Alot Of Different Tangents

The most recent is first, so his responses are to what follows.

Dear Kassy, Om Namo Bhagavate Sri Ramanaya Namaste. Thank you for both of your recent messages. It is good that you are delving into the four requisites (sadhana)for Realization and the application of them in your own spiritual practice.It is also beneficial to deepen your practice by examining the previousviews of spiritual practice, Realization, and yourself in order to discardlimitations, while retaining that which is fruitful. When in ignorance, beings use the instruments of action (body,speech, and mind) in foolish and karma-producing ways, because of theirdelusion. Due to that delusion, they do not even perceive how deluded theirviews and activities are. The very basis, that of doing unto others as onewould have others do unto oneself, is not grasped by them. Such dwell intheir own suffering, oblivious of the nature of the true Self and even thepurpose of life. Deserving of compassion, even the compassion they do notshow toward others, they are like characters in a dream who are, themselves,dreaming and talking in their sleep. The resolution comes from Knowledge of the Self, which istranscendent of the bodies of all and is not confined or defined by life ordeath. This shines as immovable peace and eternal freedom. If the desire for Liberation is strong and consistent, all that isneeded will manifest within you. Ever yours in Truth, Nome From: Kassy HiroshimA [mailto:http://mymail.graffiti.net/scripts/mail/compose.mail?compose=1&.ob=17bba5c47b8a5ada28fed183c9cb682088fae4cc&composeto=hiroshima11%40graffiti.net]Sent: Thursday, December 04, 2008 3:02 PMTo: SATSubject: Although I know or think I know the answer to this question, if you have anyadditional responses, feel free. I know not to judge others, or as Maharshisaid, no matter how evil someone appears to be, do not judge, and I've donemy best to "be still" quiet, in the situation. The neurophysiology teacherhas evidenced some sadism in regards to animals, and people. Doingexperiments in which animals die and joking about it, and making fun ofgrad. students who overdosed on opiates to death. I was appalled, which Isuppose means the false I was appalled. At the same time I wanted to dosomething, say something, comment in some way that would trigger are-evaluation on his part and maybe some of the people in the class. I cansee how that is still the ego, and the best thing I can do with such issues,is turn within and Realize the Self, it being the answer to all doubts, andquestions, and then I would be the sun that would illuminate, withouteffort. But some vasana pulled me from relative peace, bliss, happiness, tofeel some urgency about this issue, so I wrote a little satire on the backof the anonymous teacher evaluation, a little sarcasm. I felt sarcasm mightbe more effective then an out and out statment or admonishment, consideringI'm not even in the pure space to admonish. As an aside, I got fourrequisites, and find it extremely helpful, it seems anyway that I have avery strong desire for Liberation, maybe it will carry me there.

Dear Kassy, Om Namo Bhagavate Sri Ramanaya Namaste. There are two suppositions in your question that would needto be examined prior to arriving at an answer. First, a jnani, or sage, has no false notion of being a body. Genderrefers to the body. It is false to define the bodiless by bodily attributes.Sages are neither male nor female, for they are the Self, which is neithermale nor female. Second, the history is only as real as the historian. Moreover, whatis referred to as history is just the very small bit that one believes ofonly the tiny bit that one has read or heard of the small amount thatsurvives of the miniscule part that has been published in some form. Suchcannot possibly be an accurate view of what has occurred. If this much is understood, the question becomes moot. Even still,many wise holy women are mentioned dating even as far back as theUpanishads. Who can say how many there have been? Ever yours in Truth, Nome

