Undue Emphasis

What he is responding to is below. Nome is my guru, a fully realized Jnani (pronounced ya-nee, I think). He's never claimed this as far as I know, but he is in the position of being this for many people, and through the spiritual effectiveness of association with him, I've reached this conclusion that basically he is someone worth seeking advice from.

Dear Kassy, Namaste. Thank you for your numerous messages during the last tendays. Between the retreat just completed, other matters that requiredattention, and this body's Parkinson's Disease, which limits the dexterityrequired to type, this is the first opportunity to respond in writing. With a little examination, it should be easily observable by youthat the confusion and suffering in the mind are due to an undue emphasis onor preoccupation with the supposed individual and his desires (materiallyfulfilled or not). When this occurs, the mind provides turmoil for itselfaccompanied by sadness. Sense of proportion is lost, and the delusivetendency that conceives that such a state (both internal and external) willcontinue forever may be generated. On the far tail end, the angst andsuffering may even become so manifested in one's conduct that the behavioror communication lends itself to promoting the very thing feared or that onedesires to avert. In addition, one sorrows over supposed last opportunitieswhile ignoring the present opportunity. Turn inward and become peacefully nonattached in the understandingof the source of happiness. Thereby, the sense of proportion will return orbe found anew. Reflect on what you have read, heard, and observed regardinghappiness. Consider how much "space" would be in your mind if you ceased toconjure up the clutter of the racing, yet circular, patterns of ideas thatare illusorily fixated on the personality that is the outgrowth of the egonotion. Bemoaning one's plight and wallowing in misplaced self-pity overone's supposed incompleteness are not to be equated with the self-criticalexamination to destroy misconceptions that proceeds to the inquiry thatreveals the innate perfection. Discriminate when you use your mind foreither and choose the wiser path. Each seeker may feel that his bondage is the worst, his darkness thedensest, his capacity the most inadequate, his path the longest, hisobstacles the most difficult, his problems unique, etc. In truth, such isnot so. Whatever you encounter in your experience and practice has been metby those who have trod the path before you. Having found freedom from theentire illusion, they hold forth their hands, as it were, and beckon you tojoin in the bliss, showing what is true and how to find it, rousing you fromdelusion's dream, revealing the fulfillment of the purpose of life,unveiling the Truth within you. The ego is unreal. So, there is little point in cogitating over whatkind of ego one supposedly has. Deeply inquire into who you are, andSelf-Knowledge will dawn. May you abide in the perfect fullness, which is Brahman alone, andknow that alone to be your Self. Ever yours in Truth, Nome