Showing posts with label eastern philosophy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label eastern philosophy. Show all posts

From The River Of Heaven Review

From The River Of Heaven
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From The River Of Heaven ReviewThis is one of the few books that presents the comlexity of vedic and Hindu thought, knowledge and techniques in a clear, insightful and simple manner. It makes the reader get a level of comfort right from the beginning which very few authors tend to achieve in writing a book. Even people not having any familiarity or are vague with concepts of Hindu religion and astrologcial groundings can get good insight and satisfactory knowledge from this book.From The River Of Heaven OverviewVedic knowledge is the ancient and universal root, not only of Hinduism, but of many of the world's religions and mystical traditions.Hindu and Vedic knowledge presents a complete system of spiritual science, including all the practices of yoga as part of a rich field of spiritual culture.From the River of Heaven may be the most accessible and relevent overview of the spiritual tradition of India and its clearest presentation to the modern mind.

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The Essential Aurobindo: Writings of Sri Aurobindo Review

The Essential Aurobindo: Writings of Sri Aurobindo
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The Essential Aurobindo: Writings of Sri Aurobindo ReviewIn his numerous and enlightening writings, Sri Aurobindo presents one of the most significant metaphysical interpretations concerning the nature of existence, as well as the purpose of matter, life, mind, and spirit. For Aurobindo, existence unfolds by a perpetuating and inevitable evolution towards the complete fulfillment of spirit and soul, whereby the mind of man is an intermediate step by which the all-knowing, all-powerful, and all-present bliss that is the universe can eventually recognize itself in spirit.
Aurobindo has a particularly fascinating elucidation on the process of natural evolution. In his estimation, evolution is the instrument by which the infinite oneness (Aurobindo uses many terms - though in vain - to capture what he admits is ineffable) unveils itself. In this sense, the process by which matter became life, life became animals, and animals became man, was a natural process not aimless but inevitable. For if matter manifested life, matter (or the material reality) must have inherently involved life even before its fruition. In this sense, life, mind, and the future states of the supramental and spiritual revelation are not spontaneously created by a blind universe, but instead are consciously liberated over time. In his words matter and life, mind and spirit, are not created anew but are already existent - but merely manifested by the Spirit in a process of "bringing out of what already existed in suppressed fact or in eternal potentiality." (72) There is purpose and direction.
Evolution gradually advances the material reality into recognition of its spiritual bliss, and only by the evolution up to, through, and past the human mind (well, theoretically any 'mental' organism/being will do) will this recognition exist. Accordingly, our lives are fraught with meaning and purpose. Our purpose is to recognize the all-blissful spirit that IS 'us' and 'everything', by advancing our consciousness past (but not by denying entirely) vital and mental concerns towards the spiritual realm. Hence we will facilitate the continual process of evolution towards the descent of the 'supramental' - the stage 'above mind' by which man and the universe can wax ever more conscious of the ineffable bliss and spirit that constitutes "being". Man IS special indeed - Aurobindo even designates him as the Spirit's "highest vehicle" for evolution to date. Having said that, he is merely an instrument of the divine spirit, and he is not more or less important than, nor more and less separate from any other component or material force that precedes and follows his existence. Thus he should not regard his special place as an invitation towards egoism and pride, for he and his mind had always existed and will always exist in 'eternal potentiality,' and his place is hence shared with all, while all shares its omnipresent place with him.
Before reading Aurobindo, I had really only been familiar with University professors and western philosophers. According to the conventional thoughts of this milieu - perhaps best encapsulated in Camus' "Myth of Sisyphus" - existence in the material is not only temporary but also meaningless. Body and mind are but interchangeable and mundane forms of matter, and 'conceiving' the soul is an action of a schizophrenic mind creating an imaginary friend of sorts to console the restlessness of his purposeless existence. Aurobindo's words, however, seek to "thin the wall between soul and matter." (195)
