Welcome to Electrical Spirituality, the website of spiritual teacher/mystic-philosopher L. Ron Gardner. I named my website Electrical Spirituality because the spiritual Dharma I teach and write about is electrical in every way—radical and demystifying and correlated with Ohm’s Law. And because I’m an electrical guy (Sun conjunct Uranus in my natal chart), when I turn my attention to subjects other than spirituality--politics, culture, and health, et al.--my radical (gone-to-the-root) and sometimes revolutionary viewpoints can best be described as electrical. To learn more about me and this website, click on “About” on the menu bar.Directly below this Welcome piece are my Current Posts. At the top of the right column are my books, which you can learn about and read samples writings from by placing the cursor on the titles under “Books” on the menu bar. Below my books are my Recent Posts (which, when no longer “recent,” can be accessed in “Archives”).
Feel free to comment on anything on this site, but please keep your comments civil and to the point. Site-readers are welcome to join my Facebook Group -- Meditation-Consciousness-Spirituality, which provides ongoing dialogue on spiritual matters.
{ 105 comments… read them below or add one }
You claim to be an expert in various fields, but, in my expert opinion (I use the word expert the same way you do), you are just another snake-oil salesman trying to drum up business by attacking everyone around you, in order to draw a crowd. For Shame!
Sam, let’s see how much of an expert you are. Point out where I’m wrong. Moreover when a contemporary spiritual writer or teacher is good — for example, see my five star Amazon reviews of Namkhai Norbu’s “The Cycle of Day and Night, ” Avi Sion’s “Buddhist Illogic,” Adyashakti’s “Monsoon of Grace,” and Paul Muller Ortega’s “The Triadic Heart of Siva,” I have no problem acknowledging it. Methinks I offended one of your “sacred cows.”
I’d like to know what “snake oil” you think I’m selling. Spiritually, I direct people to the Spirit Itself, and I recommend plenty of books other than my own (see my recommended Spiritual List in my books). Politically, I direct people to Ayn Rand’s and Murray Rothbard’s writings.
Please don’t forget the books of Frederick Hayek and Ludwig von Mises.
Steve, people can move on to those guys and Austrian economics — but for a political base, I recommend Rand and Rothbard.
I’ve quite liked many of your writings so far.
Question though: since you like Rand & Rothbard, what is your take on abortion?
Gabi, I believe that at some point in the pregnancy the soul enters the body. I am not opposed to early abortion prior to this. I am opposed to late abortion. I think Roe vs. Wade being overturned, thereby returning abortion laws to the states was the right decision.
Here’s Christopher Hitchens on Ayn Rand “I don’t think there’s any need to have essays advocating selfishness among human beings; I don’t know what your impression has been, but some things require no further reinforcement.” See https://www.openculture.com/2017/11/christopher-hitchens-dismisses-the-cult-of-ayn-rand.html
Here’s a 1959 Mike Wallace interview with Ayn Rand https://youtu.be/lHl2PqwRcY0
Jim. I’m not at all impressed with Christopher Hitchens as a thinker. Selfishness, per Rand, is a synonym for rational self-interest. She purposely used the word selfishness to push the buttons of altruists, who advocate (and typically force upon others) a life of self-sacrifice. Marxist-FASCIST governments and organizations (and all Marxist governments are fascist) are all about mandating altruistic self-sacrifice to them and their DICTATES. Tyrannical Ruling Elite political parties (such as the Joe Biden-led Democrat Party) and organizations (such as the Klaus Schwab-led WEF) are all about forcing insane programs of self-sacrifice down the throats of the people they seek to rule over.
Interesting to find this passage of information. &Thank you . Rand offered up a very important possibility of how to not be trampled on by those who claim talent via the namesakes . Atlas s. and fountain head for, a now 51 year old, was very important to have found in my early 29’s .. And I remember seeing that interview as archived of ayn . I loved her then and I love her still . .. fountain head took ten years to write . Or – one of her books did . I am not gonna go research forgotten researched . But – I take the time to pause into and say Love . I found this via a thread of looking up Wayne Liquorman and saw your article Ron, and didn’t find anything off putting .. so I wanted to see – well , heck , who is talking to me, found this little bit more and felt drawn forth to comment — wings of awakening.
Yep, Rand is worth reading, but not too many read her nonfiction philosophy, which helped me clarify my thinking on a number of subjects.
Hey Ron,
I appreciate your website, and the work you put into it.
It would be great to have the option to sign in to your website as a member in order to post replies much easier, and faster.
Chris, thanks for your input. I’m going to leave it as it is for right now, but perhaps consider your idea down the road.
Hello Ron Gardner,
I discovered your web site after reading several of your book reviews on Amazon. Though I may not always agree, I do find them interesting and thought provoking. I am writing to alert you to the possibility that someone is using your name as their profile and making bizarre comments in Amazon.com discussions.
