Customer Reviews

Seeds of Consciousness: The Wisdom of Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This book comes as the first of three books edited by Jean Dunn. The next are two books, Prior to Consciousness, and Consciousness and the Absolute. All three books are set up as interviews between seekers from all over the world asking questions to Nisargadatta about issues relating to the nature of being. In Nisargadatta's clear and simple language he strips away all false notions and lays before the questioner the Real, ever present, and without attribute, nature of the Self. It is a rare experience to read the conversations of a fully awakened individual, and soak up the wisdom that is present on every page and imbued in every sentence. A finer book on the simple truth that every one IS, that which they are seeking is extremely hard to come by. His words are tremendously powerful, You Are the Absolute, beyond time and space and without attributes. The wisdom within this book will plant a seed that will sprout and bring with it the nature of what you are, beyond all notions or conception.

The wisdom of this teacher comes from Being in That space, not from books, not from learning, not from hearsay. As a result, this collection of "answers" can pierce us as no other. It takes us right to That Place. So much so, that I dare you to try to read more than 4 pages at one sitting. If you want to get tossed into your soul, read this book.

Nisargadatta is for me one of the extremely, extremely rare voices that was able to speak directly to the heart of the mystery of the Self. What can I really say, except those who are able to find value and meaning from his words will know that they have found the key that unlocks the mystery of life.

In short, if you liked I Am That and the Ultimate Medicine, this is the next book chronologically you should read. Some of the other ones are out of print, and sell for like $50 or more. It's nice that Dunn's books (3 total) are still in print. I'd recommend them all.

Chronologically the order the books go (that are still in print) are: I Am That, The Ultimate Medicine, Seeds of Consciousness, I Am Unborn (free e-book, poorly edited though), Prior to Consciousness, Consciousness and the Absolute. There are a few others that are out of print and cost way too much, they include: Gleanings from Nisargadatta, The Experience of Nothingness, The Nectar at the Lord's Feet. These three are way over priced and I'd recommend against them. The only out of print book reasonably priced is Nectar of Immortality. That's a really good book and worth ten dollars more, IMHO

As for this book... Great dialogues. And Ramesh Balsekar does the Foreward, which was nice to read. Definitely a 5/5

One other book I'd recommend is Pointers from Nisargadatta, by Balsekar (still in print), and I Am Unborn since it's available free as e-book, although is poorly edited

I love this book. What it has that the other Nisgardatta books lack is a continuity. Taken from talks by Nisgardatta, this book is from a series of talks he gave at life's end when he culled his audience and spoke mainly to people who were committed to becoming aware. Hence there is not the jarring and confusing experience of trying to make sense of an "advanced" talk followed by a talk to a casual visitor, etc. His talks flow in almost an exhilarating movement towards what we are seeking and hope to manifest. This is a great book.

My only criticism is the very limp definitions in the back of the book of Indian terminology. If you have another book on Nisgardatta by another author, it will probably have more satisfying explanations. But don't let that stop you from buying this book. It is a keeper and one you will pick up many times.

I bought my book from Amazon. Great company.

I gave it 3 stars only because I have read several other translations of transcripts and this falls in line with most of the others, choppy to read, no additional explanation when it is obviously needed, and just seems dry to read.

The gold standard for Nisargadatta remains as "Pointers from Nisargadatta", by Ramesh Balsekar.

nisargadatta grts right to the point inquire inquire be earnest go towards freedom instead of imaginary bondage do not give up

before settling down on his meditation pillow, sri nisargadatta majaraj was a cigarette salesman.