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An American reader (MSL quote), USA
<2007-01-11 00:00>
Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj is presented in this book in sessions of questions and answers with seekers "who came from around the world seeking guidance in destroying false identities." The back jacket of the book paints a true picture of what was happening: "The sage's sole concern was with human suffering and the ending of suffering. It was his mission to guide the individual to an understanding of his true nature and the timelessness of being." Not educated formally, here is a clear demonstration of the truth that resides within us all, as exemplified in this awakened human being. Once awakened, one need not get the truth out of books, but merely pronounce that which resides within. This, of course, is a book. But, in that form, is a container of sparks of knowledge, and "keys" if you will. It's one of those cases whereupon you read something and have one of those "ah!" moments in which something inside of you clicks with what you have read. I came across this book upon a link offered to me during an online chat in a Yahoo chatroom. It meant nothing to me when I first clicked on it, and had no appeal. But, something registered and I eventually went back to it, and secured a copy. It is one of maybe two books in this lifetime in which I fill almost every page with underlinings, boxing, and the margins with notes and quotes. I am one of some 30 years of "seeking", and this book connected with me at a time in this period in which it would speak to me. Such things happen all the time; I cannot explain how and have no desire to. If you are a serious seeker, I say go for it. Read it. Even if you are just a little interested... if it catches your eye, then buy it. Even if you open it, read some and put it down, that's okay. It will call you again at the right point in your life. As I write this review, I am still yet not through the entire book. I will read intensively for a while, then put it down, as if my being has to absorb it. No matter if your interests are in Buddhism, zen or whatever, truth is universal and this is a remarkable discourse. |
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A Slovenian reader (MSL quote), Slovenia
<2007-01-11 00:00>
This are unique words from the real sage whose message can awaken you and you start wandering to know (not to blind belive) by yourself who you really are. Nisargadatta Maharaj is beside Gurdjieff and still alive Bodin of Bindu one of the rare real Men on this planet who has awaken from the dream of ignorance, from the veils of mind. And through his words he speaks unspeakable eternal truth. We are sleeping and transcendence from that state requires a specific inner work. And as Nisargadatta, Gurdjieff and Bodin say - act, not dream; experience, not think about what you should do, escape from old tricks of your mind and slavery of your body, and transform your inner being. For that grate endurance, will, heart and commitment are needed - first of all to yourselve. This is the only thing worth of living. |
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Mazie Lane (MSL quote), USA
<2007-01-11 00:00>
I began my spiritual journey in ernest in 1980 when I found my Guru - Paramahansa Yogananda. The journey ended in "I Am That," by Sri Nisargadatta. His words, his teachings have illuminated the Yoga teachings of my own Guru and given the science of Kriya Yoga an entirely new meaning and full measure of its blessing. I could never have guessed how much I did not know, and how much of my knowing I had to let go of in order to "Understand" Who I Am.
Sri Nisargadatta said that his words, if listened to, would destroy all other concepts and words. The verity of this has born out its truth and validity, and the wisdom-fruit is falling from the tree of I Am. From "I Am That" -
Q: Since you count your spiritual ancestry from Rishi Dattatreya, are we right in believing that you and all your predecessors are reincarnations of the Rishi?
M: You may believe in whatever you like and if you act on your belief, you will get the fruits of it; but to me it has no importance. I am what I am and this is enough for me. I have no desire to identify myself with anybody, however illustrious. Nor do I feel the need to take myths for reality. I am only interested in ignorance and the freedom from ignorance. The proper role of the Guru is to dispel ignorance in the hearts and minds of his disciples. Once the disciple has understood, the confirming action is up to him. Nobody can act for another. And if he does not act rightly, it only means that he has not understood and that the Guru's work is not over.
Q: There must be some hopeless cases too?
M: None is hopeless. Obstacles can be overcome. What life cannot mend, death will end, but the Guru cannot fail.
Q: What gives you the assurance?