Here is the person’s profile page:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/pdp/profile/A3QY84MAVXPRIE/ref=cm_cr_rev_detpdp
Sincerely,
Doug Bennet
Thanks Douglas. Can you point me to some of the comments, so I can have specifics when I report this to Amazon?
Ron,
I tried to find them again but had no luck. It seems this person posts ridiculous things and uses profanity, then deletes the comments. I only mention it because it would reflect poorly on you for those who may think it is you. Sorry I didn’t find any, the comments were in reviews of books on Buddhism and Christian Mysticism. If I see it again I’ll let you know.
Regards,
Doug
Thanks Douglas, I appreciate it.
I step on a lot of toes with my writings and critical Amazon review. But the people I criticize can’t deconstruct what I write, so some of them end up resorting to ad hominem or, in this case, a fake L. Ron Gardner, to try to get back at me.
Hi Ron, just FYI…
I was reading your Amazon review of Robert Adams book and noticed deleted comments where you reply to a “ca_cicero”. That’s the person using your profile name. You can see it at the permalink below. It appears when you click on “earlier post” link at comment:
http://www.amazon.com/review/R12A51FQM8ETKT/ref=cm_cr_rev_detmd_pl?ie=UTF8&asin=1889051535&cdForum=Fx17YRBTVS5MKN4&cdMsgID=Mx30BIBW8F88XRG&cdMsgNo=2&cdPage=1&cdSort=oldest&cdThread=TxAT7GP8Z6X0IO&store=books#Mx30BIBW8F88XRG
Take care,
Doug
Douglas, thanks. I’m very aware of ca_cicero. He’s a cyber-stalker who constantly changes his handle. But I still haven’t seen a post or comment by him under the name L. Ron Gardner. If you do, please let me know and provide me with the link.
Yes, I will paste a link here if I can catch it before he deletes it. He must be a real loser.
Hi Ron, just to let you know…that guy at Amazon that was using your name has changed it a few times since I posted. Now he’s using “applewood”, another long time book reviewer. This guy should be banned from using Amazon. if he switches back to your name again, here is what will be connected to your name on the fake profile. Have you seen it?
http://www.amazon.com/gp/pdp/profile/A3QY84MAVXPRIE/ref=cm_cr_rev_detpdp
I’d ignore this piece of work, if I were you.
Best regards,
Doug
Douglas, yes, what he’s doing is “below the belt.” Applewood is a respected reviewer, and this guy, at least for a time, “stole” Applewood’s handle and posted under it.
…what’s even worse is that he “stole” your REAL name and used it for some time…while those reviews were still up. I don’t think Applewood can claim exclusivity for that handle at Amazon.
Ron, he took down the reviews he had up which were ugly and full of profanity, you didn’t miss much. There really should be recourse on his behavior at Amazon. Applewood should be alerted because his name was there with those reviews.
I alerted Applewood, but I don’t know if Amazon will do anything about it.
Ron, he’s at it again.: http://www.amazon.com/gp/pdp/profile/A3QY84MAVXPRIE/ref=cm_cr_rev_detpdp
I sent a message with this link to Amazon, don’t know if they care.
Good Luck,
Doug
Douglas, this is a waste of time. You sent this to me before. Do NOT contact me again regarding this unless you can direct me to a specific comment of his using my name.
in what order should i read the books on kashmir shaivism i am not beginner except in that area
Al Alazraki, start with “The Philosophy of Sadhana.” Then read “The Doctrine of Recognition,” or”
“Pratyabhijnahrdayam: The Secret of Self-Recognition.”
Mr. L. Ron Gardner who IS the spiritual expert has never resorted to ad hominem and abusive filthy comments like “sicko cockroach-man Matt -ca_cicero” has been doing for many years.. The f’ing stinking shi*bag Matt ca_cicero who boasts and brags brags so much about the Self always resorts to ad hominem and filthy abusive language and behavior towards anyone who makes fun of him.
That itself proves Cockroach-man Matt ca_cicero is a hypocritical fraud not to be trusted at all. He deserves no respect or compassion from anyone. Matt gets the treatment he richly deserves. Nobody gives a f’ing damn if sicko Matt ca_cicero quotes from Sri Ramana Maharshi. It means absolutely nothing coming from sicko Matt ca_cicero, as anyone can quote Sri Ramana Maharshi. Big deal.
I meant to post the above comment in an another section. My sincere apologies for the error.
IJ.
ca_cicero the cyber-stalker of Mr. Gardner is pretending he even knows Tamil. He most certainly knows the meaning of bad words in Tamil because that is how tama-sick and raja-sick ca_cicero actually is. LOLOLOLOL!!! Hahhahahahaha!!!!
To
ca_cicero “the cyber stalking-troll of Mr. Gardner”
ca-cicero, your moniker in Tamil truly reflects your big fat, bloating ego no doubt (me-me). You are a circus “Bu**oon” LOLOLOLOL!!!!!! Hahahahahaha!!
