07.29.07
A Letter From Vamadeva
A few years ago I completed course work with the American Institute of Vedic Studies. The following are excerpts of a response to two emails I had sent to Vamadeva. This was all that was saved. I found it perusing old files I had saved. It holds many useful ideas on life and spiritual practice.
“Throughout the ages a multitude of spiritual techniques have been taught to sincere aspirants. Almost all of them have claimed to be the most effective in providing rapid and direct access to realizing the infinite truth of the divine. Each technique spoke to the needs of the practitioner and may very well have provided the spontaneous opportunity for enlightenment. In most cases though the plethora of spiritual practices only serve to create egotism and separatism between a body of people that are looking for the same thing and so should be united in purpose and action. Of all the techniques that have come down through the ages through various spiritual masters, there is but one that is common to all and yet rarely acknowledged or taught. Engaging life is the one practice that has consistently and effectively provided the framework to allow spiritual realization to come forth naturally. Without it, all other attempts may be in vain.
Many people seek out a spiritual path to solve the problems of their life. To often, this is just a masked attempt to escape from the problems. So no matter what path or technique they take up, not much changes be cause they are just running away from what they need to work on that they may make authentic spiritual progress. Resolving the trials of life is part of the spiritual path. We all have different areas of development we need to work on. Chanting through the chakras may provided a clearer state of mind to address these issues, but if we never use that clarity to work the issues what is the point?
The misconception that by meditation or worship alone life will be transformed into a unified field of experience where one’s relationship to the wholeness of life is realized needs to be eradicated. Specific spiritual practices are just as necessary as any other function of life. We need to eat and drink to maintain our bodies. We need enough resources to allow our worthwhile purposes to be actualized. We need to provide service to the world that we may play our part in the divine drama. We need time devoted to cultivating our spirit that we may experience life in its proper perspective. All of these together form the body of effective spiritual technique. They address all of life and allow us to develop the fullness of our infinite spirit.
Grace is important in spiritual development, and so is self effort. There is the saying that “God helps those who help themselves.” “
A few comments below that I hope will be helpful.
I think along the yogic path we need all the help we can get these days. Some into Vedantic knowledge use the logic that since all is one or the world is Maya, why should we follow any rules? I remember Ramakrishna’s answer to such a question. He said that though all water is one, all is not fit to drink. Another metaphor used is that you cannot leave your boat behind until you have crossed the river.
Yoga Vasistha is a very great text but for an advanced level of sadhaka, such as is very rare today.
Food Samskaras can be very deep. For those of us who have been raised on a meat diet being vegetarian can be difficult. Yet while not all spiritual teachers are vegetarian, I don’t know any which does not emphasize compassion and reduction of meat consumption and other environmental harm.
This does lead me to a final question. From your understanding, what is the most necessary attribute for total spiritual liberation?
—The main attributes are two according to Ramana and to most of Vedanta. First is a firm desire for liberation in the real sense, not just a desire for spiritual experiences, to become a guru or other ego distortions of liberation. The second is detachment, not being caught by the desires of the world. You get what you desire.
If people don’t have to follow every injunction laid out in scripture to figure it out, where is the line drawn?
—Injunctions are aids. If you want to climb a mountain certain things are recommended in terms of equipment, skills, strength etc. Yet merely getting those things is not the same as actually climbing the mountain. But to tackle a high mountain unprepared or untrained is not wise.
What is the thing that people absolutely must do for total spiritual freedom?
–One must have the skills and abilities one way or another. This is what a guru can help with. It is not a matter of absolutes. One can also say what must people absolutely do to be healthy? One can make many general statements but variations are there.
I’m not asking this because I want to be lazy and just do that, I have no problem doing what ever is called for. I’m just curious what the key is.
–It is an individual matter. There must be an inner awakening of energy and intelligence. Otherwise it is mechanical and will not go far. The call must come from within.
Besides, there are probably thousands of people who don’t eat meat, meditate every day, etc. who still don’t figure it out even when they die.
—Certainly there are many who are vegetarians and may not do much with spiritual practices. Meditation is also a method. One needs the proper knowledge to meditate on. We could say that meditation is like an oven but what is one baking in the oven, that depends on the knowledge. Dhyana and Jnana must go together.
Hari OM!
Vamadeva”
