Welcome!

You are right, it is simple and easy and it is not, such is the paradox of walking the spiritual path. You ask some very deep questions and in this blog I have written a lot about this and what works for me.

On your question about blocks and how to remove them, the only block in my perspective, is the mind. How can one deal with the mind whose nature is what it is? What works for me is the practice of awareness and using techniques such as meditation that allows us to witness the mind. We cannot get rid of thoughts and unwanted emotions which block the experience of our divinity but by continued mindfulness and kind compassion with ourselves, we can practice becoming more aligned with truth. In this way we are not working hard at fighting delusion. By contemplating the truth that the wise ones teach us, we can actually experience their wisdom for it is always with us, we have only to be reminded. As with every skill, it takes much practice and enthusiasm for the art.

Unconsciousness means to me that we are experiencing a sense of separation. As we walk the spiritual path, we dance between the poles of the experience of consciousness or unity and the feeling of separate identity, of illusion or unconciousness.
This of course is different from Carl Jung’ s, the unconscious which is another realm to do with psychology.

Thanks for stopping by. Your questions gave me an opportunity to go deeper.

Deep peace to you!

You must be a fan of the Pratyabhijna-hrdayam…lol. Thanks for the reference to Spanda-Karikas. I have perused its pages but I tell myself that someday I will focus on deciphering it.

I agree with you that the ancient philosophies like Kashmir Shaivism seem like relics of the past, wrapped up in folk-lore and irrelevant in its practices to today’s spirituality.

I read somewhere where the zen master, Thich Nhat Hanh had said that Buddhism, when it enters a country, must be adjusted to suit the psychology of the culture it serves in order to enrich our understanding and explorations. I think that is very wise and reflects the greatness of the teacher who recognizes that we use what we have in front of us and spiritualize that.

I believe that the philosophy of Kashmir Shaivism is perhaps the most relevant to today’s spirituality that begs the marrying of quantum physics and cosmology with our inner experience.

I see the wisdom in the teachers’ admonition to find a path and stick to it. I somehow believe though, that modern people are a bit more complex psychologically especially in the West, that we need to explore other systems and integrate a system that works for the individual. I like the Buddhist systems of inquiry as well as Vedanta and Shaivism. We are very fortunate to have the freedom to choose and study from all of these great legacies of the ancient masters.

Thanks for engaging so deeply. I enjoyed your comment.

Deep peace to you!

This is one problem with Kashmir Shaivism, I think. It’s a great system in a world of systems. It’s quite clear and to the point. Goal, means to the goal, etc. And yet its history is so wrapped in symbolic folk-lore that one cannot really grasp it as anything but a technical system of meditation. The Tantras of ancient times may have been living, breathing sacred texts a thousand years ago and more but in these days there is little life left in Kashmir Shaivism.

The last remaining master of the school, i.e., someone belonging to a direct line of masters, was Swami Lakshmanjoo. I’ve learned all I know of Kashmir Shaivism from his books and yet I never feel entirely satisfied with the whole thing. Sometimes I feel that it is a profound system worth sticking to and at other times I feel that it’s a thing of the past, ready to drift off into a sea of other lost doctrines and traditions.

How fortunate you are to have seen these great portrayals of Ananda Tandava!

It is interesting to me, that it is when I share what I have learned that I come to understand the subject better, and can explain it with some clarity. I am so grateful for the teachers who share the great philosophy of India’s spiritual heritage with the western world.

Thanks for your kind words my friend.

Love and Blessings to you!

Yes, the body comes with a default compass of joy and freedom. When the mind gets out of the way, life is easeful and we need only tune inward to follow the heart, the true-mind.

These teachings are so precious; we are so fortunate.

Thanks for sharing your experience; it is hopeful for others on the path to know that it is really possible to live from our divine nature.

Much love to you!

As always, your poetic words leaping into my consciousness with exuberance, brings laughter and cheer to my day. So good to see you here! You will be going home soon and I can’t wait to hear about all of your adventures.

Deep peace to you my friend!

All the world really is a stage, and we can create anything! I am really beginning to see that I can affect my world easily and without struggle.

“The nature of Consciousness is of absolute freedom and joy.” – This is so true for me. I always know I am on the right track because I feel this freedom and joy all throughout my levels of being.

Thank you! Nicole

It is always so refreshing to come here and breathe in your liberated spirit….

I’ve missed your words dearly,

Thank you for all that you, if life is a dance and the soul the dancer, then you are a prima ballerina,

Much love to you my friend,

Maithri