Monthly Archives: June 2010

Is Learning Sanskrit Required for Self-Realization?

. Advaita and Yoga, TEACHERS . , , ,

Dear Harsha,

In my reading on the web, I often come across Sanskrit words that I don’t understand. Some of my friends are learning Sanskrit. Is learning Sanskrit necessary to make progress on the spiritual path and for Self-Realization? What are Sri Ramana’s views on this.

Curious Seeker

Continue reading →

What Is Sadhana? By Dr. Harsh K. Luthar

. Advaita and Yoga, INSPIRATIONAL, LIFESTYLE, PERSONAL, TEACHERS . , , , , ,

Dear Harsha,

I have come across the Sanskrit term “Sadhana” in many articles on Eastern spirituality. What is the true meaning of “Sadhana” and what is the goal?

A Seeker Continue reading →

What is the meaning of Supreme?

. Advaita and Yoga, TEACHERS . , , , , ,

Dear Harsha,

I have a very specific question about the quote from Ramana Maharshi’s talks with Paul Brunton. He says “By repeated practice one can become accustomed to turning inwards and finding the Self. One must always and constantly make an effort, until one has permanently realized. Once the effort ceases, the state becomes natural and the Supreme takes possession of the person with an unbroken current. Until it has become permanently natural and your habitual state, know that you have not realized the Self, only glimpsed it. ”

My question is about this word “Supreme.” I find this word also in Nisargadatta and I am wondering if it is an unsatisfactory attempt by the translator to translate some term, or if it is accurate. I mean, why not translate it as “the Self” or “I Am” or “God” ? My best guess is that it is a placeholder word for what is ineffable and inexpressible but within the possibilities of experience.

Curious to hear yours or anyone’s thoughts on this.

David Continue reading →

Sweet Lotus Feet by Alan Jacobs

. Advaita and Yoga, ART & POETRY, INSPIRATIONAL, TEACHERS . , , ,

Oh dearest Guru-ji, Great Sri Bhagavan Ramana,
Famous Sage of holy Mountain Arunachala:
To whom your Devotees with reverent obeisance greet,
I place this verse, an offering, at your sweet lotus feet. Continue reading →

Book Review of _The Blue Zones_: by Dr. Gregg Carter

. HEALTH & NUTRITION . , , , , ,

Dan Buttner’s The Blue Zones (National Geographic Society, 2008) is a great read for those wanting to keep up with the science of aging but not wanting to read the associated academic journals. In the early 2000s, the National Geographic Society sent a team of longevity experts to those 4 slender geographic areas of the world where people are much more likely to attain the age of 100, in good health, than all other places on earth. The areas are Loma Linda, CA, USA (virtually all 7th-Day Adventists); the Nicoyan peninsula in Costa Rica; the interior hill country of Sardinia; and the northern interior of Okinawa. Though difficult to parse out, the teams found commonalities among these 4 Blue Zones and assessed that longevity was a function of these factors: Continue reading →

How And Why I became a Vegetarian: By Tony O’Clery.

. HEALTH & NUTRITION, LIFESTYLE, PERSONAL . , , , , ,

In 1985 on a visit to family in Australia I was on Bondi Beach, where I ate a hamburger. I fell asleep on the beach and had a strange dream that I was a cow. I saw the whole process of the slaughterhouse, including fear, smells, noises, terror, cruel treatment etc.

It was a horrifying nightmare and I awoke saying aloud ‘They know, they know they are to be cruelly slaughtered’. That day I became a vegetarian. I had always said that if I ever really thought about the morality of eating meat, I would probably stop. Continue reading →

Meditation and Self-Inquiry – Part 1 on Youtube

. Advaita and Yoga, TEACHERS . , , ,

Dear Friends,

Yesterday,  I uploaded a short video on youtube on Meditation and Self-Inquiry. Part 1 is visible now and you can access it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ijNldueFYsM

Your feedback is most welcome as I try to enhance my learning and become more current with the use of the new social networking technologies.

Thank you and Namaste

Harsh K. Luthar

Marital Garland Of Letters: By Ramana Maharshi

. Advaita and Yoga, ART & POETRY, INSPIRATIONAL, TEACHERS . , , , ,

The Five Hymns to Arunachala are the earliest poems of Sri Ramana Maharshi except for a few short verses. They were written about 1914, when Sri Ramana was about thirty-five years old (he was born in December 1879). He was still living in Virupaksha Cave on the hill. Continue reading →