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Introduction
As is well-known to many spiritual seekers, non-duality is a spiritual teaching with ancient roots. Often, it is also referred to with the Sanskrit term "Advaita".

The sole purpose of the blog is to share information and references to such material and websites as have been of great use to myself. I have in no way any desire to pretend to be an "expert" in this field of knowledge.

If you have questions, you are welcome to e-mail me at citron16@gmail.com

Non-duality puts an end to all spiritual searching. As Nisargadatta Maharaj pointed out, "the seeker is the sought". Why seek "liberation from bondage", when there is in truth no bondage and nothing to liberate?

Tuesday 5 October 2010

Overview of the blog

So far, this blog contains the following entries:

- August 2010:
- September 2010:
- October 2010:

Jeff Foster

If you are looking for something that goes right to the edge - and falls over it - then Jeff Foster may be just the answer! He consistently turns everything upside down so that one sees all one's ingrained concepts of spirituality, awakening or enlightenment blown into atoms. 

Jeff Foster belongs to a younger generation of non-duality teachers. He graduated in astrophysics in 2001 and as it is being phrased on his website, he "awoke from the dream of separation" after two years of searching. Jeff has his base in the UK, but as you will see from his list of scheduled events, he travels extensively in both Europe and the United States to give meetings and seminars.

Jeff Foster clearly adheres to the general framework of non-duality and frequently makes use of its terminology. That being said, I have nowhere seen him indicate that he belongs to any lineage of non-duality/advaita teachers or masters, be it Nisargadatta Maharaj or anybody else. Which is also entirely immaterial, as far as I am concerned. To me, it is the power and consistency of Jeff's teaching that makes the difference. He never seems to compromise with  conventional concepts such as "enlighthenment" or "awakening". And like the other teachers of non-duality mentioned in this blog, he ever so often points to the futility and meaninglessness of spiritual searching.

There are several books and DVD's with Jeff Foster available and you can find information on all of it on his already mentioned website. There, you also have access to interviews with Jeff for free download. In the excellent book "An Extraordinary Absence", you can read Jeff's moving story of his personal process right from being on the verge of suicide to awakening and clarity. The subtitle "Liberation in the Midst of a Very Ordinary Life"  strikes the fundamental note of the book from the very beginning. It is a gigantic illusion that there should be any  prerequisites for liberation! It is utterly unimportant whether our life is "glorious" or not.

Monday 27 September 2010

Ramana Maharshi

To many people,  the name Ramana Maharshi (1879-1950) will already sound familiar. Here, we have a master of advaita/non-duality of unique standing. Even if 60 years have now elapsed since the death of Ramana, there is a strong radiant power around his life and teaching.

In a large number of books and websites, you will find accounts of the decisive occurrence that happened to the 16 year old Venkataraman, the name given to Ramana at birth. In some way incomprehensible to the everyday mind, an intense experience of his own mortality resulted in a realization of a character that transcends all words. Not long after this, Ramana left his home and birthplace and eventually arrived at the area around Tiruvannamalai in Southern India. Over the years, an ashram was built around him and he received thousands of visitors and spiritual seekers. Undoubtedly, the encounter with Ramana Maharshi has been a landmark to a great number of people.

This is merely an attempt to briefly suggest a few circumstances related to Ramana Maharshi. You will be able to find heaps of material and stories about Ramana on the web. For instance, at the official Ramana Maharshi website administered by Sri Ramanasramam, i.e., Ramana's ashram in Tiruvannamalai. Here, you can also subscribe to newsletters with infomation on current activities at the ashram, accounts from people who have been with Ramana, and a lot more.

In the truly beautiful book "The Essential Teachings of Ramana Maharshi - A Visual Journey" you will find a large number of high-quality photos of Ramana. Most of these were taken in the ashram in Tiruvannamalai and they are accompanied by short and powerful statements from Ramana. As a prelude to that, there is a good short introduction to Ramana's teaching and a brief biography. Even if it should be said that the statements from Ramana appear out of their original context, this is indeed a heart-warming and deeply inspiring book that I warmly recommend.

