Tag Archives: Spirituality
Summer 2014 Trip to the NY Arunachala Ashram for Guru Purnima – Part 1
Seeking Satsang with other Bhagavan Ramana devotees, on July 12, my daughter and I arrived at the Arunachala Ashram in Jamaica, NY, for Guru Purnima scheduled for Sunday, July 13.
We had visited the Arunachala Ashram in Nova Scotia, Canada, in the summer of 2013 and had very fond memories of that. We soon met and were greeted by some of the residents of the Ashram including Margo-ji, Ran-ji, Bandhu-ji, and Dennis-ji.
DENNIS-JI STANDING WITH MIRA-JI
The Enlightenment Business: Wisdom For Sale
By Dr. Harsh K. Luthar
Religion and spirituality today are a big business. Generally the spiritual teachers, preachers, and the so called enlightened masters of the day are really motivational speakers and self styled self-help expert who are engaged in entrepreneurial ventures aimed at financial and commercial success. Every year people spend billions of dollars buying the books, CDs, and self-help programs offered by such teachers.
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Wisdom Eye: The True Guru: By Dr. Harsh K. Luthar
“Who is a master? He is the Self after all.” Ramana Maharshi
The company of peaceful Sages (Satsangha) and living in Ahimsa (harmlessness) is considered the primary influence that leads to Self-Realization. The forced attempts to discard various habits and conditioning and practicing different techniques to calm the mind have built in limitations. However, such methods can be pursued with benefit if one is already inclined towards these practices.
When strong inner motivation is present, one is automatically propelled towards Self-Awareness and Meditation. The fog of confusion then quickly evaporates and leads to Self-Seeing, Self-Being, Self-Realization, and Silence of the Heart.
Meditation and mind calming methods, can be effective at many different levels if practiced in the context of a clear understanding. Such practices, however, cannot by themselves end the fundamental agitation of the mind which continues at more and more subtle levels and causes suffering.
The nature of the…
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Recommended Books for Teachings of Sri Ramana Maharshi: By Dr. Harsh K. Luthar
Dear Friends:
The most frequent question that I am asked, especially from newcomers to Bhagavan Ramana’s teachings, is: “What books do you recommend for studying the teachings of Sri Ramana Maharshi”?
Here is my answer. Please keep in mind that everyone has their favorite sources for Bhagavan Ramana’s teachings and I am simply sharing mine. In addition, my attempt is to keep the list of recommended sources small for the most practical benefit of people just getting introduced to Bhagavan’s teachings. So there is an element of subjectivity here. However, I am happy to add to this list as Bhagavan devotees give me feedback as to what sources they would personally recommend.
What Is Enlightenment? By Dr. Harsh K. Luthar
What Is Enlightenment?
“The state we call realization is simply being oneself, not knowing anything or becoming anything. If one has realized, he is that which alone is, and which alone has always been. He cannot describe that state. He can only be That.” Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi
What is Enlightenment? Did you know that it is simply the state of being your self. Does this sound too simple to you?
There is so much talk about Enlightenment these days. Gurus, teachers, self-help experts, and personal development specialists go on talking about the wonders of Enlightenment. Well why not? They are selling something, a vague but an attractive idea of bliss and happiness; and there are plenty of buyers.
My friends, where is the glamor in being one’s own Self?
That is all what Enlightenment is. But we run from this simplicity.
There are many extraordinary Samadhis, visions, and powerful…
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Understanding Bhagavan Ramana’s Teachings: By Alan Jacobs
Introduction
In his seminal Crest Jewel of Discrimination, the Self-realized philosopher, Shankara, spoke of the three high gifts bestowed through the grace of God. Firstly, to be born in a human body, secondly, to aspire to liberation, and thirdly, to be associated with a great sage.
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On Death and Dying: Words of Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi
Bhagavan Ramana as a youth
The devotees know that Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi had an intense experience of death in his seventeenth year. After the experience ended, he was established in the realisation of his true Self and the illusion of death died forever.
Here is in part Bhagavan’s description of what happened:
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Professor and the Sage – Part 2
Professor and the Sage – Part 2
Interview with Prof. N. R. Krishnamurthy Aiyer
Concluding from Part 1. Summary:
At the age 16, Professor N.R Krishnamurthy had darshan of Bhagavan Ramana. That was in 1914. Eight years later in 1922 Professor Krishnamurthy had completed his M.S. in Physics. He went and met Bhagavan again. By this time Professor Krishnamurthy was an agnostic and put a question to Bhagavan that he felt could not be answered. Bhagavan, however, answered with a counter question that transformed Professor Krishanmurthy but also created fear in him of Bhagavan. Professor Krishanamurthy did not go see Bhagavan Ramana for 12 years. He was then a Physics Professor. Now the interview continues.
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The Professor and the Sage – Part 1
The classic story of Professor Krishnamurthy Aiyer meeting with Bhagavan Ramana (Part 1)
Professor N.R. Krishnamurthy Aiyer Speaks:
I am now ninety-two years old and I first met Sri Ramana Maharshi in the summer of 1914, when I was just a boy of sixteen. We were then on a pilgrimage to Tirupati and had halted in Tiruvannamalai, from where my grandmother hailed. We were not strangers to this town.
In the pilgrim party there were half a dozen boys, all of whom were about my age. We all decided to go up to Virupaksha cave. The Maharshi was then residing there and was attentive to all the activities of us youngsters. I noticed his gaze particularly focused on me.
Bhagvan Ramana in his youth
We were all playing with the conch shell. The sadhus used to blow this shell like a horn when they went into town to beg for alms.
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