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From: johnw@farside.eng.ready.com (John Wheeler)
Newsgroups: soc.religion.eastern
Subject: Re: Spirituality as an Ordeal
Message-ID: <1991Jun26.060307.26874@nas.nasa.gov>
Date: 26 Jun 91 06:03:07 GMT
Sender: news@nas.nasa.gov
Organization: Ready Systems
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**Please post this article to soc.religion.eastern. Thank you.**

In Article: 184 of soc.religion.eastern, Mr. Cha writes:
 
>> Even though the goal might be happiness and freedom, the path can (not
>>always) be rocky. It is quite naive to think that once you "follow
>>the right path"  all of your experiences will be happier and happier.  Much
>>of awakening--I obviously cannot speak of all awakening--is the letting go
>>of previously held beliefs, i.e., prejudices, which for the most part we
>>cling to tenaciously.   

>>I'm not saying that one has to be in a constant state of agony, but many 
>>times an insight can be too intense for an individual to grasp fully; and 
>>this could lead to the proverbial "dark night of the soul".  

My own teacher once humorously remarked, "If spirituality itself is a
source of suffering, who would want or need it? There are plenty of
other ways to inflict suffering on oneself!" He has always stressed
that genuine spirituality is "sweet in the beginning, in the middle,
and in the end."  

>>BTW, for the UMPTEENTH time who is your teacher?  I'd like to read 
>>something by him (not for flaming).

That's a relief! I am pursuing the philosophy of non-duality under a teacher
by the name of Master Nome in California. Email me if you want more
information about this path. I will be happy to let you know more about it. 

For those who may be interested, here are some of my experiences with this 
particular approach to life: 

Several years ago, I was seeking for some answers to spiritual questions,
but had very little guidance that I could rely on. Consequently, I made
several fruitless excursions into teachings and practices that were
not able to deliver the results I hoped for. I had heard of enlightenment,
self-knowledge, reality, etc., but actually had very little idea what
these meant and how I could discover them for myself. Books were inspiring,
but also at times confusing because of all the contradictory teachings
and practices set forth.

Eventually over time my discrimination sharpened and I began to be interested
in the teachings of Buddha and other enlightened sages. I also learned
of the enlightened sage Ramana Maharshi who lived in this century. About that 
time someone made me aware of a teacher in the San Francisco Bay Area
where I was living. What luck (grace)! He was an American by birth who
had discovered the truth, self-knowledge, within himself at a fairly
young age. These are merely some biographical references that may be
of interest.

The extraordinary thing was (and is) his absolutely unshakable and penetrating
wisdom into the depths of life. Words cannot do justice, but the experience
of being in his presence is quite different than anything I had 
experienced before. By the way, he has never been widely known in the 
"spiritual marketplace," yet he is available for those of a sincere heart
who yearn for guidance in pursuing the spiritual path to its highest
conclusion. He never puts himself above others or condsiders himself a
special being; he always shows others how they can come to the same
profound realization he has found. Yet it is clear from his actions, words,
and demeanor, that his state is very, very deep. After getting to know him, 
it is easy to see that this must be enlightenment, self-realization. What 
was only glimpsed in books, stands clearly before one.

Having had the good fortune of spending several years in his company, I 
can say from experience that his realization and teaching are in perfect 
accord with other genuine sages from history. Also, in contrast with some
popular teachers, his daily life is in perfect harmony with what he teaches.
It is remarkable how clear and deep his wisdom is. It has a power to bring 
others to the same experience. To me, this is one of the greatest confirmations
of its genuineness.