I see ca_cicero “Matt Geigerhausen” the cockroach still trolling at Amazon in Mr. Gardner’s review sites. Poor pathetic insect that it is. It looks as though it is even trying to learn Tamil. LOLOLOL!!!! No it is just showing off as always. Such phony devotion to Bhagavan Sri Ramana indeed. Must be very feeling lonely in the cell of the psychiatric facility in Germany it has been locked up in permanently. If only they took away it’s computer. LOLOLOLOL!!!!! Hahahahaha!!!!
IJ.
IJ, it’s unbelievable that he had the nerve to accuse you of posting as him here. Nobody but him would post as Matt Geigerhausen. How would anyone even know his name? I never knew it until he posted here. But unlike his Amazon posts, he can’t delete his ones here.
Mr. Garder,
Yes. He accused Green and then he accused me for his immature posts under his own mane Matt Geigerhausen. Matt Geigerhausen aka ca_cicero can only point fingers and blame others for his own shenanigans. You can easily make out who posts comments in your web page from our email addresses. ca_cicero dare not post comments here because as you said he cannot delete them like he does in Amazon. He cannot resort to his hit and run tactics as he does over in Amazon . He is a shameless and deceptive coot who will never attain moksha. Besides he does not deserve moksha. ca_cicero posts all those boring, lying and ridiculous nonsense in your reviews because he is extremely jealous of your own spiritual progress and achievements which he has been unable to achieve in his own miserable life. His recent posts shows how jealous and envious he is of you. He has not had a single person in amazon who agrees with his comments.
IJ.
Mr. Gardner,
Sorry I misspelled your name earlier.
Mr. Ron, you speak often of the hrit chakra, in particular as being two fingers to the right of the sternum. Is this to the right of the sternum, looking at the body, or on the right side of one’s own body? I believe it is the former. In other words, it is on the heart side of the body, but I would like some clarification if possible please.
Also, you have said that you are not enlightened, and that respected teachers like Nisargadatta Maharaj and Robert Adams you do not believe were either. Which teachers who have died within the last 50-75 years would you say were enlightened? I take it you would say Ramana Maharshi and Adi Da, based on my reading of your writings. But are there any others in your estimation?
Thank you for your continued and deep commitment to the dharma. I really appreciate it, and have learned alot from you, even having studied for over 35 years.
-David
David, it’s on the right side of one’s own body. If anyone other than Ramana Maharshi and Adi Da attained Heart-mastery in the past 50-75 years, I’m not aware of them. And, of course, Da considers his own Realization unique.
Mr. Gardner,
That obnoxious insect of a cockroach “ca_cicero aka Matt Geigerhausen” from Germany deleted his comments in your review thread at Amazon once again. Why does he even bother posting them in the first place? What a stupid nutter he is. How come Amazon continues to recognize him in good standing to post his abusive comments towards you regularly?
IJ.
IJ, that’s why it’s a waste of time to engage him in comments. Moreover, it’s the same thing over and over with him. His expertise is in reviewing dildos — and just as I don’t venture into his field of expertise, he should stay out of mine, which is reviewing spiritual books.
Mr. Gardner,
LOLOL!!! Hahaha. That is very true. ca_cicero should stick to tamasick and rajasick vasana dharma of his and should stay out of your reviews. I fully agree. I still remember he posted a five star review of a dildo at Amazon and then deleted it out of shame and embarrassment. What an imbecilic circus buffoon that ca_cicero is. How can a person like him get moksha even in his next few lives of his? It is impossible. It will take eons for ca_cicero to realize the Self and get moksha. He can only keep dreaming, the dunce he is.
IJ.
To
The German cockroach ca_cicero aka Matt Geigerhausen.
Hello Amazon circus buffon. I mentioned you in the September 2014 archive titled Igor Kufayev: A True Guru?
LOLOLOL!!!! Hahahahaha!
Where is the German cockroach ca_cicero aka Matt Geigerhausen hiding? Has it been exterminated by the “Self”? Is that why his bogus guru “Papaji” HWL Poonja laughing in all of his books?
The cockroach ca_cicero has the audacity to question the spiritual expert of Amazon, Mr. L. Ron Gardner? How dare the despicable insect of a vermin ca_cicero do such a thing?
LOLOLOL!!!! Hahahahaha!
It appears more likely ca_cicero has finally been exterminated by the clueless Amazon moderators. Lol! Hahahaha! Mr. Gardner, enjoy your well deserved peace from the dreaded cockroach “ca_cicero a. k. a Matt Giegerhausen” from Duetschland. Best wishes and take care.
IJ.
IJ, a few weeks ago, Matt Geigerhausen, out of the blue, for the first time, left a comment on my Facebook page. I then clicked on his profile, and right away, Windows Defender let me know that I had been attacked by Malware, which it removed. So the human cockroach is still lurking under the floor boards.
