A beautiful Hindu chant from the 8th century

Dear friends,

I wanted to share this with you for a long time already, but I just did not have the time or opportunity to do so until now. Today, I can finally share with you one of my favorite texts and chants. My problem now is that I don’t know how to introduce it without writing a very long text, so I will try to be very concise, but one good option for you might be to simply ignore my short introduction and just listen to the chant while reading the translation and open your heart to the powerful lyricism of this ancient spirituality.

But for those of you interested in the context, here is my short intro.

For years now, I have been fascinated with by one school of Hindu philosophy called Vedanta. That school has two main sub-branches, a non-dualistic or “Advaita” one and one dualistic “Dvaita” one. Being an Orthodox Christians, my own beliefs are much closer to the latter, but I find the former no less fascinating. The following chant, the Prayerful glorification of the Spiritual Teacher or Guru Stotram, has been written by Adi Shankara, an Indian philosopher in the late 700s, who is considered as one of the key figures in the development of Advaita Vedanta. This chant is excerpted from the Guru-Gita and consists of a conversation between the Lord Shiva and his consort Goddess Parvati.

I would ask you not to get stuck on the specifics of this text, which is a modern translation of the original Sanskrit, and not to over-intellecutalize it. I would ask to to listen to the chant with your heart and try to feel the “spirit”, the phronema, which it radiates. As for the stillness and peace this chant radiates, it reminds of of Orthodox monastic services.

[Theological sidebar: It is my highly subjective opinion that Hinduism and, especially Vedanta, is the highest form of spirituality mankind has achieved without the benefit of revelation (rishis are not, imho, comparable to the Prophets of Israel) and, even more so, without the awareness of the Incarnation. Since Christianity is based on the revelation of the prophets and the Incarnation of Christ, there are many irreconcilable dogmatic differences between the two religions. But in terms of ethos, of mindset, of the central role of asceticism, devotion, prayer and mystical mediation, I find Orthodoxy much closer to the religions of India than to the western forms of Christianity. Texts very similar to the Guru Stotram can be found in the canons of Menaion or Oktoechos of the Orthodox Church as well as in many Akathistos. The big difference is, of course, that Orthodox devotions and meditations are entirely Christ-centric and that not being non-dualistic like Advaita Vedanta, Orthodoxy would never impart divine-like characteristics to any human being, teacher or cleric.]

I would like to share two very different version of this chant with you:

The following is the version of Guru Stotram chanted by Swami Atmananda:

and this version is the US musician Jai Uttal:

Both are quite beautiful, each one in their own way. I often listen to the first version of Swami Atmananda when I feel sad, distressed or anxious. It helps me move away from my immediate pains. Try it!

Finally, please find below the transliteration and translation of this text.

Enjoy!

The Saker

PS: to those who might be shocked that I, as a Christian, would have anything positive to say about religion often considered as polytheistic, I would reply that the reality is much more complex and that while some branches of Hinduism are polytheistic, others are not. If interested, please see here and here. I also agree with this video.
——-
GURU STOTRAM
(Prayerful glorification of the Spiritual Teacher)
Transliteration, Word-Meanings and Translation by Swami Atmananda

1.
Akhand-Mandalakaram vyaptam yena characharam.
Tatpadam darshitam yena tasmai Shri Gurave Namah.
Akhand – unfragmented; Mandalakaram – one infinite whole; vyaptam – pervades; yena – by which; characharam – movable & immovable; Tadpadam – That state; darshitam – has shown; yena – by whom; tasmai – to that; Shri – glorious; Guruve – guru, teacher; Namah – my salutations.

My Salutations to that Guru who revealed to me that Truth, which is unfragmented, infinite, timeless divinity, and which pervades the entire universe – movable or unmovable.

2.
Agyan timir-andhasya Gyananjan Shalakaya.
Chakshur-oonmeelitam yena tasmai Shri Gurave Namah.
Agyan – Ignorance; timir – cataract; andhasya – blinded; Gyananjan – medicinal collyrium; Shalakaya – collyrium stick; Chakshur – my eyes; oonmilitam – opened; yena – by whom; tasmai – to that; Shri – glorious; Guruve – Guru; Namah – my salutations.

My Salutations to that reverential teacher, who opened my eyes, by applying the divine collyrium of self-knowledge in my eyes, which had got blinded by the cataract of ignorance.

3.
Gurur-Brahma Gurur-Vishnu Gurur-Devo Maheshwarah.
Guru-sakshat Para-Brahma tasmai Shri Gurave Namah.
Gurur – Guru; Brahma – Creator; Gurur – Guru; Vishnu – Sustainer; Gurur – Guru; Devo – the divine; Maheshwarah – the Destroyer; Guru Sakshat – the Guru is verily; Para-Brahma – the transcendental divinity (which is the very basis of all the three); tasmai – to that; Shri – glorious; Guruve – Guru; Namah – my salutations.

Guru himself is the creator, sustainer and the destroyer. He is verily the very transcendental divinity, (the timeless life-principle, which is the very essence of the creator etc.) My reverential salutations to that glorious teacher.

4.
Sthavaram jangamam vyaptam yat kinchit sacharacharam.
Tatpadam darshitam yena tasmai Shri Gurave Namah.
Sthavaram – animate; Jangamam – inanimate; Vyaptam – pervades; yat – that which;
kinchit – every vee-bit; sacharacharam; inclusive of everything movable or immovable; Tadpadam – That state; darshitam – has shown; yena – by whom; tasmai – to that; Shri – glorious; Guruve – guru, teacher; Namah – my salutations.

My Salutations to that reverential teacher, who revealed to me that which pervades everything in this world, whether animate-inanimate, or movable-immovable.

5.
Chinmayam Vyapi yat-sarvam trailokyam sacharacharam.
Tatpadam darshitam yena tasmai Shri Gurave Namah.
Chinmayam – The self-effulgent diviity; Vyapi – pervades ; yat – that which; sarvam – everything; trailokyam – the three worlds; sacharacharam – inclisive of everything which is movable or immovable; Tadpadam – That state; darshitam – has shown; yena – by whom; tasmai – to that; Shri – glorious; Guruve – guru, teacher; Namah – my salutations.

My salutations to that glorious Guru, who revealed to me that self-effulgent divinity (the pure unconditioned consciousness) which pervades all the three worlds, with all its movable and immovable objects.

6.
Sarva-Shruti shiro-ratna virajit-padambujah.
Vedantambuja Suryo yah tasmai Shri Gurave Namah.
Sarva-Shruti – Of all Vedas; Shiro-ratna – crown jewel; virajit-padambujah – abide at his lotus feet; Vedantambuja – the lotus of vedanta; Suryo – sun; yah – he who; tasmai – to that; Shri – glorious; Guruve – Guru; Namah – my salutations.

My Salutations to that reverential teacher, who is like a sun for the blossoming up of the lotus like mantras of upanishads; and at whose lotus feet lie the beautiful flowers, symbolizing the best of jewels of vedas.

7.
Chaitanya Shashwatah shanto vyomatito niranjanah.
Bindunaad kalatitah tasmai shri Gurave Namah.
Chaitanya – Consciousness; Shashwatah – eternal; Shanto – of the very nature of peace; vyomatito – transcending space (& time); niranjanah – taintless; Bindu – the concept of zero; Naad – the primordial sound; kala – parts; atitah – transcending; tasmai – to that; Shri – glorious; Guruve – Guru; Namah – my salutations.

My Salutations to that reverential teacher, who is verily the eternal consciousness, which is of the nature of peace. He transcends space (& time), the concept of zero, the primordial sound and all parts.

8.
Gyanshakti-samaroodhah tattwamala vibhooshitah.
Bhukti-mukti -pradata cha tasmai Shri Gurave Namah.
Gurur – Guru; Brahma – Creator; Gurur – Guru; Vishnu – Sustainer; Gurur – Guru; Devo – the divine; Maheshwarah – the Destroyer; Guru Sakshat – the Guru is verily; Para-Brahma – the transcendental divinity (which is the very basis of all the three); tasmai – to that; Shri – glorious; Guruve – Guru; Namah – my salutations.

My Salutations to that glorious Gurudev, who is established in Knowledge and Power, who is adorned with the garland-of -Knowledge and who grants both worldly prosperity and spiritual liberation.

9.
Aneka-janma-sampraptah-karma-bandha-vidahine.
Atma-gyan-pradanen tasmai Shri Gurave Namah.
Aneka – Of many; Janma – births; sampraptah – accumulated; karma-bandha – the bondage of action; vidahine – burns down; Atma-Gyana – The Self-Knowledge; pradanena – by imparting; tasmai – to that; Shri – glorious; Guruve – Guru; Namah – my salutations.

My Salutations to that reverential teacher who by imparting the Self-Knowledge, has burnt away the very bondage of actions in a whiff, which had even though taken infinite lives to accumulate.

10.
Shoshanam bhavsindhoshcha gyapanam saarsampadah.
Guroh-padodakam samyak tasmai Shri Gurave Namah.
Shoshanam – drying up; Bhava-sindhosh-cha – the endless sea of seeking; Gyapanam – by enlightening me about the; saarsampadah – the true wealth; Guroh – of the guru; padodakam – the water left behind after washing the feet; samyak – fully; tasmai – to that; Shri – glorious; Guruve – Guru; Namah – my salutations.

Even by the very sipping of the charanamruta (the water with which the feet of guru are washed), we get blessed by the eternal wealth (of liberating knowledge), and which dries up the endless ocean of seeking & the subsequent sorrows. My Salutations to the lotus-feet of that glorious Gurudev.