Even if the book mentioned above actually points very well to the essence of Ramana Maharshi's teaching, you may of course also be looking for a more conventional discourse on the subject. Here, the probably most widely studied book is David Godman's "Be As You Are - The Teachings of Sri Ramana Maharshi". David Godman was born in 1953 and thus, has not had any direct personal contact with Ramana himself. However, on the basis of numerous records of Ramana's answers to questions, David attempts to explain some essentials of the teaching - such as the two different spiritual practices of "Self-enquiry" and "Surrender", respectively. And from David Godman's website, you have the opportunity to e-mail him, if you would like him to elaborate on particular aspects of these "methods", for example. In my experience, the book does not convincingly answer the question of how to "use" non-duality in one's life here and now.

In a blog entry of September 2010, Gilbert Schultz maintains that there has not ever been an "official" successor to Ramana Maharshi and that Ramana had no lineage - even if many have claimed successorship. You may take a look at the entry and judge for yourself! In there, you will also find a beautiful quotation from Ramana that may be said to express his teaching in a nutshell.

Thursday 16 September 2010

Mark West

Mark West lives in Australia and like his fellow-countryman 'Sailor' Bob Adamson, he has attended numerous talks with Nisargadatta Maharaj in the 1970's. It is a sheer blessing that both Mark and Bob have been able to impart non-duality to all the rest of us on that background of direct personal contact with Nisargadatta. Moreover, they accomplish this in a straightforward and easily accessible manner, without complicating or mystifying elements.

In his 37-page booklet "This ever-present unqualified immediacy", Mark conveys the essence of non-duality in a kind of a hard-headed, simple and almost spoken-language style. There are no "sacred cows" in this text, no illusions to protect. I warmly recommend this booklet.

On Mark West's website, you will find a wealth of excellent material in the form of free audio interviews with Mark, as well as his blog named "Notes from Kings Cross". You are likely to find yourself amply rewarded by investing time in this website!

On the DVD "'Sailor' Bob - Pointers on Nonduality" that I have mentioned in the entry about Bob Adamson, you can also see Mark giving a few comments.

Finally, as I have mentioned in the entry about Nisargadatta Maharaj, Mark has also published the book "Gleanings from Nisargadatta".

Saturday 11 September 2010

Ranjit Maharaj

Undoubtedly, Shri Ranjit Maharaj (1913-2000) is far less widely known than Nisargadatta Maharaj, but it is definitely a deep inpiration to get acquainted with his teaching. Curiously enough, both these teachers of Advaita had Siddharameshwar as their guru and essentially, there is in my opinion no difference between their respective teachings. Contrary to Nisargadatta, Ranjit Maharaj spoke English, making him able to communicate without an interpreter with the Western people coming to him. He also partially uses other words and terms than Nisaragadatta, and his "style" seems more relaxed and at times rather quick-witted. But those are all external and, in the final analysis, unimportant attributes. In each their fashion, both teachers impart non-duality in a lucid and cogent manner.

Ranjit Maharaj did not begin to teach until he reached the age of 70, but then he also managed to travel to both Europe and America, along with giving his regular satsangs in Mumbai (Bombay). A large number of the dialogues with Ranjit Majarah have been documented in the outstanding book "Illusion vs. Reality", which in my view holds a key position within the advaita/non-duality literature. One can only be grateful to Robert Wolff for his extensive work with transcribing and publishing these dialogues.

Reading the 36 dialogues in "Illusion vs. Reality" from one end to the other, I felt the same "message" being hammered into my head all the time. Subsequently, I experienced getting the same good "medicine" whenever I opened the book at any random place. Ranjit Maharaj has a keen ability to dismantle one's mental concepts, so that they disintegrate into the nothing they truly are. For instance, it becomes evident that both "Ignorance" and "Knowledge" are illusions, in the final analysis. But I shall refrain from any further dissection of this book's contents - I suggest you allow yourself the pleasure of absorbing it on your own!

As will be no surprise in these times of YouTube, several video clips with Ranjit Maharaj are available. For example, this one from one of his dialogues in Germany. It is a delight to watch him and others speaking "live" about non-duality.  But the video clip culture easily becomes a fragmentary and superficial approach. Almost needless to say, time invested in sitting with a book in peace and quiet is likely to have a more penetrating effect and take one to a more profound understanding of non-duality.

Monday 6 September 2010

Gilbert Schultz

Gilbert Schultz is clearly inspired by Nisargadatta Maharaj and 'Sailor' Bob Adamson. He writes on non-duality in a stimulating fashion, making use of the dynamic tool of internet blogging. Since April 2009, Gilbert has made his notes available in a blog called "Seeing-Knowing - Shining Through The Mind", which I absolutely recommend.

