Category: philosophical counseling
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‘Know All This Universe To Be Formless’
One could hardly do better than to follow this glorious meditation from Avadhuta Gita I.41: Know all this universe to be formless. Know all this universe to be devoid of transformation. Know all this universe to be pure existence [sat] itself. Know all this universe to be of the nature of the Supreme Beatitude [ananda].…
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Is It True That ‘I Am Awareness’?
The first point to establish is that awareness is. Consider the fact that seeing–that is, reading these words–is appearing right now. Then ask yourself, “Am I aware of reading right now?” Open directly to the experience of being aware of seeing. Now, place greater emphasis on I am aware and much less emphasis on of…
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How Can You Attain What You Already Are? On Avadhuta Gita
The Avadhuta Gita, attributed to Dattatreya, is awesome. Beside The Ashtavakra Samhita, it stands as a stunningly direct pointer to our true nature. One of the common teaching tools employed is to undercut any possibility of duality–that is, any attempt by the mind to conceptualize. In this regard, it resembles the best Zen teaching. Let’s…
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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…
Andrew Taggart, Ph.D. 