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Gloria forwarded this;


An outstanding message from this list. Tho subscribing is recommended. One
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day with no discussion.

The book Advaita Bodha Deepika
(The Lamp of Non-dual Knowledge) is one of the few books esteemed by Sri Ramana
Maharshi.

Sri Ramana Maharshi often quoted from
the Advaita Bodha Deepika.

This English Translation was thoroughly revised in the presence of Sri Ramana
Maharshi.

~Gloria

Subject: [AdvaitaBodhaDeepika] Is any distinction made amongst seekers who are
competent?


The Lamp of Nondual Knowledge

(Advaita Bodha Deepika)

Chapter 3, P43&44 The Means of Accomplishment

(Sadhana) continued:

Disciple: "Can the want of requisite qualities

disqualify even a very learned scholar?

Master: Be he learned in all the sacred lore

or ignorant of all of it,

only the four-fold requisites

can qualify a man for inquiry.

The scripture (sruti) says:

'The one whose mind is in equipoise,

senses controlled,

whose activities have ceased

and who possesses fortitude'

is fit for this.

From this it follows

that others are not competent

but only those possessing the four-fold virtues are.

70. Disciple: Is any distinction made amongst

seekers who are competent?

Master: For inquiry into the Self

there is absolutely no distinction bearing on:

caste,

stage of life

or other similar matters.

Be the seeker:

the foremost scholar (pandit),

illiterate man,

child,

youth,

old man,

bachelor,

householder,

practitioner of austerities and disciplines (tapasvi),

renunciate (sanyasi),

mature soul (brahmin),

a lawmaker or soldier (ksatriya),

a landowner or merchant (vaisya),

a worker or servant (sudra),

or a woman,

only these four qualifications

make up the seeker.

This is the undisputed view

of the scriptures (vedas and sastras).

71. Disciple: This cannot be. How can illiterate

men and women be qualified to the exclusion of a

pandit learned in the scriptures (sastras)?

He must certainly be more qualified than others.

You say that a knowledge of the scriptures (sastras)

is no qualification, but the practice of their

teaching is. No one can practice what he has not known.

How can an illiterate person qualify himself

in the requisite manner?

Master: In reply I ask you,

and you tell me

how does the learned man qualify himself?

Disciple: Because he has known the teachings of the

scriptures (sastras) that he should not perform action

(karma) for selfish ends, but dedicate it to God,

he will do so; his mind will be purified; gradually he

will acquire the dispassion, etc., needed for inquiry.

Now tell me how an illiterate man can qualify himself.

Master: He also can. Though not learned now,

he might have learned the teachings

in preceding births,

done actions dedicated to God;

his mind being already pure enough,

he can now readily acquire the qualities needed

for inquiry into the Self."


For many links to where you can read
the Teachings of Non-duality on the web click:
http://home.talkcity.com/GaiaWay/Infinite_Freedom

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___


One of Doc Hobbes' poems;

*Cats*

The cat is not mine.
Do I wish it killed?
What's the point in that?

'Centered?'
<compared to what
in a seamless light
I wondered.>

The difference between
three and two
is in my's
point of view.

On direction:
He points with his new sickle
and wishes his head would work.

A paraphrase:
When your mind is as mine you may enter here.
Who?

"Nothing in; nothing out" So says the Lord and Thus is it's keeper.



--
Shaking off the snow
a bear and two opened eyes
spoke to the sky.
--TeCha


________________________________________________________________________________\
___

Harsha;



I would like to introduce you to Sri Linda Callanan who has written a wonderful
article on Vedic Astrology and how it relates
to the different chakras in the body. It can be found on the HarshaSatsangh
website by
clicking the following url.

http://www.harshasatsangh.com

Even as a layperson in the subject of Astrology, I was able to follow with
interest
the logic and explanations given. Lindaji is
a long time teacher and practitioner of yoga with an extensive background in
Eastern
philosophies, Kundalini Yoga, and
Astrology. She is a regular contributor to HarshaSatsangh and her posts are
reflect
the wisdom that comes from living and
reflecting on the mysteries of life.

Linda writes,

"Whether we are seeking a solution to suffering or are trying to quench an inner
yearning that life leaves unsatisfied, eventually
we look towards spirituality for answers. This quest can lead to meditation,
yoga,
philosophy or some other metaphysical
disciplines. A metaphysical science with which many of us are familiar is
astrology,
the study of planetary positions and activities
in relation to life on earth. The Western world is most familiar with the
solar-based
astrology of ancient Greece."

"In recent years Western culture has become more familiar with the spiritual
teachings
of Eastern cultures and along with the
various spiritual systems that have been embraced is an astrological system that
originated in India known as Vedic Astrology."

"As its name implies, Vedic Astrology.s roots are embedded in the ancient
scriptures
known as the Vedas. According to some,
the Vedas are the oldest written teachings known to mankind and from these
writings
comes the philosophy behind yoga,
advaita and ayurveda. Throughout these ancient scriptures are many references
to the
study of planetary patterns and it is
obvious that the movement of the planets were carefully calculated. The Rig
Veda,
which is the first of the written Vedas,
contains references to the vernal equinox being located in the constellation of
Cancer
which dates approximately to 6,000 BC.
It is believed that the Brahmin priests planned their rituals and ceremonies
according
the movement of the luminaries and
planets."

Rest of the article can be read on the website.

http://www.harshasatsangh.com

We are fortunate to have someone of Sri Linda's knowledge and understanding of
Astrology
and Yoga. I encourage you to read the article if you have an interest in the
science
of
astrology.

Love to all

Harsha

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