The Experience of Nothingness Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj's Talks on Realizing the Infinite

by Maharaj, Nisargadatta; Powell, Robert

• ISBN13: 9781884997143
• ISBN10: 1884997147
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1996-06-30
• Publisher: North Atlantic Books

Summary

One can see why they gave Socrates hemlock; Maharaj uses the Socratic method to devastating effect. He clearly demonstrates that logic and spirituality do not stand in opposition to one another, and that logic should be pursued until there is a transcendence of all thought. An extraordinary effective spiritual teacher, Maharaj uses wry humor and an incisive intellect to cut through that play of consciousness which constitutes illusion. - profound, yet practical spirituality - actual dialogues with a realized master - includes footnotes, glossary, and bibliography

Author Biography

Robert Powell was born in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, in 1918. After obtaining his doctorate in chemistry from London University, he pursued a career first as an industrial chemist and later as a science writer and editor in Britain and the United States. Robert Powell's personal exploration of spirituality began in the 1960s, and his quest for self-discovery led him to Zen and a number of spiritual masters including J. Krishnamurti and Ramana Maharshi. His own spiritual awakening coincided with his discovery of the teachings of Nisargadatta Maharaj. He is the editor of a Nisargadatta trilogy, and the author of a number of books on what he describes as "human consciousness transformation." Powell now lives a busy life in La Jolla, California, with his loving wife, Gina.

Table of Contents

Preface	ix
Maharaj Sets Out the Basics of the Teaching	1	(14)
At the Highest Level Nothing Is; At the Worldly Level Everything Is	15	(24)
A True Sage Is He Who has Transcended the Personality	39	(16)
If You Want the Happiness of Self, Get Rid of the Body-Mind Sense	55	(8)
Don't Be Identified With A Corpse, and Be Happy!	63	(10)
The Experience of Nothingness	73	(20)
When Consciousness Manifests, Duality Appears	93	(18)
Who Knows That ``I Am''?	111	(18)
Consciousness Itself is the Source of Illusion	129	(18)
End Suffering by Stabilizing in the State Before Words	147	(14)
Glossary	161	(6)
Bibliography	167