-----Original Message-----From: Kassy HiroshimA [mailto:http://mymail.graffiti.net/scripts/mail/compose.mail?compose=1&.ob=3538de8a99d20de278acec1509cb8c4a8144bbc0&composeto=hiroshima11%40graffiti.net]Sent: Wednesday, December 03, 2008 1:53 PMTo: SATSubject: female sages??? This is an intellectual curiosity question, were there many female sagesthroughout history in the Advaita outlook? I have a friend, that I'd like topotentially share examples of female Realized Sages, that are pure nondual.
the only one I'm familar with, and found inspiring was Mathru Sri Sarada.
Dear Kassy
Om Namo Bhagavate Sri Ramanaya
Namaste. Yes, true bliss or happiness is not a mere bodily or sensory pleasure, however pleasant. It is deeper and of the nature of the Self.
Yes, you may find it better to first spiritually dive within, dissolving limited definitions, ignorance, and bondage in the mind, and then decide what, if any, mental health issues you have
May your meditations be deep.
Ever yours in Truth,
Nome
From: Kassy HiroshimA [mailto:hiroshima11@graffiti.net] Sent: Wednesday, December 03, 2008 2:09 PMTo: SATSubject: RE: happiness being within
It seems when I speak of happiness or bliss, I'm referring to a bodily sensation. Same with fear, and desire. it does seem the less I'm sucked into to the "transient phenomena, the happier the body feels. I'm guessing if happiness is more subjective then the body, then it's not the physical feelings of euphoria, but that the awareness without anything attached is pure happiness, and unhappiness is only when there is some mental identification to something of the world. So happiness then is not the physical state of happiness, and when my body recoils, or feels depressed, those aren't signs of unhappiness because I'm not the body. Does that sound about right? Last night, again I felt overwhelmed with bliss, and was thoughtless, and everything was engulfed in a white glow. Although some of it has lasted, it's kind of went away. I do speculate that it is e-mailing, or being e-mailed from you, immediately brings me in touch with that innate happiness. As always I surrender as best I can. There was a couple moments where I felt disidentifcation with the body, clearly. The body was just an alien perception. I aslso do notice that some of the social distance between me and others dissapears, and people flock to interact with me, the less I'm thinking about it. So much for Aspergers, the only problem is that then I get a little caught up in, or happy because I'm getting attention, and forget the meditation on the Self a little.

Dear Kassy,
Om Namo Bhagavate Sri Ramanaya
Namaste. If you keep contemplating the source of happiness, examining your own experience, the reason it is proclaimed to be within will become clear for you. You may wish to read and re-read the portions of the Maharshi's Who am I? that deal with this. Reading the mandala that deals with bliss and reading the first essay ("Self-revealed") in Self-Knowledge, if you have a copy of it, slowly, point by point, may be found to be beneficial.
Deep spirituality transcends the body and the limitations of the body. The decease of the body has no relation to it. The true Self is untouched by the difficulties of the body, and Self-Knowledge is not dependent on the body being in some sort of condition. “Within”’ does not mean inside the body, but rather more subjective than the body. There have been many who have had bodily and worldly conditions far worse than yours who have succeeded in diving within to realize the Self. One should be inspired by the example of those who went before and, undaunted and persevering, seek to know the Self, the treasure of happiness.
Ever yours in Truth,
Nome
-----Original Message-----From: Kassy HiroshimA [mailto:hiroshima11@graffiti.net] Sent: Monday, December 01, 2008 6:
The happiness being within thing I have trouble with. I can definitely turn back the mind from what it's paying attention to by asking Who is that I? and then I kind of stop thinking, I can turn away from desires and fears, but this is still an effortful process, and sometimes my mind is clenched fighting off the tendencies, successfully, and then sometimes it all drops away, and things feel formless and dreamlike. I can get that peace lies in not thinking, or worrying, or desiring and going out. But happiness within, where is within? and where is this happiness? In the body? Where I am? The only thing I can think is when I stop the outward tendency this will reveal itself, that is the approach I've been taking. When I look in for happiness, I don't find it. I think one problem with my approach, is that it does interfere with carrying on with actions outwardly. If I'm either looking inward, or fighting the outward tendency, or trying to stop thinking, I'm doing something beside getting my homework done. That is why I'm failing one of my classes, is that I cant' devote attention to it, I don't want to because it's stress laden, I'd rather stop all actions, and see if they go on. I must to some degree know happiness is within, or why would I be eschewing my mind going outward, because it only finds despair. My body and brain were not built well for easily functioning, like having Cerebral Palsy, Asperger's is a disability. It may not be my disability, but the body has this disability, and it has made functioning socially, and institutionally difficult. There has been no external happiness, no illusion of it. So when you (or the Self) says a thousand hands of grace for those who have prioritized this above else, I'm there, I want to be spiritual free even if that means the body dying.

