Guest guest Posted October 7, 2008 Report Share Posted October 7, 2008 Hello Alan, Thankyou for the recommendations. I have just started David Gorman's book which is fascinating. I will do my best to come this Saturday. Regards James From: alanadamsjacobsDate: Mon, 6 Oct 2008 21:07:54 +0000RE: Poem/for James Dear James,Thanks for your comments. We have in London a Ramana Maharshi Satsang which meets twice monthly. For full details see our web site Ramana Maharshi Foundation UK . There are two sites on google -one is ours and up to date and is official, the other is an out of date pirate one put up by someone. We meet this coming Saturday when the Satsang will be led by Sri Jayjayraman an authorative speaker from Ramanasramam who is visiting London.Ask for me if you come, please. RE. directing you to a Jnani there is a new book shortly to be published called 'Blue Prints for Awakening' which has interviews with several modern spiritual Indian Masters. I have seen the book. I will let you know when it is published, and if we meet make some comments, as not everyone in the book would be considered to be a Jnani by everybody. There is also going to be a DVD of the interviews. The best general introduction, in my opinion, would be 'Be As You Are' by David Godman. I believe it can be downloaded- Check on Google. Of course there are Ramana Maharshi's Collected Works and Talks with Ramana Maharshi. Many books in the extensive Ramana Literature can now be downloaded from the Ramanasramam main website.All best wishes and warm regards,Alan --- On Mon, 6/10/08, james cogdell <cogdelljames (AT) hotmail (DOT) com> wrote:james cogdell <cogdelljames (AT) hotmail (DOT) com>RE: POEM Date: Monday, 6 October, 2008, 8:35 PMDear Alan and eeryone else who has replied to my questions, Thankyou Alan for your last response. Can you direct me to a Jnani? Is that as naiave a question as it sounds?!Also, can you recommend a book for someone at my beginning level? This question is for everyone as well as Alan. Also, I live in central London and wondered if there are any teachers here or groups that could direct me and with whom I can explore this fascinating area. Thanks Jamesalanadamsjacobs@ .co. ukMon, 6 Oct 2008 16:34:31 +0000RE: POEMDear James,Because the Jnani is no longer living from stepped down reflected consciousness, because of the obscuration of vasanas etc. as we are;he is living from the full power of Absolute Pure Consciousness which implicitely has the ability to evoke or transmit an experience of the Self in another through his gaze and presence, providing they are open to the transmission. Absolute Pure Consciousness contains many qualities such as intelligence, unconditional love, deep silence etc.No Devotee ever suspends their rationality in this quest. We are taught by Bhagavan to maintain our fullest intellectual discrimination. When you really investigate Advaita Metaphysics you will find it transcends the best Western Philosphy. Probably the closest Western Philosopher to this teaching is Arthur Schopenhauer, rather than logical positivism etc.- a great rationalist who loved the Upanishads!All best wishes and warm regards,Alan --- On Mon, 6/10/08, james cogdell <cogdelljames@ hotmail.com> wrote:james cogdell <cogdelljames@ hotmail.com>RE: POEMMonday, 6 October, 2008, 4:01 PMDear Alan,Thankyou very much for your response. As you can tell, I am a respectful skeptic but a skeptic who comes from a place of love. I would like to ask you how you think the process of the 'silent gaze' transmits non-dual truths. I understand that it is perhaps impossible to describe in words, but I would like to know your response to that impossibility and how you and other devotees suspend your rationality. Ofcourse I understand that the concept of 'rationality' has come under some scrutiny since the linguistic turn and post modern theory, and that it is no longer considered a unique product of western philosophy; but even so, your response to this would be gratefully received. Jamesalana damsjacobs (AT) (DOT) co.ukMon, 6 Oct 2008 13:18:35 +0000RE: POEMDear james,You asked1. How is it possible to communicate the non-dual truth without the use of language? Great Jnanis, like Ramana Maharshi were able to transmit the non-dual truth to mature sadhaks by the power of their silent gaze. This capacity is rare even amongst Jnanis and those who possess such a power are often called Supreme Gurus. Such a one was Bhagavan Ramana Maharshi.2. Is this experience of non-duality sui generis? If it is and absolute truth occurs 'outside' of a structural language signification, what is it's function when an attempt is made to signify the unsignifiable? As contact with a Supreme Guru is very rare, great sages endeavour to teach the Non Dual Truth verbally. It is only an approximation of Truth, but a very great deal better than nothing!3. Words like 'non-duality' and 'absolute truth' refer not to one single individual or group experience but rely for their meaning by reference to other words like 'relative truth' and 'binary opposition'. Yes.All regards and best wishes,Alan SURRENDER*Without any conditions,Irreversibly,Absolutely,Offer our poor petty mind,And arrogant ego,To that Great Power that knows the wayOur own Divine Source!And happily merge in Her bliss.To attain flourishing immortal lifeIn which Death is no more,The non-dual Truth,The state of Great Silence,There is no other meansThan making the ultimate sacrificeOf total, complete, self surrender!Thus, to be absorbedThrough surrender of the self to the Self,Is to attain the Supreme Truth.Whatever happens let it happen,Whatever does not happen,Let it not happen,A sadakh with this attitudeWill be well established in the Self.*A free versification of the opening verses in Muruganar'sPadamalai from the Chapter on Surrender, Love and Devotion.Get Hotmail on your mobile from Vodafone Try it Now Win £3000 to spend on whatever you want at Uni! Click here to WIN! 