Re: [FairfieldLife] The New Advaitins
On Jan 2, 2006, at 11:34 PM, coshlnx wrote:re: previous post asking about the new Advaitins and if there's anything negative that can be said about them. I call them Neo- Advaitins. Most are non-progressivists in the traditions of Ramana Maharshi and Nisargadatta Maharaj. HWL Poonja, a disciple of RM, has spawned a sizeable brood of these creatures. There are numerous links to other Neo-Advaitins such as Gangaji, Ramesh Balsekar, etc. HWL Poonja's message is that you should give up all techniques and just "BE"! A good idea once one reaches a certain stage. Some can do it sooner, some later. Some will need some sort of "support", some will not. Either way a realized teacher is indispensable.It's interesting to me that I'll often hear TMers (and others say) 'I simply in the Self' or something along those lines. In Patanjali's (gradual) system this possibility of "atma-kalpena" occurs after initial realization but is not something most people just "do"--although it's fashionable to believe we can or that TM might allow such exalted realization of atma-kalpena.As you might expect, he doesn't approve of TM, since TM is accompanied by a progressivist orientation (which I agree with); which arises in the context of talking about the physiological counterpart to Enlightenment. That is, culturing the nervous system is the physical "unstressing" counterpart to linear evolution. Year 1,2,3...of practicing TM brings on a greater accumulation of benefits of a progressive nature: more global awareness, less stress, etc; and, although it's quite possible for somebody to become Enlightened immediately in the presence of somebody like Ramana Maharshi (as HWL Poonja was apparently, according to his own testimony), it's statistically unlikely.Well there are gradual schools and there are sudden schools. The question really is "is it enough to just tell someone to rest in the "I am"? And if it is enough, how do we know our practice is correct? How do we check the View? Usually that means interaction with the scriptures which will explain the signs of such attainment AND contact with a teacher who is familiar with the state. It's good to have both because the teacher is not always present and words alone can often mislead. An alternative explanation for the anti-technique viewpoints of the Neo-Advaitins is simply that they are total dunces when it comes to the technology of evolution . Two questions are important here: (at least) 1. What is the result of following such a Guru (as any of the Neo- Advaitins). Do they turn you on spiritually speaking? If so, how and what are some concrete results. 2. Are there factual errors in their statements? 3. Does the worldview of reality presented by such persons as Ramesh Balsekar mesh with your own conceptions/observations on reality?Well not all Advaitins are "anti-technique". The best IMO give different range of tools for different people at different aspects of their own practice. The important caveat being 'you have to be able to be totally honest with your own condition in order for this to work.' Otherwise self-deception takes over. The ego can convert anything to it's own use, even spirituality. This is why in some traditions of advaita it is considered crucial to first understand how to separate samsara and nirvana and how the two arise from the same ground. The underlying View of a "sudden" advaita style of meditation is that one can apply the Fruit--enlightenment--as the Path. But in order for that to work, one must be certain what one is applying is enlightenment!The prophecies concerning this time in the Kali-yuga and emergence of non-dual schools, they warn that there will be a lot of fakes and many will fall for them. And we are seeing a lot of that today no doubt. Caveat emptor! I recommend that you read "The Euphoric Nihilism of Ramesh Balsekar" - by Chris Parish, and editor at "What is enlightenment" Magazine. You can find it at http://www.tinyurl.com/74qbj Other article on Ramesh Balsekar (a typical Neo-Advaitin) may be found at http://www.tinyurl.com/a22qt and http://www.tinyurl.com/au8kv This should give you an idea of what the Neo-Advaitins are all about!... Eye openers. To subscribe, send a message to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Or go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FairfieldLife/ and click 'Join This Group!' YAHOO! GROUPS LINKS Visit your group "FairfieldLife" on the web. To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service.
