The PreCambrian Corner: Nome's September Responses

Dear Kassy,

Namaste. Thank you for your message.

Though the Maharshi's body had tremors, I have not seen anywhere or
heard from anyone that they were due to Parkinson's disease. Nowhere is it
reported that Sri Bhagavan ever said that the diseases of his body were due
to the karma of others, though there are a few writers who have made such
comments. No, the PD and its symptoms are not due to you. It is far more
likely, according to one of the prevailing medical theories, that exposure
to agricultural toxins at an earlier time in life is the causal factor for
the degeneration and destruction of certain neurons thought to be the case
in patients with PD, and all of that precedes by a considerable time the
appearance of symptoms that can be diagnosed, much less observable by you.
So, abandon such ideas, and continue to inquire to find that which is
blissfully immortal.

Ever yours in Truth,

Nome

Dear Kassy,

Namaste. The satsang hall has changed over the years, and, of
course, when it was located in different places prior to 1989. The
Maharshi's picture has always graced the satsang hall. For example, in 1978,
there was the Maharshi's picture and Nataraja murti (statue), though the
murti was much smaller. The Siva linga (stone symbol) that is now in the
inner shrine used to be under the arches on the north side of the satsang
hall. At the same time (mid 1990's), the wooden lingam that now is in front
of the murti of Ardhanarisvara in the satsang hall was below the picture of
Sri Ramana in the inner shrine. There have been other changes, too. The
manifested is subject to change, yet the Truth remains timelessly the same.

Ever yours in Truth.

Nome

Dear Kassy,

Om Namo Bhagavate Sri Ramanaya

Namaste. It is good that you are striving to overcome the vasanas
mentioned by you. Those tendencies that one has repeated frequently and with
much emphasis may require perseverance to transcend, but, upon their
dissolution, are found to have consisted of mere imagination. Inquire.

Since this is the second time in recent messages that you have
referred to a site that engages in defamation (i.e., intentionally
expressing falsehoods ((lies)) with malice), you may find it useful to read
certain entries included in the "archives" article in the 4th quarter issue
of Reflections. This is mentioned solely for its potential usefulness in
application in your own spiritual practice. The issue will be out by the end
of this month. The printed version is given to SAT members, and the
electronic version usually appears on the SAT website fairly soon thereafter
for free to those interested anywhere. One or two of the letters included in
that article relate to peaceful detachment toward what certain individuals
may think of one, the delusive nature of the formation of opinions about
others, what makes for gullibility when exposed to such propaganda, and
several other related ignorant tendencies that pertain specifically to the
issue raised by you. Even the example set of unmoved transcendence in such a
case of intended "persecution" may also present further insight for you
about the cessation of the craving for acceptance and its concomitant fear
of rejection. Therefore, reading such when it becomes available may be of
some benefit. Of course, no attempt is made in those letters to contradict
the falsehoods, for spiritual reasons explained in those letters; moreover,
in a pragmatic sense, anyone can easily come to the SAT temple, listen to
the teachings, experience all that occurs here, read books and satsang
transcripts, listen to or watch recordings, speak with Nome directly,
meditate here, find out who participates in what here and join in or not as
he chooses, coming and going as he pleases, and plainly observe the facts
for himself rather than be under the influence of that deceit, so there is
no need for a response to it. Such would be superfluous and effort wasted
over what is trite and meaningless.
As for David Godman, as I am sure is the experience of others, too,
there is deep respect and appreciation for the wonderful service he has done
and is doing, and with his co-writers/translators, especially the many fine
publications that he has brought forth.
The apparent permanence and consistence of the illusory phenomena
within a state are according to that state and may be contradicted by the
experience within another state. That which is alone continuously existent,
free of change or diminution, regardless of state, is the Self, and that
alone is real. If you cease to regard as real or as the Self anything that
appears within a state of mind, including the notion of the assumed
individual "I" to conceive or perceive anything else, the Knowledge of the
Self will be clear.
May your inquiry be steady and deep so that this blissful Knowledge
is ever shining within you.

Ever yours in Truth,

Nome

Dear Kassy,

Om Namo Bhagavate Sri Ramanaya

Namaste. Thank you for your recent messages.

If you perceive the needlessness of the ignorance that is the cause
of what you may find deplorable, you will be endowed with compassion rather
than be swept up in anger, hatred, etc., which are rooted in delusion.
Furthermore, by the realization of the divine Self within you, you will see
the same Self in all and everywhere.

It is also quite useful to not employ the mind in sweeping
generalizations of people, such as the formation of opinions about them. Are
all people of a certain category conceived in the mind like that? Has one
even met all of them, let alone been able to know them? Even simple
questions can unravel the absurd tendencies of manifested ignorance.

The craving for acceptance and the fear of rejection are two sides
of the same erroneous concept regarding the source of happiness.

However you practice, for final Realization, you must know yourself.
How else is one to know the Self except by constant profound inquiry? If you
find various methods of meditation helpful to acquire concentration, then
use the concentration thus gained to dive into Self-inquiry. The inquiry,
though, is always available and does not depend on any preliminary method.
Self-Knowledge alone is Liberation from all of the imagined bondage.

May you continuing earnest efforts bear the fruit of steady
Knowledge of the Self, so that you abide in lasting peace and bliss.

Ever yours in Truth,

Nome

Dear Kassy,

Omm Namo Bhagavate Sri Ramanaya

Namaste. Thank you for your messages.