Some eastern belief systems posit reality that isn't much more cheerful - including the Buddhist conception (depending on how one interprets it) that existence in the material realm may be eternal and one may indeed have a soul, but it still lacks purpose in that it is subjected to a perpetual and unwilling participation in an endless cycle of natural processes. While rebirth is hypothetically preferable to a one-shot deal, existence is still meaningless - and therefore the goal is to escape the cycle in itself (Nirvana). From these beliefs and others, Aurobindo provides an alternative answer.
While Aurobindo subscribes to a monistic conceptualization of being, he posits a refined variation on this interpretation. In evaluating the idea of resurrection of the soul in his essay "Philosophy of Rebirth," Aurobindo claims that conventional monisms - e.g. Vedantics and Upanishads - contend the universe is one, and that matter ebbs and flows from this oneness like waves from the sea. But as Aurobindo astutely points out, if this is the case, rebirth of the soul is either temporary, illusory, or unnecessary. There is no reason for it. Why is there matter at all, why can't the eternal oneness just be in itself? Why is there manifestation of its reality at all? The sea does not need waves.
This is where Aurobindo demarcates his spiritual belief about Nature and Spirit most compellingly. Unlike the Vedantics or Buddhists who exalt the spiritual realm while subsequently derogating the material realm that often obscures it, Aurobindo argues that these two domains are one and the same - inevitably interdependent for manifestation and consciousness - hence Integral Yoga. The sea NEEDS waves. The material world is the infinite divine manifesting itself in a perpetual process of unfolding its blissful being, and it strives for consciousness of itself through evolution from matter to life to mind to supramental to ubiquitous consciousness of the SPIRIT. It can not do so in infinity - it trips over its own legs in the endlessness of space and time. Hence it concentrates spirit in the finite of matter, life, mind, and supermind/spirit.
These are some of the many fascinating ideas that Aurobindo introduces in his many essays. He presents many valuable insights on the role of religion in its interpretation of Spirit, as well as the dichotomy of the material world / spiritual world (a dichotomy Aurobindo insists is inaccurate) and how western and eastern thought treat this traditional opposition. Perhaps his most impressive quality is his profound and complete understanding of interpretations other than his own, educed by his discussion on western and eastern philosophical and religious traditions.
While Aurobindo's ideas in themselves are captivating, his articulation of those ideas are equally impressive. As his second (some might even argue his third) language, his command of English and mastery of lingual exposition matches that of Conrad. An exquisite writer, he articulates his sophisticated metaphysics with elegant prose and quite coherent explication. Quite simply, he is an exquisite writer and an absolutely brilliant thinker. I highly recommend this book. I have found it to be the most rewarding collection of words to explain to me the nature of the universe and my place in it as a human.
The Essential Aurobindo: Writings of Sri Aurobindo OverviewSri Aurobindo stands out as one of the deepest and most profoundly relevant of contemporary Asian spiritual masters speaking to the West. His vision transcends the distinctive strengths and weaknesses of India and the West, and his discipline brings the yogas of the Gita to the task of world transformation.His collaborator, The Mother, offers a blueprint for the utopian community Auroville, giving sage advice on the ideal of a spiritually based approach to education.Robert McDermott's afterword in this revised edition recounts the increased significance of Aurobindo's message in the West-especially for America-since the book was first published in 1973.Here is an invaluable resource for understanding the underlying connections and common ground between Eastern and Western teachings and traditions for modern thinkers and spiritual seekers.

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The Yoga of Jesus: Understanding the Hidden Teachings of the Gospels Review

