Customer Reviews

The Truth Is

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In the fall of 1994 I had the great priveledge of spending time with H.W.L. Poonjaji in Lucknow, India. It was a powerful, life-altering encounter. "The Truth Is," has allowed me to once again delve into the life and teachings of this great sage. This book includes a brief history about Papaji and provides a simple introduction to the path of "Self-inquiry." The love contained in this book, however, really begins to shine when it takes the reader into actual conversations between Papaji and the seekers and students who came to him for spiritual guidance. His answers, at times, turn into poetry of the most profound kind. Elsewhere he will venture off into stories that on one hand teach about love and on the other shake and stir our souls. Throughout the book, Poonjaji approaches the central theme of his teachings, that of knowing the Self, from many different angles. This volume does a beautiful job of compiling these many excerpts of conversation into logical chapters enabling the reader to search for answers to their own questions for themselves. The topics range from "surrender" and "death" to finding the "Satguru" and the "Truth" that already exists in each one of us. For readers who have spent time with Papaji, this is a wonderful reminder of his loving presence. For those who never met him in person, "The Truth Is" gives us a chance to begin to know him in spirit, for as Poonjaji himself taught, his true identity, the Self, can never die.

This book is an indication of, but not the truth of Papaji, the immense clarity he embodied shines through the pages, but he felt that to be live and in the moment is where truth is. The truth is that we are already free, no-one can sell us anything we need, or take anything we are, we are already complete. It must have been amazing to meet this man, he is like a tiger, ferocious in truth, but also big and cuddly, and everything in between and beyond. The message of these satsang excerpts will pick you up, throw you about, and play havoc with you. Great stuff!

This book is too deep for those who are new-comers to world of "Self", "Truth", "Consciousness". BUT, its the book you really want to read if you are familiar with above concepts and (Advaita) Vedanta. This book is written in prose intercepted with Q&A format. Truly, a wonderful and eye-opening book. You will love what the Truth Is.

This book is not for everybody. If you want 'tips' and 'techniques' to find bliss, then do not even venture anywhere near this book. But if you want to 'get it' NOW, then you will find this book illuminating and exhilirating.

Poonja goes straight to the issue - Your liberation is NOW and your mind is in your way of realising that. You can never 'think' or 'act' in order to realise your true self. He points out as clearly as the limitations of words allow anybody to - The reason for all our suffering is listening to our mind. By 'observing' and 'being aware' the false falls away and the truth remains. The title 'Truth Is' says it all - 'Truth is What IS'. Our conditioning and thought patterns lead us to believe that we have to 'do' something, 'practice' something and enlightenment will be achieved some day in the future. That is an illusion. The path and the goal are right here and right now. You need to stop attaching importance to your thoughts, feeling and emotions and just observe the play of all these in your life. Poonja conveys all this and many other insights beautifully. He leaves one no crutches to hang on and removes all usual avenues of escapes that the mind uses.

Of course, the message he conveys is not new. What is different is that he conveys the message from his very own real experience and it does not come from his intelluct but from his very being. In that, he stands right up there with Ramana Maharshi, J Krishnamurhi and Eckhart Tolle.

Happy reading.

-Suresh

This is a very powerful book. It is the Truth. Papaji speaks the same words of his Sat Guru and teacher, Ramana Maharshi. I have read this book hunderds of time, you will find yourself caring it around everywhere you go. This book puts so simply, the truth Is. What more can I say? Jai Ma

Papaji has a way of guiding you to your Self in a very loving and compassionate way. These pages are filled with wise pointings, beautiful analogies, and timeless truths to get you to see and be as you have always been.

These pointers to Self are beautiful and powerful.

This is one of the best books I've ever read on Advaita/Non Duality Indian philosophy of Ramana Maharshi...I can not recommend it highly enough for seekers of truth! It is Q & A of Papaji with his students in the 90's. A very special book!

For anyone interested in discovering the reality of their being and how the knowledge of such relates to all else that exist, this tome is well worthwhile.
This is Papaji's voice calling you to awaken to your true nature and essence which is the true nature and essence of us all.
To be read slowly and savored like a warm cup of tea on a cold morning.
namaste

Ramana Maharshi taught a great paradox:

1. There is no self (no ego) to be realized.
2. There is a Self to be realized through grace, "anthara vichara" (internal self-inquiry), and "aham-vritti" (mental modification of 'I').

Papaji was Ramana Maharshi's student, but his teachings only uphold the first aspect of Maharshi's paradox. While traditional advaita often causes the "endless cycle of seeking" (aspect #2), Papaji imposes aspect #1 as the counter-solution. But one side of Maharshi's paradox has no more value than the other; both sides must be seen and understood paradoxically.

Papaji is not even a "direct-path" teacher. "Direct" points to aspect # 1, but "path" paradoxically points to aspect # 2. For Papaji, there is absolutely no path. This is not what Ramana Maharshi taught.

(Note: For the Papaji and Andrew Cohen fans out there, Papaji gave an enlightenment blessing to Andrew. In his Autobiography of an Awakening, Andrew admits that Papaji accused him for "corrupting the dharma." Papaji gave enlightenment blessings to Mooji, Gangaji, and Neelam, but to my knowledge, there were no conflicts with Papaji there.)

Poonja is after Ramana Maharshi and before Gangaji. I read Ramana and Gangaji before, but this was the first of Poonja's work for me. It was great to see the connection between what was before and after.

Poonja is very straight to the point and simple. I would recommend this book to anyone who has read Ramana or Gangaji.