Michael: I never understood the meaning of Yoga until recently, when Ramji (in the video “(5) No teacher is superior to you….” at about minute 18:30) tells of the vivid vision he had and the humbling powerful realization of being the Self while seeing himself (self) reflected, knowing without any doubt that he passionately wanted to “join” (to yoke / Yoga) the two.
Sundari: This is such a momentous realization. It has the power to change everything if you understand and apply that knowledge.
Michael: It is utterly different to the common idea of Yoga that millions of people do with a mat, or breathing or any other flavors and I realised these misconceptions I have held for years also until I heard Ramji describe it in the story I had heard him say before but never in this precise context. The way he describes it is so clear and humbling, it’s probably the dictionary definition of what humility means if there ever was one.
Sundari: So true. People who do not understand Ramji and project their ideas of what a teacher ‘should’ be, miss a great gift. He models what it means to be the Self with his utter ‘normality as a person’, his transparency and lack of airs. This is the mark of a ‘mahatma’, because if nondual vision is firm, you have objectified the ego, and you cannot but see everyone and everything as the Self. There is nothing to hide and nothing to hide from. You shine and the world shines after you. It is only that fearful little ego identity, the ‘D’ factor at the heart of all jivas, that prevents the true appreciation of this.
Michael: While not many people are graced with such a powerful vision, I know many Vedantins do know the Self and if like me have seen the layers, thanks to the teaching and scripture peel away precisely in the mind what is not Self.
Sundari: Working with such dedicated and clear inquirers as yourself is our greatest joy. We can only deliver the teachings as clearly as possible, but we cannot remove anyone’s ignorance for them. We understand exactly how ignorance works and why people don’t get nonduality, and then project their ‘stuff’ onto us, or blame us. But it is witnessing how powerful the teachings are when they do obtain in the mind of a truly dedicated and qualified inquirer, that makes it all worthwhile.
Michael: In a sense, this Yoga is the Jiva mind perhaps joining the firm knowledge of the Self and becoming “disposable” or kind of disappearing in its separate misappropriation, rather than becoming something “better” or “more developed” (which I think is where my confusion always was when I heard the word “Yoga”)
Sundari: Yoga is vital in preparing the mind, and keeping it sattvic enough for inquiry. But the idea that the person needs to do something to improve itself and ‘become spiritual’ is the biggest obstacle in the spiritual world. Yes, one must understand how cleaning up your act and lifestyle are necessary if you want to live a clean dharmic life conducive to inquiry. It’s certainly better than having a messy adharmic life, and if that is all you want, well done. Nothing wrong with that. But that is not moksa.
Thank you dear friend. I loved your last email, and there is not much to add to it, as you are very clear about the teachings and how to put them into practice. You have come such a long way, and you are no longer a seeker but a finder. Well done!
With much love
Sundari