11.
Na Guror-adhikam tattvam na Guror-adhikam tapah.
Tattva-gyanat-param nasti tasmai Shri Gurave Namah.
Na – There is no; Guror – than Guru; adhikam – higher; tattvam – truth; na – there is no; Guror – than Guru; adhikam – higher; tapah – penance; Tattva-gyanat-param – higher than the knowledge of truth imparted by the guru; nasti – does not exist; tasmai – to that; Shri – glorious; Guruve – Guru; Namah – my salutations.

There is no higher truth than the Guru, no higher penance than (service to) the Guru, and there is nothing higher than Realisation of the Knowledge of the truth imparted by the Guru. My salutations to such a Gurudev, who is himself that very timeless truth (and who has taken up a form to bless his disciples like us with real knowledge).

12.
Man-naathah Shri Jagan-nathah Mat-guru-shri jagad-guruhu.
Mad-atma sarva-bhutatma tasmai Shri Gurave Namah.
Man-naathah – My Lord; Shri Jagan-naathah – is the Lord of the universe; mat-guru – My teacher; Shri-Jagad-Guruhu – is the Teacher of the entire universe; Mad-atma –My Self; Sarva-bhutama – is the Self of all; tasmai – to that; Shri – glorious; Guruve – Guru; Namah – my salutations.

My Lord is the Lord of Universe; My teacher is the teacher of the entire universe; and my Self is the Self of all. My salutations at the lotus-feet of such a Guru, who has revealed such knowledge to me.

13.
Gurur-adir-anadish-cha Guruh-param-daivatam.
Guroh-parataram nasti tasmai Shri Gurave Namah.
Gurur – Guru; adir – is the beginning of the universe; anadish – yet, he himself is without any beginning; Guruh – Guru ; param-daivatam – the highest diety; Guroh – than the Guru; parataram – higher; nasti – does not exist; tasmai – to that; Shri – glorious; Guruve – Guru; Namah – my salutations.

The Guru is the beginning of the Universe, yet he himself is without a beginning, the Guru is the highest deity, and there is none higher than the Guru. My reverential salutations at the lotus-feet of such a Gurudev.

14.
Tvameva mata cha pita tvameva
tvameva bandhushcha sakha tvameva.
Tvameva vidya dravinam tvameva
tvameva sarvam mama-dev-deva.
Tvameva – You alone; Mata – the mother; cha – and; pita-tvameva – you alone are the father; tvameva – You alone; bandushcha – are the brother, and; sakha tvameva – you alone are my friend; Tvameva-vidya – You alone are the knowledge; dravinam tvameva – you are the wealth; tvameva sarvam – you are everything for me; mama- dev-deva – O My ultimate God

O God! You alone are my mother, my father, my brother, and my friend. You alone are the knowledge, my real wealth. You are everything for me. You are verily my God alone.

elsi on January 10, 2016 · at 4:58 pm EST/EDT

I agree in part with many here.

I am of Catholic education, educated with love (not everyone has been so lucky in this type of schools) in a Catholic convent school, being at first a very pious girl, who read the lives of saints and collected prints of the Virgin and the saints. All this until I reach use of reasson, in my case, at very early age (sometimes I think unfortunately for me) and I could see details in my school, which together with the observation of the world’s injustices and privileges enjoyed by the religious “hierarchies”, first led me to renounce my religion and then to embrace the communist ideology. This, without any family person who thought something like this.

Details I observed in my school were, for example, that less studious or less gifted people, they were relegated to the back of the class where they were abandoned to their fate. Those who were occupying the front row in class we were people with who to make any effort as a teacher was needed, as being all obedient, studious and intelligent girls who did not need anyone to push us to always show and do our best.
I have to say that no on the front lines, but in the immediate aftermath, there were girls who did not study well but their families were wealthier than they were of those at the end of the class.
When we went to church, every thursday throughout the month of May, and during these days it was mandatory, or at least as girl oblied herself because it was well seen, to take flowers to the virgin ( but flowers bought in a flower shop, a luxury beyond the reach of the working classes at those times, no wildflowers as I took one day ) and spray perfume to the Virgin, another luxury outside the hands of the working classes at the time.
On another occasion, we were visited by the Mother Superior General of the order, a smug NorthAmerican who was seated on a throne where the girls had to go depositing expensive gifts at her feet. Every time I remember the effort had to make my mother to buy that expensive perfum for that proud woman, I still feel not only ashamed but mainly nauseated. All this, I witnessed with just 7 or 8 years of age and never will be able to forget.

Then being already an adult, after many years of work and saving a lot over the year ( because as one perons, curiously an Indian, pointed at the thread on the documentary World Order, nothing gets rich working as a nurse, even though it is a very hard and dedicated work) I managed to travel to many parts of the world, amongst them many Arab countries, where for example in Yemen, it is true what the fellow up here says, that the call to prayer is a religious or spiritual experience, by the beauty that entails which elevate the spirit, eventhough when you could not understand what the muecín is saying. I can remember shaken to tears in several moments, in ascension to Shibam Khaukaban making a stop in the ascension at sunset, at dawn in old city of Saada where I was awaked by that beautiful chant ( the most beautiful no doubt ), from a promontory at sunset in Shibam Hadramaut, and at sunset, in the old city of Sana’a the last minutes of my stay in Yemen, in the heat of the call from hundreds of mosques……

I met around the world very nice people who gave you what they had not or showed some compassion throughout the Middle East, Africa and only some countries in Asia, especially among the poorest people. Among clerics I found both, very pious and humble people wearing the light in the eyes, and other arrogant, with servants following them and dressed very elegant ( as happened in Iran ) or very humble people who receives you with an illuminating ans sincere smile and others irated, only interested in money or transported in luxury vehicles ( as I could see in Nepal and Tibet )

Therefore, what I mean by this is that, for me, religion is an act and a spiritual quest of each human being, who can find useful things at each official religion, in every book, or in the performance of their fellow human beings or its own in the way of life.

I do not think any human being in possession of truth, nor believe in establishing “hierarchy” as prophets, gurus, saints, scholars … however much they have studied their own religion or any other, as these can be so wrong like any other person who is not given the most credit or importance and are not free to apply their personal bias from its personal experiences, ego, and, why not, ambitions.

One thing I wonder is why all the prophets and almost all those in the ecclesiastical “hierarchy” in all religions are men, as if a woman was not able to achieve “enlightenment” or “knowledge”, especially when life of most women is a life of dedication and sacrifice without any recognition that, as almost all doctrines preach, is the path that brings you closer to the truth……

Find spirituality a form of expression which is very personal and everyone should find where it finds it easier or more comforting, within the vast world and universe.
But spirituality is something that humans only can engage when you have the basics covered. Who has to work every day from sunrise to sunset for just a living, barely a second to stop and think about their spiritual needs, as it is too gripped by fear of losing its jobs, of not earning enough to feed itself or its family, of being thrown from its home for not paying bills in the street and out of the system as if it were a sewer rat and not a human being with inalienable rights.

Religion, and its big “tales” for adults, have had a great role in diverting the righteous anger of the most disadvantaged in society who feel, precisely because they are divine beings, ie with a soul, which says, though choked, that the satisfaction of their material needs take them almost all the time of its existence from birth to death is not well, and therefore feel that their living conditions are neither fair nor worthy, despised, oppressed, trampled, exploited, stolen and humiliated by their “bosses” ( even at the lowest scale, as like someone said in this blog some time ago, the greatest aspiration of all is consguir some dimension of power that privilege over other ) and “elites”.

I fight for a world of “equal and different” without “hierarchy” or selfgranted “expertise”of any kind where everyone brings what better know to do to contribute to the common good and the effort of everyone is valued equally ( as all works in society are needed for all to go on ), without special privileges for anyone. Then and only then we “ALL” will be able to evolve into other areas of reality……and take care of our own spirituality.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DGbFLIgwcoc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a0dMTrztGE0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFzJnwNfSCk

88 Comments

Another one on January 09, 2016 · at 9:54 pm EST/EDT

Dear Saker,

thank you very much for the songs. I am a christian, though western church, learned from Russia to understand Paul’s words Romans 1:18f about revelation under the nations. God reveals himself to every single human I belive, and the most important task is, to follow what is revealed. This is enough to do for everybody. I believe in dualism, but there were times, when even God has hidden that fact from his people, that was endangered then by pagan idolatry.

The warmongers want to make us believe, that there is no truth, no revelation in other religions, or in religion at all. They will fail because they are the ones who want to “who hold the truth in unrighteousness”.
I am hoping and praying for a miracle in Syria.
Ajay Raghwa on January 09, 2016 · at 10:38 pm EST/EDT

Sekar,

I really don’t know how old you are right now? I am also not sure how much time you have spent learning about Hindu culture and history. This article worries me as I wonder if you have similar level of knowledge and awareness about other things you write? Can you please, please stick to your strengths what ever they are rather than trying to be Brahma?
- Who Am I? on January 09, 2016 · at 11:51 pm EST/EDT
  
  @ Ajay Raghwa
  
  Might be hard for you to believe, or even understand, but Advaita Vedanta has absolutely NOTHING to do with Hindu culture or history. Culture came after and, if anything, just gets in the way of the purest science mankind has ever developed. Of course I have nothing against Hindu culture. In fact, I love most of it.
  
  In the same way – Christ has nothing to do with Christianity (whether Orthodox or not). Christ was not a Christian. He was a Jew who gave up a strict adherence to Judaism when he found something fundamental beyond any religion. Christianity is something that came along and developed centuries after his passing. I don’t mean to knock Christianity either. It is also a beautiful thing and Orthodox monastic life especially could lead a few towards the same fundamental realization of the Self as Advaita, though the description of that realization will be couched in different language.
  
