Month: August 2024
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Happiness Is Inherent In The Nature Of Awareness
The chief point about the nature of happiness is that it’s inherent in the nature of awareness. While it may seem as if happiness is attendant upon the satisfaction of a desire, in truth happiness is revealed just when seeking ceases. One of my dogs loves the smell of fresh food. He gets antsy in…
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Happiness Is Not Due To External Causes And Possessions
In the first very discourse with Ramana Maharshi from Talks with Sri Ramana Maharshi, we hear him answer a crucial question about the nature of happiness. The talk is quoted in full: A question was asked as to the nature of happiness. M.: If a man thinks that his happiness is due to external causes…
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There Is An Absolute End To Suffering
Why Am I Suffering? This is not a question of theodicy. In this case, it’s a question of knowledge. One suffers whenever awareness is “mixed up with” the content of objective experience. This mixing makes it seem as if awareness’s being is localized and limited by the objective experience to which it seems to be bound. How To…
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What Is Direct Experience, And Why Does It Matter?
Dear C, The Teaching, Revisited 1. Awareness is always and already realized. It’s always and already the case. (This is what direct experience ultimately and directly reveals.) 2. Therefore, it is impossible to become Self-realized. Utterly impossible. 3. Don’t stop with Neo-Advaita, though–that is, with “lip syncing the lyrics” in 1 above. Instead, out of freshness, interest, glee, and wonderment, investigate and contemplate whatever seems to be evidence…
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The Self Is Not Two, Not One, And Not Zero
Dear A, Excellent quote from Sri Ramana Maharshi–and much to unpack here. Sri Ramana replies: Yes. All bad qualities centre round the ego. When the ego is goneRealisation results by itself. There are neither good nor bad qualitiesin the Self. The Self is free from all qualities. Qualities pertain tothe mind only. It is beyond…
Andrew Taggart, Ph.D. 