Methods of Contemplation

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Guru Ramana Vachana Mala is a concise but powerful text that accurately summarizes the teachings of Sri Ramana Maharshi. It further clarifies areas of the teaching that may be a bit hazy for the seeker of wisdom by summarizing the essential Vedanta teachings. Connect with me on instagram @methodsofcontemplation Work with me one-on-one: https://calendly.com/methodsofcontemplation/spiritual-direction

This text by Adi Śankara makes vividly clear the idea of the distinction between oneself and one's body, mind, etc., which, when rightly comprehended under the benevolent guidance of a Teacher, a person of Knowledge, will perfectly convince one that one is not other than the Unlimited Bliss untouched by hunger and thirst, grief and delusion, old age, and death, the only real Existence, the Goal of all human beings to be realized in life. Connect with me on instagram @methodsofcontemplation Work with me one-on-one: https://calendly.com/methodsofcontemplation/spiritual-direction

The Vijñānabhairava Tantra is a compendium of spiritual prompts to enter a state of complete absorption in the Absolute, while yet remaining with the power of creativity and fecundity. If any text could be synonymous with Methods of Contemplation, it's this one. In the text, the primordial Goddess Bhairavi asks Bhairava, who is none other than her very Self - how to untangle the myriad of paths and admonitions of the tantras. He responds by giving pointed instructions to winnow away the extroversion of the mind: complex ones, simple ones, ones you might already do. The point being - Reality itself is the door to Reality. Connect with me on instagram @methodsofcontemplation Work with me one-on-one: https://calendly.com/methodsofcontemplation/spiritual-direction

The Flight of the Garuda explores the essence of the Buddhist path of Dzogchen or the Great Perfection, revealing insights into the nature of mind, the illusory nature of existence, and the methods for transcending suffering. The teachings are imbued with profound compassion and offer practical guidance for cultivating awareness, developing wisdom, and transforming one's perception of the world. The text weaves together a rich tapestry of allegorical stories, metaphors, and teachings, all centered around the metaphor of the Garuda—a mythological bird known for its ability to soar fearlessly through the sky. Connect with me on instagram @methodsofcontemplation Work with me one-on-one: https://calendly.com/methodsofcontemplation/spiritual-direction

Soundarya Lahari, or the Waves of Bliss is a poetic text of worship to the primordial Śakti or Goddess of the power of consciousness. Attributed to Adi Śankara, the towering giant of Advaita Vedanta, the text describes in vivid theological detail the nature of this supreme Goddess. Contesting authorship aside, how could a proponent of uncompromising non-duality compose a devotional work like this? If reality is not-two, who is to be worshipped? And who is there to worship it? This is only a question that can be answered from the perspective of the jivanmukta, the free while living. Before enlightenment, duality ensnares us in the mires of suffering. But after liberation, duality conceived for the sake of love is even more sublime than non-duality. Connect with me on instagram @methodsofcontemplation Work with me one-on-one: https://calendly.com/methodsofcontemplation/spiritual-direction

Vivekachudamani, or the Crest Jewel of Discrimination, is what is referred to as a prakārana text. Meant to be a workbook for the diligent student of the yoga of Knowledge, it acts as a bridge between the guru and shishya. This bridge is what enables the longing of the student for freedom and the devotion of the free to compassion to meet in the beautiful dance of being and becoming. This dance itself leads to the end of all doubt. Connect with me on instagram @methodsofcontemplation Work with me one-on-one: https://calendly.com/methodsofcontemplation/spiritual-direction

The Yoga Vasishta is an epic text comprising of the discourse between the wise Vasishta (known as one of the first sages of Vedanta) and the prince Rama. In this section, Vasishta instructs on the nature of the root of suffering as ignorance of the true nature of Reality. This ignorance itself is the cause of the appearance of the world as the source of our joy, and of our misery. But when inattention is withdrawn from that which never arises, attention is held in that which has never subsided. Connect with me on instagram @methodsofcontemplation Work with me one-on-one: https://calendly.com/methodsofcontemplation/spiritual-direction

The Upanishads comprise the knowledge portion of the Vedas, the oldest extant religious texts on earth. As such, they represent the richest distillation of the larger corpus. The word Upanishad itself can be roughly approximated to mean "sitting near the truth" - evoking an image of listening to the oral transmission of teachings at the feet of a person of steady wisdom. And Isha is a term here used not liturgically, but philosophically: having a dual meaning of both Lord, and Self. These texts are meant to rouse us from slumber and into the wakeful radiance of what's really going on here. To recognize "The Self in all beings, and all beings in the Self." and allowing sorrow itself to melt away. Connect with me on instagram @methodsofcontemplation Work with me one-on-one: https://calendly.com/methodsofcontemplation/spiritual-direction

Plotinus is a figure much ignored outside the halls of academic philosophy, but was integral to the birth of non-dual wisdom in the West. In a western framework, he elucidates the core philosophy underlying Neoplatonism, a school that deeply informed early Christianity, and that has much in common with Paramadvaita. In this passage, Plotinus perfectly threads together the beads of action, will, and knowledge into a telos for the direct intimacy of contemplation. He describes the essential unity of the perceptual triad of knower, knowing, and known - a realization that reflects consummate bliss. In his words, "Everything is Contemplation." Connect with me on instagram @methodsofcontemplation Work with me one-on-one: https://calendly.com/methodsofcontemplation/spiritual-direction

In this excerpt from the Philokalia, Saint Isaac the Solitary leads young ascetics through twenty seven texts discussing important points for those who have undertaken spiritual vows of the Christian life. In this passage, he describes the pitfalls of leaving the door of our heart (the intellect), unguarded. This holds even more true after we have received some spiritual consolation in the gifts of peace or joy. Connect with me on instagram @methodsofcontemplation Work with me one-on-one: https://calendly.com/methodsofcontemplation/spiritual-direction

Teresa of Avila, in this reading brings us to the heights of the Christian spiritual endeavor according to the Spanish school of mysticism. She describes in vivid experiential detail the difference between an intermittent and oscillatory perception of Grace, and the abiding and eternal marriage of the soul and God as lover and Beloved. Connect with me on instagram @methodsofcontemplation Work with me one-on-one: https://calendly.com/methodsofcontemplation/spiritual-direction

A veritable firehose of mystical theology, John Ruysbroeck spoke at a level much more subtle, intricate, and experiential than many. And in his writing we can see ripples of our own deepest truth. Although this is a short passage, it is worth listening through again and again. This repeated hearing, reflection, and meditation are what plunge us continually into the core of our being which is ever united with God. With no distinction whatsoever to be found. Connect with me on instagram @methodsofcontemplation Work with me one-on-one: https://calendly.com/methodsofcontemplation/spiritual-direction