  Saker is bang on with his feelings on Advaita and I thank him for sharing them.
  - Socho on January 11, 2016 · at 12:30 am EST/EDT
    
    What the hell are you talking about?
    Adait vedanta has nothing to do with Hinduism? Si adi Guru shankaracharya is a Muslim saint?
    Saker is kindenough to share the beautifl mantra in his blogthen who the hell are ypu to object?
    Yes Saker knows about vedant and upnishad morethan you do. Ibcidently acvording tp the geramn philosopher Oppenheimmer the Upnishads of India are the highest form of knowledgeever sought in the history of world.
    - Who Am I? on January 11, 2016 · at 3:34 am EST/EDT
      
      @Socho
      
      Haha. I knew I would ruffle some feathers with that statement. And I stand by it.
      
      Advaita Vedanta (pure Advaita, not the cultish practices trapped in guru-worship or excessive cultural trappings) is non-duality.
      
      There is no Hinduism.
      There is no Islam.
      There is no Christianity.
      There is no science, history or culture.
      There is no world.
      There is no you.
      There is only ONE.
      
      When THAT is realized, then the world comes back and is seen to be both real and unreal.
      
      Hinduism does not come into play in any of it. But you can at least feel proud (assuming you are Hindu) that this pure science of self-realization was discovered within a Hindu culture.
- The Saker on January 09, 2016 · at 11:59 pm EST/EDT
  
  Besides the arrogant and judgmental tone of your last sentence, let’s look at what I actually posted: 1 paragraph with the very minimal and public basic info about the origins of that chant (the best I could find and all of it referenced) and 1 paragraph of my, quote, “highly subjective opinion”. Why you try to make it sound like I am trying to be Brahma is beyond me. You could have corrected my mistakes or suggested sources to read, but instead you chose to post (cheapo and unsubstantiated) ad hominems and insinuations. That takes away any credibility you think you might have. I don’t know what parochial beef you might have with what I wrote nor do I know how much factoids you really do know about Hindu culture or history, but you clearly *understand* nothing of it’s spirituality. As for my age: 52.
  
  “Hypocrisy, pride, self-conceit, wrath, arrogance and ignorance belong, O Partha, to him who is born to the heritage of the demons.
  - Anonymous on January 10, 2016 · at 2:07 am EST/EDT
    
    Saker, don’t waste your time arguing with such jerks.
    
    You don’t have to spend whole life “learning Hindu culture and history” (LOL) just to share two good chants.
    
    Such arrogant people (that is especially true for Hindus) – maha-pashu, spiritual Sudra, full of himself – usually are also quite ignorant on their own culture and religion. (Especially if it’s something beyond their sect or local tradition.)
    
    Besides, no matter what you say, there always will be Hindu sect from which point of view you are wrong.
    
    ———-
    
    To the subject, I remember story of two Orthodox clerics (Russian, IIRC) who lived in India (it was many years ago). One was rejecting Hindu philosophy and other was trying to study it (they both were very educated in Orthodox fathers’ teachings). Once, the second one came to ‘skeptic’ priest and started citing excerpts from ascetic and spiritual teachings asking him to attribute them. And skeptical priest called exact names of holy fathers, their works, pages and exact lines (he was erudite in it) from where they were taken! Then the second priest revealed that he actually took them from Upanishads. That way he was trying to show this ancient philosophy, too, contain universal wisdom.
  - jiri on January 10, 2016 · at 10:04 am EST/EDT
    
    ” I don’t know what parochial beef you might have with what I wrote …..”
    
    Intentional or not this is quite witty.
- Miss Castello on January 10, 2016 · at 12:22 am EST/EDT
  
  I “really don’t know” why you simply couldn’t listen to (& appreciate) the beautiful sounds / chants c/o ‘The Saker’ – who was doing nothing more than sharing a piece of his kindly soul.
- Anonymous on January 10, 2016 · at 12:23 am EST/EDT
  
  I “really don’t know” why you simply couldn’t listen to (& appreciate) the beautiful sounds / chants c/o ‘The Saker’ – who was doing nothing more than sharing a piece of his kindly soul.
STEVE on January 09, 2016 · at 11:03 pm EST/EDT

Dear Saker, that is amazing, I come to this site everyday, and love this site for your frank and heartfelt views and the great posts. I have even come to appreciate Orthodox Christianity through the site. Over the last few years I have been investigating Advaita, Shankaracharya and the great saints of Maharashtra such as Jneshwara from the ninth and eleventh centuries. This includes the amazing Nath tradition in India and I have visited India many times.

To see the two combined this evening is truly amazing. A beautiful chant. This is a true and timeless spiritual heritage for all mankind, and the way out of the greed and destruction that the few are inflicting on the planet.
Ben on January 09, 2016 · at 11:25 pm EST/EDT

Hi Saker,

Thanks for this post, which moves me to share my understanding of Paramahansa Yogananda’s thoughts about Eastern and Western Spirituality: Early Yoga and Early Christianity are one and the same! ( I paraphrase, any misunderstanding is totally mine)

Reading his book Autubiography of a Yogi and his lessons ($50 for a year of 52 biweekly lessons from Self-Realization Fellowship), lead one to his understanding that we live in a dualistic reality, which at the highest level of consciousness, I.e. God, takes on the aspects of Oneness and non-duality, which is possible for anyone to experience through meditation of deep devotional character (my understanding again, might take years, decades or lifetimes to achieve).

Yogananda’s line of gurus start with (chronologically) Krishna, Jesus Christ and four modern gurus the last few hundred years (ending with Yogananda), and emphasize the seamless nature of their teachings., later to be distorted in the Bible by Christ’s enemies, who authored and included the Old Testament for instance.
Who Am I? on January 09, 2016 · at 11:41 pm EST/EDT

Thank you for posting this, Saker.

For any that are interested, Advaita Vedanta (a science that should be nameless) is the most direct path to what sages throughout the ages have referred to as “enlightenment” – that is the realization of the fundamental Self.

The conundrum is that the science of Advaita cannot be grasped by the mind. And yes, I know that makes no sense. In zen, for example, you are not meant to break the many koans that the zen master might throw at you. The koans are instead meant to break YOU (the false ego). Same way with Advaita. Contemplation on the inner essence, can break one’s attachment to all the pettiness of the ego and lead to a realization of Self (pure consciousness). Our world could certainly use more of that.

Anyone interested can find modern Advaita-type teachers on YouTube:

Mooji, Gangaji, Rupert Spira, John Sherman, Eckhart Tolle and Adyashanti to name some of the better known ones.

All are great, humble teachers that can speak about fundamental consciousness with uncanny clarity and precision.
- Peter on January 11, 2016 · at 12:54 am EST/EDT
  
  Isn’t it true that we emerge from Advaeta(non dualism), live in Dvaeta(dualism), and merge back in Advaeta(non dualism)?
Sanjeev on January 09, 2016 · at 11:56 pm EST/EDT

Dear Saker,

I would suggest to you that human beings are made in the image of the Creator. We are reflections of That which is. The Forms (Incarnations) that the Creator utilizes to express Its true nature ultimately lead to That which has no form (Pure Spirit)

We are not God. We are God’s creations. We were created to share God’s Existence, Awareness and Bliss. (Sat, Chit Annand) with full consciousness.

Most of us live in the illusion (Matrix). There are some who seek Truth and of those, some who become Truth.

God has always sought our benevolence and continues to seek it, sometimes as Father, Mother, Brother, Sister, Teacher (GURU), Head of State and Friend.

We literally belong to the Creator (ie God’s property) and those that choose to rebel against this ultimately prepare the ground for permanent separation from the Source of their existence.

Adi Shankaracharya was a realized soul. He experienced the Creator directly on his central nervous system. The Holy Spirit (Sri Adi Shakti) enabled the apostles of Christ (at Pentecost) to experience the Divine as Sri Adi Shakaracharya did. Lord Muhammad was the same. They experienced the Creator directly. This in the Hindu tradition is Yoga, in the Buddhist, Enlightenment. This is the state that the enlightened Sufi has. Remember that the message these Persons shared was necessarily conditioned by the spiritual state of the people they were addressing.

The signs of the Self realized state are palpable to those who have it. In the quiet of your home turn your attention to the Supreme Being. Place either hand, fingers extended about 4 to 5 inches above the crown of your head with the palm facing downward. Those that have truly experienced their personal Pentecost moment will feel a cool breeze flowing from the crown of their head to the palm. This is the Cool Wind of the Holy Spirit. Ruh in the Islamic tradition. To test if the union is genuine, place the palms of your hands upward in your lap and ask the Creator if this cool breeze sensation is truly a sign of the state of Self Realization, Yoga, Enlightenment. The cool breeze should be felt with increased intensity on the palms themselves.

The state is maintained and deepened through meditation and preferably together with others who are in the same state. You will know them by holding your palms upward as in prayer and asking the Creator if this person is Self Realized. The intensity of the cool breeze should increase if affirmative. let the cool breeze be your guide to what is Real and Helpful. If the sensation recedes the response is negative. This test applies only to matters of a Spiritual nature. Don’t be surprised if you choose to approach someone you have verified to be Self Realized and find they have no idea they are so or what Self realized even means.

Enjoy the literal Coolness of the genuine scriptures as you read them.

The market place is filled with knock offs in the Spiritual sense. The Cool Breeze (Holy Spirit) knows the genuine from the illusion. Trust IT. It is independent of you. On His return, Christ will seek His Sheep. He knows his sheep and they will know Him. The Holy Spirit informs them both, literally.

Saker, I hope this has been helpful to you.

For those who feel no cool breeze and desire to do so then continue to put your attention to God in your quiet moments and in your heart of hearts express your desire for union. One day when you least expect, you may be pleasantly surprised.

