Dearest Ramji and Sundari,
Last night I had a vivid and beautiful dream of the two of you – it was a seminar setting (in person, not zoom) and very joyful. It prompted me to write and I realize it has been a while since I was in touch.
I hope you are both flourishing together in Spain amidst the chaos of the Covid which I am calling Isvara’s revenge. Here in the US we are awaiting the results of next Tuesday’s election which thanks to Vedanta and trusting in the field I am not freaking out about like everyone around me. Of course I am hoping that dharma will prevail and we will not have to endure any more of DT.
I would like to share with you about what has come to me as a result of listening to your seminar, Ramji, on Sat Darshanam. I didn’t get it at first – what you were pointing to in choosing this topic – but it wouldn’t let me go and I found myself reflecting on what you were saying about Ramana’s statement that to know the Self is to abide firmly in the Heart. Then at a certain point something relaxed in me that I did not know was not relaxed(!). I realized that there had still been subtle effort to “be the Self” when all along of course, I am the Self.
This was despite having enjoyed much benefit from Self knowledge for a while now but the difference relates to an understanding of what is meant by existence, is-ness, me-ness. In the mind the knowledge that existence is self evident is clear, but the integration of that fact into one’s experience is a shift of identity that is almost impossible to put into words, like falling in love – and yet very profound in its impact. For a start it removes a belief that there is a need to justify one’s existence through action, as if it were not enough to simply exist. Happiness is a pre-existing condition that has only to be claimed and until it is claimed it is not possible to fully integrate the knowledge that one is not a doer.
What I notice is that as contemplation of the Self continues, so do binding desires and aversions that were previously masked by layers of ignorance, rise to the surface of awareness to be seen and examined. It is an ongoing sloughing off of layers of unexamined habitual patterns of thinking and behaving. I love this nididhyasana!! Life gets lighter and freer, despite living in a mithya world of much craziness and adharma, with all of its challenges, which has to be fully accepted as Isvara’s perfection manifesting through the law of karma. It’s so radical!!!
On a side note – I have been reading Rory’s Gita which I think is superb. What a beautiful commentary – he is a gifted writer and I pray for his health and well being as I know he is very sick. I am also listening to Swami Parmarthananda’s ongoing Zoom series on Vivekachudamani – also a gem!
Thank you. You are both in my Heart always with so much gratitude and love,
Stay well and pray for America!!!
Hi Jo,
What an inspiring letter! You are an eloquent writer. Thank you for it. Keeping in mind the suffering of others caused by Covid I feel a little ashamed to say that we are doing very well these days. The disease, thanks to Isvara, has been a blessing in disguise. I’ve been able to work on finishing projects that have been in the pipeline for a couple of years and manage the growth of ShiningWorld without stress now that we are settled and I can’t travel. I’m rested and alert and very grateful to Isvara for what can only be called ideal circumstances. There is one pesky issue on my plate, however, but, as always I take the bitter with the sweet and soldier on.
One project that is nearing completion is “The Wall,” a Pauranic story commissioned by a friend teaching Vedanta without the “Vedanta” so to speak. Another is commentaries on Sat Darshanam in a new Vedanta lite style which will help your nididyasana, although it seems you have imbibed the gist of it. I’ve attached it. Keep in mind that is it not the final document, which I’ll publish soon. The consciousness teaching is easier to understand than the existence teaching because people live so much in their heads where existence shines as consciousness. Being, isness, is a “heart,” meaning essence, thing that is easily obscured by thinking. People have more difficult feeling their feelings it seems and they miss the ananda “aspect” of sat-chit-ananda atma which is the goal of Vedanta practice, perfect satisfaction. It is love but the word love has dualistic associations that can obscure it’s real nature which is bhakti, non-dual devotion. You know what I mean. Anyway, I won’t ramble on. Read it and let me know your impression. It helps to get an idea how well I’m communicating.
Much love,
Ramji
