Upanishads

I just read them, are there any other texts you guys would reccomend?

 

Bhagavad-gita

 

read that too

 

Reading is not enough. You need to take time to reflect on a spiritual text, otherwise it is only so much information. My Guru says, "Don't go through the Gita, let the Gita go through you."

 

Another beautiful gem from your guru...I will have to tell my friend Payal....she is taking a course with a local swamiji at home on the Gita...and she would like that quote.

Ummm....its not a scripture or anything...but read Autobiograpy of a Yogi by Paramahansa Yogananda...because its beautiful...and because I am feeling particularly blessed by Sri Yoganandaji tonight.

 

That's right...but then it's good to do a determined first readthrough to get a basic understanding, then it becomes a lifetime occupation.

I've found a complete reread is good every decade, at least.

 

I am reminded of a story of Ramana Maharshi. Someone asked Sri Ramana how many upanishads he had to read.
"How many mirrors do you need to shave every morning?"
"One."
"The upanishads are like mirrors. You only need one to show you everything you need to see. Beyond that we may read because it is a source of joy, but for a seeker, any one text is sufficient."

 

Again reading them is not enough . Try to understand them, try to be what krishna wants you to be and see if you like it.

 

I really like "60 Upanishads of the Veda" and "20 Lesser Upanishads" both available from Bodhi Tree Bookstore. I like the mantraic Upanishad of the Yajur veda like the Nrisimha and so on. One needs to understand why the Upanshads take each aspect of Samkhya and portray that as Absolute and Supreme. How can they do that? How can all things at once be supreme?

 

That's a great quote. I've gotten more familiar with Sri Ramana Maharshi...he was truly a minimalist in his spiritual teaching approach.

For me personally, the Gita, Srila Prabhupada's Nectar of Devotion (bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu, Srila Rupa Goswami), and the Bible are sufficient texts.

It's essential to be well versed in scripture and comparative religion/theology. However, I've been around enough scripture-qouting experts, both Christians and in ISKCON, to last me for awhile.

 

The study of scripture is only meaningful when it enriches your life. When every new word brings inspiration and great joy, only such study of scripture has true meaning.

 

Because all things are supreme.

 

Agree...I was referring to those who use scripture more as a weapon or to puff up their egos...they're not hard to spot.

 

An amusing irony, that.

 

Yep, it is.

 

Yes, all threads make up the garment. Each stitch is supreme!

 

it is also true to say that no thing is supreme.

 

Which is what makes them supreme.

 

how so?

 

If nobody is the best and greatest, then that puts everyone on a equal footing, and everyone is the best and greatest.