The Non-Duality of Shri Shankara
Further extracts from H P Shastri’s essay on the Outline of the Advaita of Shri Shankara Theory and Practice (continued) The whole practice is based on vairagya (non-attachment). Our greatest barrier is a desire for self-recognition, self-advertisement. As long as we expect to be recognized as somebody, we are in the muddy pool of deep…
Read MoreSelf-Realisation
There have been many theories about the fundamental nature of the drive in the human mind. Sigmund Freud spoke of it as a fountain-head of energy, primarily sexual, although becoming recanalized in many other forms. Adler, another of the founders of modern psychology, spoke of it as an urge to power or significance. But the…
Read MoreMeditation
If we made a list of the good things in life—in general terms— beginning with childhood, it might include: fun, pleasure, wealth, popularity, creativity, security, professional authority and, as we get older, health. The list may not necessarily include peace of mind. We imagine this will come automatically if we get what we want in…
Read MoreKena Upanishad—Difficulties Resolved
The last of three short talks on this Upanishad by the Warden The Kena Upanishad gives valuable hints about the path to self-realisation. At first sight it might seem that the opposite is the case. For we are told at the start that this is not a teaching that can be adequately expressed in words.…
Read MoreHappy Birthday
Our date of birth is a fact that is likely to gain in importance as life progresses. In this age of form-filling and identity verification, to lack precise information about our age will arouse suspicion and possibly lead to exclusion. And yet, we ourselves cannot know our date of birth with certainty; all we can…
Read MoreA Direct Pointer to Direct Experience
The Direct Experience of Reality (in Sanskrit Aparokshanubhuti) is a short classic text on the non-dual teachings. It was once thought to have been written by the original Shankara Acharya, who probably lived in the eighth century and gave what is still the most complete and respected presentation of the non-dual philosophy. Most scholars now…
Read MoreSuccessful Living
On the stage of matter the soul is left to act. The purpose of our engagement in action is to help our fellow-actors to realise their own freedom, and to attain to liberation from the bonds imposed on them by matter in its various manifestations. The stage-manager of this drama is the Lord omniscient and…
Read MoreLess Thought, More Light
The teachings on meditation point out the benefits of having a quiet mind. This doesn’t mean a dull mind or an uninformed mind. It means we have the power to create peace and tranquillity in our own mind whenever we wish to do so. This instruction in tranquil self-control is common to all wisdom traditions.…
Read MoreThe Non-Duality of Shri Shankara
Continuing H P Shastri’s essay on the Outline of the Advaita of Shri Shankara The jiva Like the world, jivahood (individuality) is an ultimate fact of our experience. Shri Shankara, in his descriptions of the genesis of the world, gives no hint as to the birth of the jiva. He says that the jiva is…
Read MoreThe Non-dual Contribution to Psychology, Philosophy and Religion
When we reflect on the non-dual teachings, we may wonder whether they are best described as a philosophy or a religion, or neither, or both. Also, we find that the teachings stress the pivotal role of our mind, and they transmit to us a wealth of psychological insights. So we have at least three fields…
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