Harsha Samadhi and Adi-Dan Samadhi

[Guest guest]

At 12:08 PM 1/20/00 -0500, Harsha (Dr. Harsh K. Luthar) wrote:

>A lot of what we express is simply a function of our own background and

experience and no one is an exception to that. Since my own background is

in meditation and yoga, I easily slip into terms like Samadhi and

Nirvikalpa Samadhi as I can relate to them through my experience.

>

>You have raised some other important points Dan including "If the Self is

One, who incarnates? And how does Kevala Nirvikalpa become Sahaj Samadhi?

You have also asked that if Awareness is One Whole, how can we speak of

various special states? You raise the issue of spiritual materialism in

which a seeker aspires to experience various special states of

consciousness. Those are all worth great reflection Dan and I am sure

others here can offer more insights into that.

>

>Since you wish to be clear on Ramana Maharshi's views, may I request that

you read "Be As You Are." It is compilation of the essential conversations

with Ramana Maharshi by David Godman. Each important topic is given its own

chapter and discussed clearly. Many of the issues you raise, I believe, are

addressed there.

 

Hello Harsha and Dan,

 

I agree with Harsha about how things get expressed, reflects the trajectory

of someone's background and approach. I'll will write something later on

about sahaja samadhi, as defined by my teacher's teacher, Krishna Menon

(Sri Atmananda), who distinguishes it from Nirvikalpa and other samadhis.

In a sentence, it's the everyday nowness of Awareness. Objectless,

stateless consciousness, within, between and beyond activities, our true

nature. It is the only samadhi I've seen reference to in the Advaitic

tradition that doesn't come and go. Actually, it's a lot like what Dan and

Harsha and Ramana write/speak about quite frequently.

 

Another point of agreement. I love David Godman's book on Ramana, it's

perhaps the best single book, unless you want to read the large TALKS. For

some purposes, it's a much better book. I'd say most Westerners are

interested in topics, what does Ramana say on karma, the Self, etc.

Because of the book's tight topical organization and David Godman's nice

intros to each section, the book is easy to use. Another great thing on BE

AS YOU ARE is that Godman used Ramana's dialogs and talks from many, many

of Ramana's published books, not just TALKS. As (I think) the former

librarian of the Ramanasramam in Tiruvanamalai, Godman was able to really

scoured all available sources for material.

 

Love,

 

--Greg