad Can the list members respond directly or via the list? jay... - dr.mourad Vivekananda Centre Sunday, August 26, 2001 09:48 Question Hi While reading the spiritual literature of the late Indian sages Sri Ramana Maharishi, Sri Krishna Menon and Sri Shankara they all mentioned and emphasized that the world as such is an illusion, mirage or dream like and the ego should be cast off and annihilated so as the truth of our everyday experience be uncovered. Please explain ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~response~~~~~~~~~~~~ Dear Dr Maroud Your question is very central to the teachings of Advaita Vedanta. I have asked our list to respond. regards jay Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 27, 2001 Report Share Posted August 27, 2001 Dear Dr. Mourad While Milind has replied to your question very correctly and in as brief as is possible let me add a few thoughts. The understanding or better still the ability to appreciate Advaita or non dualism comes after a seeker of the truth behind life and existence has gone through a rigourous process of mental preparation and discipline. The realisation or experience of Advaita is possibly the last leg and the grandest experience in the spiritual journey towards self realisation. The end goal of the preparation and mental discipline is to " purify " the mind of all its negative tendencies and uproot greed, selfishness, lust and ego centric activities after which the spontaneous realisation that he is one with all existence and the entire world of visible and invisible beings and objects is one non dual existence arises. A person having reached this stage gets rid of all sorrow, misery and doubts and feels indescribable joy, love and compassion for all existence. The funny part about understanding non duality is that the journey for most people starts through the belief in duality whereby a person worships a personal chosen God who is all merciful and an infinite ocean of power, glory and wisdom. This worship is one of the many ways of purifying the mind and earning the grace of God which leads to the experience of " Advaita " or non duality. Do pose any more questions and we will all try and help with answers. Regards Dev Make international calls for as low as $.04/minute with Messenger http://phonecard./ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 28, 2001 Report Share Posted August 28, 2001 " God alone is real, the whole world is unreal. But if you put God in this world then everything becomes real. Zeros have no value, but if you add one before them, then the whole figure gets value " . - Sri Ramakrishna. " Brahman alone is real, this world is unreal, an illusion. But Brahman has become the entire universe " 'Brahmam satyam, Jagat Mityai, Brahmo Jivayva na param.... " - Adi Shankara. --- DEVINDER AHUJA <devahuja wrote: > Dear Dr. Mourad > > While Milind has replied to your question very > correctly and in as brief as is possible let me add > a > few thoughts. > > The understanding or better still the ability to > appreciate Advaita or non dualism comes after a > seeker > of the truth behind life and existence has gone > through a rigourous process of mental preparation > and > discipline. The realisation or experience of Advaita > is possibly the last leg and the grandest experience > in the spiritual journey towards self realisation. > > The end goal of the preparation and mental > discipline > is to " purify " the mind of all its negative > tendencies > and uproot greed, selfishness, lust and ego centric > activities after which the spontaneous realisation > that he is one with all existence and the entire > world > of visible and invisible beings and objects is one > non > dual existence arises. A person having reached this > stage gets rid of all sorrow, misery and doubts and > feels indescribable joy, love and compassion for all > existence. > > The funny part about understanding non duality is > that > the journey for most people starts through the > belief > in duality whereby a person worships a personal > chosen > God who is all merciful and an infinite ocean of > power, glory and wisdom. This worship is one of the > many ways of purifying the mind and earning the > grace > of God which leads to the experience of " Advaita " or > non duality. > > Do pose any more questions and we will all try and > help with answers. > > Regards > > Dev > > > > > > > > Make international calls for as low as $.04/minute > with Messenger > http://phonecard./ > > Make international calls for as low as $.04/minute with Messenger http://phonecard./ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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