IJ, do you know anything about Sadhguru (see my latest Amazon review)? He seems to be achieving Osho (Rajneesh)-level popularity now.
Mr Gardner,
Lol! You are right about the human cockroach Matt who tried to attack your Facebook page with a malware. He is capable of just those kind of mischiefs. He is obsessed with you but is very jealous of your capacity to read books and post reviews.
Regarding Sadhguru or as his actual name Jaggi Vasudev , I liked your review of his book. He is also from my state (place) of Mysore (Karnataka) and also speaks my native language which is Kannada. In Wiki there are hints that he even was responsible for his wife’s death which happened under suspicious circumstances.
Anyway he is just as clueless as Osho Rajneesh was as to the realization of nirvikalpa samadhi let alone Sahaja Samadhi. I fully agree with your review on this bogus fellow who claims to be a Sadhguru. Lol! He may be popular as 98% of people in India are clueless about genuine spirituality as taught by Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi. Spirituality as taught by Sri Ramana Maharshi is nowhere to be found in India. It is all a shameless sham today all over India filled with ignorant rookies and charlatans like Jaggi Vasudev.
IJ.
Mr. Gardner,
Have you read the review by a fellow by the name of Eirene A Chara of the following book
Acceptance of What Is: A Book About Nothing Kindle Edition
by Wayne Liquorman.
In that review he has not said anything of the book at all but has posted a lengthy post addressed only to you and to your ilk. (oh my God I wonder who they are? LOL!) He has also posted a comment in your review titled “awakening to neo-advaita nonsense” of John Wheeler’s book Awakening to the natural state.
This is the first time I heard of this nut case Eirene A Chara. He is apparently following you in Amazon as he has listed your name in his Amazon web page. He seems to be obsessed with you just like the peeper-pooper ca_cicero.
Eirene A Chara has reviewed quite a few neo-advaita books and is another goof-ballish self professed neo-advaita (Ag)Jnani. LOL! Hahahaha!!!!!
IJ.
Thanks IJ. I read Chara’s review and bio. He claims to be Self-realized. He sounds like the perfect guru for Cockroach Man. LOL.
Mr. Gardner,
LOL! You are so right about that. I agree totally about the two clowns, both being made for each other. Even Cockroach Man shamelessly claims to be Self-realized judging by his deleted posts and his poking fun at others (for not having realized Self) except himself. LOL!
IJ.
Mr. Gardner,
If you have time please check out Robin Harger or John Harger. He is also on Facebook
http://facebook.com/robinhar. He resides in Papakura , New Zealand. He used to work as scientist in California before he retired.
He has posted several reviews in Amazon under the name Amazon Customer.
One of his many reviews at Amazon is on
Shiva Sutras: The Supreme Awakening by Swami Lakshmanjoo.
title of review is “Kundalini, an ideological home in Kashmir Shaivism”.
He is NOT a neo-advaitist. He is not a boring neo-Buddhist either. Thank God almighty. But he boldly claims to have realized the Absolute Self or Siva Srikantha (as per his own words) or in his own words his Kundalini Shakti was irreversibly awakened when he was struck by lighting in 1996. (as per his own words) I feel that is the real deal and not the mere hocus-pocus donkeys at Amazon you have come across so far.
His books available at real low and nominal prices are:
also available at e-book pdf are:
Heart, Journey to Enlightenment and Meditation.
Title of the blog is
The Way Things Really “R” – Beyond Meditation
I know you are busy. But if you feel like taking a break maybe you can look him up.
IJ.
IJ, this isn’t the first time you’ve asked me about Harger. I checked out one of his books a year or two ago, and I wasn’t impressed. If you want to read an interesting Advaita Vedanta text by a living teacher, read “The Spiritual Heart” by Ramaji.
Mr. Gardner,
Oh! Did I? Anyway, is the book you mentioned the same as “The Spiritual Heart: Dialogs on Self-Inquiry, Non-Duality, Tantra, Kundalini and the Heart on the Right.”? Have you reviewed the book at Amazon?
IJ,
Yes, that’s the book. No, I haven’t reviewed it. You might want to respond to the human Cockroach, who has reappeared in the comments to my Amazon review of “The Ten Thousand Things.”
Mr. Gardner,
I tried to post comments but Amazon seems to have banned me again like they did before. I tried posting some comments in your reviews appreciating and applauding your reviews few months back but I got the message” I must be in good standing to post comments”. If I buy another product from Amazon I will start posting from another new account. Amazon has banned me twice but not the human cockroach. That is why I suspect if the human cockroach is also a moderator at Amazon.
Mr. Gardner all the best to you and as I have said the number of books you read and review them articulately and intelligently at Amazon is simply mind boggling. Kudos to you.
IJ.