M: The Guru and the man's inner reality are really one and work together towards the same goal - the redemption and salvation of the mind. They cannot fail. Out of the very boulders that obstruct them they build their bridges. Consciousness is not the whole of being - there are other levels on which man is much more co-operative. The Guru is at home on all levels and his energy and patience are inexhaustable.
Q: You keep on telling me that I am dreaming and that it is high time that I should wake up. How does it happen that the Maharaj, who has come to me in my dreams, has not succeeded in waking me up? He keeps on urging and reminding, but the dream continues.
M: It is because you have not really understood that you are dreaming. This is the essence of bondage - the mixing of the real with unreal. In your present state only the sense 'I am' refers to reality; the 'what' and 'how I am' are illusions imposed by destiny, or accident.
Q: When did the dream begin?
M: It appears to be beginningless, but in fact it is only now. From moment to moment you are renewing it. Once you have seen that you are dreaming, you shall wake up. But you do not see, because you want the dream to continue. A day will come when you will long for the ending of the dream, with all your heart and mind, and be willing to pay any price; the price will be dispassion, the loss of interest in the dream itself.
Q: How helpless I am. As long as the dream of existence lasts, I want it to continue. As long as I want it to continue, it will last.
M: Wanting it to continue is not inevitable. See clearly your condition, your very clarity will release you.
Q: As long as I am with you, all you say seems pretty obvious; but as soon as I am away from you I run about restless and anxious.
M: You need not keep away from me, in your mind at least. But your mind is after the world's welfare!
Q: The world is full of troubles, no wonder my mind too is full of them.
M: Was there ever a world without troubles? Your being as a person depends on violence to others. Your very body is a battlefield, full of the dead and dying. Existence implies violence.
Q: As a body - yes. As a human being - definitely no. For humanity nonviolence is the law of life and violence of death.
M: There is little of nonviolence in nature.
Q: God and nature are not human and need not be humane. I am concerned with man alone. To be human I must be compassionate absolutely.
M: Do you realize that as long as you have a self to defend, you must be violent?
Q: I do. To be truly human, I must be self-less. As long as I am selfish, I am sub-human, a humanoid only.
M: So, we are all sub-human and only a few are human. Few or many, it is again 'clarity and charity' that make us human. The sub-human - the 'humanoids' - are dominated by tamas and rajas and the humans by sattva. Clarity and charity is sattva as it affects mind and action. But the real is beyond sattva. Since I have known you, you seem to be always after helping the world. How much did you help?
Q: Not a bit. Neither the world has changed, nor have I. But the world suffers and I suffer along with it. To struggle against suffering is a natural reaction. And what is civilization and culture, philosophy and religion, but a revolt against suffering. Evil and the ending of all evil - is it not your main preoccupation? You may call it ignorance - it comes to the same.
M: Well, words do not matter, nor does it matter in what shape you are just now. Names and shapes change incessantly. Know yourself to be the changeless witness of the changeful mind. That is enough.
From Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj, I Am That |
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Roy Whenary (MSL quote), UK
<2007-01-11 00:00>
If you have come across this book whilst searching for books on advaita/non-duality, don't search any more. I would highly recommend that you buy this book now. It has simply become the Bible of the modern Advaita movement. I first came across it 30 years ago now, and for many years it was the only book I took with me on my travels. One of the beautiful things about Nisargadatta's approach is that it is not 'fixed'. In the very same chapter he can often be seen to make what, on the surface, may appear to be completely contradictory statements - supporting completely conflicting views. This is no accident, as a mind that is not 'fixed' is flexible enough to be able to fully appreciate opposing views. In the 'spiritual' search, the mind can often hook onto various views, positions, attitudes, beliefs, etc - not seeing that this is all simply a movement of the mind - not ultimately 'real'. Nisargadatta's approach (in 'I Am That', and indeed, his other works) is a multi-faceted one, and one of the clearest pointers to truth that has ever been written down. I cannot speak highly enough about this book ... however, it may be the last one you will need to buy as a 'seeker'! The good news is that even after that, you can still appreciate it as a masterpiece of modern literature! |
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Mark Canter (MSL quote), USA
<2007-01-11 00:00>
I teach comparative religion at the university level and I have personally studied Advaita, Zen and Taoism since I was a teen-ager (I'm now 54). A woman introduced me to this book 30 years ago, but I wasn't quite ready for its exquisitely simple and profound message. Then, at age 41, after a couple decades of sadhana, I had a huge awakening. At the time, I subsequently looked for books that would help me to convey my understanding in clear English, and I returned to I Am That by Niz. Wow! Every line in the book resonated at the deepest level of enlightenment. I consider this the single best book on Advaita ever published. It cuts through illusion like a buzz saw. Also highly recommended Pointers from Nisargadatta Maharaj by his most famous student, Ramesh Balsekar. |
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Orva Schrock (MSL quote), USA
<2007-01-11 00:00>
Outwardly this man appears to be a simple moderately successful merchant. And then he speaks!!! Other than ramana maharshi, I know of no other modern seer sage of the past century as great as nisargadatta maharaj. His questioners approach him from every angle, with all the desparate insane excuses we've all used. With unerring consistency he refers them back to the only real problem of life; failing to see who and what we really are. This book contains THE answer to everything truly worth knowing and very few of us will ever get the message. But this great book is worth every moment we spend with it. The feeling of something truly astounding and magnificent lurks at every turn. We're pretty sure he's on to something but we can't quite wrap our heads around it. Ahhh, but that's just the problem. We try to think our way in to something beyond concepts and, indeed, all thought. The spiritual awakening he testifies to is real, of that I have no doubt. Will I ever get there? Only God knows. Is it worth investigating, hoping for, praying for? Is any thing else? Check this out if you've never read it. Though he dwells in rarified air indeed, every little whiff we can comprehend is a very refreshing breath. if he made it, so can we. |
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Adam Shaw (MSL quote), USA
<2007-01-11 00:00>
After so many reviews, there is little to add. But I write these words as an act of gratitude and in the hope that perhaps even 1 person will be brought to this book by what I have written.
I started reading this book over 30 years ago. No matter what other books pile up by my bedside, I Am That is always there. I have had an active inner work for a vey long time and studied several teachings in depth. This book bolsters and in some ways surpasses all of them. It is the ultimate teaching.
I come back to it again and again and again and it is like a clear mirror, always showing me where my understanding is. This teaching can never be engulfed, surmised, abbreviated or destroyed. It is what is. Given the small place we spend most of our time inhabiting, how could a teaching such as this not seem to be contradictory? It contains everything!
If I were to be cast upon a desert island this would be the one book I would want to have. If you have ever sat with an illuminated being you know that the moment of that exchange could never be captured with words, but this is the text that best distills that energetic experience. It is not an elaborate cosmology or detailed explanation of the many levels of manifestation. It cuts through everything right down to the bone of space. |
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Peter (MSL quote), USA
<2007-01-11 00:00>