The Yoga of Jesus: Understanding the Hidden Teachings of the Gospels
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The Yoga of Jesus: Understanding the Hidden Teachings of the Gospels ReviewThis book captures Paramanhansa Yogananda's spoken words and writings and puts them into clear focus in one volume on the much misunderstood teachings of Jesus. This new book "The Yoga Of Jesus" is a hundred years in the making. The editors and publishers do a great job of putting Yogananda's thoughts in a logical order so that it reveals a much deeper message--one that shows the hidden yoga of the gospels.
This book will awaken some people to new ideas while others may just have their inner truth reaffirmed. The book is a significant spiritual work and will remain a best seller (As does his classic "The Autobiography of a Yogi") for decades if not centuries.
There is even a chapter devoted to the missing years of Christ's life, which were spent in India according to Yogananda. The references and footnotes help build strong support for what this book is revealing about the life and teachings of Jesus.
The book is an eye opener for non-yogis and a blissful confirmation of truth from those who follow the teachings of Yogananda. This is one of his best books. I would suggest reading this book along with "The Second Coming of Christ: The Resurrection of the Christ Within You" - which blazed huge new spiritual roads just a few years ago.
This book, as with many of Yogananda's books, shows parallels between the teachings of all the great Christian saints, mystics and other enlightened founders of spiritual thought. This book should help unify and promote inter-faith understanding for those with open minds and hearts.
This book is well worth adding to your spiritual library. It can be read in a full afternoon but it may take a lifetime or longer to full grasp all the truth that is within its pages. The book is best read slowly while allowing time to ponder and digest the meaning of what is read. There is so much wisdom and love within these pages. This book receives my highest possible personal recommendation. This is a MUST READ BOOK!The Yoga of Jesus: Understanding the Hidden Teachings of the Gospels OverviewIn this remarkable book, Paramahansa Yogananda reveals the hidden yoga of the Gospels and confirms that Jesus, like the ancient sages and masters of the East, not only knew yoga but taught this universal science of God-realization to his closest disciples. Compiled from the author's highly praised two-volume work, The Second Coming of Christ: The Resurrection of the Christ Within You, this insightful and compact book transcends the centuries of dogma and misunderstanding that have obscured the original teachings of Jesus, showing that he taught a unifying path by which seekers of all faiths can enter the kingdom of God. Topics include: •The lost years of Jesus in India •The ancient science of meditation: how to become a Christ •The true meaning of baptism.

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The Ancient Reality-Teachings ("Perfect Knowledge" Series) (Perfect Knowledge Series) Review

