Guest guest Posted April 9, 1999 Report Share Posted April 9, 1999 David Hodges wrote: > David Hodges <dhodges > > Hi Harsha, > I have a very specific question about the quote from Ramana Maharshi's talks > with Paul Brunton. He says "By repeated practice one can become accustomed to > turning inwards and finding the Self. One must always and constantly make an > effort, until one has permanently realized. Once the effort ceases, the state > becomes natural and the Supreme takes possession of the person with an unbroken > current. Until it has become permanently natural and your habitual state, know > that you have not realized the Self, only glimpsed it. " > > My question is about this word "Supreme." I find this word also in Nisargadatta > and I am wondering if it is an unsatisfactory attempt by the translator to > translate some term, or if it is accurate. I mean, why not translate it as "the > Self" or "I Am" or "God" ? My best guess is that it is a placeholder word for > what is ineffable and inexpressible but within the possibilities of experience. > > Curious to hear yours or anyone's thoughts on this. > > David > Harsha: What you say makes sense David. Although I do not attach particular importance to the the use of the word Supreme. Some word has to be used to indicate the Reality which makes everything appear real. Do not think it is something far away or mysterious. Ramana Maharshi clearly and joyfully indicated to Paul Brunton that what is Sahaj for the Siddha is Sadhana for the Aspirant. Therefore, not only is it within the realm of experience, there is never a time it is not being experienced even through the thickest veils of the mind. That which is perpetual, continuous, easy and natural is the Supreme state Like Jnaneshwar has said, when the tank is full of water which is clear and still, it appears to be empty. That is a beautiful metaphor. The Self is Fullness It Self, yet It is Complete Emptiness. It is Sat-Chit-Ananda. Inwardly, It is the unbroken current of awareness permeating every state of consciousness and yet retaining complete and absolute independence, that independence being its very nature in totality. It is the natural sprouting of bliss. Outwardly, it is not in conflict with anything, as there is truly nothing outside it.. It is the simplest and the most basic element. Yet volumes of scriptures and commentaries can be found everywhere. Marcus has been giving us great gifts. Let me take the liberty to quote: sutra 8: "the inward cessation of all darshanas i.e. all empirical knowledge, e.g., the experience of (an external thing as) colour, a means of manifestation of the essential nature of tat i,e., Shiva who is of the nature of consciousness and a mass of bliss.'' The beginning of true understanding begins when we still our mind of all vikalpas. The subtle discrimination of the higher mind cannot be heard above the roar of the vikalpas of the monkey mind. In doing this, we are expanded to the state of Turiya, the fourth state, as is said in sutra 8: ''Thus this venerable turiya consciousness whose nature it is to hold together emanation, maintenance, and re-absorption flashes forth ceaselessly." Step by step we expand our understanding, as is said: "This venerable (power) being resorted to more and more makes her devotee her own step by step." Ultimately, philosophical dogma becomes a moot point. Shedding all vikalpas, including the vikalpas of the various philosophies, we begin the true journey towards the essence of all philosophies. This is highly individual. This is the beginning of the true journey. Mahabhakti M Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 9, 1999 Report Share Posted April 9, 1999 >Harsha: What you say makes sense David. Although I do not attach particular >importance to the the use of the word Supreme. Some word has to be used to indicate >the Reality which makes everything appear real. Do not think it is something far >away or mysterious. Ramana Maharshi clearly and joyfully indicated to Paul Brunton >that what is Sahaj for the Siddha is Sadhana for the Aspirant. Therefore, not only >is it within the realm of experience, there is never a time it is not being >experienced even through the thickest veils of the mind. That which is perpetual, >continuous, easy and natural is the Supreme state Like Jnaneshwar has said, when >the tank is full of water which is clear and still, it appears to be empty. That is >a beautiful metaphor. The Self is Fullness It Self, yet It is Complete Emptiness. >It is Sat-Chit-Ananda. Inwardly, It is the unbroken current of awareness permeating >every state of consciousness and yet retaining complete and absolute independence, >that independence being its very nature in totality. It is the natural sprouting of >bliss. Outwardly, it is not in conflict with anything, as there is truly nothing >outside it.. It is the simplest and the most basic element. Yet volumes of >scriptures and commentaries can be found everywhere. Marcus has been giving us >great gifts. Let me take the liberty to quote: >sutra 8: "the inward cessation of all darshanas i.e. all empirical knowledge, e.g., the experience of (an external thing as) colour, a means of manifestation of the essential nature of tat i,e., Shiva who is of the nature of consciousness and a mass of bliss.'' The beginning of true understanding begins when we still our mind of all vikalpas. The subtle discrimination of the higher mind cannot be heard above the roar of the vikalpas of the monkey mind. In doing this, we are expanded to the state of Turiya, the fourth state, as is said in sutra 8: ''Thus this venerable turiya consciousness whose nature it is to hold together emanation, maintenance, and re-absorption flashes forth ceaselessly." Step by step we expand our understanding, as is said: "This venerable (power) being resorted to more and more makes her devotee her own step by step." Ultimately, philosophical dogma becomes a moot point. Shedding all vikalpas, including the vikalpas of the various philosophies, we begin the true journey towards the essence of all philosophies. This is highly individual. This is the beginning of the true journey. Mahabhakti M Linda: Very well stated. There simply comes a time when no matter what philosophy or words we ascribe to we need to move beyond the intellectual understanding, I remember being told that no words can adequately describe "God" in it's entirety. Therefore the intellect can not get us 'there'. The fact that the journey can get highly individualistic forces one to move inward as it appears that there are no adequate answers coming from outside. Challenge is that it can be a frightening process because it becomes one's own process. So the wonderful teachings left for us are a guide but eventually only surrendering to the flow will work. Thanks for your clarity Linda ------ Did you know that we add over 1,000 new e-mail communities every day? http://www.ONElist.com Explore a new hobby, discover a new friend, laugh at a new joke! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.