Sanjeev
- The Saker on January 10, 2016 · at 2:48 am EST/EDT
  
  Dear Sanjeev,
  
  Please allow me to interject my own beliefs for comparison purpose.
  
  I would suggest to you that human beings are made in the image of the Creator.
  
  I believe that we are made in the image and likeness of God, the first one is our highest potential which we always keep, while the latter depends on our free will.
  
  We are not God. We are God’s creations. We were created to share God’s Existence, Awareness and Bliss. (Sat, Chit Annand) with full consciousness.
  
  I don’t believe that we, creatures, can share in the existence of God or in His essence, but we can partake of His Uncreated Energies.
  
  Most of us live in the illusion (Matrix). There are some who seek Truth and of those, some who become Truth.
  
  I believe that those who *really* hunger and thirst for Truth shall find it.
  
  God has always sought our benevolence and continues to seek it, sometimes as Father, Mother, Brother, Sister, Teacher (GURU), Head of State and Friend.
  
  I believe that we we do to even the most little of us we do to God.
  
  We literally belong to the Creator (ie God’s property) and those that choose to rebel against this ultimately prepare the ground for permanent separation from the Source of their existence.
  
  I believe that we are both servants and friends of God.
  
  I thank you for the rest of your comment.
  
  The Saker
  - bernie on January 10, 2016 · at 1:32 pm EST/EDT
    
    Daer Saker,
    If you postulate the godhead, the unmanifest as sole reality, beginning of all things, creator. Out of what does it, he creates ? If in the beginning only god exist then his manifestation in the phenomenal world is also god unless you postulate god and non god out of which the phenomenon would have originated. ..Every single grain of matter in this universe is by definition of the very substance of god.
    According to Vedanta,You are That, god ,dear Saker in essence a possibility. waiting to be realized
  - mmiriww on January 10, 2016 · at 3:16 pm EST/EDT
    
    So god is a hairy ape, eats bunnies and cuts off chicken’s heads.. Sometimes he gets drunk and cops a cheap feel on which ever angel passes by…
    
    I have not come up with anything.. Although I been trying for decades..
    - Peter on January 11, 2016 · at 1:04 am EST/EDT
      
      Interesting discussion.
      
      May I ask you to consider an idea?
      
      1) our mind deals in relativities. Only relativities
      2) God is not relative
      3) therefore our mental or verbal opinion about God carries little value
      4) the only recourse is to yearn for, and get His Grace
      
      Don’t take this as criticism! I LOVE hearing your thoughts on God and what He is. The fact is that the more we more we think about Him, the more we fall in love with Him – so anything goes. . .
    - Anonymous on January 11, 2016 · at 2:44 pm EST/EDT
      
      he god even writes comments under the pseudonym of mmiriww
DavidKNZ on January 10, 2016 · at 1:02 am EST/EDT

There’s also a ‘recasting’ of the message of the Christ sitting ( I suspect unread ) on your bookshelf.
Its called ” A Course in Miracles” and seeks to bridge the gap between the world of illusions and the oneness of all creation
- The Saker on January 10, 2016 · at 2:49 am EST/EDT
  
  Yes, it is there. But I cannot say that I was convinced by this book. I rather stick to the Early Church Fathers :-)
  Cheers!
  - Anonymous on January 11, 2016 · at 7:32 pm EST/EDT
    
    Hmmm…
    I would have thought JC trumped the Early Church Fathers. :-)
    
    Clearly, I’ll have to dig a little deeper into the foundations of Orthodoxy
    
    It’ll be interesting
    
    Cheers :-)
eric calderone on January 10, 2016 · at 1:59 am EST/EDT

I’m not sure what is meant by “western christianity” as opposed to Orthodoxy, but mysticism is alive and well in the Roman Catholic Church which has a strong monastic culture.

Brahmanism and Vedantism are focused on delivering the soul from its rebirth and reincarnation (transmigration) and absorb it into Brahma forever. While there is scanty reflection of this Mysticism in tearly Greek philosophy, it surfaces in Platonic philosophy.

The Early Church Fathers built on the partial truths of Jewish and Greek philosophers, but made a distinction between reason and faith, and philosophy and theology. They understood the life and yearnings of the soul, as well as its inability to fully comprehend the mysteries of the Divine Life. The Early Church (from which the Catholic and Orthodox Churches trace their history) taught that the vision of God is the work of grace, and the reward of eternal life. St. Augustine taught the we know the essence of matter through our reasoning, but this knowledge starts from the basis of our sensory faculties. In this manner, Christianity distinguishes between rational and mystical knowledge..By reasoning we can know God (not in His nature), through contemplating the order of the universe. A more perfect knowledge of God, which exceeds the capabillity of reason, however is possible, by which we can meditate on the Divine Life. This higher level is possible only to a relative few, and only through the grace of God.
- The Saker on January 10, 2016 · at 2:25 am EST/EDT
  
  I’m not sure what is meant by “western christianity”
  
  The Papacy, of course, and its offshoot – the Protestant denominations.
  
  The Early Church (from which the Catholic and Orthodox Churches trace their history)
  
  That is false. The modern “Catholic” church represents 1000 years of innovation and deviation from the teachings of the early Church as expressed by the Church Fathers and “Catholicism” today has very little in common with the faith “which the Lord gave, was preached by the Apostles, and was preserved by the Fathers“. Monasticism, in its ancient meaning and practice, is all but dead in the West. The various monastic ‘orders’ have little in common with the Desert Fathers or the teaching of Saint Anthony the Great.
  
  The Early Church Fathers built on the partial truths of Jewish and Greek philosophers
  
  Not at all. The Early Church Fathers were saints, not philosophers, whose “purity of heart” and participation in the Mystical Body of Christ (the Church) allowed them to be illuminated the Uncreated Energies of God and theologize.
  
  but made a distinction between reason and faith, and philosophy and theology.
  
  No at all. They understood that the part of the human soul which can contemplate these mystical realities is the nous – the higher functions of the heart.
  
  St. Augustine taught the we know the essence of matter through our reasoning, but this knowledge starts from the basis of our sensory faculties. In this manner, Christianity distinguishes between rational and mystical knowledge..By reasoning we can know God (not in His nature), through contemplating the order of the universe.
  
  Indeed, this is exactly what separates the Western Christianity from the original Christianity – the notion that philosophy is the handmaid of theology. These notions do not come from the Fathers, but from the medieval Frankish philosophy which gave root to Thomism, scholasticism and all the other forms of western rationalism. The original Church was always mystical. The West believes in discourse – the East believes in silence.
  
  The modern Papacy it now an empty shell with nothing in common with the Church, the Theandric Body of Christ. As I said, over one millennium of deviation and innovation now separate the two.
  - Ewan on January 10, 2016 · at 12:06 pm EST/EDT
    
    Dear Saker
    I have a question, and it is sincere.
    
    A cursory look at the history of the various synods reveals a story of politicking and philosophical and theological debate that produced very marked differences in doctrine over the centuries (I say cursory, because those with a deeper knowledge might be able to tell me the politicking and arguing are merely appearance).
    
    What is it makes synods up to the 7th century (say) authoritative in a way later ones aren’t? Are 3rd century synods more authoritative than 7th? If 7th contradicts 3rd, should 3rd prevail? Of earlier Church Fathers, are Jewish more authoritative, or less, than Gentile, as better able to interpret the local context that informs the meaning of the words used in early texts? Are the Apostles of the Church in Jerusalem more or less authoritative than Paul? They are all Saints. Does the 1st century interpretation of Scripture trump the various Jewish interpretations from the tradition Jesus worked within as a charismatic Rabbi teaching the Torah?
    
    In short, how is it you, or your Church, can determine who is a Saint and therefore divinely inspired (and therefore exempt from the strictures of reason), and which Saint has the authority to overrule which other Saint?
    
    This surely is the crux for any believer in deciding what it is has to be believed.
    - Ewan on January 10, 2016 · at 2:25 pm EST/EDT
      
      …And if there can be no reason to believe you have nous, how come to decide you have nous?
      - Anonymous on January 10, 2016 · at 3:21 pm EST/EDT
        
        Don’t worry Ewan.
        
        As zweistein (or whoever) states /a-beautiful-hindu-chant-from-the-8th-century/comment-page-1/#comment-196943, it is all poppycock.
        
        Empty words & thoughts to fill the void & keep us asking ridiculous questions.
  - eric calderone on January 10, 2016 · at 2:12 pm EST/EDT
    
    I’m not sure what is meant by “western christianity
    
    “The Papacy, of course, and its offshoot – the Protestant denominations” Saker, Protestantism is not an “offshoot” of Catholicism: it is a rejection (protest) of it. In so rejecting the Sacred Tradition, protestantism cut itself off from all the Sacred Traditions and beliefs which comprised the Early Christian Church.
    
    The Early Church (from which the Catholic and Orthodox Churches trace their history). “That is false. The modern “Catholic” church represents 1000 years of innovation and deviation from the teachings of the early Church as expressed by the Church Fathers and “Catholicism” today has very little in common with the faith “…. No, Saker, it is your professed understanding, or interpretation of Christian history, which is false. Christianity is an external fact — one continuous fact or thing, the same from first to last. The Church which is called Catholic has remained unchanged in doctrine, remained the same in hereditary descent, in organization, in principles, in external relations. ,(St. Cyril of Jerusalem (340 A.D.) echoed the same teaching to his catechumens)
    
    Ironically, Saker, this verdict is reinforced by your very false condemnations of the Catholic Church for what you erroneously refer to as “heresies”. Your claim to speak for “genuine Christianity” is negated by the fact that nowhere do the official Creeds of the Early Church (i.e., the Apostles’ Creed and the Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed) profess belief in “the Orthodox Church”. Rather, they explicitly express belief in the Catholic Church as the one body which uniquely preserves the orthodox faith handed down by the Apostles. Furthermore, I must emphasize there is no One Eastern Orthodox communion, but rather many national, autocephalous and autonomous national churches which possess no visible unity. They lack a visible center of unity; they lack a central rock of foundation, which Christ Himself stated is necessary for safeguarding the Church’s unity of faith and hierarchical communion.
    