Re: [FairfieldLife] The New Advaitins
Ultimately the only value of one's relationship with a guru is if you become realized through their teaching. Judging the validity of other gurus that have nothing to do with your life is just an exercise in arrogance and continued attachment to a concept/story of what you think enlightenment is. And what is the foundation of your assessment? Waking state? Then your criteria is whether they please your ego or not! --- coshlnx [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: re: previous post asking about the new Advaitins and if there's anything negative that can be said about them. I call them Neo- Advaitins. Most are non-progressivists in the traditions of Ramana Maharshi and Nisargadatta Maharaj. HWL Poonja, a disciple of RM, has spawned a sizeable brood of these creatures. There are numerous links to other Neo-Advaitins such as Gangaji, Ramesh Balsekar, etc. HWL Poonja's message is that you should give up all techniques and just BE! As you might expect, he doesn't approve of TM, since TM is accompanied by a progressivist orientation (which I agree with); which arises in the context of talking about the physiological counterpart to Enlightenment. That is, culturing the nervous system is the physical unstressing counterpart to linear evolution. Year 1,2,3...of practicing TM brings on a greater accumulation of benefits of a progressive nature: more global awareness, less stress, etc; and, although it's quite possible for somebody to become Enlightened immediately in the presence of somebody like Ramana Maharshi (as HWL Poonja was apparently, according to his own testimony), it's statistically unlikely. An alternative explanation for the anti-technique viewpoints of the Neo-Advaitins is simply that they are total dunces when it comes to the technology of evolution . Two questions are important here: (at least) 1. What is the result of following such a Guru (as any of the Neo- Advaitins). Do they turn you on spiritually speaking? If so, how and what are some concrete results. 2. Are there factual errors in their statements? 3. Does the worldview of reality presented by such persons as Ramesh Balsekar mesh with your own conceptions/observations on reality? I recommend that you read The Euphoric Nihilism of Ramesh Balsekar - by Chris Parish, and editor at What is enlightenment Magazine. You can find it at http://www.tinyurl.com/74qbj Other article on Ramesh Balsekar (a typical Neo-Advaitin) may be found at http://www.tinyurl.com/a22qt and http://www.tinyurl.com/au8kv This should give you an idea of what the Neo-Advaitins are all about!... Yahoo! Groups Sponsor ~-- Join modern day disciples reach the disfigured and poor with hope and healing http://us.click.yahoo.com/lMct6A/Vp3LAA/i1hLAA/UlWolB/TM ~- To subscribe, send a message to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Or go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FairfieldLife/ and click 'Join This Group!' Yahoo! Groups Links [EMAIL PROTECTED] __ Yahoo! DSL Something to write home about. Just $16.99/mo. or less. dsl.yahoo.com Yahoo! Groups Sponsor ~-- Join modern day disciples reach the disfigured and poor with hope and healing http://us.click.yahoo.com/lMct6A/Vp3LAA/i1hLAA/UlWolB/TM ~- To subscribe, send a message to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Or go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FairfieldLife/ and click 'Join This Group!' Yahoo! Groups Links * To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FairfieldLife/ * To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] * Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
Re: [FairfieldLife] The New Advaitins
On Jan 3, 2006, at 8:19 AM, Peter wrote:Ultimately the only value of one's relationship with a guru is if you become realized through their teaching. Interesting--no mention whatsoever of the importance of having the capacity to pass it on to others to relieve their suffering!Realization with no ability or capacity to further transmit that state, what value does it have? Does the capacity to further transmit the path and the state of enlightenment naturally come with enlightenment? No, it does not. To subscribe, send a message to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Or go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FairfieldLife/ and click 'Join This Group!' SPONSORED LINKS Maharishi university of management Maharishi mahesh yogi Ramana maharshi YAHOO! GROUPS LINKS Visit your group "FairfieldLife" on the web. To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service.
[FairfieldLife] The New Advaitins
re: previous post asking about the new Advaitins and if there's anything negative that can be said about them. I call them Neo- Advaitins. Most are non-progressivists in the traditions of Ramana Maharshi and Nisargadatta Maharaj. HWL Poonja, a disciple of RM, has spawned a sizeable brood of these creatures. There are numerous links to other Neo-Advaitins such as Gangaji, Ramesh Balsekar, etc. HWL Poonja's message is that you should give up all techniques and just BE! As you might expect, he doesn't approve of TM, since TM is accompanied by a progressivist orientation (which I agree with); which arises in the context of talking about the physiological counterpart to Enlightenment. That is, culturing the nervous system is the physical unstressing counterpart to linear evolution. Year 1,2,3...of practicing TM brings on a greater accumulation of benefits of a progressive nature: more global awareness, less stress, etc; and, although it's quite possible for somebody to become Enlightened immediately in the presence of somebody like Ramana Maharshi (as HWL Poonja was apparently, according to his own testimony), it's statistically unlikely. An alternative explanation for the anti-technique viewpoints of the Neo-Advaitins is simply that they are total dunces when it comes to the technology of evolution . Two questions are important here: (at least) 1. What is the result of following such a Guru (as any of the Neo- Advaitins). Do they turn you on spiritually speaking? If so, how and what are some concrete results. 2. Are there factual errors in their statements? 3. Does the worldview of reality presented by such persons as Ramesh Balsekar mesh with your own conceptions/observations on reality? I recommend that you read The Euphoric Nihilism of Ramesh Balsekar - by Chris Parish, and editor at What is enlightenment Magazine. You can find it at http://www.tinyurl.com/74qbj Other article on Ramesh Balsekar (a typical Neo-Advaitin) may be found at http://www.tinyurl.com/a22qt and http://www.tinyurl.com/au8kv This should give you an idea of what the Neo-Advaitins are all about!... Yahoo! Groups Sponsor ~-- Join modern day disciples reach the disfigured and poor with hope and healing http://us.click.yahoo.com/lMct6A/Vp3LAA/i1hLAA/UlWolB/TM ~- To subscribe, send a message to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Or go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FairfieldLife/ and click 'Join This Group!' Yahoo! Groups Links * To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FairfieldLife/ * To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] * Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
