Tag: Spirituality
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The Specific Meaning Of The Inward Turn
Ramana Maharshi states, “The Self is known to everyone, but not clearly.” All that’s needed is right here. The Self cannot be an object, nor can it be conjoined to one. This is because–to take but one distinguishing factor–the Self is continuously present whereas all objects appear and then disappear. Therefore, the Self is not…
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Am I Really Not The Doer?
Question: I’ve often heard it said that “I am not the doer.” But I don’t really understand this teaching, and, what’s more, it seems rather implausible, considering that, as an agent, I certainly seem to do things much of the time. What sense can be made of this statement? Let’s read carefully Shankara’s reply: 104.…
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What Am I To Make Of A Blissful Or Horrifying Experience?
A common satsang-style question has to do with one’s having a non-ordinary experience. Perhaps the experience was blissful, or maybe it was horrifying. What is one to make of it? The simplest reply is: “Nothing. Just carry on and forget about it. Your true nature is complete, abiding, unchanging.” If this reply doesn’t do it,…
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A Philosophical Defense Of Byron Katie’s The Work
Philosophical Theses I’d like to offer a philosophical exposition and defense of Byron Katie’s process called The Work. My claim is that when one goes very rigorously through a large batch of beliefs (“belief” will provide one with that which will be tested through this 4-question directed inquiry), one could come to the following basic…
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Can I Sometimes Be Separate From The Self?
Question: I agree that I am not different from Self. But there are good number of instances in which I get engaged with thoughts. Is this due to habit/karma? Yes, that’s it exactly. See these instances in the following two ways: A. Each instance of engagement is actually an invitation to engage in citta suddhi (call…
Andrew Taggart, Ph.D. 