Category: philosophical counseling
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The Direct Method Of Atmananda Explained
Atmananda from Notes on Spiritual Discourses of Shri Atmananda. What follows, beneath the first “*,” is the entire text from note 71. What follows after the second “*” is my brief commentary. * 71. The Direct Method Explained 1. By examination of the subjective element in man, from the body backwards to the I-principle, it…
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‘Consciousness Cannot Perceive Anything But Consciousness’
Atmananda was a teaching master of the Vedanta. Here is one stunning pointer he gives us in passing: “When you know any object, you stand as Consciousness; and the object also cannot help appearing as Consciousness, since Consciousness cannot perceive anything but Consciousness” (Notes on Spiritual Discourses of Shri Atmananda, ed. Nitya Tripta, no. 34,…
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Can There Be Even One Obstacle Or One Disturbance To Liberation?
Obstacles? It’s common for earnest spiritual practitioners, those concerned with moksha, to believe that certain experiences are “obstacles” or “disturbances.” One man with whom I meditate began by being concerned with certain “intrusive thoughts.” Another conversation partner also voiced this concern. Atmananda’s position, then, is quite refreshing: “Yes,” he tells some students, “there are no…
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How To Dispose Of Samskaras After Sudden (But Not Final) Awakening?
1124. HOW TO DISPOSE OF SAMSKARAS AFTER VISUALIZATION? The Truth has been visualized. But by that alone, you are not always cognizant of the Reality. When you are swayed by the former samskaras of your life, you forget the Truth. Then you can either look deep and destroy the world as nothing but consciousness or,…
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Understanding How Awareness Can Be Universal: Deep Sleep And I Amness
The nondual teaching which states that Awareness is global (that is, universal) can seem as if it doesn’t make sense. Certain satsang-style questions abound. Like: 1.) If I am Universal Awareness, then why can’t I read others’ minds? 2.) If I am Universal Awareness, then why do I feel “tethered” to a narrow set of…
Andrew Taggart, Ph.D. 