In the beginning of studying the manifold entries in this blog, I asked myself if it is really necessary to say so many words about non-duality. But as I went along, I found it more and more intriguing to read Gilbert's multifaceted angles on the subject. There is a refreshing atmosphere about this blog, which is free of illusions about anything. I experience that it helps me keep my focus on the fundamentals - it's all about SEEING and KNOWING, as emphasized by the title of the blog.

Considering the mind's propensity to produce all sorts of ideas about non-duality and anything else, it's surely a sobering thing about Gilbert Schultz' blog that he not only tends to state what non-duality is, but certainly also what it is NOT. Also, with respect to that motley crowd of spiritual "teachers" and "masters" out there, I think he puts forward some valuable suggestions on how to discern the real teachers from those who may merely lead the seeker into a blind alley. Having had some mixed experiences with teachers and teachings myself, I can certainly relate to many of Gilbert's observations.....

As just one example of Gilbert's critical approach, I would refer to his blog entry of August 22, 2010, called "Sacred Traps.....and pitfalls". I am tempted to quote from the entry, but I don't want to detach any of it from its context. Better read it yourself!

At the top and in the right-hand side of Gilbert's blog, you can navigate to audio and video recordings with him as well as to his e-books.

Friday 3 September 2010

Nisargadatta Maharaj

The Indian teacher Nisargadatta Maharaj (1897-1981) definitely occupies a key position within the advaita (non-duality) teaching. There can also be no doubt that contemporary teachers such as Bob Adamson are heavily "indebted" to Nisargadatta. In my opinion, you are likely to be more than amply rewarded, if you use the necessary time and energy on studying Nisargadatta's teaching. In the beginning of your study, the reading may appear more difficult to grasp than, for instance, the books with Bob Adamson or John Wheeler. But it pays off to read the Nisargadatta material over and over again, until there is a clear understanding of the essence of it. Or maybe the understanding is there right away!

In, for example, the book "I Am That", you can read a short biography on Nisargadatta, among other things about his meeting with his guru Siddharameshwar Maharaj in the years 1933-36. For many years and right up to his death in 1981, Nisargadatta received spiritual seekers under very modest circumstances in his home in Mumbai (Bombay). And it is precisely his answers to seekers' questions that take up almost all the space in the books about him. Nisargadatta never wrote anything himself, so we can be grateful to among others Maurice Frydman and Ramesh Balsekar for recording a wealth of his statements.

Undoubtedly, the most well-known book with questions and answers from Nisargadatta is the above-mentioned "I Am That". A highly recommendable classic.

Personally, however, I am even more enthusiastic about the books "The Nectar Of Immortality" and "The Ultimate Medicine". Both books contain talks with Nisargadatta Maharaj from the last years (around 1979-81) before his death. As it is put forward in the preface to "The Ultimate Medicine", these books are "characterized by Maharaj's desire, in the waning days of his life, to address only the key issues involved and to do so on the deepest level possibile". It is simply precious to see the core of Nisargadatta's teaching presented in such a condensed form.

In the years of 1976-77, Mark West from Australia attended numerous conversations with Nisargadatta in Mumbai and fortunately for all the rest of us, recorded a large number of his statements. Mark has published these statements in "Gleanings from Nisargadatta", which provides an excellent opportunity to familiarize oneself with Nisargadatta's teaching. Also, it's a pleasure to read Marks' introductory comments on how the book came about and why this teaching is so precious, in his view.

If it appeals to you to view photographs of Nisargadatta accompanied by short statements from him, I can recommend the beautiful "The Wisdom-Teachings of Nisargadatta Maharaj - A Visual Journey". This is a heart-warming book, which also contains a good short biography on Nisargadatta and a brief note on his teachings. It needs to be said, however, that the statements are taken out of their individual context and, to get a more complete impression of Nisargadatta's teaching, I would say it is a good idea to also dedicate time to the above-mentioned "I Am That", "The Nectar Of Immortality" and "The Ultimate Medicine".