IJ, it’s amazing that Amazon banned you. What for? Anyway, I look forward to your return to Amazon.
Hi there – I’m just another person who happened to run into your intricate reviews.
I am an ‘amateur’ in terms of these books – One of my first being the Lankavatara Sutra. I had never experienced anything like that sutra – since reading, I’ve re-read it over 5 times to assist in my ‘internalization’ of the book.
Point being: I’ve yet to come across another text with the direct eloquence of the Lankavatara Sutra. Do you have any recommendations based on my specific success with this text? For now, I will be reading Talks with Sri Ramana Maharshi based on your reviews.
Thank you!
H. Johnson, I suggest “The Supreme Source” by Namkhai Norbu for you.
Mr. Gardner,
Do you recognize Namkhai Norbu who is still alive as a fully enlightened and realized spiritual Master whose Heart knot (of vasanas, samskaras and desires) has been severed? Is he a jivanmukta?
IJ.
No, I don’t recognize him as a fully Enlightened spiritual master. “The Supreme Source” is a translation/commentary of a canonical Dzogchen text.
Mr. Gardner,
Then what about Ramaji? Is he a spiritually enlightened master or a fully realized Jnani?
IJ.
IJ, I’m waiting for you to read his book “The Spiritual Heart,” and to let me know what you think.
Mr. Gardner,
Okay I will. But I am really puzzled as to why you have not yet reviewed this book of Ramaji. If you do, I am looking forward to it. The book has only 9 reviews and all 5 star reviews. I am happy Ramaji has brought up the subject of the Spiritual Heart located on the right of chest in the body. It is a shame that cockroaches and worthless scumbags like ca_cicero aka Matt (who has now hijacked another person’s user name of Paul) cannot grasp this most vital reality of the Spiritual Heart’s location on the right of chest even when Sri Ramana himself has corroborated it many times. All the best to you Mr. Gardner.
IJ.
IJ, I haven’t yet reviewed it because I want to, if possible, attend a Ramaji Satsang before I do. I’m hoping to do so within the next few months. But I do like this book.
Mr. Gardner,
That should be quite interesting. Hope you have a worthwhile spiritual experience there. Do you know Ramaji well enough?
IJ.
I don’t know him. We’ve never met, talked, or exchanged communication.
Mr. Gardner,
Anyway I seriously doubt if Ramaji and Ananda Devi are both jivanmuktas or are Jnanis of the stature of Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi. I have seen too many of these kind of claims to believe in any of these gurus and swamis of today either in India or elsewhere. Don’t keep your hopes too high. Looking forward to your Amazon reviews of Ramaji’s book and his satsangh or RASA transmission (Ananda Devi as well) in Amazon.
IJ
Mr. Gardner,
I was seeing a short film (Going home) on Richard Alpert, a k a Ram Dass, the Jewish gentleman who is the follower of Neem Karoli Baba. What do you think of him as a spiritual teacher? He claims to be enlightened and realized his true Self. That is the impression I got the way he spoke.
IJ.
IJ, I’ve never heard Baba Ram Dass claim to be Enlightened or Self-Realized. He’s a good teacher for beginners, very inspiring, with lots of stories. But I’ve never encountered any esoteric stuff from him, because I doubt that hr’s capable of it. He’s really old now–in his 80s.
Mr. Gardner,
At least the stinking “cockroach ca_cicero” who earlier posted as Ron Garand in one of your articles has stopped pestering you altogether. It appears it has settled into crawling just under the floor boards amongst its own filthy kind where it really belongs. Anyway I have never come across such an imbecilic crackpot like ca_cicero a. k. a matt/paul etc. with such a humongous amount of asininity, miasma, hubris and dementia.
IJ.
IJ, he’s not pestering me now because he can’t post or comment here unless I allow it. Since I now have no reviews at Amazon, there isn’t much he can do to harass me.
Hello Ron, I’ve got a question for you.
Do you think that someone putting alot of time into the acquisition of knowledge, in the field of say, mathematics, is helpful, harmful, or irrelevant towards achieving gnosis and enlightenment?
I ask myself this question often, because my ultimate goal in this life is gnosis. And I find myself asking how I should live my life, and how much time I should devote towards my pursuit of gaining mathematical knowledge and how much time I should devote towards my pursuit of gnosis.
What do the mystery traditions have to say on this? Do you have any thoughts on this?
Irrelevant. There is no end to the subjects that we can acquire more and more knowledge about. If one needs knowledge for one’s profession or job or necessary life tasks, that is one thing, but the endless pursuit and accumulation of mundane knowledge can suck up valuable life time better spent on spiritual work.
Dear Mr Gardner,
Can you give me your thoughts on an intuition I feel I’ve had?