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Guest guest Posted October 7, 2008 Report Share Posted October 7, 2008 Dear James, I shall look forward to meeting you. All the best meanwhile Regards, Alan --- On Tue, 7/10/08, james cogdell <cogdelljames wrote: james cogdell <cogdelljames RE: Poem/for Alan Tuesday, 7 October, 2008, 2:45 PM Hello Alan, Thankyou for the recommendations. I have just started David Gorman's book which is fascinating. I will do my best to come this Saturday. Regards James alanadamsjacobs@ .co. uk Mon, 6 Oct 2008 21:07:54 +0000 RE: Poem/for James Dear James, Thanks for your comments. We have in London a Ramana Maharshi Satsang which meets twice monthly. For full details see our web site Ramana Maharshi Foundation UK . There are two sites on google -one is ours and up to date and is official, the other is an out of date pirate one put up by someone. We meet this coming Saturday when the Satsang will be led by Sri Jayjayraman an authorative speaker from Ramanasramam who is visiting London.Ask for me if you come, please. RE. directing you to a Jnani there is a new book shortly to be published called 'Blue Prints for Awakening' which has interviews with several modern spiritual Indian Masters. I have seen the book. I will let you know when it is published, and if we meet make some comments, as not everyone in the book would be considered to be a Jnani by everybody. There is also going to be a DVD of the interviews. The best general introduction, in my opinion, would be 'Be As You Are' by David Godman. I believe it can be downloaded- Check on Google. Of course there are Ramana Maharshi's Collected Works and Talks with Ramana Maharshi. Many books in the extensive Ramana Literature can now be downloaded from the Ramanasramam main website. All best wishes and warm regards, Alan --- On Mon, 6/10/08, james cogdell <cogdelljames@ hotmail.com> wrote: james cogdell <cogdelljames@ hotmail.com> RE: POEM Monday, 6 October, 2008, 8:35 PM Dear Alan and eeryone else who has replied to my questions, Thankyou Alan for your last response. Can you direct me to a Jnani? Is that as naiave a question as it sounds?! Also, can you recommend a book for someone at my beginning level? This question is for everyone as well as Alan. Also, I live in central London and wondered if there are any teachers here or groups that could direct me and with whom I can explore this fascinating area. Thanks James alanadamsjacobs@ .co. uk Mon, 6 Oct 2008 16:34:31 +0000 RE: POEM Dear James, Because the Jnani is no longer living from stepped down reflected consciousness, because of the obscuration of vasanas etc. as we are; he is living from the full power of Absolute Pure Consciousness which implicitely has the ability to evoke or transmit an experience of the Self in another through his gaze and presence, providing they are open to the transmission. Absolute Pure Consciousness contains many qualities such as intelligence, unconditional love, deep silence etc. No Devotee ever suspends their rationality in this quest. We are taught by Bhagavan to maintain our fullest intellectual discrimination. When you really investigate Advaita Metaphysics you will find it transcends the best Western Philosphy. Probably the closest Western Philosopher to this teaching is Arthur Schopenhauer, rather than logical positivism etc.- a great rationalist who loved the Upanishads! All best wishes and warm regards, Alan --- On Mon, 6/10/08, james cogdell <cogdelljames@ hotmail.com> wrote: james cogdell <cogdelljames@ hotmail.com> RE: POEM Monday, 6 October, 2008, 4:01 PM Dear Alan, Thankyou very much for your response. As you can tell, I am a respectful skeptic but a skeptic who comes from a place of love. I would like to ask you how you think the process of the 'silent gaze' transmits non-dual truths. I understand that it is perhaps impossible to describe in words, but I would like to know your response to that impossibility and how you and other devotees suspend your rationality. Ofcourse I understand that the concept of 'rationality' has come under some scrutiny since the linguistic turn and post modern theory, and that it is no longer considered a unique product of western philosophy; but even so, your response to this would be gratefully received. James alana damsjacobs (AT) (DOT) co.uk Mon, 6 Oct 2008 13:18:35 +0000 RE: POEM Dear james, You asked 1. How is it possible to communicate the non-dual truth without the use of language? Great Jnanis, like Ramana Maharshi were able to transmit the non-dual truth to mature sadhaks by the power of their silent gaze. This capacity is rare even amongst Jnanis and those who possess such a power are often called Supreme Gurus. Such a one was Bhagavan Ramana Maharshi. 2. Is this experience of non-duality sui generis? If it is and absolute truth occurs 'outside' of a structural language signification, what is it's function when an attempt is made to signify the unsignifiable? As contact with a Supreme Guru is very rare, great sages endeavour to teach the Non Dual Truth verbally. It is only an approximation of Truth, but a very great deal better than nothing! 3. Words like 'non-duality' and 'absolute truth' refer not to one single individual or group experience but rely for their meaning by reference to other words like 'relative truth' and 'binary opposition'. Yes. All regards and best wishes, Alan SURRENDER* Without any conditions, Irreversibly, Absolutely, Offer our poor petty mind, And arrogant ego, To that Great Power that knows the way Our own Divine Source! And happily merge in Her bliss. To attain flourishing immortal life In which Death is no more, The non-dual Truth, The state of Great Silence, There is no other means Than making the ultimate sacrifice Of total, complete, self surrender! Thus, to be absorbed Through surrender of the self to the Self, Is to attain the Supreme Truth. Whatever happens let it happen, Whatever does not happen, Let it not happen, A sadakh with this attitude Will be well established in the Self. *A free versification of the opening verses in Muruganar's Padamalai from the Chapter on Surrender, Love and Devotion. Get Hotmail on your mobile from Vodafone Try it Now Win £3000 to spend on whatever you want at Uni! Click here to WIN! Get Hotmail on your mobile from Vodafone Try it Now Get Hotmail on your mobile from Vodafone Try it Now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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