Absorbed into What's Out There

When we go to a movie, we get absorbed in the story and, assuming that the movie is well-made, we often forget that we are just watching the movie. The transition from being “observers” to being “participators” is unconscious and quick. When that happens, we get absorbed fully and unreservedly into whatever is happening on the screen.

Seldom, though, the movies are able to hold our attention without break from beginning to end. We generally shuttle back and forth between being observers (when we can lean back on our seats and know that we are watching a movie) and being participators (when we forget where we are and who we are).

The Art of Merging

We often read, Kaṭha Upaniṣad 1.3.13 for instance, of merging one thing into another. In meditation practices, it is sometimes recommended that the form of the guru must be merged into that of the Iṣṭa.

How does merging occur? What exactly needs to be done?

Is Middle Path the Best Path?

Today is Buddha Purnima: the day on which Buddha was born at Lumbini about 2500 years ago, the day on which he attained enlightenment under the Bodhi tree at Gaya, and the day he passed away when he was 80. We celebrated this thrice-blessed day with a special Satsang last Sunday at the Ramakrishna Vedanta Society (above). While reflecting on his life and teachings, an interesting question came up regarding the Middle Path.

What Is God?

St. Paul’s Cathedral in downtown Boston organized an education program during the season of Lent, in March and April this year. Over lunch on five successive Thursdays (Mar 17 through Apr 14) they invited guests to present their thoughts, insights and experiences on the topic, “What is God?” It was a joy for me to visit the beautiful cathedral on April 7 and share my thoughts with a group of earnest people. Given below is a summary of what I shared. Rev. Jep Streit, the Dean at the Cathedral, taped my informal talk and it is up on their website. Now the summary: