Customer Reviews

Prior to Consciousness

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Prior to Consciousness is set up as a number of interviews between Nisargadatta Maharaj and spiritual seekers from all over the world. These talks were given from the August of 1980 till just before Maharaj's death in September 1981. Through clear and simple words Maharaj tears away the false and leaves the reader with the pure state of one's own beingness. Nisargadatta's main advice is for one to stablize in the state of the "I am," which is really one's only reference. Nisargadatta is similar in his approach as Ramana Maharshi, getting one to question the questioner. Freedom is yours to be had, you are free already; just get rid of all your notions of freedom. This is the most powerful book I have ever read and still continue to enjoy reading sections of it whenever I pick it up. If one is interested in Advaita this is a must.

Maharaj is answering questions by devotees. Clearing he is hammering the 'Ego' and showing a path to Infinity. Rarely before has someone answered so precisely on all the questions. He is also following practicle wisdom. Great book.

This powerful book is a very direct work on understanding your true nature as the Absolute Reality. The tone of it is very direct. As a matter of fact, Nisargadatta Maharaj was always very direct and this book is a great book for those seekers that want to go beyond a whole web of yet more spiritual concepts and practices etc, etc, etc.

A summary of Nisargadatta Maharaj teachings would be:

Maharaj wants us to understand what your true nature is by the discarding of the false self--the body/mind. By discarding identification with the body/mind, one comes to see oneself as the I-AM/Consciousness. Maharaj wants us to continue in our deep self-investigation until even the I-AM is seen as arising only due to one being in a body because with a body of course comes Consciousness, so what Maharaj wants us to ultimately understand intuitively is :What is the state you were in prior to consciousness? That is the realization as yourself as the Parabrahman or what is commonly referred to as the Absolute.

Very profound Q & A that is a powerful catalyst for penetrating self reflection.