dwai

It’s best to be initiated by a teacher. I’ve been practicing it for about 30 years now. If you do it, go from vocalized practice to silent practice as quickly as possible. Mantras need to be practiced in a cycle. A 100,000 repetitions for each syllable of the mantra. The gayatri has 24 syllables - so 2400,000 repetitions will make one cycle. Once you start, you can’t miss a day. If you do one set of 108 reps a day, it will take you ~ 60 years for one cycle. If you do 10 sets of 108 a day, it will take you 6 years. It might take more than 1 cycle for the effect to manifest. Just be aware of the commitment to practice it.

True. Agreed.

I know.

Well, moksha is not an experience, so it being either impersonal or personal, is a moot point.

It's okay - it is all part of the journey/life. I checked her out a little while ago and learned about her involvement in that movement. I suspect that she is recirculating old wisdom in a new package. But then again, given her background in meditation, etc, it seems inevitable. This is another irony about realization - once it happens, everything becomes very simple, and there is no reason to do anything to uncover it. However, the process seems daunting and challenging for those in the before stage, i.e., if people even recognize what is missing in their lives. This is evidenced by countless posts, and debates/arguments that ensue on fora such as TDB. The usual rejoinders I've seen are "If it is so easy, everyone should be _______" (fill in the blank with your preferred word to describe the "realization" event). What I've found is that different people have different psycho-spiritual predilections. Their background (culture, society, family, etc.) is part of it. And a deeper one (maybe genetic or karmic). There are very good theories to explain those differences. There are time-tested practices to deal with the differences based on said theories (e.g., karma yoga, raja yoga, bhakti yoga, jnana yoga - to represent specific ways to approach things). That is the power of traditional wisdom systems.

I 100% agree - it just unveils what is always present. I sat and laughed at the irony for a long time when I realized that. Of course That is easier said than done, though I agree with you wholeheartedly in principle. I'd not heard of Marci Shimoff's book - I'll check it out.

Spectacular.

That should be the starting point of living in freedom. It varies with individual personalities - realization doesn't homogenize the individual personalities. Some will dedicate their lives to service of others (bodhisattvas), some will withdraw from society for extended periods of time (recluses), others will live out their lives as normal people, but with total clarity and without any fear. Interesting. What in your mind is the true value of cultivation? What work was the pre-enlightenment mind trained to do? Why not? There are plenty of such beings who spent the rest of their lives in the selfless service of humanity.

I smile because it seems so familiar. How long have you been this way, if you don't mind my asking?

That sounds a bit harsh. Do you not appreciate what you learned from this "cult"? Very cool. So, did your realization stabilize after you went through that process?

Looks like that did a lot to cleanse your mind - it’s a good way to do so. Did you have any contemplative practices to go with it too?

I’d recommend reading his autobiographical book called “Mystic by default”. Very interesting western “autobiography of a yogi” Yes, but the system adjusts to it. It’s always present but in my experience it becomes “just another experience” — but I suppose different minds can process it differently… Oh, but I don’t think it is non-omnipresent. It is, as you said, the Anandamaya Kosha - but one just becomes more aware of it.

Curious if the nirvikalpa samadhi happened spontaneously or were some preparatory practices necessary in your case?

What do you mean by nirvikalpa samadhi? I’m curious because nirvikalpa samadhi by itself doesn’t seem to produce the permanent perspective shift that I’m referring to. Before the realization occurred, I’ve entered nirvikalpa samadhi many times. Maybe this is a topic for discussion in PMs if you don’t want to discuss in public here. very interesting - I can see how that is possible for some (who have had prior preparation), but mostly it seems some foundational work is needed - more to prepare the mind. Most people have scattered and/or polluted minds, so clarity is lacking. Oh I didn’t specifically mean you, but many do have that question - it typically arises in those who don’t have faith or grounding in the tradition. So beautiful and true

More light to you The paradox of paradoxes. Before realization, it seems like Brahman is ignorant of its nature - everything seems so difficult, so complicated. After realization, it becomes clear that there was never any ignorance in the first place - you were always Brahman.