Guest guest Posted June 27, 2009 Report Share Posted June 27, 2009 Hi, I'm new here, and I want to introduce myself. I discovered hatha yoga last year, and shortly thereafter became a vegetarian. Then I began meditating at the end of my asana practice. All of this occurred very spontaneously, as if this is the path that is meant for me. I have become increasingly devoted to all of these practices. They feel so right. Recently I have been reading The Yoga Tradition by Georg Feuerstein, and I have been fascinated by the rich spirituality of all branches of yoga. (This is a GREAT book, by the way.) Until now, meditation has been a few quiet moments of introspection. As a result of studying Dr. Feuerstein's book, I see that mediation can be so much more, and I want to make it so with me. I crave self-realization, and I need help to do it. I work as an engineer, so separating from the material world is a challenge for me – I study and contemplate it during most waking hours. Also, I am a Christian, so reconciling the concept of the Absolute with my concept of the God of the Bible is another hurdle that I must clear. But I MUST succeed, or I will live in perpetual disappointment. So I hope that you enlightened folks can help. I will observe your conversations with great interest, and – as I become more comfortable – I will begin to participate in them. For now, since I am a reader, what books and periodicals can you recommend to aid me in my journey? I greatly appreciate any advice you might lend. Namaste. Padmasanadave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 27, 2009 Report Share Posted June 27, 2009 Dear Padmasandave, welcome to the group and thank you for your introduction. The group is mainly dedicated to Sri Ramana - but I think there are also some here, who practice yoga and can comment about that. Ramana taught the technique of self-enquiry, which is explained in his booklet " Who am I? " There are many Ramana-books available at the download-site from Ramanashram, amongst them " Talks " and many others. You find this page at: http://www.sriramanamaharshi.org/bookstall/downloadbooks.html " Self-realization " is a word which often leads to wrong expectations. Ramana makes it clear, that nothing new is to be attained, but that in contrary one must become rid of something - i.e. the egoistic self - then the real Self shines by itself. If this becomes permanent - and Ramana says that this is possible by practice - one speaks of " Self-realization " . He recommends the practice of self-enquiry, i.e. to investigate, who this I behind all thoughts is, if you for example think: " I am so and so " or " I have this and that problems " , or: " I want to become self-realized " . This ego-I is the ground from which all thoughts, emotions, desires, concepts ... arise. One turns the mind again and again to the enquiry, who this I (somebody) is ( " Who am I? " or " To whom does this thought arise? " ) - and with that continuous practice it comes finally to an end. You can make the proof for yourself. For example when you wake up from deep sleep there is a very short thoughtless moment when this ego-I-feeling is not yet there - then it arises and also thoughts and the outer world with it. This gives a " feeling " of what it is about. Kind regards Gabriele , " padmasanadave " <padmasanadave wrote: > > Hi, I'm new here, and I want to introduce myself. > > I discovered hatha yoga last year, and shortly thereafter became a vegetarian. Then I began meditating at the end of my asana practice. All of this occurred very spontaneously, as if this is the path that is meant for me. I have become increasingly devoted to all of these practices. They feel so right. > > Recently I have been reading The Yoga Tradition by Georg Feuerstein, and I have been fascinated by the rich spirituality of all branches of yoga. (This is a GREAT book, by the way.) Until now, meditation has been a few quiet moments of introspection. As a result of studying Dr. Feuerstein's book, I see that mediation can be so much more, and I want to make it so with me. I crave self-realization, and I need help to do it. > > I work as an engineer, so separating from the material world is a challenge for me – I study and contemplate it during most waking hours. Also, I am a Christian, so reconciling the concept of the Absolute with my concept of the God of the Bible is another hurdle that I must clear. But I MUST succeed, or I will live in perpetual disappointment. > > So I hope that you enlightened folks can help. I will observe your conversations with great interest, and – as I become more comfortable – I will begin to participate in them. For now, since I am a reader, what books and periodicals can you recommend to aid me in my journey? I greatly appreciate any advice you might lend. > > Namaste. > > Padmasanadave > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 27, 2009 Report Share Posted June 27, 2009 Dear Padmasanadave, The books of G. Feuerstein are not bad. Apart from the very rich teachings of Sri Ramana, you might also have a look at the following websites. They are all very useful to let relax which is the most essential point in meditation. You will never proceed further if you want to force something. Just smile, relax and enjoy your interest in spirituality. You will progress automatically if the moment is right. http://itisnotreal.com (about Advaita, non-dualism, was also mentioned on a few weeks ago) http://www.myspace.com/dolanosatsang (Advaita, Doing Nothing) http://www.dhammasukha.org/ (Vipassana meditation) Hope that you enjoy reading these websites as much as I did. Greetings from Germany, Michael padmasanadave Saturday, June 27, 2009 9:55 PM Introducing Myself Hi, I'm new here, and I want to introduce myself.I discovered hatha yoga last year, and shortly thereafter became a vegetarian. Then I began meditating at the end of my asana practice. All of this occurred very spontaneously, as if this is the path that is meant for me. I have become increasingly devoted to all of these practices. They feel so right.Recently I have been reading The Yoga Tradition by Georg Feuerstein, and I have been fascinated by the rich spirituality of all branches of yoga. (This is a GREAT book, by the way.) Until now, meditation has been a few quiet moments of introspection. As a result of studying Dr. Feuerstein's book, I see that mediation can be so much more, and I want to make it so with me. I crave self-realization, and I need help to do it.I work as an engineer, so separating from the material world is a challenge for me – I study and contemplate it during most waking hours. Also, I am a Christian, so reconciling the concept of the Absolute with my concept of the God of the Bible is another hurdle that I must clear. But I MUST succeed, or I will live in perpetual disappointment.So I hope that you enlightened folks can help. I will observe your conversations with great interest, and – as I become more comfortable – I will begin to participate in them. For now, since I am a reader, what books and periodicals can you recommend to aid me in my journey? I greatly appreciate any advice you might lend.Namaste.Padmasanadave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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