The Ancient Reality-Teachings (Perfect Knowledge Series) (Perfect Knowledge Series)
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The Ancient Reality-Teachings ("Perfect Knowledge" Series) (Perfect Knowledge Series) ReviewThis review applies equally to Reality Is All The God There Is: The Single Transcendental Truth Taught by the Great Sages and the Revelation of Reality Itself, which is essentially the same textual material.
"Reality Itself is the only basis for true sanity and well-being". This books is subtitled: "The Single Transcendental Truth Taught by the Great Sages of Buddhism and Advaitism".
So this book is about the egoless Reality and Real God that is Transcendental Truth, and reveals that absolute non-dual Reality is the essentail Truth. Or, a non-dual, ecstatic, sane, wise, and entirely egoless Reality-Revelation and Way of Reality, not an ego-way.
What is this book about? First of all this book includes extraordinary free renderings of traditional buddhist and advaitic texts, freely rendered in the English language by the fully enlightened Avataric Great Sage, Adi Da Samraj. Works of the Buddha, Nagarjuna, Adi Shankara made to speak alive and anew for all time. The Ribhu Gita sung again, so that all future generations may taste the undying wisdom of primal Reality-Wisdom. These renderings greatly expand upon the meaning, context, and content of these ancient texts, invigorating them, clarifying them, honing precious reality-wisdom and bringing purity of Reality-Truth. Not a mind-based scholarly rendition, but a spiritually discerning heart-clarification of root-wisdom. Just those renderings make this a precious gem of infinite value.
So in making these renderings, in clarifying these traditional teachings, Adi Da Samraj is demonstrating an absolute mastery of understanding of both Buddhism and Advaita Vedanta. Most penetrating insight, most clarifying language, and altogether most revelatory of the essential reality-truth that underlies both of these transcendentalist traditions.
But additionally are Adi Da Samraj's focused Essays and discourses on the root matters of transcendental spirituality found in both Buddhism and Advaitism, and his own unique offering of the Reality-Way of Adidam. Considering the presumed historical differences between the traditions, yet always coming back to the root Reality-Teachings of Truth that are the essential essence of both. Considering the difference between talk and actual Realization of Reality-Truth. Clarifying questions offered by Adi Da Samraj's own devotees for the sake of awakening right understanding in all and All.
Indeed, in the final Essay, Advaita Buddha Dharma, a very clear conclusion is pointed at with profundity: the Truth is no-difference, indivisible, one. The language is apparently different between Buddhist and Advaitic Sages, Truth is ONE.
This text illuminates every transcendental truth given to humankind throughout the ages, and outshines all of that in newly enlivened freely rendered wisdom, light, and vast spacious brightness. Any serious student of spiritual esotericism, transcendental wisdom, buddhism, non-duality, Advaita Vedanta, or Ramana Maharshi will find wisdom-nectar and inspiration for practice in this extraordinary Spiritual Gift to all humankind.
And this text is profoundly critical of all ego-based approaches to transcendental and necessarily spiritual reality-truth. This book calls beings to the ego-transcending ordeal of rightly guided practice in esoteric school of authentic practice, neither talk or any mind form is sufficient for actual renunciate realization of egoless prior-to-mind Reality-Truth. As such this book is a beacon of unconditional sanity among the "talkers" of pseudo-spirituality in our adolescent age.
Indeed: Reality Is All The God There Is
This book is part of the "Way of Perfect Knowledge" series of books by Adi Da Samraj, the other titles being:
The Perfect Tradition (The Perfect Knowledge Series)
Religion and Reality (The Perfect Knowledge Series)
The Liberator (The "Perfect Knowledge" Series)
The Way of Perfect Knowledge (The Perfect Knowledge" Series)
Radical Devotion (The Way of Perfect Knowledge series)
And now, all of this material, fully and completely updated to the final instructions given by Avatar Adi Da Samraj, are found in the great Masterwork The Gnosticon
This volume, The Ancient Reality-Teachings, is a profoundly clarifying set of instruction and wisdom about reality-teachings and the great transcendentalist traditions of Advaita Vedanta and Buddhism. And a great revelation force of explication upon the intrinsically egoless Reality-Way of Adidam.The Ancient Reality-Teachings ("Perfect Knowledge" Series) (Perfect Knowledge Series) OverviewWhen Adi Da looked at "The Heart of the Ribhu Gita" he was moved to make his own rendering or "interpretive translation" of the text, in order to elucidate, and thereby honor, its full meaning. He was not intending to re-write the text from his point of view, but, rather, to draw out the real intention of Ribhu, as only another Realizer can. He also reviewed other great dharma from the tradition of Advaita Vedanta and from the Buddhist tradition. He was bringing the essence of the instruction to the fore. The texts whose meanings were only partially (or cryptically) expressed even in the original let alone in translation were suddenly shining forth, like rough gems cut by an expert hand. Adi Da chose to read these texts to his devotees. In each case, he was bringing the essence of the instruction, with an elegance and illumined understanding that left his devotees speechless in amazement. "The traditional texts presented by Me in this Book are only a few in number, but they are outstanding among the most important texts ever written. They are so much to the point that they are profoundly Illuminating--not sufficient for the Awakening of Transcendental Realization Itself, but potentially sufficient to bring anyone to practice at the feet of a true Master. " Adi Da Samraj "To understand the great religions in a new light, one has only to read Adi Da Samraj. Anyone who has an open mind cannot help feeling that his description of the Supreme Yoga of the seventh stage of life is true. Intuitively you will be convinced that Adi Da Samraj knows what he is talking about because of his unique Realization." Roger Savoie, PhD, Philosopher, writer and translator Author: La Vipere et le Lion La Voie radicale de la Spiritualite [The Snake and the Lion, the Radical Way of Spirituality]

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Sri Aurobindo, or the Adventure of Consciousness Review

Sri Aurobindo, or the Adventure of Consciousness
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Sri Aurobindo, or the Adventure of Consciousness ReviewSri Aurobindo was, in the opinion of many yogis, the greatest saint who was generally available to the public in modern times. (The caveat is because there are great souls who prefer to remain hidden.) Though his wisdom was vast and his discoveries in deep meditation greatly advanced our understanding of humanity's capabilities, his writings are so huge and dense, that comparitively few have understood the majesty of the man's philosophy. That is why Sat Prem's book is so valuable. You will never find a more succinct or readable tome on Aurobindo. It is the perfect introduction to the work of this great master, who deserves to be much better known in the West.Sri Aurobindo, or the Adventure of Consciousness Overview

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