How Does A Jnani Person Deal With The Negative Impacts of the World: Part 3/3 – Neurology

In the final part of this article series, I take up the neurological studies done on the root of human emotions by American neuroscientist Le Doux in 1990s, popularized by science journalist Daniel Goleman in his book ‘Emotional Intelligence’, and further developed into a model for self-inquiry by an Australian called Peter of Actual Freedom Trust. While Peter is openly critical of eastern spiritual paths, in this article, I show conclusively, how not only the neurological model maps to Advaita, but also to Peter’s path of Actual Freedom, which he claims to be his novel discovery; something Advaita has been teaching for more than last three thousand years. … Read More How Does A Jnani Person Deal With The Negative Impacts of the World: Part 3/3 – Neurology

Difference Between The Teachings of Traditional Paths like Advaita, Yoga & Krishnamurti: A Dialogue

This is a fairly deep dialogue, almost a snapshot of Advaita, I had with my friend who is not a student of Advaita but has been greatly inspired by the teachings of J Krishnamurti. It goes into great detail about the differences between teachings of traditional paths like Advaita, Yoga and Krishnamurti. Through this dialogue, I show how ancient, time-honoured and tested paths have developed a very rigorous methodology for liberation. Krishnamurti undercut these very strengths of these paths, calling them authoritative, mechanical, traditional and imitative techniques which dull the mind. However, one must differentiate between tradition and traditional. We may not like the traditional but the tradition leading to Moksha/Eternal Freedom is not talking about matters caught in the matrix of space-time. All these traditional paths are talking about eternal principles. Their terms may be archaic but their import is valid across all space-time. Krishnamurti missed this point. And what’s more, it so happens, his teachings fall squarely in its principles of a particular Indian school called Yoga of Patanjali (though his method is slightly different) and leads to the same reality. It’s just that his language effectively couched the metaphysical principles he was basing his path on. Though he says that there is no path, there was certainly a path in is his teachings, which I reveal in this dialogue. Having said that, he has his place. His psychological style of exploring the mind through real-life relationships is something unparalleled. And most certainly what he said about truth was the same as all the paths say – it is never known as an object or concept of mind: though we can give it different names.… Read More Difference Between The Teachings of Traditional Paths like Advaita, Yoga & Krishnamurti: A Dialogue

Self Inquiry and Issues Related to Teachers

Self inquiry is a long and complex journey to liberation. Spiritual teachers and paths are proliferating the world and internet. To a beginner of self inquiry, the variety seems daunting. In this article I try to summarize all issues which arise when one is deciding, or decides on a particular teacher. While very few are truly interested in going the whole distance, in the end, I give my advice on how to choose a teacher, if one’s aim is nothing short of ending of ego-sense/individuality. … Read More Self Inquiry and Issues Related to Teachers

The evolution of self : really evolution, or perpetual conflict?

Advancement of man is seen as evolution of self. In this article I show that since self is actually a fragment – a bundle of knowledge which is limited, no amount of evolution – of accumulation of knowledge – can make the limited go beyond limitations. And being limted and fragmentary, the self shall always divide man against man and man against nature. … Read More The evolution of self : really evolution, or perpetual conflict?

How to learn about oneself in the mirror of relationships?

We never, ever look into our relationships, which are based on creation of images, and is the root of all conflict in life. Our relationships are based on pleasure, security, attachment and approval. In this response to a question I look into how we can observe and learn about the whole process of construction of images in the mirror of relationships: if we wish to.… Read More How to learn about oneself in the mirror of relationships?

Is there something like reduction of ego?

Since childhood, one is conditioned to become someone, someone better, someone successful. In later years, as one comes in conflict in relationships, one gets a vague sense of the word ego, as the cause of these conflicts. In this response to a question, I ask what is the root of ego, and is there any real meaning in attempts to reduce our ego.… Read More Is there something like reduction of ego?

Is it important to identify yourself with any particular thing or image?

Is it important to identify yourself with any particular thing or image? Let’s look at the larger question: do we ‘need’ to identify our self with anything at all? So it’s not about it being important or unimportant but to understand this whole business of identification. We identify with any one or anything for security… Read More Is it important to identify yourself with any particular thing or image?

Which incident made you realize the difference between self-respect and ego?

Which incident made you realize the difference between self-respect and ego? I don’t think that there is any difference between self respect and ego. Self respect is only a means of self preservation, which is the ego. When one is interested in self respect, one is preserving something, defending something. And when one is defending… Read More Which incident made you realize the difference between self-respect and ego?

Is it possible to end “the structure of me” totally or “the ego”?

Is it possible to end “the structure of me” totally or “the ego”? Why are we asking this question? Is it a business that we are doing? How do we do business? First we want to find out whether there is any possibility of profit in the work we are doing. If we see that… Read More Is it possible to end “the structure of me” totally or “the ego”?