God is love-love is truth-I am that-always that
I am you-you are me-we are that-always that
All is self-self is real-realize that-always that
I am you-you are me-we are that-always that
All is self-self is real-realize that-always that
There was a man who lived not too long ago, in the caves along Arunachala. This mountain, scientifically dated to be of the oldest geological stuff on the surface of this earth, has been long believed to be the physical body of Shiva, one of the three divinities of the trinity (Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva). Shiva is known for dancing everywhere in the galaxy the dance of destruction. Shiva represents the falling away of arisen phenomena. Hinduism (properly 'Sanatana Dharma') has many varied levels of truth and interpretation, as I am finding. All personified dieties represent various energies within each human being. Popular culture never seems to get at these deeper meanings.
So there was a man who lived in the caves of Shiva's body. He left his home when he was 16, after having a deep and lasting experience of Self, and proceeded directly to Tiruvannamalai, the city sitting at the feet of Arunachala. The young man spent the next 50 years of his life in simple silence and action, living the most basic of lives in the sacred caves. This man's name was Ramana Maharshi. He drew people to him by way of his silent righteousness, and taught dharma through this same righteous silence. 'Always seek the origin' he would say; 'seek for the self in all things'. Maharshi taught dharma free of dogma, free of cultural iconography and lexicon. He was self-realized and taught many others to seek for this same personal realization.
This picture is of the main temple in Tiruvannamalai taken from the side of Arunachala. This temple is one of the 7 main pilgrimage temples of India for Hindus. My experience there was incredible-I got to witness part of a Brahmin-led wedding ceremony and meditate in the very cave that housed Maharshi for 15 years. Here is an exerpt from my travel journal:
'All of these experiences are something, in general, that I have been desiring for some time. For the past few years in my life-during my spiritual pursuit-I (and a few choice friends) have had to actively make an environment for spirituality. Now, while I will be the first to attest to the differences of religion and spirituality, this religious experience was indeed conducive to spiritual practice. Being surrounded by so many sounds and images of the Hindu tradition I found myself constantly turning inward. For the first time, and in drastic contrast to my experiences in American, sitting half-lotus and chanting mantra under my breath seemed like the normal and accepted thing to do-as opposed to being new-age-y or fanatical or just strange'
So there was a man who lived in the caves of Shiva's body. He left his home when he was 16, after having a deep and lasting experience of Self, and proceeded directly to Tiruvannamalai, the city sitting at the feet of Arunachala. The young man spent the next 50 years of his life in simple silence and action, living the most basic of lives in the sacred caves. This man's name was Ramana Maharshi. He drew people to him by way of his silent righteousness, and taught dharma through this same righteous silence. 'Always seek the origin' he would say; 'seek for the self in all things'. Maharshi taught dharma free of dogma, free of cultural iconography and lexicon. He was self-realized and taught many others to seek for this same personal realization.
This picture is of the main temple in Tiruvannamalai taken from the side of Arunachala. This temple is one of the 7 main pilgrimage temples of India for Hindus. My experience there was incredible-I got to witness part of a Brahmin-led wedding ceremony and meditate in the very cave that housed Maharshi for 15 years. Here is an exerpt from my travel journal:
'All of these experiences are something, in general, that I have been desiring for some time. For the past few years in my life-during my spiritual pursuit-I (and a few choice friends) have had to actively make an environment for spirituality. Now, while I will be the first to attest to the differences of religion and spirituality, this religious experience was indeed conducive to spiritual practice. Being surrounded by so many sounds and images of the Hindu tradition I found myself constantly turning inward. For the first time, and in drastic contrast to my experiences in American, sitting half-lotus and chanting mantra under my breath seemed like the normal and accepted thing to do-as opposed to being new-age-y or fanatical or just strange'
Buddha, Krishnamurti
Ramana Maharshi, Aurobindo
Patanjali, Yogananda-
All taught their experience of personal path.
What is in common to their teachings?
-Personal experience of Path-
Seek your own path...but do seek-
and seek genuinely.
Ramana Maharshi, Aurobindo
Patanjali, Yogananda-
All taught their experience of personal path.
What is in common to their teachings?
-Personal experience of Path-
Seek your own path...but do seek-
and seek genuinely.
1 comment:
Justin,
This is a beautiful story, made all the more special by your own experience of meditating in the very cave of legend. I can understand how the environment is so much more conducive to your spiritual advancement. Though there are many paths, we hopefully will all find the same destination eventually...
Dad
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