    Don’t misinterpret me, Saker, I consider the Eastern Orthodox Churches to be genuinely christian and apostolic. However, they suffer from fragmentation of organization which unfortunately facilitates blurring of theology and caesaropapism (secular, national government influence over the Church)..
    
    My main concern for you, and Eastern Orthodoxy, is your (and their) palpable, vehement nationalisms prevent you from recognizing that the Catholic Church is your “Western” brother in faith. The schism which exists was brought about by the organizational schism of the Roman Empire of the 4th century into a western and eastern half, a Latin and a Greek half. It was not brought about by theological heresies.
    
    Eric Calderone
    - The Saker on January 10, 2016 · at 3:23 pm EST/EDT
      
      nowhere do the official Creeds of the Early Church (i.e., the Apostles’ Creed and the Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed) profess belief in “the Orthodox Church”. Rather, they explicitly express belief in the Catholic Church
      
      Ignorance is bliss :-)
      Look, you don’t even understand the words you are using. And I have neither the time or inclination to explain your crude mistake here.
      If somebody else has the time and patience – please feel free.
      I, frankly, am too busy to continue this one.
      Cheers!
      The Saker
  - Ewan on January 10, 2016 · at 4:15 pm EST/EDT
    
    “St Augustine taught…”
    
    Response from the Saker “These notions (philosophy as handmaiden to theology) do not come from the Fathers but from the medieval Frankish philosophy which gave root to Thomism…”
    
    Augustine died in AD 430.
    
    The Saker’s response is therefore mistaken. I know that he has said he has no time to pursue this, but, when he does, there is a large literature on the Church Fathers’ acquaintance with pagan philosophy (as reflected in their theology).
    
    And Thomas was surely more Aristotelian than Augustinian, unlike so many of the Fathers who were more Platonist.
    
    The Church of Scotland and its offshoots and offshoots of offshoots and offshoots of offshoots of offshoots each claimed to be the true church of Christ and all others empty shells. (I’ve had relatives in pretty well every one of them. Nightmare at Christmas.) It seems to be something religions excel in. So many religions, so many sects within each, and every single one of them the One True Way. That ought to be a warning right there, although only if rationality is allowed a look in, which apparently it isn’t – nous seems to be difficult to distinguish from heresy.
    
    The sincere question remains.
  - ali on January 11, 2016 · at 12:59 pm EST/EDT
    
    “The East believes in silence” (as opposed to reason).
    
    On any other question, this would be recognised as a rash way of arriving at beliefs, even by those who, on this (notionally) ultimate question, use it as validation.
Internal Exile USA on January 10, 2016 · at 3:01 am EST/EDT

AFAIK, in Indian music the human voice is the highest “instrument”… Some of the innovations/specialties of the Indians (yoga, meditation, Ayurveda) and the Chinese (through Daoism, TCM and their martial arts like Bagua, Taiji, etc.) were and are physical/spiritual technologies, tools. Music is another one. I don’t see any contradiction in Russians or Westerners learning from interesting tech, nor are these techs by nature anti-monotheism or pro-polytheism. At best, they are sciences of the body and mind applied to human happiness rather than material gain. (700AD date for this? That’s old. Beautiful too. Much appreciated.)
Mario J.Medjeral on January 10, 2016 · at 3:58 am EST/EDT

Pleased to see that you are exploring the vedic sources or vedanta. Somebody who opened my eyes is Nisargadatta Maharaj.

“In every body there is a dream, but the dreamer is the same, the one Self, which reflects itself in each body as “I am”.

Alternatively, but the same path, is the Sufism of Jalāl ad-Dīn Muhammad Rūmī :

“My soul is from elsewhere, I’m sure of that, and I intend to end up there.”

Cheers
Mario Medjeral // Gers // France.
Vasco da Gama on January 10, 2016 · at 4:08 am EST/EDT

Recently I came about a reading about how religions share similar roots:

Gods of Love and Ecstasy TheTraditions of Shiva and Dionysus

I was following a reference, and was lead to read all that was available freely (links up to the first chapter of the book), and is based on personal experience of the author in India. I am in no way a person that could judge the religious merit of it, but I did found the cultural allusions very compelling and interesting.
Curious...? on January 10, 2016 · at 5:12 am EST/EDT

Well, Saker, imo, if you are looking to ‘scratch’ that deeper place in your alleged soul then I suggest you perhaps meditate on some good renditions of the Islamic ‘Call to Prayer’ — in these you will find all the fresh waters necessary to slake your apparent thirst. These simple words and sacred intonations which have been going on 5 times a day for 1,400+ years help facilitate the next stage of conscious synthesis and a more mature adult perspective emerges within the one who perceives.

Indeed, imo, Indian systems have a lot of theory to offer including a comprehensive framework of various approaches and suitability for types of people at various stages of their development. However, theory and practice are two different domains. And there is the qualitative value of any system when evaluated for individual personal value compared to more general for the society at large.

For example, in the Hindu framework your Christianity is a form a Bhakti Yoga (a devotional orientated system for the emotionally oriented) and hence I assume why this Hindu chant of devotion appeals etc.

It is interesting that you see value in synthesis between Judo-Christian and Hindu perspectives.

The Jews had been in India in the city of Cochin, Kerala, from around 562 BCE and the ancient Syrian Christian community of India trace the origin of their church to St. Thomas the Apostle, believed to have attained martyrdom in St. Thomas Mount (near Madras/Chennai) – e.g., http://www.velankanni.in/stthomas.html I was shown an alleged tooth of said St Thomas although I confess I remained skeptical (there must be something about doubting in common).

On this trip there was also an old man (Bede Griffiths and also known as Swami Dayananda) I met briefly in the 1986 at his ashram who had completely synthesized Christian and Hindu approaches. (e.g. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wOAlyl7u2dw ). I personally witnessed numerous visiting Hindu Sadhus touching his feet on their visits. He had embraced the Catholic Church at some point as a Benedictine monk and followed the Syrian Church rites down to Saccidananda Ashram (also known as Shantivanam) originally established by founded in 1950 by a French Benedictine monk – allegedly to: “I am going to discover the other half of my soul.”

Therefore, my question: How does the Syrian Church history and traditions relate to the Roman and the Russian (Orthodox) that are so often contrasted here?

And, as for my opening suggestion: Why don’t you, Saker, apply your powers of analysis to the implied invitation in the Islamic Call to Prayer?

You appear to be well informed and well connected with various eschatologically orientated sheiks. You appear to be a seeker. You write “God willing…” often enough. So, removing any understandable cultural aversions to contemporary degenerate ‘Arab’ cultural/tribal features, what is it about the idea/claim of this “Call” that you reject? – i.e., of there being only (a) “One God” and that (b) the man known as Muhammad was in fact (b1) correct and truthful in claiming to fit the definition of the ancient prophets, and (b2) in fact had a new message to deliver?
- The Saker on January 10, 2016 · at 4:21 pm EST/EDT
  
  Therefore, my question: How does the Syrian Church history and traditions relate to the Roman and the Russian (Orthodox) that are so often contrasted here?
  
  Please forgive my ignorance, but I don’t know enough about the Syrian Church to say anything about it.
  Also, I do not contrast the Papacy and Russian Orthodoxy at all. Only the Papacy and the Church which, I believe, is the Orthodox Church. The national divisions into Russian, Greek, Bulgarian or Japanese is purely an *administrative* division. But in theological terms, there is no such thing as the “Russian Orthodox Church” or the “Serbian Orthodox Church”. There is only ONE Theandric Body of Christ, but for practical reasons, its local members are given autonomy in administrative issues, but they have none in theological terms. So while the each local culture has its own way to confess its faith and its local traditions (with a small ‘t’), they do not represent a separate mystical entity.
  And, just for the record, my family and I (all Russians) are members of the Greek Orthodox Church (for various reasons I don’t want to discuss here). Hence the accusation that I am religious nationalist is baloney :-)
  Cheers!
  - The Saker on January 10, 2016 · at 4:28 pm EST/EDT
    
    what is it about the idea/claim of this “Call” that you reject? – i.e., of there being only (a) “One God” and that (b) the man known as Muhammad was in fact (b1) correct and truthful in claiming to fit the definition of the ancient prophets, and (b2) in fact had a new message to deliver?
    
    With all due respect to Islam and Muslims, I personally do not accept Islam because it lacks any Scriptural basis. Check out these two links:
    
    http://fatheralexander.org/booklets/english/prophecies_christ.htm
    http://fatheralexander.org/booklets/english/old_testament_messiah.htm
    
    and see for yourself it is said that the New Testament is hidden in the Old Testament and the Old Testament is revealed in the New Testament. If you want, the “proof” of Christ is in the Old Testament. There is nothing equivalent about Muhammed. Know, I know that Muslims believe that the Scripture was corrupted, but that is something I don’t believe at all, both on theological and historical grounds. Finally, Islam rejects both the Incarnation of God and Christ as the God-man and the resurrection. And that, basically, completely contradicts both the Scripture and the consensus patrum about Christ. So while I have a great deal of personal sympathy of Muslims and Islam the teachings of Islam is not something I can accept.
    HTH, cheers,
    The Saker
    - Ewan on January 10, 2016 · at 5:50 pm EST/EDT
      
      The “proof of Christ” is in the Old Testament – only if you believe (one interpretation of) the New Testament. If reason were allowed, this would be called a circular argument proving nothing.
      