Dear Kassy,
Om Namo Bhagavate Sri RamanayaNamaste. Thank you for you messages. The fears and desires are constituted of thoughts and are only aspowerful as you imagine them to be. By consistent self-examination of thosethoughts to determine the definitions from which they proceed and deepinquiry to understand the falseness of those definitions, you can dissolvethem and be free. Regular reading of Ribhu and Sri Ramana is good for spiritualpractice. Forbearance is born of the ardent desire for Liberation anddetachment from the things of the world. Such nonattachment naturally shinesfor those who know the true source of happiness within. Likewise is thedesire for Liberation. More about this can be found in the booklet "The FourRequisites for Realization and Self-inquiry." May you continue to dive within to realize the egoless Self, so thatyou remain ever happy and at peace. Ever yours in Truth, Nome
----Original Message-----From: Kassy HiroshimA [mailto:http://mymail.graffiti.net/scripts/mail/compose.mail?compose=1&.ob=1a65e4b32f64f5aa0d66fa24d99587ea0ae75e2c&composeto=hiroshima11%40graffiti.net]Sent: Monday, December 01, 2008 10:32 AMTo: SATSubject: RE: I manage to get past alot of the vasanas, and get to a state where I'mlargely free, but there is still this effort to hold it, then I ask whose isthat effort, and then I get deeper. I've also been once or twice a dayreading a whole chapter from the Tamil Song of Ribhu, and I do attempt toInquire while doing that. I have all sorts of intense fears, and desirescome up, but I try to pay attention to who is the one who is seeing thisworld, and having those desires and fears, returning to a largely nondualplace. Last night I had a dream, and in the dream I realized the Self, andsuddenly fell out of the bottom of a space ship into infinite space, andwhen I woke up I was briefly in an effortless, perhaps "egoless" state,until I noticed it of course. I suppose this process just goes on, until theego falls away, seeing it has nothing to grab onto. I've been attempting tobe dilligent abotu my school work, so I guess all these things, all thiskharmic stuff has to just work itself out. In the Collected Works ofMaharshi, in his translation of Sankara, forbearence of all sorrows wasimportant. i found that helpful, let whatever good or bad may happen happen.
Dear Kassy,
Om Namo Bhagavate Sri Ramanaya
Namaste. Deeply answering one simple question will resolve all that is currently perplexing and depressing you. You have read the question previously. Not knowing the answer, living beings wander in delusion with the pursuit of unfulfilled desires and chased by their fears. When alone, they dream of others, and when with others, they still feel lonely. Even hearing the Truth, they are unable to adhere to it, their minds frantic with their own imaginative thinking that seems as if so real. The suffering is so needless. Oblivious to the blessings beyond measure, their minds stagnate in despair and hopeless moods.
The single question is: What is the source of happiness? Only if that is answered deep within you will you be beyond sorrow. Only if this is answered does one’s life become profoundly and enduringly spiritual. Only if this is answered does the steady, ardent motivation for spiritual practice and for Realization shine in one’s heart. Knowing the source of happiness within, the delusive thinking unravels and dissipates, attachments fade, and one sees how false the cravings and fears of her own mind were, and peace prevails.
In a sense, everyone pursues happiness in an endless variety of ways, in objects, in circumstances, in relating to others, etc. Not knowing the answer, the goal seems to be endlessly receding and the pursuit interminable. This is said to occur life after life. If only they examined their experience, heeding the advice of the wise, and plunged within and thus knew. Isn’t time that you knew? You must come to this sooner or later. No one can do this for you, but if you turn within, valuing it more than all else, a thousand hands of Grace support you.
Ever yours in Truth,
Nome

From: Kassy HiroshimA [mailto:hiroshima11@graffiti.net] Sent: Tuesday, November 18, 2008 3:16 PMTo: SATSubject: RE:
I'm really losing hope in a sense. The thing is, I want to have relationships, function socially in the world. I've had tremendous problems reading non-verbal communication such as flirting. Because of that though I do get attention sometimes, I can't reciprocate in a way that something could happen. I would easily choose romantic relationships, falling in love with others over Enlightenment, in a heartbeat. But because of the despair over that, is part of the reason I've been so steady at Inquiry. But I also hope that being more Enlightened would help me connect in a romantic way. Problem is, the Enlightened are no longer individuals existing in a world. Aren't aware of people and things? Correct? I understand (intellectually) that supposedly then the whole world is me, and there isn't that distinction. Because of feeling like Nondual Truth, is my only hope, has made me attempt to stay thoughtless frantically. This is just such a difficult situation... I'm continuing at Inquiry because there is no other choice, but I don't have the feeling that I'll succeed. And I certainly don't feel like I can connect with others as I'd like. So there is a sense of being a failure all around, and that life is pointless. I'm not suicidal, but it does seem hopeless, either way, spiritually, or materialistically in the world. All of what you said previously I agree with, but agreeing with it, and being able to put it into practice are two different things. Unlike anyone I know, I've been seriously interested in realizing the Self, but I would rather be like people I know, and fit in with them better, and not be spiritual. But since there is no hope of that, I turn to Realizing the Self, but that is an insurmountable goal, that few have achieved, maybe you've achieved it, Maharshi apparently did. But still one in a huge number. But if there isn't hope for me in realizing the Self, there's little hope for me in the world. There is little hope. Even if you respond, I know it'll be in the impersonal No Me, sort of way, I don't expect different. But I wish you can make me Enlightened, which I know is not possible. This rock and a hard place is not clearing up. Not sure what to do. And another question, so if the ego is I, and the world, is the world in my imagination. In a way I still find that a depressing thought, even though I know that for those who realize it supposedly it's unsurpassed, and imperishable bliss. It's like I only agree with Advaita Vedanta, because nothing but that the world isn't real, and the individual isn't real offers any promise. But I'm as tamasic as everyone around me, and I'm struggling to become more satvic. But that struggling itself is tamas. And then the Ribhu Gita, even reading it slowly gives me a ten minute, fifteen minute high, but my mind becomes fully active again.

Dear Kassy,
Om Namo Bhagavate Sri Ramanaya
Namaste. When effort is applied both to adherence to delusion and to the attempt to be free, there is struggle. It is better to struggle, though, than to be indolent, for effort is based upon the right resolution. Better still is it to apply wholehearted effort and abandon the adherence to delusion. Adi Sankra stated that it is the one who strives who is liberated and that Knowledge alone is the cause of Liberation.
One applies effort: either toward worldly delusion or to keen inquiry and spiritual practice. The Self, itself, is effortless because it is One without a second. The Maharshi referred to Self-Realization as "sahaja," which means innate or natural. By implication, one can say effortless. If you practice with intensity, the ego notion dissolves, and the innate Self remains.
These points and others are explained in Self-Knowledge and in Timeless Presence, the latter being written in an autobiographical and devotional style at the request of the President of Sri Ramanasramam for the centennial in 1996 commemorating the arrival of Sri Ramana at Arunachala in 1896.
There is no obstacle so large or longstanding that you cannot dissolve it, and there is no concept so small that it should be left unexamined as a false definition.
May you be happy and at peace in the Knowledge of the Self.

Ever yours in Truth,

Nome
From: Kassy HiroshimA [mailto:hiroshima11@graffiti.net] Sent: Saturday, November 08, 2008 3:55 PMTo: SATSubject:

Kassy:
When you attempted Inquiry after you were 17 did you have to struggle with it like most of us, or was it easy. Did you have to really work at redicting your awareness inward to look for happiness? Did you have huge obstacles come up? Dear Kassy, Om Namo Bhagavate Sri Ramanaya Namaste. To be bubbling over with laughter is natural in light ofthe discovery that you are actually free of that by which you had assumedyou were bound. Illusion is funny in that it makes one take the real to beunreal and the unreal to be real. Of course, when the illusion is consideredto be real, suffering is experienced. In Truth, all the while, the true Selfis that which exists, and its bliss shines as joy, laughter, peace, andsilence. Ever yours in Truth, NomeKassy:this is kind of ridiculous, but something that always happens when i watchyour videos on Youtube is that I want to laugh, there is this undercurrentof humor. Is the Self-ward perspective full of humor, it seems to be,because the reality that was so invested in, considered real, is seen as soridiculous as to be funny. And even though at satsang you wear robes, andthere is this reverent beautiful space around you, at the same time nothingis taken seriously....Anyway thanx for your help, and I will continue towrite when serious roadblocks occur which is not now...My Inquiry is pretty
deep right now, seemingly....
Dear Kassy, Om Namo Bhagavate Sri Ramanaya Namaste. Actions of the body represent no disruption to the Self,which is the bliss. Only if one misidentifies with the body and thinks thatone is the performer of action and confuses happiness with outer objects andcircumstances is the bliss veiled. Inquire deeply and continuously so thatthere is no such veil. Ever yours in Truth, Nome -----Original Message-----From: Kassy HiroshimA [mailto:http://mymail.graffiti.net/scripts/mail/compose.mail?compose=1&.ob=30469665e72e6836ab2f8aea3c06e18fbdac959f&composeto=hiroshima11%40graffiti.net]Sent: Wednesday, November 05, 2008 8:32 PMTo: SATSubject: overpowering bliss I'm being called in by overpowering bliss, and an awareness that the worldis completely unreal. I guess I can trust that actions will go on...
Dear Kassy, Om Namo Bhagavate Sri Ramanaya Namaste. Thank you for both of your messages. I am glad to see thatyou are diving into the excerpts of Ribhu Gita that were translated by SriN. Krishnamurti Ayer. It was published prior to our (Dr. Ramamoorthy andNome) finishing our complete translations of the Sanskrit and Tamil originaltexts. Though his translation (from Tamil) is loose at points, it was goodthat there was something available to English speaking people prior to SAT'spublication of Ribhu Gita in 1995 (from the Sanskrit) and Song of Ribhu in2001 (from the Tamil text). Meditate as you go along with it, inquiring within to verify theTruth that the sages proclaim, and the Bliss of the Self will shine withouta veil. Ever yours in Truth, Nome
-----Original Message-----From: Kassy HiroshimA [mailto:http://mymail.graffiti.net/scripts/mail/compose.mail?compose=1&.ob=30469665e72e6836ab2f8aea3c06e18fbdac959f&composeto=hiroshima11%40graffiti.net]Sent: Tuesday, November 04, 2008 1:44 PMTo: SATSubject: ribhu gita I will probably soon buy the SAT translation of Ribhu Gita, until then songof ribhu excerpts, and I found this Essence of Ribhu Gita translated by N.Krishnamurti Ayer (also featured in Power of Presence). It makes sense...The world is a terrifying place, it's terrifying to stray even a ilttle bitfrom Being-Consciousness-Bliss, which makes the incentive intense to realizeit and stay there until the mind is dead. Reading that slowly andmeditatively, is profound. It makes sense that all pleasure is Ananda.Anyway I just wanted to share that I'm deeply inspired by this text.
Dear Kassy, Namaste. Unfortunately, I do not know of anyone there. Though wehave had satsangs since the 1970's here, I have not given much attention tothe waves of teachers of various kinds that have appeared over the years inthe USA and elsewhere, since our relation to Sri Ramanasramam and otherdevotees in India is direct and our focus is upon the original, pure nondualteaching. Still, you may find visiting holy sites, such as any temples orashrams that you can find in the area, to be a good experience. Ever yours in Truth, Nome -----Original Message-----From: Kassy HiroshimA [mailto:http://mymail.graffiti.net/scripts/mail/compose.mail?compose=1&.ob=30469665e72e6836ab2f8aea3c06e18fbdac959f&composeto=hiroshima11%40graffiti.net]Sent: Monday, November 03, 2008 5:15 PMTo: SATSubject: sincere teachers? Do you know of any sincere teachers in the Portland, Oregon area, that Icould go to Satsang and maybe benefit from the presence of someone who isimmersed in Self-knowledge, if that is what would be good for me at thispoint? I was thinking you might know.

