---Nope, I disagree with that viewpoint based on my experiences. While everything is the Self, the real question is: does SBS "have" a relative body which is real. Of course, Jesus has appearned in dreams to many people in powerful visions (as to me in 1996, with living, vibrant messages which influence one's outlook for a long time - even to this day); and similarly, Ramana Maharshi appeared to be in an extremely powerful mind/blowing vision. Critics of such experiences might claim that the entities in such visions are merely "holograms" and thus not real; but that argument doesn't hold water since everything is already a hologram. The real question then becomes one of appraising the holograms and most important the consequence and impact of the visions; not just the fact that one had a vision or flashy experience. We can use an analogy, the reports of the impact near death experiences have on people. Many people report that such experiences are life transforming, with powerful positive influences on the whole orientation of one's existence. Likewise, powerful visions can trigger deep but powerful transformations in the psyche which are deemed to be spiritually of value. SBS appeared to me in a powerful "real" experience in the dream state in 1988; in which he initiated me into a Durga mantra. The true measure of what's real or not is not whether it manifests in a vision (since everything is a vision); but the transformative effects which ensue over the years. But it's obvious that SBS is also a type of impersonalist all- pervasive Shiva. So is a dirt clod. Zen Koan: The Buddha is like a dirt clod. What's the difference? On an absolute level, the dirt clod is equally the Buddha. On a relative level, there are subtle transformative frequences of energy operating in multiple dimensions across vast reaches of time and in unimaginably complex chains of causes and effects; which allows the Buddha to be fully Absolute and also to operate in countless Transformation bodies. We don't see the dirt clod operating in that respect. Likewise, since SBS is no more Absolute than the dirt clod, there must be something else - another component or aspect of life - which enables the TM initiation to be effective; while having a picture of a dirt clod during the initiation and bowing down to it; might diminish the potency of the ritual. Thus, the component SBS has, or radiates, is Shakti. Dirt clods are composed of Shakti but don't radiate much of it.
In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, "jim_flanegin" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, "Ron" <sidha7001@> wrote: > > > > Again, it is my belief system being presented here, which includes > thinking what I have > > heard from other Gurus to be correct. > > > > I think Guru dev was an enlightened being, this means there is no > greater or lesser among > > the class of enlightened beings, and if he had disciples, then > yes, a Sat Guru. > > > > Those surrendering to him, nice gesture however when the ego is up > against a living Guru, > <snip> > > "was"? "had"? And I would challenge you to prove to anyone that > Brahmananda Saraswati is not alive; far more *alive* than you are! > > Do you think He appears as if in a dream, and communicates > abstractly with flowery phrases? What fantasy is this? He will > destroy any remnant of your small self, faster than you can imagine; > immolate your illusions in the blink of an eye (with your devoted > surrender and all consuming agreement, of course); bring the > Almighty power of Shiva within you, and all with an intimate and > personal love unsurpassed-- a relationship as real, sustained, and > as consistent as any other you may have. This is my direct > experience. > > What you have written here is based on some fanciful notion, and has > nothing to do with the vital, dynamic and living reality of Guru > Dev. Until you know what you are talking about, it may be better to > just watch and wait.:-) >