Concentration is a mode of mind that derives its intensity from the
luminous Self, yet is placed within the context of thought or mental
attention. The concentration may be external, that is upon some object or
the breath, or internal, upon some mental conception or mental image, such
being of a spiritual character. The value of such lies in the abeyance of
other thoughts, though temporary, and the faith in the spiritual ideal
contemplated. Dharana (concentration) is not an end in itself, and the yogis
say that one should proceed to dhyana (meditation). Such should involve the
dissolution of the mind or the transcendence of thought. This, also, is not
the end, but one should then enter into samadhi, your questions about which
were answered previously. The highest and nonobjective form of meditation is
Atma-vicara (Self-inquiry), which reveals sahaja samadhi or sahaja sthiti,
absorption or steady abidance in the Innate as the Innate, which is
Self-Knowledge. Such inquiry and Knowledge are jnana. The inquiry, thus, is
not a mere shift of attention, or the repetition of a mental mode, but a
profound questioning of your very identity to inwardly discern your Being as
it truly is. Such inquiry is inherently mind-transcendent.

You may find it helpful to refer again to the previous comments in
several messages about happiness, detachment, and viewing things in
proportion. Otherwise, as you can observe with some reflection, an idea such
as a desire seems to occupy your entire experience, just as, if one places
the small tip of his smallest finger before his eye, it seems to occupy the
entire scene and blocks out the view of all else, for example large
mountains, the sky, the stars, etc. It is perfectly alright to read and
reflect upon the same passages again and again until the inner comprehension
dawns. Some books, such as Self-Knowledge, are intended for such use.

From another angle of vision, from what you have been relating in
your messages, you can see how even one idea can continually rise and appear
so important when you project even a drop of that which is of the Self upon
it: happiness, identity, and reality. If, with wise discrimination, the same
importance were placed upon Self-Realization, for the sake of the direct
experience of that full happiness, true identity, and absolute Reality, how
focused, intense and consuming would your spiritual practice become?

A tendency many times repeated may require sustained effort to be
destroyed. Such effort should be perseverance in knowledge in the form of
profound inquiry.

From still another perspective, if you are destined to be married or
have a companion in the future, all the anxious thought and craving
concerning it will amount to so much wasted time and purposeless suffering.
If you are destined to live singly, all that anxious thought and craving
will be a waste of precious time that could be spent more joyfully and
wisely. Either way, the depth and purpose of life is to be found and
fulfilled within.

Find within yourself that which is perfectly full regardless of
whether you are alone or in the company of others.

If the inner understanding is clarified, and thus one is endowed
with inquiry and detachment that blossom as Knowledge, the actions will
become harmonious of themselves.

Humility is essential.
It is natural for anyone who
Abides as the Self,
Inquires to know the Self,
Comprehends the vastness of Brahman,
Knows the Truth,
Perceives the magnitude and depth of the great sages,
Considers the significance of immortality,
Sees the approach of death,
Notices the fragility and precariousness of life,
Contemplates upon God,
Observes the play of his own mind,
Discerns the insignificance of his own thoughts,
Considers the immensity of this mere, entire universe,
Recognizes the smallness of his transient body,
Feels the fullness of love,
Experiences the magnificent perfection that is always,
Or who has found Grace.

Ever yours in Truth,

Nome

Dear Kassy,

Om Namo Bhagavate Sri Ramanaya

Thank you for your several messages.

You need not have any worry concerning whether or not it is
appropriate to write what you have written to me. If such writing benefits
your practice, perhaps as a means for gaining better perspective, use it.
The explicit details represent no harm.

Some of what you have written is, indeed, pointing in the right
direction. Yet, better than guessing, even intelligently, at the state of a
jnani, how the jnani views such-and-such, what the Self may be, what
Self-Realization may be, etc. is to experientially inquire and directly
realize. For otherwise, whether cloudier or clearer, it remains an idea, and
the Truth of Absolute Being, the self-luminous infinite Consciousness, and
the perfect fullness of Bliss are undoubtedly transcendent of any idea.

In your messages, you expressed how you have been engaging in
somewhat of a debate on certain websites. At some time, you may wish to
consider the value of such. Whether your viewpoint or that of another
prevails in such a debate, ask yourself what purpose it serves. Is this the
best use of your time and effort? If you are inspired, is this the best way
to share what you have found? Does such debate help your practice or deepen
your experience at all?

From your fears regarding bodily discomfort, pain, etc., as
described by you, you can discern the need for actual, deep, thorough
inquiry to liberate yourself from suffering. An intellectual grasp of ideas
thought to correspond to the real essential teaching does not have the
capacity to reveal that freedom, to unveil the innate Bliss, or bestow
lasting peace. Therefore, more profoundly assimilate what has been said and
written, in satsang, correspondence, and in sacred books, by persevering
inquiry that uproots the misidentifications by which you falsely define
yourself. Self-critical examination of your mind (not egotistical
self-judgment that depresses) is helpful, just as the humility that is
natural for anyone who is aware of the scope of That is superior to futile
confidence rooted in the ego's assertion. Therefore, joyfully and ardently
seek to know your Self, which is utterly free of the ego-notion
(individuality) and far, far beyond the tiny concerns of the phantom-like
personality and the illusory moods and modes of an unreal mind.

May you be ever happy at heart, discovering how imagined your
pseudo-bondage is and finding the purpose of life fulfilled within you---
the immortal Bliss of the illimitable Self.

Ever yours in Truth,

Nome