      The Incarnation – in “Scripture” only as interpreted by the “consensus” patrum (and “consensus” is a polite fiction for what went on at the synods!) When is an error a misunderstanding of Judaism (and the ancient languages of the Holy Land) and when is it divinely sanctioned dogma?
      
      There surely has to be a more rigorous case for Orthodoxy somewhere. One that doesn’t assume what it pretends to prove (while pretending there is nothing here to which argument and proof apply).
Dragan on January 10, 2016 · at 5:25 am EST/EDT

Thank you Saker for this piece. I am an orthodox christian and I study advaita vedanta. Moksha, freedom, olam tikkun, al fattah, resurection… are all the same to me. We live in the world where ideological differences are amplified by the self interests, which have grown to the proportions never seen in the history before. The evil over there is the same evil within me, which I need to overcome. “Us against them them” attitude, created by the modern existential insecurity, is the poison for the “one human soul”. This is the reason behind terrorist murderous cults, globalist mafias and confused ideology of secular liberalism. It is so evident these days. We are so overwhelmed by the differences and hate which will certainly destroy us all, our soul. Golden rule of “love your neighbour” is forgotten, while we drooling over our enemy’s misery, and them over ours. However, the solution is to work it out together under the imposible banner of “what is mine is yours – what is yours is yours”. How do we do that without literally fighting the enemies of humanity, defeats me. You are trully one brave soul Saker.
- Dragan on January 12, 2016 · at 6:18 am EST/EDT
  
  Greetings from Dragan,who is also an Orthodox Christian. I have been using nick Dragan for more than a year now,probably two years. So,to avoid confusion can we have an arrangement about the nick? Who will keep this one and who will choose another?
zweistein on January 10, 2016 · at 9:49 am EST/EDT

Christianity, Judaism and Islam are all religions of Empire.

In other words, they are not religions at all, but fake-religions designed by Empire’s scholars, lawyers, and propagandists to confuse, mislead and ultimately fully mind-control humanity with virus-infected, perverted memes, that short-circuit natural, intelligent human cognition.

The devastating result of this for millennia lasting campaign by the Controllers is nowadays referred to as ‘Western values’, ‘civilization’ and similar mumbo jumbo.

Only in the far away fringes of Empire, in North and South America, the eastern steps of Russia, and all of Asia were the rishis, shamans, bikkhus, saddhus, healers, yogis, tanktrikas and dakinis not routinely ‘killed before they could grow’.

And grow they did. Leaving us with a treasure trove of songs, prayers, sutras, tantras, jokes, wisdom stories, mantras in which the spectacular and overwhelming richness and glory of our human potential is subtly but fully encoded.

There is no God, but Godliness everywhere. The human organism is the perfect vehicle for reaching the unreachable – the peace that passes understanding.

Om, shanti, shanti, shanti.
- Anonymous on January 10, 2016 · at 11:58 am EST/EDT
  
  “There is no God, but Godliness everywhere”.
  You are right: lā ʾilāha ʾillā-llāh. It is shouted of the rooftops every moment… but… you know….
- Anonymous on January 10, 2016 · at 12:13 pm EST/EDT
  
  “There is no God, but Godliness everywhere.”
  You are right, lā ʾilāha ʾillā-llāh. It’s been shouted of the rooftops, all the time…. but …. you know….
- youareyou on January 10, 2016 · at 1:40 pm EST/EDT
  
  @zweistein
  
  You are not zweistein, but someone posting as zweistein. never mind, it happens all the time here, there’s mixed marriages, races, and bags of mixed names. Most of the time, it’s clear who the person is behind the name, but not always, one or two are very clever. Best of all, is the humour behind it, and once you’ve got that, the irrepressible giggles start.
  
  That’s in some comment threads anyway, but not the dead serious ones.
  Having listened to the best part of Bach’s 48 preludes and fugues, and completing, after many days profound contemplation of the ironing’s silent expect hopes for regeneration, it’s wished for ultimate fulfillment, my equilibrium is restored.
  
  Thank you Saker ‘n all, for all.
jiri on January 10, 2016 · at 9:50 am EST/EDT

Curious to know why you think the prophets of Israel are not comparable to the rishis of India.
- The Saker on January 10, 2016 · at 4:16 pm EST/EDT
  
  will reply tomorrow, today I am on the road
- The Wend on January 10, 2016 · at 9:38 pm EST/EDT
  
  I’ll tell you: the rishis of India are Gods for the black magician prophets of Israel.
youareyou on January 10, 2016 · at 11:33 am EST/EDT

What a lot of words about God… somebody mentioned globalists and murderous cults, what strange relief – to be back on familiar territory again after unexpected doses of divinity.

No offence meant, to the genuinely seeking, sincere and devout souls who have posted comments, I simply was not prepared to find this on this site. There is so much clever, knowledgeable, and intellectually untouchable content on so many threads here. Why does religion, which has to do with the heart, have to be so separate? Wouldn’t it be great if we “listened with our hearts” even when engaged with rational, objective thought!

Anyhow, each to his/her own, and I have not listened to the chants, sorry Saker, despite being a devotee (!) of yours, I don’t care for chants. For me personally, Bach is more beautiful and leads directly to God and far from anxiety, stress and sadness. And now I will go and listen to Bach, as this thread and the content of the article has made me inexplicably sad.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JxKR7BaitxM
- The Saker on January 10, 2016 · at 4:15 pm EST/EDT
  
  For me personally, Bach is more beautiful and leads directly to God and far from anxiety, stress and sadness
  
  Bach is, BY FAR, my favorite composer. I always tell me kids that “Bach must have seen God, because his music is god-like”. So I totally, agree. Bach is, imnsho, the most amazing composer ever, bar none.
  - ali on January 10, 2016 · at 10:02 pm EST/EDT
    
    For information: Bach considered his music a sincere expression of his Lutheran faith – in other words (you would have us believe) an expression of his faith in an empty shell.
    - The Saker on January 11, 2016 · at 2:36 am EST/EDT
      
      Last time I checked, Bach lived in the 17th-18th century, not nowadays. Western Christianity became an empty shell after WWII. Besides, since Bach also wrote masses, he was clearly not a Lutheran in the purist sense of the word, thus his personal piety was inspired by the figure of Christ, not Luther or Calvin. Christ, for anybody reading the Gospels, is not an empty shell either. Thus your argument is a total fallacy: Bach’s faith in Christ has nothing to do with modern western Christianity. Or do you really believe that Bach would have accepted women priests, lesbian bishops and all the rest of the crazy nonsense we can observe today?
      Now if Bach had written a “Lesbian Bishop” cantata, or the “Passion of Pussy Riot” I would have agreed :-) but he did not. QED.
      - ali on January 11, 2016 · at 10:00 am EST/EDT
        
        My mistake. I didn’t read carefully enough. I thought you were saying the Western Churches became emptier by degrees over the centuries – which is not quite what you said.
        
        Trust me, Bach was a Lutheran of his time in the purist sense. In fact, don’t trust me – read some of the work on this life, times and music (it does actually also enhance the understanding and appreciation of the music, which has to be a Good Thing).
      - ali on January 11, 2016 · at 12:50 pm EST/EDT
        
        I’d forgotten that God invented sex with the secondary purpose of segregating the second class from first in social roles.
        
        Also, I can’t think offhand of a church that approved the antics of Pussy Riot.
        
        Is there a slight tendency here to deflate abruptly, when challenged, into tabloid headline speak?
      - Ewan on January 11, 2016 · at 1:48 pm EST/EDT
        
        A wee footnote. Bach’s “Lutheran Masses” BWV 233-6, as with the Magnificat, may well have been used in Lutheran service (which included the Kyria, the Gloria, and the Creed). There is a very interesting reconstruction of a Lutheran Epiphany Mass by the Gabrieli Consort on DG. The Mass in B minor BWV 232 may not have been intended as a single entity for liturgical use. It may have been intended like the Clavier -Ubung !-4, the Well-tempered Clavier, the Art of Fugue, as a compendium of best practice or an encyclopedia of what was possible in the various forms, a summation of his art. Parts were performed in actual Lutheran services. Parts were put together possibly for Catholic Mass in Dresden where Bach may have been hoping for a lucrative post (nothing if not practical). His church music is very much a product of the Lutheran tradition (and that includes his organ works).
Jorge on January 10, 2016 · at 1:19 pm EST/EDT

Dear Saker,
First of all THANKS for your work. What a beautiful chant !!!.
I read your articles with my Heart because I’m not literate on religion, history etc – I know enough to understand my/our reality. I’m mathematician and Computer scientist and fully understand the deception we live in. I come from the mountains of Peru and became “Shaman” because this is my spiritual path. I know your Heart and i know you are blessed by the great Spirit. A great Shift in Consciousness is going on and it covers all aspects of this reality. The financial system doesnt work and it will crash before the Soul of Man will rise and a new reality will emerge. Politics, religion, Science … everything is evolving and transforming as part of this Shift.
Our Mother Earth is a conscious Being as well as our Sun and all the Cosmos- everything is evolving.
The Human being has a Physical, Mental, Emotional and Spiritual bodies. Our spirituality goes beyond religions, time and space. I was born christian, become atheist and now I sense we are all Divine Beings sparks from the ONE creator (God, Budha, Allah … you name it and it doesnt matter). We are here to experience as we are immortal Souls. We are our own Saviours and we need to realize we are ONE family. We together need to recreate this world – and we need to raise our consciousness by letting the Light or Information come into this chaotic world. Here is where I see your work – you bring Light into the Darkness.
I sense you are blessed by the Great Spirit of Change – it will take time before Peace settles in this world. My people, Our people are raising and becoming free from this ignorance, darkness, slavery. You are one of those blessed Souls who are here to help us, your brothers and sisters, who need Light/Information to become free.
I apologize this long message – it might seem boring – but let me tell you in few words: there is a Divine Plan set by US when WE created all the universe and I see how you brilliantly play your role in it. Blessings Dear Brother!!
From my Heart to yours
PS. perhaps you will like this small video from our Brothers – Indian americans – the Hopi
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g7cylfQtkDg
Anonymous on January 10, 2016 · at 1:42 pm EST/EDT

Comment to zweistein was from youareyou;)
Oodnadatta on January 10, 2016 · at 1:58 pm EST/EDT

Dearest Saker,

The two versions of the chant are beautiful to the ear.

