Category: Nonduality (Advaita)

Upanishads vs. Western Philosophy

He who reads and understands the Upanishads says: 1. The Truth is Consciousness (Prajnanam Brahma). (ontology) 2. I am the Truth (Aham Brahmasmi). (ontology) 3. You, too, are the Truth (Tat Tvam Asi). (ontology) 4. There is nothing other than the Truth (Sarvam Khalvidam Brahma). So, it is a metaphysics of Nonduality, with only one … Continue reading Upanishads vs. Western Philosophy →

A True Hindu

"Only a true Brahmin is a true Hindu. A true Hindu does not consider himself a Brahmin, true or otherwise. And to be a true Brahmin you need not be a born-Hindu. Not all born-Hindus are true Hindus. A true Hindu is one who does not consider himself as belonging to any identity be it … Continue reading A True Hindu →

Why I Have Stopped Reading the Quran

I hope the title of this post does not serve as a click-bait. Nor do I want to offend the sensibilities of those who derive their truths and maxims to live by from the Quran or other Abrahamic faiths. And, please do not see it as a piece written by a Hindu about Islam, because … Continue reading Why I Have Stopped Reading the Quran →

Shankara: How to Meditate for Self-Realisation| Vivekachuhdamani | Nididhyasana | Samadhi

Tom Das

Here is a collection of verses I have taken from Shankara’s Masterpiece Vivekachudamani focusing on the last step in the path to liberation, namely meditation or Nididhyasana, which as we shall see culminates in Samadhi.

In Vivekachudamani, the entire path to Moksha (Liberation), in which suffering is totally removed, is set out for us. Not only is the entire path explained in detail, but repetition of almost every point is made again and again to ensure that the meaning is clearly imparted and cannot be misunderstood. This text has been approved and recommended by all the great Advaita sages over the centuries, including Bhagavn Sri Ramana Maharshi who translated the entire work into Tamil for those around him who could not read the original Sanskrit.

The path starts with the seeker of liberation burdened with suffering approaching a self-realised teacher. The teacher then gives the verbal/conceptual teaching (sravana) and then contemplating…

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Ramana Maharshi on Death

The following views of Ramana Maharshi on death are extracted from the book Talks with Sri Ramana Maharshi, published by Sri Ramanasramam and available for free download here - https://www.holybooks.com/talks-sri-ramana-maharshi/ News of someone’s death was brought to Sri Bhagavan. He said, “Good. The dead are indeed happy. They have got rid of the troublesome overgrowth … Continue reading Ramana Maharshi on Death →

Clay Pot Analogy – Name-and-Form

The clay pot analogy helps you understand why the world is merely names-and-forms, whose underlying substance or reality is Consciousness, much like a pot is mere name-and-form, whose underlying substance or reality is clay. Understand this simple analogy, and you will be able to explain to yourself all the facets and implications of the whole … Continue reading Clay Pot Analogy – Name-and-Form →

FREE e-Books on Philosophy, Spirituality, and Advaita (Nonduality)

Here is a good collection of FREE e-Books for download, on spirituality, Advaita (Nonduality), Indian Philosophy, etc., including books by Nisargadatta Maharaj, Ramana Maharshi, Sankaracharya, and other classics like Ashtavakra Gita, Panchadasi, etc. - http://elmisattva-nonduality.blogspot.com/p/free-e-books.html