Guest guest Posted January 28, 2009 Report Share Posted January 28, 2009 From Swami sadasivananda <sadasivananda wrote: Distorting the View of Reality Among the gods, he who awakened to the knowledge of the Self became Brahman; and the same was true among the seers. –Brihadaranyaka Upanishad Since we are really parts of Brahman (humanly speaking, for Brahman is One [unitary] and has no parts), Self-knowledge is itself the knowing: " I am THAT " or " I am Brahman [Aham Brahmasmi], " but in a correct perspective. Many golden ornaments are all gold, not one of them is all the gold that exists. The Upanishads use the simile of the ocean and a cup of ocean water. The cup of water is absolutely " ocean, " but it is in no way the ocean in its totality. That is why we say that there is no difference between us and Brahman, but there is a distinction between us and Brahman. This is a crucial point for the questing yogi. Those who think they are the Infinite are as insane as those lunatics that claim to be great figures of history. And some even claim to be God! There is an old joke about a visitor to a mental institution that was accosted by an inmate who announced: " I am Napoleon! " " Oh, really, smiled the visitor, " How do you know you are Napoleon? " " Because God told me, " came the quick reply. A man nearby spoke up and said: " You liar! I never told you any such thing! " Some " enlightened " " Masters " and " Avatars " need a strait jacket, not an ashram and adoring disciples. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 28, 2009 Report Share Posted January 28, 2009 , Alan Jacobs <alanadamsjacobs wrote: > > > > From Swami sadasivananda <sadasivananda wrote: > > > Distorting the View of Reality > Among the gods, he who awakened to the knowledge of the Self became Brahman; and the same was true among the seers. > †" Brihadaranyaka Upanishad > > Since we are really parts of Brahman (humanly speaking, for Brahman is One [unitary] and has no parts), Self-knowledge is itself the knowing: " I am THAT " or " I am Brahman [Aham Brahmasmi], " but in a correct perspective. Many golden ornaments are all gold, not one of them is all the gold that exists. > > The Upanishads use the simile of the ocean and a cup of ocean water. The cup of water is absolutely " ocean, " but it is in no way the ocean in its totality. That is why we say that there is no difference between us and Brahman, but there is a distinction between us and Brahman. This is a crucial point for the questing yogi. Those who think they are the Infinite are as insane as those lunatics that claim to be great figures of history. And some even claim to be God! > > There is an old joke about a visitor to a mental institution that was accosted by an inmate who announced: " I am Napoleon! " " Oh, really, smiled the visitor, " How do you know you are Napoleon? " " Because God told me, " came the quick reply. A man nearby spoke up and said: " You liar! I never told you any such thing! " > > Some " enlightened " " Masters " and " Avatars " need a strait jacket, not an ashram and adoring disciples. > Alan, I haven't been active here, until recently. Somehow I seem drawn in. At the risk of giving the impression that I am showing up with a chip on my shoulder, I feel the need to ask why you felt the need to " warn " members of this group about deluded posers? Teaching, or reframing, teachings from authentic masters is always fresh...and refreshing. Admonitions are an awfully old hat. Just for clarity: In my opinion, the authentic master's or guru's role is to point to the inner guru of each student - not gather fawning disciples. I believe Ramana did the former. Staying in his presence is like staying by a warm fire, after the chill has gone, just for the exquisite comfort of the warmth and authenticity. Best, Jeff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 28, 2009 Report Share Posted January 28, 2009 Dear Jeff, This was not my posting but Swamijis. I forwarded it for him. I think he feels there are a great number of Itinerant Professional Neo Advaita Teachers in the West who are under the false impression they are Self Realised. It is a rather subtle warning to the gullible.  See my article on Neo Advaita on Luthar.com All best wishes and regards, Alan --- On Wed, 28/1/09, Jeff Belyea <jeff wrote: Jeff Belyea <jeff Re: perhaps medicine for an Indian epidemic Wednesday, 28 January, 2009, 2:14 PM , Alan Jacobs <alanadamsjacobs@ ...> wrote: > > > > From Swami sadasivananda <sadasivananda@ ...> wrote: > > > Distorting the View of Reality > Among the gods, he who awakened to the knowledge of the Self became Brahman; and the same was true among the seers. > †" Brihadaranyaka Upanishad > > Since we are really parts of Brahman (humanly speaking, for Brahman is One [unitary] and has no parts), Self-knowledge is itself the knowing: " I am THAT " or " I am Brahman [Aham Brahmasmi], " but in a correct perspective. Many golden ornaments are all gold, not one of them is all the gold that exists. > > The Upanishads use the simile of the ocean and a cup of ocean water. The cup of water is absolutely " ocean, " but it is in no way the ocean in its totality. That is why we say that there is no difference between us and Brahman, but there is a distinction between us and Brahman. This is a crucial point for the questing yogi. Those who think they are the Infinite are as insane as those lunatics that claim to be great figures of history. And some even claim to be God! > > There is an old joke about a visitor to a mental institution that was accosted by an inmate who announced: " I am Napoleon! " " Oh, really, smiled the visitor, " How do you know you are Napoleon? " " Because God told me, " came the quick reply. A man nearby spoke up and said: " You liar! I never told you any such thing! " > > Some " enlightened " " Masters " and " Avatars " need a strait jacket, not an ashram and adoring disciples. > Alan, I haven't been active here, until recently. Somehow I seem drawn in. At the risk of giving the impression that I am showing up with a chip on my shoulder, I feel the need to ask why you felt the need to " warn " members of this group about deluded posers? Teaching, or reframing, teachings from authentic masters is always fresh...and refreshing. Admonitions are an awfully old hat. Just for clarity: In my opinion, the authentic master's or guru's role is to point to the inner guru of each student - not gather fawning disciples. I believe Ramana did the former. Staying in his presence is like staying by a warm fire, after the chill has gone, just for the exquisite comfort of the warmth and authenticity. Best, Jeff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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