Hinduism even in 700 CE is a long way from its root…ie Amanita Muscaria. The same thing goes with the root at base for what are termed as Abrahamic religions…ie Amanita Muscaria. Abraham = A-Brahmin…ie a medicine bag carrier.

One of my favourite books found in some Bibles but included in many up until the beginning of the 20th Century is 4 Ezra. I like it because it reveals use of Fly Agaric in ancient Israel in conjunction with the flower and seed pod of Silybum Marianum.

3 Maccabees is another book which reveals the cult of Dionysos thriving in the Levant.

But surely the following phrase ‘eat this in memory of me’ taken from the New Testament is better understood as ‘eat this to visualise me’.

Ask yourself why one of the 4 fruits holy to the Jews is the Etrog citron which was brought to Isreal by Alexanda on his return from India.

Consider deeply whether the Deuteronomic Paradigm was the epoch when the truth was lost…when the demands of statehood crushed worship in the high places so that fires would not be lit to interfere with signally systems along the spine of mountains stretching north to south in ancient Isreal. Was Cross correct in his assertions regarding Lackish and Azekar…or is it rather the case that a signal fire in one could be seen in the other.?

Why would Abraham plant a tree whose sap could be fermented malolacticly with Amanita Muscaria. Why is Deborah married to Lapidoth. And why is Lapidoth deliberately obscured etymologically to mean glowing torch.?..rather than more succinctly glowing stone…lapidary, lapis lazuli, and of course the Lapiths of Ancient Greece.

Amanita Muscaria fermented with cloudberries is rather special.

Why are the Elohim always spoken of amongst trees.?

Why does the Jewish prophet see his Lord on a red horse riding amongst white trees.?
- Internal Exile USA on January 10, 2016 · at 5:40 pm EST/EDT
  
  With all due respect, does Amanita muscaria grow in the Palestinan desert? (Maybe it does. I have not read “the Sacred Mushroom and the Cross”, which sounds IMHO like wishful thinking; Amanita muscaria is amazing enough to stumble upon and I don’t intend to ingest) You really must share a recipe. Myrica gale (aka Pors or bog myrtle, fresh from Nordic woods) is the secret queen of amber ale (10 grams in 19L — it is purely flavor no matter what some people have claimed about the berserkers).
  
  One could argue (indeed, people have argued) that the religion of a certain culture was “stoned”; one could also argue, on the proclamations of various texts, that certain societies “weren’t stoned enough”.
  - Oodnadatta on January 11, 2016 · at 12:06 pm EST/EDT
    
    Yes Amanita Muscaria grows in the high places in Israel.
Akram abu 'Abs on January 10, 2016 · at 2:14 pm EST/EDT

All religion is from the same Source, differences almost entirely man-made…
- Anonymous on January 11, 2016 · at 1:27 am EST/EDT
  
  Ie. from a bipede’s brain..
s.a.top on January 10, 2016 · at 2:52 pm EST/EDT

Beware of the dangers of poisonous beauty of the darkness of the fallen, lost captive world, and it its babylonian achievements.
- Oodnadatta on January 11, 2016 · at 1:07 am EST/EDT
  
  Yes there are those within the Church who know what Amanita Muscaria is and yet are bound to the madness of its misrepresentation calling it the fallen one. It is a great sadness this has occurred. It is the greatest blasphemy. But the truth will finally emerge. Rus means Red. What is called Christianity today is nothing more than a pogrom against Amanita Muscaria.
  
  Apollo etymologically means apu-el…son of el.
  
  But Apollo is not the same thing as Apollodon – the angel of the Abyss.
  
  What did Saul see with the witch.? She called up a penis from the ground..a small man as interpreted in what we call the Bible.
  
  What is philistine.?..a pillar stone..a cubensis mushroom..no match for the mighty Amanita of David.
bernie on January 10, 2016 · at 3:27 pm EST/EDT

It is always the same. An unbridgeable gulf is said to exist between god, the unmanifest and his creation, the phenomenal world. A perfect being, god, creates an imperfect world. So we never are going to make it. With simple words, Russian will go to heaven because they were nice people but the Zionists will always rule the earth. This mentality constitutes the falliete of all religions..Therefore the future will move on beyond religion to the realm of true spirituality.
By the way Shankara crisscrossed the Indian continent labouring like a slave preaching Maya. the uselessness of human action, for withdrawal into the featureless absolute. Contradicting by fact his own philosophy
elsi on January 10, 2016 · at 4:58 pm EST/EDT

I agree in part with many here.

I am of Catholic education, educated with love (not everyone has been so lucky in this type of schools) in a Catholic convent school, being at first a very pious girl, who read the lives of saints and collected prints of the Virgin and the saints. All this until I reach use of reasson, in my case, at very early age (sometimes I think unfortunately for me) and I could see details in my school, which together with the observation of the world’s injustices and privileges enjoyed by the religious “hierarchies”, first led me to renounce my religion and then to embrace the communist ideology. This, without any family person who thought something like this.

Details I observed in my school were, for example, that less studious or less gifted people, they were relegated to the back of the class where they were abandoned to their fate. Those who were occupying the front row in class we were people with who to make any effort as a teacher was needed, as being all obedient, studious and intelligent girls who did not need anyone to push us to always show and do our best.
I have to say that no on the front lines, but in the immediate aftermath, there were girls who did not study well but their families were wealthier than they were of those at the end of the class.
When we went to church, every thursday throughout the month of May, and during these days it was mandatory, or at least as girl oblied herself because it was well seen, to take flowers to the virgin ( but flowers bought in a flower shop, a luxury beyond the reach of the working classes at those times, no wildflowers as I took one day ) and spray perfume to the Virgin, another luxury outside the hands of the working classes at the time.
On another occasion, we were visited by the Mother Superior General of the order, a smug NorthAmerican who was seated on a throne where the girls had to go depositing expensive gifts at her feet. Every time I remember the effort had to make my mother to buy that expensive perfum for that proud woman, I still feel not only ashamed but mainly nauseated. All this, I witnessed with just 7 or 8 years of age and never will be able to forget.

Then being already an adult, after many years of work and saving a lot over the year ( because as one perons, curiously an Indian, pointed at the thread on the documentary World Order, nothing gets rich working as a nurse, even though it is a very hard and dedicated work) I managed to travel to many parts of the world, amongst them many Arab countries, where for example in Yemen, it is true what the fellow up here says, that the call to prayer is a religious or spiritual experience, by the beauty that entails which elevate the spirit, eventhough when you could not understand what the muecín is saying. I can remember shaken to tears in several moments, in ascension to Shibam Khaukaban making a stop in the ascension at sunset, at dawn in old city of Saada where I was awaked by that beautiful chant ( the most beautiful no doubt ), from a promontory at sunset in Shibam Hadramaut, and at sunset, in the old city of Sana’a the last minutes of my stay in Yemen, in the heat of the call from hundreds of mosques……

I met around the world very nice people who gave you what they had not or showed some compassion throughout the Middle East, Africa and only some countries in Asia, especially among the poorest people. Among clerics I found both, very pious and humble people wearing the light in the eyes, and other arrogant, with servants following them and dressed very elegant ( as happened in Iran ) or very humble people who receives you with an illuminating ans sincere smile and others irated, only interested in money or transported in luxury vehicles ( as I could see in Nepal and Tibet )

Therefore, what I mean by this is that, for me, religion is an act and a spiritual quest of each human being, who can find useful things at each official religion, in every book, or in the performance of their fellow human beings or its own in the way of life.

I do not think any human being in possession of truth, nor believe in establishing “hierarchy” as prophets, gurus, saints, scholars … however much they have studied their own religion or any other, as these can be so wrong like any other person who is not given the most credit or importance and are not free to apply their personal bias from its personal experiences, ego, and, why not, ambitions.

One thing I wonder is why all the prophets and almost all those in the ecclesiastical “hierarchy” in all religions are men, as if a woman was not able to achieve “enlightenment” or “knowledge”, especially when life of most women is a life of dedication and sacrifice without any recognition that, as almost all doctrines preach, is the path that brings you closer to the truth……

Find spirituality a form of expression which is very personal and everyone should find where it finds it easier or more comforting, within the vast world and universe.
But spirituality is something that humans only can engage when you have the basics covered. Who has to work every day from sunrise to sunset for just a living, barely a second to stop and think about their spiritual needs, as it is too gripped by fear of losing its jobs, of not earning enough to feed itself or its family, of being thrown from its home for not paying bills in the street and out of the system as if it were a sewer rat and not a human being with inalienable rights.

Religion, and its big “tales” for adults, have had a great role in diverting the righteous anger of the most disadvantaged in society who feel, precisely because they are divine beings, ie with a soul, which says, though choked, that the satisfaction of their material needs take them almost all the time of its existence from birth to death is not well, and therefore feel that their living conditions are neither fair nor worthy, despised, oppressed, trampled, exploited, stolen and humiliated by their “bosses” ( even at the lowest scale, as like someone said in this blog some time ago, the greatest aspiration of all is consguir some dimension of power that privilege over other ) and “elites”.