Dear Kassy, Om Namo Bhagavate Sri Ramanaya Namaste. Thank you for your message. Silence is that in which thereis no ego or its attendant misidentifications. A repressed state is not thegoal; a state rife with uncontrolled mental tendencies is not desirable orhelpful either. Meditation on the source of happiness will accomplish much towardthe elimination of tendencies and your fears. Freedom from the fear ofdeath, though, also requires transcendence of the body and all else that istransient. It requires abidance as the Self, as taught by Sri Ramana, KathaUpanishad, Ribhu Gita, etc. Your sincere efforts will bear fruit. Progress is not always easilymeasured by the seeker in a short span of time, but increasing happiness andpeace and freedom from ignorance are indications that one is on the rightpath. The Self is not far away. It is your true nature, closer to you thanthe mind's thoughts. Practice in a manner that yields ego-dissolution. I am glad that you are benefiting from the excerpts on the web site.When the time is right for you, you may wish to have the experience ofreading the entirety of the books mentioned in a previous email. Indeed,those who are deeply immersed in Self-Knowledge find that meditativelyreading such remains blissful and never turns dry. May you abide in the Knowledge of the Self, in which there is noreturn to the illusions of the mind. Ever yours in Truth, Nome -----Original Message-----From: Kassy HiroshimA [mailto:http://mymail.graffiti.net/scripts/mail/compose.mail?compose=1&.ob=30469665e72e6836ab2f8aea3c06e18fbdac959f&composeto=hiroshima11%40graffiti.net]Sent: Monday, November 03, 2008 10:20 AMTo: SATSubject: RE: I'm only writing again because intense fears for my welfare arise, andalthough I stay in a largely silent state, it's more of a repressivethoughtless state sometimes where I'm fending off the thoughts. I get thatperhaps I should then try anyway to see that happiness is within, that myvery being is bliss, etc. I've also noticed that sometimes I'll fall intostates where the objectivity is less noticeable, and one thing that bringsme out of them is either awareness of things that could go wrong, fears ofdeath, humiliation, etc., but also maybe someone I'm attracted to is seemingfliratious toward me, because that effortless state tends to draw in others.Regardless, I seem to be having some success at returning my attention awayfrom the distractions, and it does seem to increase. I'm also writing you,because it seems after each response I get from you, throughout the nextcouple days I'll be in such a blissful state, and the whole time trying to"keep away thoughts". Sometimes I have had success also, like last night atseemingly being at the source, in the current. I'll keep at it. I've alsobeen repeatedly reading the translations on the SAT website of Song of Ribhu(excerpt), Who am I? and 40 verses. I try to not practice but let the powerof those poetic words work on me without effort.
Dear Kassie,

Om Namo Bhagavate Sri Ramanaya

Namaste. Thank you for your message.

Yes, the more interior or subtler the experience, the more joyful it is. If you continue to inquire and to surrender to Bhagavan, you will find that your very Being is Bliss.

There can be no accurate measurement of distance between oneself and Realization, for the very nature of the Self is Realization. There is no chasm between the Self and yourself. Inquiry dissolves the illusory "I" notion, and the sole-existent Self remains.

If your intention to examine the vasanas to eliminate them is strong, what until then seemed not so obvious becomes blatantly clear.

Your own experience is showing you that it is wise to continuing steeping yourself in the meditations on the source and nature of happiness. Bliss calls you inward to be absorbed.

Perhaps you already possess them, but you may find reading (slowly and meditatively) Who am I?, Saddarsanam (Truth Revealed, Forty Verses on Reality), Song of Ribhu, and Self-Knowledge helpful for your understanding and spiritual practice.

May your meditations continue to deepen so that you ever abide in the profound peace of the Self.

