Namaste all, If I may I would like to suggest the following books: I Am That by Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj This book is a series of one to one conversations with this teacher of Advaita Vedanta. He swiftly cuts through so much of the problems of the mind and gets right to the heart of the matter, guiding the seeker towards their own Self Play of Consciousness by Swami Muktananda Much of this book is his autobiography, telling of his own spiritual practices and experiences over the years. It gives detailed accounts of what he experienced in meditation and his experience of other lokas (planes). It is a real eye opener to the wonders of meditation and what is potentially open to all of us. Hafiz Poetry I'm a big fan of the poetry of Hafiz, a Persian mystic and poet who was born around 1310. There are many translations available, but I would recommend the Daniel Ladinsky translations. Other translations may be more technically accurate, but I feel he captures the heart and soul of the poetry more. If I may, I'd like to share a couple to give you taste:
WHAT SHOULD WE DO ABOUT THAT MOON? A wine bottle fell from a wagon and broke open in a field. That night one hundred beetles and all their cousins Gathered and did some serious binge drinking. They even found some seed husks nearby and began to play them like drums and whirl. This made God very happy. Then the "night candle" rose into the sky and one drunk creature, laying down his instrument, said to his friend ~ for no apparent Reason, "What should we do about that moon?" Seems to Hafiz Most everyone has laid aside the music Tackling such profoundly useless Questions.
THE GREAT SECRET God was full of Wine last night, So full of Wine That He let a great secret slip. He said: There is no man on this earth Who needs a pardon from Me - For there is really no such thing, No such thing As Sin! The Beloved has gone completely Wild - He has poured Himself into me! I am Blissful and Drunk and Overflowing. Dear world, Draw life from my Sweet Body. Dear wayfaring souls, Come drink your fill of liquid rubies, For God has made my heart An Eternal Fountain!
Hope you enjoyed! Om Shanti Neil Quote |