Prakriti = Brahman = Atman
Prakriti, Brahman, and Atman are all the same, or coincident
The Cosmic Event / Universe is Being which is the Self which is also the small self
Dan, Prakriti does not equal Brahman, does not equal Atman. I suggest you read a good Yoga Sutras of Patanjali text–I recommend “The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali” by Edwin F. Bryant and/or “Yoga Philosophy of Patanjali” by Swami Hariharananda Aranya–to get clear on the distinctions between Prakriti and Atman (Purusha) and Brahman (Ishvara). From my perspective, the unmanifest Divine Being (or Mind) has become the total manifestation, but whatever is manifest is not Divine, but merely a temporary phenomenal appearance. What manifests is phenomenally real, but not Ultimately Real.
If you could only recommend one for a practitioner, “The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali” by Edwin F. Bryant or “Yoga Philosophy of Patanjali” by Swami Hariharananda Aranya – which would you recommend?
I only ask because they are both quite long, and I will return to reading kashmir shaivist and tibetan buddhist texts for a while after I finish one of these Patanjali texts.
Warm Regards,
D
If you’re interested in the history of the Yoga Sutras and comparative commentaries on the sutras, then get Bryant’s book. If you want a more esoteric yogic commentary, get Aranya’s text.
I’ll take the esoteric edition.
Speaking of which, there are two edition of this:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Yoga-Philosophy-Patanjali-Bhasvati-Annotations-dp-8187594004/dp/8187594004/ref=dp_ob_title_bk
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Yoga-Philosophy-Pata%C3%B1jali-Translation-Annotations/dp/0873957296/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1VQZRW5WMNGPD&dchild=1&keywords=yoga+philosophy+of+patanjali&qid=1615390204&sprefix=yoga+philosophy+of+pa%2Caps%2C194&sr=8-1
Which of them were you recommending?
Hello Mr. Gardner,
Do you know a good book (or books) on the subject of types of consciousness as well as samadhis? Do you also recommend “Cosmic Consciousness: A Study in the Evolution of the Human Mind” by Richard Bucke and if so, is it the best in its class or are there other texts out there?
Thank you and I truly appreciate your hard work and insights. I’ve just ordered your books on Amazon and I look forward to your future material.
Thank you
Hi Arnold,
I don’t know of any book that properly and deeply considers types of consciousness and samadhis. Adi Da’s books may be your best bet on said subjects. But I can’t tell you which of his books would be your best bet for finding the information. I read Bucke’s book 50 + years ago, when I was just starting out spiritually, but I remember nothing about it, because I had no frame of reference to assess it.
Hello Ron, hope you’re doing well. Hey, as you are one of the foremost spiritual authorities, I thought you could answer this question, which, in my experience, few teachers ever address: How often should a person meditate, and how long at a time? Also, is posture important. I realize that no one would necessarily want to answer this question, preferring to remain somewhat vague, but sometimes I think it’s the only true question and really needs an answer. I bought and read your book many years ago and don’t remember this being addressed there, but my apologies if it’s in there. Thanks!
One should meditate as much as possible. “Posture” is important, meaning the “posture,” or psycho-physical asana, of direct, immediate presence.
Hello Mr. Gardner,
Two additional questions –
– What are your thoughts on Yogi Bhajan and do you recommend his material such as “Kundalini Yoga: Sadhana Guidelines” or “The Mind: Its Projections and Multiple Facets”?
– Do you find dream yoga useful? I’ve heard that its possible to meditate in a lucid dream state. I can see it being useful for someone who has difficulty finding meditation time in a waking state, but I would think that meditating in a dream state also makes someone more prone to distracting thoughts as well as more difficulty generating conscious meditative force. I don’t have experience with it so I’m not sure myself.
Thank you again for your time and work
I have a low opinion of Yogi Bhajan and do not recommend his material. No, I don’t find dream yoga useful. Dream yoga is only found in some teachings of Tibetan Buddhism. If it were a a universally valid yoga, other traditions would also practice it; but they don’t.
Mr. Gardner,
LOLOL!!! Hahaha. I, Ishwaraprasad Jamadagni, am a tamasick and rajasick vasana laden fool. I fully agree. I still remember how I posted idiotic garbage incessantly over at Amazon until they shut down the whole bloody comments function. I posted so many nonsense comments then deleted them out of shame and embarrassment. What an imbecilic circus buffoon I was. How can a person like me get moksha even in a hundred lifetimes? It is impossible. It will take eons for me to realize the Self and get moksha. I can only keep dreaming, the dunce I am.
P.S. I must apologize for all my nasty gossiping about Dear Green in these comments. She was a true adept, a jnani. I told her that directly once. I do think she was indeed Self realized. I was jealous of her wonderful comments and sharp wit. I loved how she handled that imbecile ca_cicero, sparring with him and deflating him until he imploded from his own stupidity.
Thank you Mr. Gardner, for allowing me to express this.
IJ.