Ever yours in Truth,

Nome
-----Original Message-----From: Kassy HiroshimA [mailto:hiroshima11@graffiti.net] Sent: Tuesday, October 21, 2008 11:20 AMTo: SATSubject:
I seem to be having an easier time keeping quiet, still. Even a few times lately, seemingly clear of thoughts at all levels. I'm not qualified to evaluate these states, but to just continue, trying to surrender. Although I notice my version of Inquiry is becoming more subtle, ceasing subtle efforts and levels of thought, and attempting to do it in the midst of activities, i.e. homework. Because I'm at a subtler level more of the time, I just thought I'd write, in case you had any advise, or anything you can gather of where I'm at, and what would be helpful. There is definitely a depth as of late, that wasn't there previously. Sometimes I get carried away into thinking "Oh, I'm so close to Self-Realization". Although intellectual i see the error in such thought, maybe you would have some advise for these sorts of things, if I need it. Oh I should add, it is become more clear that happiness is inside. ANd some of the big vasanas of seeking happiness outside are not so obvious. and as a final aside, the pleasure, the bliss of not needing anything, and being immersed in Self-happiness far exceeds anything from getting any kind of love, or approval from others, any kind of experience. What a great revelation. Ever yours in truth, Kassie
Dear Kassy, Om Namo Bhagavate Sri Ramanaya Namaste. Thank you for your message. Grace is boundless. If either surrender or inquiry is deep, theconcept of being the performer of action is relinquished. Sri Ramana saysthat to carry the false notion of being the actor is like a passenger on atrain carrying his luggage on his head, while the train actually carries thepassenger, the luggage and all else. Placing it on the head is only needlesstoil and suffering. Similarly, it is needless suffering to misidentify withyou body and to think that you are the performer of action. If you inquireor surrender, academic work or work in regular employment or any other kindof work will not impinge on your inner peace and spiritual freedom. Blissremains unbroken. Either know the Self, which never does anything no matterwhat the activities of the body, sense, etc. are or surrender and find thatthe Supreme does all, carries all, etc. The work will feel light as afeather, while, detached from the things of the world, you enjoy innerhappiness. Ever yours in Truth, Nome
-----Original Message-----From: Kassy HiroshimA [mailto:http://mymail.graffiti.net/scripts/mail/compose.mail?compose=1&.ob=30469665e72e6836ab2f8aea3c06e18fbdac959f&composeto=hiroshima11%40graffiti.net]Sent: Thursday, October 09, 2008 8:14 PMTo: SATSubject: dilemma I feel such immense grace right now, so overpowering, my ego can really donothing but relent. As you said grace transcends ideas of inner and outer,oneself and another. This is such a beautiful feeling and I see no reason toleave it, and am surrendering as best I can. So in this, I feel no urge, nopull to do my school work, however if I don't do my school work, I couldfail out of it, yes, lose my social imbededness. Any thoughts? I guess I'lljust surrender, and if I feel the pull to do school work I'll do schoolwork, but surrender first. I'm safer with grace, with bliss, withdesirelessness, then I am with the opposite, right? This is where salvationlie. O.K. Cool. Thank you for the illumination, both here and elsewherewhere you may have communicated with me.
Dear Kassy,

Om Namo Bhagavate Sri Ramanaya

Namaste. If you determine within yourself the real source of happiness, the results will be very far-reaching. You will thus find deep, unwavering peace, nonattachment toward all objects and situations, and the bliss of abidance at the very source of wisdom and love.

If guilty about past actions, be sure that you abide in a state in which those actions cannot recur and the very definitions of the personality that were the cause of such errors have been destroyed.

It is axiomatic that you should act (with body, speech, and mind) toward others as you would wish them to do toward you. Just steadfastly observing this much yields significant depth and lightness of heart. With inquiry, you come to realize others as the Self.

With faith in Bhagavan and his teachings, earnestly practice the best that you are able. Grace is ever present, and its joyful fullness is found by those who, hearts full of love, spiritually practice in this way.

Ever yours in Truth,

Nome
From: Kassy HiroshimA [mailto:hiroshima11@graffiti.net] Sent: Tuesday, September 30, 2008 4:48 PMTo: SATSubject: RE: To nome:
Two more things... I'm not expecting a response and am grateful for the previous two which probably sum up most of what I need to know. But still I thought I'd throw it out there, two of the biggest worldly obstacles that come up, are 1. with some of the Asperger's symptoms of not picking up on nonverbal communication, it appears I may never have romantic involvement with other people, which when my mind projects outward can really bother me, I'm not sure if I should take action about it (or what action to take) or just quietly subside and leave it all to Bhagavan, god, etc, I suppose that is the answer.. and 2. Sometimes guilt for past actions comes up, and again I just attempt to surrender... Again, I think you're previous replies probably are all the verbal help I need, along with writings of Maharshi and company but if you see some other piece of advise that would be helpful not already given and want to give it, I'm all ears. Eternally grateful for helping me get a glimpse of the grace already present, which I attempted to surrender to. I will continue to trust Bhagavan's teachings, and attempt Enquiry faithfully. Ever yours in truth.
Dear Kassy Hiroshima,

Om Namo Bhagavate Sri Ramanaya

Namaste. Thank you for your response message.

Turning within, you will find that you actually know more than you think. In how many ways do you seek for happiness, such as by the approval mentioned by you? It is an intuition of your natural state and an unknowing search for yourself.

As love is far more fulfilling than any amount of approval, and as true Knowledge is infinitely deeper than any kind of thinking, your true Self is far more expansive and substantial than the ego notion and it attendant tendencies that form the illusory personality.

Trust in Sri Bhagavan, follow his teaching, and, with his Grace, dive within. Thus you will be happy at heart.

