Pointers on the Path: To Whom It May Concern

Pointers on the Path

After paradoxically searching for something that we already have or trying to become what we already are, one slowly realizes that one needs to know very little in the realm of selfrealization. 'It take us long to discover that the light we are seeking is in our own lantern And that our rice have been cooked from the very beginning.' ~A Zen Saying The more serious ones search gets the less spiritual baggage one seems to require for ones spiritual ascend. Says Shankara: Study of scriptures is fruitless as long as the highest Truth is not known. And it is equally fruitless when the highest Truth has already been known. (Vivekachudamani, 61) In a similar vein, Sufi poet, Bulle Shah, says: O, dear friend, refrain from empty learning. In the school of life, just the first letter of the alphabet is enough to experience the Real thing! (Illmo bass karin o yaar. Ek alif tere darkaar) The following few observations of the sages continue to serve well the mirage called satinder: 1. The unreal never is; the real never ceases to be. (BG. 2.16)
2. The familiar world is an illusion, the underlying Consciousness is the only reality. At no

time we are not one with this underlying reality. [imperfect paraphrasing Sri Shankaras famous half-verse: Brahma satyam jagat mithya, jivo brahmaiva naparah: Brahman is real,
the world is illusory, individual self Atman--is not different from Brahman]

3. At no time has the jiva ever not been one with the Brahman. (Na kadaachit jivasyaa Brahmanna sampattir naastiSri Shankara in Brahm Sutra Bhasayam) 4. Realization is getting rid of the idea that you havent realized. ~Sri Ramana Maharshi

5. A man is truly free, even here in this embodied state, if he knows that God is the true agent and he by himself is powerless to do anything. ~Sri Ramakrishna

6. Not all spiritual paths lead to the Harmonious Oneness. Indeed, most are detours and distractions, nothing more. Lao Tzu, Hua Hu Ching
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Pointers on the Path: To Whom It May Concern

7. We are cookies in the same Great Kitchen, but in various stages of what is called being done. ~ Gurdjieff Some important verses from Sri Shankaras Vivekachudamani: (based on Swami Madhavanandas and Swami Turiyanandas translation) 1. ery rare indeed are these three things (only these three) and happen only due to V utmost Grace of God--namely, precious human birth, longing for liberation (from existential ignorance), and blessed company of illuminated sages. (3) 2. One may recite scriptures and sacrifice to the holy spirits, one may peform rituals and worship deitiesbut until one wakes up to the reality of ones identity with the Atman, liberation can never be obtained; no, not even at the end of many hundreds of Brahmas years. (6) 3. Right action helps to purify the mind, but it does not lead to the direct perception of the Real Truth. The realization of the Truth is brought about by Atam-vichaar (SelfInquiry) and not in the least by peforming even ten millions of acts. (11) 4. Among all the means to liberation, devotion is the best. To seek earnestly to know ones real nature (reality of ones own Atman)this is called devotion. (31) 5. Neither by the practice of Yoga or of Sankhaya philosophy, nor by good deeds, nor by learning, does the liberation come; Liberation comes only through the realization of ones identity with the Brahman, and by no other means. (56) 6. Erudition, well-articulated speech, a wealth of words, and skill in expounding the scripturesthese things bring pleasure to the learned, but they do not bring liberation. (58) 7. The scriptures consisting of many words are like a dense forest which merely causes the mind to wander. Therefore, thosw who know this should earnestly set about knowing the true nature of the Reality (i.e., the Self or Brahman). (60) 8. In the dream state when there is no actual contact with the external world, the mind alone creates the whole universe consisting of the experiencer, the experiences, and the experienced. Likewise, in the waking state also it creates everything we see. There is no difference. Therefore everything we see is the projection of the mind. (170, a favorite of Sri Ramana) 9. Ther is no birth nor death, neither bondage nor aspirant, neither one desirous of liberation nor one liberated. This is the ultimate truth. (574) (Gaudapadas and Sri Ramanas favorite)
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Pointers on the Path: To Whom It May Concern

And finally The following six verses sum up the entire method and the message of Ashtavakra Gita: 1. If you detach yourself from the body and mind and rest in consciousness, you will at once be happy, peaceful, and free from bondage. (I, 3) 2. My child, you may often speak upon various scriptures or hear them. But you cannot be established in the Self unless you forget all. (XVI, 1) 3. Let even Hara, Hari and the lotus-born Brahma be your instructor, but unless you forget all, you cannot be established in the Self. (XVI, 11) 4. The person of ignorance does not attain peace either by action or by inaction. The wise becomes happy by merely ascertaining the Truth. (XVIII, 34.) 5. All are unhappy because they exert themselves. But none knows this. The blessed one attains emancipation through this very instruction. (XV, 3) 6. In whatever you perceive you alone appear. Completely give up all such distinctions as I am he and I am not this. Consider all as thy Self. (XV, 14-15.) The essence of Srimad Bhagavatam in one shaloka: Aham Brahmm parama dhaamo, Brahmm aham paramam padam; Evam samikshe ca aatmaanam, aatmani aadhaye nishkale. (SB 12.5.11) You should consider, thusly: I am Brahmm, the Supreme Abode; and the Brahmm is me verily, the Supreme Destination. Clarify thus within your Self and establish yourself in the Supreme Self which is ever free from any taints. The essence of Bhagavad Gita in one shaloka: Ishvarah sarvabhuutaanaan hriddeshe.arjuna tishhthati, Bhraamayan sarvabhuutaani yantraaruudhaani maayayaa . (BG 18.61) O Arjuna, the Supreme Lord resides in everyones heart, by His Maya causing all the beings to revolve as though mounted on a machine.

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