Quote from Sri Ravi:
"Udai rightly mentioned a couple of times regarding conditioning and how by slowing down and observing what is taking place one can gain clarity(I have paraphrased)...this is indeed a useful thing to do in the course of our discussions as well..."
Dear Sri Ravi, anything done for God is useful. How can I deny that? But observing thoughts was not even in the least recommended by Sri Bhagwan. 'I am the Self' meditation is a great aid, and is certainly useful for one who is incapable of the Atma-vichara, as Sri Annamalai Swami said and Sri Atmavichar posted. But if someone prematurely conducts such meditation, there is a danger against which Sri Bhagwan has warned in clear terms:"With a limited 'I' the man is so stuck up and wild. What will be the case when the same 'I' grows up enormous? He will be enormously ignorant and foolish. This false 'I' must perish." It is worth mention here that He only recommended Pranayama and moderation in sleep and food as the most effective aids to progress in the realm of spirituality.
Quote from Sri Ravi:
"it will help if we give space and time for each other to understand what we are trying to convey...and it will be better to give a simple statement of what we wish to convey rather than proceeding in a
question answer fashion...yes,the questions can be helpful after we have ascertained that we are on the same page to view the questions objectively."
Dear Sri Ravi, here I do not agree. I have endeavoured to remain true to His Teaching in practice and writing. I have always sought to remain true and written conforming to Sri Bhagwan's Teaching. And now after so many years of practice and study, someone comes and says this is Vichara, that is not Vichara, you have not understood, what is unique in Sri Ramana?, etc., they, to tell the truth, make no sense to me. Therefore, what benefit I and those who follow this can derive from an exchange with someone who follows various schools of thoughts and practices most of which were never approved by Sri Bhagwan and some of which were specifically criticized and disproved by Him? I have always responded to genuine questions asked by devotees to share their views and insights in this thread. And I have always given 'simple statements' of what I wanted to convey and share, as you said. Hence this endless questioning, for the sake of questioning, all pertaining to one's wild and fantastic ideas and concepts, in complete opposition to that of my own, with a motive to confront and make the other bothered and troubled and feeling satisfaction and pleased in doing all this drives a wedge, and turns me away despondent. How can such ideas dent our faith in Him and His Teaching? Never. No, this is not simply a case of difference of terms (terminological differences) employed by participants in this quite unnecessary, meaningless and detrimental debate. Moreover, I can see though all this so clearly and therefore I shall not mince my words while expressing myself.
Dear Sri Ravi, I do not visit You Tube. I do not see videos and movies. I sometimes only view news and a little sports on the TV. Therefore, I shall request you to kindly recommend me something in print so that I may read and contemplate.
Pranam,
Anil