Hi Ron,
I’ve been reading quite eclectically for a couple of years now, and although it has helped greatly – I feel that the time has come for me to pick a tradition to ‘focus’ on. To adopt a tradition as my own and to go deep with it. I feel that this is the next step that I need to take for my spiritual evolution.
In the modern spiritual landscape, if one had to make such a choice – what tradition would you suggest?
My conclusion has been – Tibetan Buddhism. For the clarity and quality of instruction, for the community that exists around the tradition, and for the sheer amount of teachers and practitioners over the years who have left instructions behind.
What do you think?
Unfortunately, there is none that I feel comfortable suggesting. When you read my Dzogchen book, which is finished (but won’t be published until later this year), you will see why I’m not on the bandwagon of Tibetan Buddhism.
Hi ca_cicero a k a matt, a k a paul, a k a whatever the shit you call yourself, the disgusting cockroach that you really are. I notice you hijacked my user ID here as well and posted a comment above. This proves you are reading comments here as I want you to do. It is a shame you did not catch covid-19 and die as you should have. Maybe you will catch the ‘delta variant” and drop dead and go to hell where you belong. I was successful in making sure you don’t post any more of your drivel, nonsense and garbage in Michael James’s website anymore as you have been banned from posting any more worthless garbage of yours there. ca-cicero drop dead. LOL!
Green,
A previous comment dated May 24th by hijacking my user ID as IJ and posting it as if I posted it could well have been posted by you as well to make it look as if that cockroach ca_cicero a k a Salazar posted it. You are a scheming rat and you are capable of such useless gimmicks because you got nothing else worthwhile to do.
In fact you and that cockroach ca_cicero are the tamasick and rajasick vasana laden fools here. That comment may well have been posted by you because you praise yourself and humiliate ca_cicero but that a.h. scumbag cockraoch ca_cicero will never praise you nor humiliate himself. You and ca_cicero are made for each other and will never be Jnanis even in your future lives.
Green, you are not a Jnani and you are not Self -realized but are a downright stupid and arrogant idiot to say the least. None of us here are Jnanis or Self realized. Only Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi is a Jnani and is Self realized. You are just as deluded and a brainless idiot like your demented imbecilic mentor and quack James Swartz is. Is that idiotic fool still alive to spread his neo-advaita nonsense??
You, ca-cicero and James are such utter arrogant dunces who believe yourselves to be enlightened and Self Realized Jnanis. LMAO! If that is case then every other idiot like you three would be Jnanis. But on the other hand neither Mr. Gardner nor I have ever claimed to be enlightened Jnanis or Self realized. But Mr. Gardner has correctly understood this topic of spirituality and enlightenment like the true scholar that he actually is.
Hi Mr. Gardner,
Have you reviewed Tashi Namgyal’s Mahamudra: The Moonlight anywhere?
Also, do you know of Dan Brown and his book: Pointing out the Great Way?
Also, have you reviewed Mircea Eliade’s Yoga: Immortality and Freedom?
These questions lead me to ask, when will you release the kindle book of your reviews? I’ll buy it immediately.
In fact, when are you releasing any of your books :)? They’ve been ‘around the corner’ for quite a while now 😛
Hi Anon,
I did review Namgyal’s “Mahamudra: The Moonlight,” but not Eliade’s “Yoga, Immortality and Freedom.” I don’t know of Dan Brown and his book “Pointing Out the Great Way.” I’ve decided to first release a Kindle book of just my Buddhist book reviews before doing one with all my reviews. I’m now working on putting it together. I finished writing/editing my Zen Book a few months ago, but the three different lay-out people I tried with did not work out. So I’ll probably first finish/publish the Buddhist book reviews book, then the Zen book. I’ve also finished my Dzogchen book and my power of now meditation book, so it’s just a matter of laying them out and publishing them. Once I find a competent low-priced lay-out person at Fiverr, I can get these books published one after another without too much time between them.
Ah, I see. And out of curiosity, what did you think of Namgyal’s book?
And also, I’ll be looking forward to your buddhist reviews book, and the others that follow. Especially the dzogchen book.
Also, one day, if ever, your book that you had planned (I think?) some time ago on the yoga sutras.
I still think you should post your reviews on goodreads if you’re interested in exposure. People read those as much as, if not more than, amazon reviews.
Hope you’re doing well.
Anon, I gave Namgyal’s book two stars. It didn’t impress me. The Yoga Sutras book is a number of years down the road. Before I begin writing on the Hindu spiritual traditions, I want to first finish writing on Buddhism, Kabbalah, sacred alchemy, hermetics, and spiritual politics. I’ll reconsider Goodreads for reviews (I didn’t like their review format a number of years ago) after I self-publish my Zen and Dzogchen texts.
Hello sir can you tell me
If life is all about connecting to divine
Then why divine made earth objects have us feeling of happiness and sex
And why we came on earth
Because Siva willed it. It’s His Divine Play or Dance. Read Kashmir Shaivism texts that focus on the 36 tattvas, to learn how the Divine has become everything without becoming anything.