As it appears from searching on Google, Nisargadatta Maharaj is mentioned on innumerable websites, none of which may be said to be an "official homepage" for Nisargadatta, to my knowledge. There is a particular website that appeals to me especially because of its quotes from Nisargadatta - here it is. In the initial paragraph on this site, it is particularly beautiful to read how Nisargadatta in a comparatively short time became "enlightened" by simply following his guru's instructions on holding on to the sense of "I Am".

On YouTube, you can find video recordings with Nisargadatta - here is an example.

Sunday 29 August 2010

John Wheeler

John Wheeler lives in the San Francisco Bay Area and holds weekly meetings in Santa Cruz, California. As is mentioned on his website, John met 'Sailor' Bob Adamson in 2003 - and he leaves no doubt that this was a meeting that ended his spiritual search and gave all the answers he was looking for.

I haven't seen anyone else (besides 'Sailor' Bob) explain non-duality so precisely and simply as John does. It's always right to the point and doesn't give one's mind much of a chance to drift off into its accustomed dualistic patterns. And as is the case with 'Sailor' Bob, John's explains things in plain English. No need to grapple with more or less incomprehensible Sanskrit terms, what a relief!

A favourite book of mine is "You Were Never Born". Most of the book consists of John's answers to questions, very useful reading. But there is also an excellent first chapter called "The Basics", which to me actually "does the job" on its own. Because it effectively attacks the very core assumptions that I and probably many others entertain about "enlightenment", "awakening", "awareness" and such - and demonstrates these assumptions to be erroneous.  Why should we search for something that we already ARE?

In the book "Awakening to the Natural State", you will find a very beautiful first chapter where John describes his meeting with 'Sailor' Bob Adamson and what this meant to him. It went right into my heart to read John's story of his personal process of going through various paths and practices, without it putting an end to his seeking and suffering. There is a deep recognition in myself of those hardships described by John - and I wonder if his description wouldn't resonate with lots of others who have spent much time and energy on seeking?

Among other things, John states that his seeking might have gone on for decades, had he not met Bob Adamson. Evidently, it was 'Sailor' Bob's simple and consistent teaching and his equally simple and trust-inspiring being that made all the difference. This first chapter of "Awakening to the Natural State" alone makes it worth while purchasing the book!

As you can check out on John Wheeler's website, there are several other books available. And furthermore, numerous audio interviews with John that (very generously, I would say) can be downloaded for free. It's precious material to listen to.

Saturday 21 August 2010

Bob Adamson

Bob Adamson - often mentioned with the name "Sailor" Bob Adamson - hosts weekly meetings on non-duality in his home in Melbourne, Australia. A very crucial event in Bob's life was his meeting in the 1970's with the Indian advaita master Nisargadatta Maharaj. I strongly recommend both Bob Adamson's books and those DVD's where you can hear Bob and others speaking about non-duality. Here, non-duality is being explained in a straightforward and simple manner, without unnecessary, confusing or mystifying elements.

In 2010, Kalyani Lawry has published a book about and with Bob Adamson, titled "Only THAT". To me, this is a true gem of a book. In the first half of it, you can read the moving story of Bob's rather turbulent life and how he was brought to Nisargadatta og his teaching.

In the second half of "Only THAT", Bob explains about his teaching and his view of non-duality, through introductions accompanied by questions and answers. This is quite simply the best representation of Bob's teaching I have seen. Roughly speaking, I would say this book is all one needs to absorb Bob's teaching and go right to the very nitty-gritty of it.
"Only THAT" on Amazon 

The book "One Essence - Appearing as Everything" is another concise representation of Bob Adamson's teaching. It won't make much demand on your time to read through the 107 pages in a miniature format - and if you are only interested in the teaching and not so much in Bob's personal life, this is a recommendable alternative to "Only THAT".
It's available for purchase at this website

Also, the books "What's Wrong With Right Now" and "Presence-Awareness" provide an excellent approach to Bob Adamson's teaching, with Bob's introductions og answers to questions:
"What's Wrong With Right Now" on Amazon
"Presence-Awareness" on Amazon

Additionally, DVD's with Bob Adamson are available. To me, it's a sheer pleasure to listen to Bob and others speak "live" on non-duality. For instance, I am enthusiastic about the DVD "'Sailor' Bob - Pointers on Nonduality". It's available for purchase at this website

You can find further information on Bob Adamson at these websites:
'Sailor' Bob Adamson
The End of Seeking - 'Sailor' Bob Adamson