At every moment in our lives we are confronted with two choices: one path leads to bliss, unity and wisdom, while the other leads to misery, disconnectedness and ignorance. One must choose wisely, for things are not as they appear to be. The path that appears attractive at the outset does not live up to its promise, while that which appears difficult at first leads to the Truth.
Here is a collection of articles derived from my direct experience through practice of the teachings of Yoga, VedAnta and Tantra. These may be useful to other sAdhakAs (sincere aspirants) on the path to Self-Realization. Through reading these articles, others who are also householders living in the world (as opposed to renunciates) may find that spiritual experience is within reach for one who makes sincere and continuous effort over a long period of time.
That which is enduring in these articles is the same message coming from time immemorial. Any misunderstanding or misrepresentation comes from the limitations of personal viewpoints. The purpose of restating enduring truths from a contemporary perspective is that a different interpretation of the same message may help the aspirant gain confidence on the path, especially when this interpretation is derived from direct experience.
I bow to BRhaspati, who is the external manifestation of our inner Guru. I also bow to those ancient teachers whose teachings have given me insight and inspiration. For those sAdhakAs who may want to read their message directly, these are:
Sri GaudapAdAcArya (MAndukya kArikA)
Sri Adi SankarAcArya (AparokshanubhUti, VivekacudAmani, Bhaja govindam and PancIkaraNam),
Maharshi Patanjali (Patanjali Yoga sUtra)
Sri SvAtmArAma (HaTha Yoga PradIpika)
I have also learned from contemporary teachers, even though I have never met any of them in person. I have listed them below, should the reader wish to read their original writings. And those parts of the Eternal Message that they transmitted in their sayings have become deeply internalized within me. Although no one messenger can claim authorship of this Eternal Message, I have tried my best to acknowledge the sources when I borrow from these teachings. However, there may still be some instances where I have overlooked this. If that is the case, my apologies to them and to the readers. I am grateful for any necessary corrections that are brought to my attention.
Contemporary Teachers
Sri B. K. S. IyengAr (Light on Yoga)
SwAmi RAma (for his lectures, articles and books)
SwAmi JnAneshwara BhArati (for his interpretive translation of the Yoga sUtra and other books, and his excellent website).
ॐ तत् सत् ब्रह्मार्पणमस्तु
Om Tat Sat brahmArpanam astu
(Om, that is Real. May this be an offering to Brahman.)
Post Script (March 15, 2011): Just yesterday I learned from a few articles and videos posted on the Internet that there has been a legal controversy regarding SwAmi RAma's personal conduct for quite some time, of which I was completely unaware when reading his books and articles over the last nine months or so. Here is my response to the same, and my reasons for acknowledging his teachings.