May your earnest inquiry be deep so that your real nature of Being-Consciousness-Bliss is revealed within you.

Ever yours in Truth,

Nome
From: Kassy HiroshimA [mailto:hiroshima11@graffiti.net] Sent: Friday, September 19, 2008 11:21 AMTo: SATSubject: RE: To nome:
Definitely what you wrote wasn't so much prattle. There is an element of being caught between a rock and a hard place. I was drawn to Enquiry, maybe even attended satsang at Society for Abidance in Truth not because I was drawn to spiritual practice, but because I wasn't even "remotely" functioning in the outside world, ended up getting a diagnosis of Asperger's (mild autism), the "illusory" person was horrible. Intellectually, I can say and even believe intellectually the words, "this is the illusory person". Wholehearted agreement.
What I don't understand intuitively in Bhagavan's words, I accept as true. I practice of Enquiry, I attempt Enquiry to the degree I understand. And there are things my mind, the ego, the illusory person, I definitely cannot understand about Enquiry. I guess, you said it, the ego is powerless to know anything. Anyway thank you so much for your reply, I did find it helpful, and not prattle. It's an odd irony, that the illusory person is all I know mentally. It is all the words I say, and think. I, my illusory person, noticed that you so gracefully ignored all the things I think I am, and spoke directly, through words, through e-mail to the me that wasn't looking for approval. I have illusions of ego-lessness that are really my ego sometimes, but that illusory person is so desperatlely looking for approval.
Dear Kassy Hiroshima,

Om Namo Bhagavate Sri Ramanaya
Namaste. Thank you for your message. It is good that you are attempting to practice Self-inquiry.
As is explained in Bhagavad Gita and elsewhere, krodha (anger) is rooted in kama (desire), which is rooted in avidya (ignorance). One who knows this destroys the tendencies constituting the personality and its repetitive suffering.
If the source of happiness in ascertained to be within you, dissolution of desire and fear is natural. The root of duality is the ego-notion. None of this is truly you.
Grace transcends the ideas of inner and outer, of oneself and another, and its infinity is endlessly experienced by those who remain free of the ego.
In the inquiry “For whom is thought?” the objectifying outlook is abandoned, and the thought subsides, and, as one inquires “Who am I?” clear Knowledge of one’s true identity shines and the very sense of existence previously falsely associated with the thought returns to it origin, the Self. Therefore, question the definitions you imagine for yourself.
The ego, being an illusion, is powerless. It cannot know anything. The potency of spiritual practice derives from the Self, which is of the nature of Consciousness.
The consideration of whether or not Nome is a jnani is irrelevant to your inquiry. Sri Bhagavan has said that the realized can take care of themselves, and you should take care of yourself.
If you find what is said here helpful, make good use of it. If it is not understandable by you, you may discard it as so much prattle or set it aside to be picked up at a later time by you.
May the tendency to consider the illusory person as if real be relinquished by you, and, diving within, may you deeply inquire to know the true Self, of the nature of nondual Being-Consciousness-Bliss, and thereby abide in lasting peace and imperishable happiness.
Ever yours in Truth,
Nome
From: Kassy HiroshimA [mailto:hiroshima11@graffiti.net] Sent: Thursday, September 18, 2008 2:11 PMTo: sat@cruzio.comSubject: To nome:

So I've been 'practicing' Enquiry for about a year. And over time it has definitely 'deepened' of course there are no words for it, and time is probably a misnomer.

I had an experience of experience dissolving in your presence about a year ago. At first the presentation of Society For Abidance In Truth caused a negative, angry reaction in my ego. A judgemental reaction. I think it was my egos reaction to your egoless state.

Everytime i watch a video of you on Youtube, I have this same experience of experience dissolving. My Enquiry, is just a process of trying to stop, going out toward objects of desire or fear, and also seeking the source which is finding the place where thought is actually occuring so duality can cease. It requires a good deal of trust. It gets easier with time, sometimes incredibly easy.

I do feel that it is not necessarily within the power of my ego to realize it's own nonexistance. So somehow I suppose grace has to come from outside. But there is no outside. Again, language can't convey. I guess i'll just keep quiet now. if you have any advise for what you can gather of my maturity from this e-mail, feel free to reply. Maybe if 'you' are totally Self-Realized, a jnani, you can find the proper words of encouragement.