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Tat Tvam Asi / That thou art (The Path of Fire According to the Asparsavada)

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Imagine that one of the great spiritual teachers of the past came back and engaged a contemporary, alienated Western spiritual seeker in a dialogue about the meaning of life and the true path to happiness. Would this teacher be able to understand and relate to the complexities of modern life? Would someone who felt depressed and alienated from society - someone who had dabbled in drugs and politics and modern art - be able to relate to this teacher from a distant past? Since the basic human existential issues and problems remain similar throughout history, it is likely that the dialogue would be productive and relevant. But what if - on the other hand - this wise person was well-versed in contemporary society and its problems and could draw from modern science, psychology and philosophy in providing explanations and instruction? We would expect that the dialogue would be more focused, more precise, and that the explanations would be more relevant to our confused and alienated seeker.
In "Tat Tvam Asi" the contemporary teacher is Raphael, and the alienated seeker is Antonio. The book is based on a true dialogue that took place between Raphael and one of his students over a period of years. Antonio comes to Raphael feeling depressed, addicted to drugs, questioning the meaning of life, and with suicidal fantasies. Raphael engages him in a skillful dialectic to help him understand that his unhappiness derives from fundamental misunderstandings about the meaning and purpose of human life, the nature of reality, and the nature of self. Particularly noteworthy is Raphael's use of reasoned understanding to help Antonio answer his own questions and find a more firm - and satisfying - foundation for his life. We see Antonio gradually transformed as they discuss the meaning of life, the definition of reality, the ego's foolishness in looking for happiness outside of itself, the nature of true knowledge, death and rebirth, illusion, etc. Antonio is not asked to simply believe or take what Raphael says on faith, but rather, he is given the opportunity to understand, ask questions, and have an explanation that integrates modern psychological and scientific understandings of reality, all presented in a way that is grounded in ancient spiritual philosophy - primarily the Advaita Vedanta of Sankara, but also Plotinus, Plato, and Parmenides. Antonio tells Raphael his dreams, and through them we see how Antonio's whole relation to life and to himself are transformed over the course of the dialogue. One can only wonder what would have happened if Antonio, in his search for answers to the meaning of life, had instead sought out the help of a psychotherapist, who would probably have left his fundamental misunderstandings in place, looking instead to explore his past, helping him with techniques to curb his destructive urges, or even suggesting psycho-tropic medication. Instead he has the good fortune to encounter Raphael, who is a true psychologist in the original meaning of a science of "psyche" or soul. We come away admiring Antonio for his willingness to fearlessly examine his fundamental assumptions and beliefs about life, and for perceiving that there was a pathway out of his darkness. Anyone who has had similar questions and doubts will enjoy sitting in on this fascinating discussion.

About the author. Raphael's books demonstrate a deep inner understanding of the world's sacred traditions. He brings them alive and gives them a contemporary expression while remaining true to their original inspiration. Raphael reminds us that Occidental and Oriental sacred traditions are not to be approached academically or intellectually, but rather, that they are living spiritual pathways to truth that remain relevant today. His books provide the reader with the understanding and tools to follow these sacred paths, including Alchemy, Kabbalah, Orphism, or Platonism in the Western Tradition, or Yoga and the Advaita Vedanta of Sankara in the Eastern Tradition. Raphael is recommended to all spiritual seekers who want to ground their search in ancient wisdom while seeking a contemporary expression that appeals to reasoned analysis and which integrates modern philosophy, science and psychology. Raphael's books challenge us to see these traditions, ourselves and the world differently, and to take our spiritual seeking seriously. If you are willing to do so, his books are for you.

Then I would recommend to read this book: Here Raphael chose the form of a dialogue between master and disciple (Antonio) to introduce Antonio (& therefore the reader) step-by-step into the topic: Advaita, Shankara, Asparsayoga, the Unity of Western and Eastern traditions etc.
I was touched by the Chapter 'Bodily death': The disciple comes to the Master in desperation as his brother had died suddenly and unexpected. Raphael's answers show impressingly (for me quite unexpected) the radical view of the realized (totally unattached, non-resistant) Advaitin. The chapters 'The Origin of Subconsciousness' and 'Compensations of The Ego' give practical advise for the Path: Here Raphael explains how (permanently repeating) thought-patterns & -habits start (are 'born') and also, that and how they can be discharged/ dissolved again. Sentences like the following made me 'pause':
"but the identification with what we are not leads us into conflict and suffering. Man believes he is the body, desire, intellect etc., but these things are only different aspects of illusion-maya; behind these distorting appearances there is the true Being, that which was never born and which will never cease to be." (p. 49) "Realization yields to those who truly love it ... If there is a burning thirst for a total solution of the existential problems at all levels an degrees, then one is ready to travel up the road of no return. Besides, it would be advisable not to set yourself limits of time, or to imagine that realization should materialize according to one's preconceived sentimental ideas." (p. 75) "Remember this, my dear one, the Harmony of the entire world depends upon your inner Harmony." (p. 78) "Only he who is watchful saves himself. ... Watchfulness is total self-awareness, it is complete openness; as long as there is watchfulness there are no impediments or obstacles within our psychic spatiality. Whosoever is watchful is outside of time." (p. 105) "Remember that everything happens at the right time. ... Whosoever travels down the way of return, every event will present itself to him at the right moment. The disciple need not worry about anything except maturing his understanding." (p 106)