Consciousness Speaks

I had read many books on non-dualism. When I read this book I finally got it. I had a transformative experience where my separate sense of self dropped away and has not returned. It has been over five years since my experience while reading this book. Since then I have read another account of somebody having the same "experience" while reading this particular book. It is so clear and moves so directly to the point that it has the potential to be very transformative. Contemplate deeply the information that Balsekar gives here.

I read this book after attending a talk by Wayne Liquorman. Wayne recommended it as an introduction to a philosophy that he had adopted. I bought it because I felt upset and threatened by the ideas that Wayne presented. I wanted to have the philosophy in writing so I could find fault with it and remain attached to other ideas. But the book made more sense than those other ideas, and I have since decided that Ramesh and Wayne present the most reasonable model of reality that I have come across. This book was the catalyst for a transformation in my beliefs, and I am grateful! I strongly recommend this book to anyone who is open minded and trying to make sense of the world. Thank you, Ramesh!

Tho a few may be gifted w/ deep and abiding insight from an early age, most on the path to enlightment struggle w/ such questions as: Have I got it yet? When will I get it? How do I keep it?Regrettably these questions can only be answered by paradox: Awareness is available when "I" is not. To the thirsy pilgrim, the message is that s/he may only drink when the mirage of self has disappeared.Ramesh, in the clear, simple language, states that there is nothing to do to achieve enlightenment. This lifting of effort, this recognition of Grace, is a bountiful gift. Many other teachers, either consciously or unconsciously, create a doing around enlightenment. The seeker often becomes burdened w/ guilt: Am I doing it right? Ramesh lifts that burden.

I stumbled across this book at the Vedanta bookstore in Hollywood and could not put it down. I was utterly fascinated with Balsekar's simple and thorough answers to his interviewer (the entire book is a question and answer session.) Being a serious aspirant to Enlightenment i.e. Nirvana, Buddhahood, Braham, Truth..I appreciated the author's unpretentious description of the state/form of existing as consciousness itself. It was simply one of the most clearly and concisely written books I've yet come across on the subject. I do believe it worth mentioning that beginners to esoteric religious philosophy may find much of the material difficult to grasp, at the same time some of the book's passages were so simple and literally brilliant (a stand out to me was Balsekar's mention of the lack of a "me" and/or "I" that exists in all action and doership upon realizing oneself as consciousness itself) that I found myself becoming excited/enthusiastic about my own spiritual practice especially in my potential for the attainment of the discussed state of consciousness. Moreover, I wanted to take notes in order to share the passages with others. This book will provide those all to rare glimmers of insight which, by the sublime process of grace, can propell an individual's true spiritual advancement.

After reading many books on non-dualism, I found that when I read this book a sense of a personal self disappeared. The center that I had known to be me fled and has never returned. As he says understanding is everything, and this book conveys that understanding.