Hi Mr. Gardner,
On the subject of achieving a state of thoughtlessness:
Some traditions (ie Mahamudra, Dzogchen), would say that pursuing such a state is an obstacle to realisation. They say that chasing the thoughtless state is ‘chasing special states’ or ‘attachment to special states’ and see it as an obstacle to realisation. Although they may have it as a step along the way, it is then discarded, and thoughts are integrated into the realisation.
Other traditions (ie Zen, Classical Yoga, Kashmir Shaivism), would say that the thoughtless state is a key step towards achieving realisation. That it is a necessary step/ingredient. For instance, Swami Lakshmanjoo, of the Shaivist lineage, would define Shambhavopaya as abiding in the state of thoughtlessness. Some buddhists might define the second jhana as a state of thoughtlessness. And in yoga, there is the goal of ‘citta vritti niroda’, the cessation of the fluctuations of the mind (which would include the cessation of thought, I presume). In Zen, you have ‘No Mind’.
What are your thoughts on pursuing this state of thoughtlessness?
Anonymous, Lakshmanjoo doesn’t understand Sambhavopaya, which is Divine Communion, not a state of thoughtlessness. Enlightened beings think, so clearly the mind still functions in Sahaja Samadhi. But once the Heart-knot is cut, Amrita Nadi outshines all thoughts (manas as vrittis), so they no longer bind citta, which shines as Cit. This is tantamount to the the Alaya-vijnana, upon the attainment of full-blown Dharmamegha, being converted from an organ of bondage to an instrument of Bodhicitta.
Nonetheless, prior to the attainment of full Enlightenment, periodic cultivation of thoughtless awareness is a worthwhile practice, though it is relinquished when one can practice true Togal, meaning the ability to rest in the Sambhogakaya, the Clear-Light continuum, or Holy Spirit.
I must confess that I accused dear Green wrongly, she did not hijack my account. It was this cockroach ca_cicero or whatever name he is using now. I still admire her and I hope she’ll post some of her wonderful and enlightening comments.
Who deserves much praise too is dear Asun who posted the most exquisite comments on Michael James blog. I did, as usual, delete most of my comments since they felt being naive and silly. I just can’t help it and must delete my silly comments.
I hope Mr. Gardner releases soon his new book.
Mr Gardner,
I notice in your reviews how much you detest emptiness.
But, do you realise, that in many of these living traditions (probably not all), emptiness = awareness?
Emptiness is understood to be none other than awareness.
There are a few other implications of the word emptiness, but one of the prime meanings of the term is simply, ‘awareness’
Perhaps it’s a terrible term, but that doesn’t make it ‘false’
Most of the ’emptiness’ practices are basically Ramana style self-enquiry
Ann, I don’t detest emptiness, because it is a non-existent with no ontological status. But I do have a “problem” with its “deification” in Buddhism. And I elaborate my “problem” in my soon-to-be published book “Zen Mind, Thinker’s Mind.” Moreover, my even sooner-to-be-published book “Buddhist Book Reviews for Smarties.” contains all my reviews of Buddhist books, and these reviews include those that criticize emptiness teachings.
Hi Mr. Gardner,
When might we expect your Zen and Dzogchen books to be published?
The Zen book is just waiting for the back cover lay-out to be finalized, which should be any day now. Then it will be submitted for printing. Then, when I OK the print edition, it will be published. I finally found a good Fiverr formatter for my books, who quickly gets the interior right; but my book cover lay-out gal is slower than molasses. As soon as the Zen book is published, I will begin the formatting and cover work on the Dzogchen book. I am now working on a Mindfulness/Pali Buddhism book, which should be finished and published next year. It will complete my Buddhist trilogy, with the Mindfulness/Pali book covering Hinayana,” the Zen book covering Mahayana, and the Dzogchen text covering Vajrayana. In addition to publishing the Dzogchen text after the Zen text, I will also publish my “Power of Now Meditation Guide” this year, completing my work with regard to Eckhart Tolle’s “Nowism.” Then, I’ll decide whether to write a general text eviscerating pseudo “wokeism,” while elaborating true multidimensional Wokeism (meaning Awakening) or to directly segue into writing books on Qabala, Alchemy, and Hermetics.
Hey Ron
Huge admirer of your work!
Wanted to ask – do you agree with Rand & Rothbard on everything?
No, I don’t. And Rothbard and Rand don’t agree with each other on everything.
Dear Mr Gardner,
Could you please point me in the direction of an understanding of Self-Realization vs God-Realization? Are there any books or teachers which talk about this?
It would most certainly help me along my path.
Warmly
Anon
Read Ramana Maharshi and Adi Da Samraj for explanations regarding Self-Realization vs. God-Realization.
I only read (have) the lower one, so I don’t know the differences between the two editions.