All Comments By

My experience is consistent with how it was explained to me: "Unitive Consciousness" is a natural consequence of a lifestyle of daily contact with the Transcendental Field of Pure Consciousness. Emphasize the daily experience of self-transcendence and any number of uplifted experiences come naturally and automatically. The world is not plunged into suffering for lack of flowery words about our experiences, but for lack of daily self-transcendence. self-transcendence is union with the Self... ALL else follows. Jai Guru Dev...

Thank you for the opportunity to comment on this poetic reflection on prayer. I think its intent is to "expand awareness" of prayer to include the state of fulfillment resulting from prayer and whatever else one is doing in pursuit of "liberation from self," "inner wholeness of mind," etc. I think it falls short, perhaps because it spends too much time negating prayer. I would have much preferred a poem on how prayer can facilitate the union of self and Self. As it stands, this poem just leads to more confusion about both prayer AND the state of Divine Union (as enjoyed in small sensory perceptions). My conclusions: (1) not every elevated (or even Enlightened) person is a helpful communicator; (2) it's not for lack of flowery words that the world is plunged into suffering. It is for lack of self-transcending experience each day; and (3) the first rule of history is "It's always later than we think." In my twice-daily yogic program, self-transcending meditation prepares me for the Yoga Sutras (using the samyama technique) and the Yoga Sutras prepare me for prayer (again, using the samyama technique). This form of prayer leads to everything this poet describes in moment-by-moment experience and infinitely more... Jai Guru Dev.

The description of an all-enveloping and completely false perception of our surroundings and our identities is a compelling metaphor that brings to mindPlato's cave analogy in Book 7 of his book, the Republic. The illusion is that we are as we appear to our senses not as we truly are. In truth, we are pure, unbounded and eternal, consciousness encased for a time in these living shells. By repeatedly experiencing our true nature, we gain the flexibility to see ourselves and the world from the point of view of the transcendent and eternal Self. This is the only path ofliberation from the illusions of birth,death, and rebirththat there is. Know That by knowing which all else is known and achieved.

After expressing the thanks and respect these well intentioned words and their author deserve, may I be frank? My response is summarized by the aphorism: "Not for lack of flowery words is the world plunged into suffering." These are flowery words that may inspire the surface minds of readers, but such inspiration is a mood that quickly passes. I read a lot of such words and wonder why so many believe in the power of flowery words to end our suffering, bring us closer to the state of Yoga/Union, etc.? If the goal is this state of mind (Yoga, Enlightenment, Divine Union, etc.), why not say whatever needs to be said to inspire the reader to take the most direct path (or, for those who believe there is no "most direct path," ANY well-established and proven path)? Flowery words are not any of these paths. They are, at best, "inspiration with no clear guidance" and, at worst, "entertainment" (as in "further distraction") for those who are stilllost. This may sound overly harsh to some. However, I say this to those of us whose state of mind is such that such words come unsought (i.e. as a natural expression of divine consciousness: reader attention is a precious and fleeting phenomenon. Where we direct the attention of others can change their lives or mire them deeper in illusion. Whichare flowery words likeliest to do for the vast majority of readers? This is my point. Those of us who are fortunate enough to have been called to a direct path are also called to pay that gift forward. Weaving a perplexing tapestry of words is not paying the gift of our salvation forward. I declare that atechnique of self-transcending introspection (raja yoga) that has proven itself safe and effective over scores of generation isthe most direct path for both the religious and hte nonreligious. It soon light the thirst for knowledge (jnana yoga), devotion (bakti yoga), and right action in the field of action (karma yoga). This is the direct, P... [View Full Comment] After expressing the thanks and respect these well intentioned words and their author deserve, may I be frank? My response is summarized by the aphorism: "Not for lack of flowery words is the world plunged into suffering." These are flowery words that may inspire the surface minds of readers, but such inspiration is a mood that quickly passes. I read a lot of such words and wonder why so many believe in the power of flowery words to end our suffering, bring us closer to the state of Yoga/Union, etc.? If the goal is this state of mind (Yoga, Enlightenment, Divine Union, etc.), why not say whatever needs to be said to inspire the reader to take the most direct path (or, for those who believe there is no "most direct path," ANY well-established and proven path)? Flowery words are not any of these paths. They are, at best, "inspiration with no clear guidance" and, at worst, "entertainment" (as in "further distraction") for those who are stilllost. This may sound overly harsh to some. However, I say this to those of us whose state of mind is such that such words come unsought (i.e. as a natural expression of divine consciousness: reader attention is a precious and fleeting phenomenon. Where we direct the attention of others can change their lives or mire them deeper in illusion. Whichare flowery words likeliest to do for the vast majority of readers? This is my point. Those of us who are fortunate enough to have been called to a direct path are also called to pay that gift forward. Weaving a perplexing tapestry of words is not paying the gift of our salvation forward. I declare that atechnique of self-transcending introspection (raja yoga) that has proven itself safe and effective over scores of generation isthe most direct path for both the religious and hte nonreligious. It soon light the thirst for knowledge (jnana yoga), devotion (bakti yoga), and right action in the field of action (karma yoga). This is the direct, PROVEN path to Enlightenment, particularly Enlightenment across all cultures. Flowery and perplexing words may flow through us as a result of progress on this path. However, again and in closing, such words are not the path, for the vast majority, they are wasted opportunity that could be much better spent with eyes closed and attention freed to move inward in the direction of every greater charm and liberation. Jai Guru Dev.[Hide Full Comment]

 I am grateful for the opportunity to comment on the "one-word-rapid-enligtenment" model contained in the essay "Green Mountains Are Always Walking" essay. I undertand that many in the Buddhist community (and perhaps elsewhere) value this teaching. However, as a pactitioner of a traditional Vedic form of meditation for over five decades, I find it hard to imagine except as a rarety under very cloistered conditions. This leads me to wonder: why is it disussed so often?

It seems to me that it may be inspiring to the already inspired. But, does it enlarge the community or merely intrigue those seeking "entertainment with a spiritual flavor?" Given the rarety of this phenomenon, it appears too well-aligned with the dominant theme of "instant gratification" in our global materialist society. If so, is it merely a "unicorn?" Is it a "fishing hook" to intrigue others into taking the first step in what will very likely be a lengthy journey to "prepare" for the final "one word" step? If so, is this wise and right action?

I found this well-reasoned piece of common sense consistent with ancient scripture. Unfortunately, I commented at length and went on to defend Margaret's piece on the Kosmos Forum. This text area did no allow it to be cut and pasted from there to here. So, anyone wishing to read both comments, please go to:

http://www.kosmosjournal.org/news/absurd-heroism/   

 I think our nature is to be the exact opposite of this based upon the simple fact of evolution:  surviving no matter what:  war-like if necessary, dishonest if it gets us what we need to survive (or even to be happy for just a moment), and all that goes with that.  From Neanderthal to Kings to Silicon Valley, it never ends.

The second part of this:  it's my belief that those of us who can turn this inside out for extended periods of time and actually be unconditionally kind, honest, wise...without reservation...are the lucky few.

It would be a wonderful thing to achieve.