I Am That takes the reader beyond the words and the mind into Understanding. This is a remarkable book in that it communicates the REALITY beyond the mere words. Sri Nisargadatta hails from the Navnath Sampradaya lineage of gurus. What makes this lineage so unique and dynamic is the simple method of transmission they employ via the instrument of the mind through Understanding or the recognition of Self. Another way to look at it, is the mind which is the illusory root of ego and separation, is actually used to undo or vanquish itself as a thorn is used to unembed another thorn to use the analogy. The illusion of mind when turned inward or introverted dissolves itself through the Power of Pure Intention and Awareness. This IS Understanding! What makes this Book so Powerful? The Grace of the Guru and the Power of Truth! Together through Compassion/Love and Wisdom, they have the Power to liberate the "seeker". The Truth that Maharaj transmits through the Grace of His Guru, Sri Siddharameshwar is sublime and subtle. If the aspirant's mind is sufficiently ripe and subtle through meditation practices etc., then these Teachings can facilitate the Final Understanding of REALITY: that there is indeed no/thing or no/body to realize; that Realization is our Natural State, already existing as who we are and ultimately the only REALITY that truly IS. Maharaj's teaching is nisarga yoga or revealing to the "seeker" one's own innate "Natural State". Since REALITY is all that truly exists beyond duality and the illusion of the mind, then we are already THAT! Simply our awareness has not been sufficiently purified of concepts, ignorance and conditioning to allow us to merge into Pure Awareness Itself. Enter this Book.Maharaj's Teachings are based on the precepts of Advaita Vedanta and the practice of cultivating Self Awareness through Self inquiry and abiding in the Awareness of I AM. An introverted mind leads to recognition and realization of the Supreme Self or Parabrahman, wheras, the extroverted mind leads to perception of an illusory world revolving around the concept of a "doer". Once this concept dissolves into nothingness, Nothing remains beyond the REALITY of Self or Parabrahman. Maharaj teaches the "Way of the Bird" as taught by His Guru, in contrast to the "Way of the Ant" as taught by most teachers emphasizing years and years of arduous meditation, diets and techniques. As the Bird flies effortlessly from tree to tree plucking the ripe fruits of Understanding so the "seeker" realizes the Self through this Understanding of REALITY in contrast to the Ant who must climb to the top of the tree to simply taste the fruit and who often perishes in the process. Once the Final Understanding is attained, Self is Realized. The illusion of a separate "I" and concept of "doer" effortlessly falls away revealing the Supreme REALITY. Pure Awareness of Awareness. Emptiness abiding in Emptiness. Prior to reading this book, there appeared to be a "reader" but somehow during the course of reading this Book, through the Grace of Guru and transmission of Understanding, the "reader" dissolved into a Stateless State of Nothingness, leaving nobody to any longer become "realized". All that remained was Guru or Self. Such is the Infinite Grace of Guru. To dissolve into the Final REALITY is what this Book is about. And Beyond...OM Namah Shivaya! |
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Aaron (MSL quote), USA
<2007-01-11 00:00>
To her credit, one of my favorite Zen Buddhist Teachers, Joko Beck, has confessed scepticism that enlightenment is a genuine human possibility. To my own credit, I contemplated for some time the possibility that she might well be correct. Then I read Sri Nisargatta Maharaj's book of oral talks entitled I Am That. This is without a doubt the greatest work of human wisdom that I've so far encountered, and I can only hope it reaches the widest possible audience. As a veteran spiritual seeker I can say with conviction that the majority of people I've encountered on the path are seeking to enhance their lives in some way. This is not at all the message of Sri Nisargatta, however. What he is proposing is that we have the courage to loose our lives altogether - which obviously is no easy thing. If, however, you understand this imperative, then by all means read his book. You will surely be carried farther than you have so far imagined possible. |
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Shawn Reagan (MSL quote), USA
<2007-01-11 00:00>
I think I've found what I've been looking for. I was originally attracted to Advaita Vedanta by the words of Ramana Maharshi whose words rang loud and clear with truth. This book leaves the seeker needing nothing. Nisargadatta continually reiterates his message: Find out what you are not, abide in the "I Am", quiet the mind. The person is nothing more than a chain of memories along with a bundle of desires and fears. He gives many descriptions of his state such as: "When I look through the mind, I see numberless people. When I look beyond the mind, I see the witness. Beyond the witness there is the infinite intensity of emptiness and silence." The writing also stands out in this book. In using language to describe the indescribable Nisargadatta's writing itself seems to validate it's content with metaphors like: "You are like the point of the pencil - by mere contact with you the mind draws its picture of the world. You are single and simple - the picture is complex and extensive. Don't be misled by the picture - remain aware of the tiny point - which is everywhere in the picture." |
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