“There is no other teacher but your own soul.”
– Swami Vivekananda –
“There is no other teacher but your own soul.”
– Swami Vivekananda –
It’s said that the ultimate guru lies within. But finding that inner guide usually requires us first to find others who know the way, who can point us in the right direction. This is a small but growing list of those to whom I have turned.
It’s said that the ultimate guru lies within. But finding that inner guide usually requires us first to find others who know the way, who can point us in the right direction. This is a small but growing list of those to whom I have turned.
Teachers
After much searching, I ultimately alit on Goldsmith as my teacher. Again, what resonates for one may not for another, and that isn’t important anyway. Born into a Jewish home and later transitioning to Christian Science before abandoning it as well, Goldsmith was a successful business man who felt increasingly compelled to seek an inner Truth. His efforts ultimately led to the creation of The Infinite Way, which he took pains to point out was neither a belief system nor a religion. Rather, he saw it as a path toward a gradual awakening of consciousness. I’d also recommend a few other titles by Goldsmith, including The Thunder of Silence, Practicing the Presence, and The Art of Meditation.
Although I no longer remember how or when it happened, at some point in my journey I was introduced to the talks of Robert Adams. Much like his ultimate teacher, Ramana Maharshi (see below), Adams experienced a profound spiritual awakening in his teens (during a mathematics exam, no less). And as was the case with others, he spent the next many years attempting to understand what had happened to ‘him’ (literally). Adams gave talks to those who were drawn to him (a hallmark of true teachers is the absence of any outreach or marketing – aspirants simply materialized). Although he never wrote any books, students compiled a list of some of his talks and published them under the title, The Silence of the Heart.
Considered by many the greatest sage since Christ Jesus, Ramana Maharshi experienced a profound awakening as a teenager and spent the remainder of his life in routine states of deep silence or samadhi. Visitors flocked to him from all corners of the globe at a time when global travel – and particularly travel across India – was arduous at best. Those who did make the trek, including many well-known skeptics, were deeply affected by Ramana. Over the years many returned as often as possible and some never left. Ramana promoted advaita vedanta (aka non-duality) and self-inquiry as the direct path to one’s true self.
Wei Wu Wei was an Irishman by the name of Terence James Stannus Gray, who spent the early part of the 20th century studying at Oxford, later steeped in the theater and as an author on Egyptology (family wealth enabled him to pursue various interests). During travels across India, he ended spending time with Ramana Maharshi, which fed into his growing interest in eastern modes of mysticism including advaita and Zen. It was not until his early 60s that the first of the titles under the pen name, Wei Wu Wei, were published. (Wei Wu Wei translates to ‘effortless action.’)
At some point I came across someone likening Carse’s book, Perfect Brilliant Stillness, to a kind of gonzo-style spirituality. Could not agree more. In the style of the late-Hunter Thompson, Carse writes of his complete spiritual awakening in an unorthodox and deeply personal manner and I for one thoroughly enjoyed it. Words and language, as Carse and all awakened sages point out, can’t possibly touch the Truth. But he makes a good effort trying. The book is difficult to find (Carse didn’t copyright it, so PDF versions are available online). Additionally, an audio version recorded by the actor, Terrence Stamp, is available here and for purchase.
I came across William Samuel’s teachings courtesy a podcast series, The Urban Guru Cafe. Samuel, who like so many of these folks died many years ago, was an Alabama-based teacher who’d experienced a spiritual awakening during a firefight in the Korean War. Like all such teachers, Samuel’s focus is on awareness.
Readings
Joel Goldsmith produce a copious amount of written and recorded materials. But the cornerstone to all of it was his book, The Infinite Way, which was the hub through which all of his other teachings emanated. A small, concise book that will change the way you think about yourself, God, and the world around you.
Robert Adams never wrote any books. But fortunately for us, students recorded many of his talks and then transcribed them into a collection titled, Silence of the Heart. This was the book that introduced me to the concept of Advaita Vedanta and quite literally changed the source of my spiritual journey forever.
Ramana Maharshi received visitors from all over the world, and though he spent most of those visits in complete silence, his oral teachings were often jotted down by those in attendance. David Godman (what a perfectly suited name) was one such early visitor and opted – even in the wake of Ramana’s death – never to leave. He has become the world’s preeminent scholar on Ramana’s teachings and captured many of them beautifully in this little gem of a book, Be As You Are.
David Carse penned the miracle that is Perfect Brilliant Stillness after his profound spiritual awakening in the Amazon. This book is the best I’ve read on what it means to discover ‘there’s nobody home’ and that the self is pure awareness itself. Carse is a terrific writer and does his best to articulate what cannot be articulated. For a real treat, purchase a copy of the audio version narrated by the actor, Terrence Stamp. I’ve listened to it multiple times and always come away with something new and revealing.
Using the Heart Sutra as its backbone, The Open Secret employs a collection of essays, poetry, dialogs, and epigrams to tackle the human mind, self, space-time, illusion, and other metaphysical musings through the lens of Zen Buddhism.
William Samuel kicks off his book, Awareness and Tranquility, with this teaser: “Reader, I have discovered a peace of mind and tranquility that are utterly beyond belief – and with the discovery has come the ability to communicate it to others.” Which he does in this and other books, detailing the awareness and gentle presence at the core of all human beings awaiting our own discovery.
Recordings
Samaneri Jayasāra has studied and practiced Buddhism and meditation in various capacities for over 35 years. She has a PhD and Master’s Degree in education, focusing on comparative spiritual traditions, Buddhism and psychotherapy. She has taught at secondary, undergraduate and post-graduate levels in psychology and counseling, and also worked as a trainer in mental health and crisis intervention in the welfare sector. Her voiced excerpts of various mystics and masters are truly divine. The entire library can be found here.
