gatito

Phew!! I left myself wide-open on that one........ Glad that you didn't take advantage.

Hi TI If you're planning your "death", you might also find this first-hand account from a living Sage helpful in preparing yourself for what you will encounter: - The rest of the excerpt, which goes into some detail, can be found here:- http://www.francislu...g_enlightenment (www.francislucille.com/#awakening_enlightenment However, be aware, that in most cases, this isn't the end of the story! There's an interview conducted by Conscious TV a few years ago at a retreat held at Rupert Spira's home before he started teaching himself, during which Francis describes this in some detail: - http://bcove.me/qccjzn5m The term nirvikalpa samadhi isn't used but I'm sure you'll recognise what's being discussed. G

OK - you've got a bite. What's the link?

Great! Not many people appreciate the dark as well as the light.

Firstly, your assumption that you have caused me offence is incorrect and therefore you owe me no apology. Secondly, let me rephrase my question and add a supplemental, as I'm unclear about your response: - Do you consider the post insulting and if so do you intend to continue in the same vein?

Isn't this rather insulting?

Thanks SF Edit: Yesssss! It worked!

Nice video of the moors and fells of northern England as well. By the way, could someone tell me how to embed the video rather than just posing the link please? Thanks in anticipation.

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Hi TI Sorry for the long delay in replying to this post, I'm still thinking about it because I've not studied the writings of Nisargadatta Marharaj, nor have any of my teachers used his writings to illustrate their own teachings. One of my teachers said that one should go deep not wide, so I have only dipped into Nisargadatta and Ramana Maharshi (the other two well-known (and highly respected) contemporaries of Krishna Menon). However, my sense is that all three had different teaching styles and while I have a sense of what Nisargardatta is pointing to here, I really cannot be certain enough to comment beyond saying that my sense is that the "I am" to which Nisargardatta refers is Consciousness/Awareness, which is in deed always conscious, eternal, aware, infinite. This being the case, I'd reiterate that it is only necessary to explore your present experience. Also, at this point, I'd make the comment that, in my own direct experience, there is no reason that the universe exists. Regarding the penultimate paragraph of your post, I see this as pointing towards something that could be explored through the "yoga nidra" of either Swami J or of Richard Miller, as this may address your samskaras. Finally, if you really want to explore the teachings of Sri Nisargadatta, I'd suggest that you could start by contacting one of his living disciples: Stephen Wolinsky would probabably be a good starting point. Again, I cannot stress strongly enough the aid which a living teacher is able to provide. Find one who walks the walk and walk away and find another if they don't - although it strikes me that that advice is superfluous. G EDIT:- Please note the bolded penultimate paragraph that has been updated to better reflect my position regarding yoga nidra in the light of a recent thread posted on the forum - to which I will not be responding. Tibetan_Ice has been notified of this edit by PM.

Hi TI Thanks for sharing this experience. I found it very interesting. G

"Arf arf! Primitive Earth humour."

Nice trinity. I often start my day here. Thanks MH.

Thanks Gerard. It's appreciated - although my reading list is rapidly reaching completely unmanageable proportions!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vc1ObUMFWMo

Buena Vista Social Club - Chan Chan http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6rRJP8rVg-4&list=AL94UKMTqg-9Ak7UPH3YIVOAX2BlROi6zv&index=1&feature=plcp

Namaste and welcome.

Please stop bashing the shy newbies Basher.

Hi again TI It also occurs to me that when talking about nirvikalpa samadhi, we may be comparing apples and bananas. Also, it's not my experience that Consciousness is ever shattered. However, you would really need to sit down with Sri Nisgardatta to clarify what he was pointing to himself. G

Hi TI It's always best to check understanding with the teacher directly, I think (and in person ). I've never found you to be in the least bit rude. In fact, the opposite. I also agree that manners maketh the man. While not an expert kriyaban, I have experienced breath cessation myself. G

My advice: contact Alan Wallace for clarification.

Hi TI I don't mind you asking: are you looking for a teacher? We are always centred in the Self; check it for yourself. Books can be helpful, unhelpful or neutral in my experience. For example, I didn't find Notes on Spiritual Discourses of Sri Atmananda by Nitya Tripta particularly helpful. However, I have found Atma Darshan and Atma Nirvriti by Sri Atmanada (Krishna Menon) extremely helpful, especially when coupled with The Nature of Man According to the Vedanta by John Levy plus time spent with a living teacher who is prepared to clarify these writings in the light of their own knowledge and my own questions. I wouldn't worry about nirvikalpa samadhi - as I've said before, it's a gift of Grace and one of Krishna Menon's prakriyas circumvents the whole subject very elegantly. I'm not familiar with Alan Wallace but I'd reiterate that anything with a beginning has an ending, so that doesn't sound like what you're looking for. However, if you're interested in this approach, I'd suggest that you contact him and get his teachings first-hand. I used to underestimate the importance of a living teacher myself. It's not a mistake that I'll make again. G

That's smokin' bluegrass I assume.