I fight for a world of “equal and different” without “hierarchy” or selfgranted “expertise”of any kind where everyone brings what better know to do to contribute to the common good and the effort of everyone is valued equally ( as all works in society are needed for all to go on ), without special privileges for anyone. Then and only then we “ALL” will be able to evolve into other areas of reality……and take care of our own spirituality.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DGbFLIgwcoc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a0dMTrztGE0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFzJnwNfSCk
- Anonymous on January 11, 2016 · at 2:42 pm EST/EDT
  
  In India you will find the Mahashakti as supreme Goddess manifesting as Maheshwari,Mahakali,Mahasaraswati, Mahalaksmi. In Bengal you will meet Mother Durga. There are lesser goddesses revert to only in certain circles in the South. like Mariamma, although not less to her devotees,You will find realized soul like the Amma from Keralam or Mother Mira and lots of others not known except to a small circle of devotees. . There are celestial beings Gandharvas but also Apsaras. The earth itself is a Goddess Bhoomadevi. The Divine in his poise of creation is Female. The Essenes had also this perception. Even in Christianity Maria was instituted as intermediary between the Transcendent( the father) and the Immanent( the son). If the Mother goddess Maria had been installed in Rome Christianity might have been very different. But the apostles were too Jewish and could not grasp the wideness of their Master vision.. Yes “God” is a woman.
  ps I use the word god for convenience I don;t believe in that god not even in the god that atheist deny. It is all the same great adversary issued from the Jewish tradition.
  - elsi on January 12, 2016 · at 10:39 pm EST/EDT
    
    Thanks for your comments, anonymous Indian. Hinduism is totally unknown for me although once I had the the firm intention of reading the Upanishads, what I never did for the same reason of always, lack of time.
    In the Indian continent I have only visited Nepal. I must say that I felt a special energy and well-being in the neighborhood of Boudhanath, with all these people hanging around the pagoda. But there was also there where the last night in Kathmandu those monks arrived with his entourage in their luxurious cars. Also I visited the house of the Living Goddess Kumari Devi in Bakhtapur, but seemed to me a bit cruel that girl locked away from her family, who all they sought as a deity until to strip away these privileges when she begin menstruating and was replaced by another…..
    
    Nepali people seemed to me very good, and very submissive ( which is not so good for them ), they never took anything wrong. They smile forever, even if you do not buy them anything. I found a little rogues those santones at riverside in Patan…… In general, good vibes……
    
    I hope to visit India soon.
    
    Namasté!
Genepi on January 10, 2016 · at 7:54 pm EST/EDT

Thank you for that, Saker. I am with this song.
Bente Petersen on January 10, 2016 · at 8:36 pm EST/EDT

Truth is Truth …. whatever the various ways …. this is indeed beautiful and I recognize too
Lao Tzu’s Tai Te Ching…
Thank you.
The Wend on January 10, 2016 · at 9:29 pm EST/EDT

“But in terms of ethos, of mindset, of the central role of asceticism, devotion, prayer and mystical mediation, I find Orthodoxy much closer to the religions of India than to the western forms of Christianity.”

—————————————————————

Now you are talking Saker!
Cecile Leibowitz on January 10, 2016 · at 10:58 pm EST/EDT

Thank you, dear Saker – for sharing the exquisite chanting of Guru Stotram by Swami Atmananda
It is Wonderful!
Peter on January 10, 2016 · at 11:41 pm EST/EDT

This is a beautiful chant.
I have done done meditation for many years, but just like you I claim to know nothing. Still this chant stirs the core of my being.

Revelation comes to all who really want it. Anyone who earnestly search for inner and otherworldly treasure – who can no longer settle down and be satisfied with the ephemeral fleeting show we call the material world – who become immersed in a powerful longing so deep as to be almost impossible to describe even with the most poetic language – Biblical or otherwise; Anyone with this kind of longing becomes the responsibility of God.

One of God’s jobs is to be Guru, and this is perhaps His most important job. And it is a job only He can do. . .

“What is a guru? In old Sanskrit gu means ‘darkness’ and ru means dispeller, ‘dispelling agency’. Therefore the entity, the guiding faculty, that dispels all darkness, all spiritual darkness, is the guru” (P R Sarkar, 1978)

Spiritual longing has been with the human being since at least 15000 years when the first verses of the oldest spiritual texts were composed. Therefore it can be taken as granted that God has been performing the role of ‘Guru’ in different shapes and forms, in different eras over this period up to the present age.

Think of any Prophet or Saviour of any tradition. If at least one follower of that Guide has achieved liberation or salvation, then it is clear that God has performed the role of ‘Guru’. Of course effort has to be exerted in trying to attain the blessing of the Guru. One has to serve the creation in the knowledge that it is created by God, and one has to break through all barriers of fear, shame, pride etc. and move closer and closer to the Guru.

So it follows that anyone who thirsts for Self realisation or God realisation (it’s the same thing) has to concentrate on one thing only: to increase that longing. In this way one becomes the responsibility of God. As soon as the Guru comes in whatever form, just serve His creation and become personally acquainted. Perhaps you have discovered your long lost closest relative? This is the most important task for human beings, it is what makes us human and not mere animals or carnal beings in human shape. Don’t waste any more time in idle materialistic gossip. Life is short.
Dino on January 11, 2016 · at 5:32 am EST/EDT

Thank you Saker.
Many who grew up with this Strotham consider it a homage of respect to one’s Guru (Destroyer of Darkness). If one’s lucky enough to find such a Destroyer of Darkness this life time, then the gratitude expressed says it all. If not just enjoy the music. Arguments about religions and God(s) are irrelevant.

https://youtu.be/StMK35w9ldU

Love and peace
- Peter from Oz on January 11, 2016 · at 11:08 am EST/EDT
  
  My spiritual quest has taken me via Christianity – RC, Protestant and Orthodox, touching on Buddhism and Hinduism. But also in my search for truth I find the evidence from near-death experiences illuminating, including my own. Then there is the increasing revelations from whistleblowers about UFOs, ETs, the “Cabal/Deep State” and so called Secret Space Program. This links with quantum physics, consciousness and back to theology.
  
  There appears to be a big picture forming from all these aspects. We may be on the verge of changes on this planet of cosmic eschatological significance. Prayer, meditation and directed intention and visualisation are very necessary weapons in what is a spiritual as well as material war on and around this planet.
Oto Totoli on January 11, 2016 · at 11:39 am EST/EDT

Splendid mystical chants you shared with us, Saker…Thanks a lot for that.
A real blessing i’d say.
I’d like to suggest you another version of the same chant by Jai Uttal, that hit me in the faith, years ago, from an early Buddha Bar compilation by Claude Challe. The “Miles style” trumpet in this version gives it an interesting mystical Jazz taste or so would i cal it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wbvyFHmJmT0

Jai’s faith accents sound so generously moving.

It is very enriching to discover your interest for both Hindu as well as Orthodox mystic approach.
After some times spent in Varanasi where it’s almost impossible not to feel touched by Grace one way or another, i also perceived a remarkable identity between what i’d call “Christic and Hindu vibes”.
I thought it was just an emotional reaction due to the pregnant worshiping intensity bathing this 5000 + years old city considered as the Residence of Lord Shiva, referred to as “the City of Light”.
But it’s not only that, you might be perfectly right…
With my best wishes for this new year, allow me please to congratulate you for the quality of your site.
Cheers, Saker, and many thanks again.
Vierotchka on January 11, 2016 · at 11:41 am EST/EDT

Lokah Samasta Sukhino Bhavantu – Om, Shanti, Shanti, Shanti
(May all my thoughts, words and actions contribute in some way to the happiness of all beings. – Om, Peace, Peace, Peace)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=usJl7oiZPnc

Gāyatrī Mantra

The Gāyatrī Mantra is a highly revered mantra from the Vedas. Like all Vedic mantras, the Gayatri mantra is considered not to have an author, and like all other Vedic mantras, is believed to have been revealed to Brahmarshi Vishvamitra. It is a verse from a sukta of the Rigveda (Mandala 3.62.10). Gāyatrī is the name of the Vedic meter in which the verse is composed. As the verse can be interpreted to invoke Savitr, it is also called the Sāvitrī mantra. Its recitation is traditionally preceded by oṃ and the formula bhūr bhuvaḥ svaḥ, known as the mahāvyāhṛti, or “great (mystical) utterance”.

The Gayatri mantra is repeated and cited very widely in Vedic literature and praised in several well-known classical Hindu texts such as the Manusmṛti (“there is nothing greater than the Savitri (Gayatri) Mantra.”, Manu II, 83), the Harivamsa, and the Bhagavad Gita. The mantra is an important part of the upanayana ceremony for young males in Hinduism, and has long been recited by dvija men as part of their daily rituals. Modern Hindu reform movements spread the practice of the mantra to include women and all castes and its use is now very widespread.

ॐ भूर्भुवः॒ स्वः । Om bhūr bhuvaḥ svaḥ
तत्स॑वि॒तुर्वरेण्यं॒ tát savitúr váreṇ(i)yaṃ
भर्गो॑ दे॒वस्य॑ धीमहि । bhárgo devásya dhīmahi
धियो॒ यो नः॑ प्रचो॒दया॑त् ॥ dhíyo yó naḥ prachodáyāt

We meditate on the glory of that Being who has produced this universe; may He enlighten our minds. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DG5lgpNnia0
Vierotchka on January 11, 2016 · at 11:50 am EST/EDT

I found another one, sung by a woman with a lovely, gentle and warm voice, with only the drone-like tanpura in the “background”:

Guru Stotra – Prayerful glorification of the Spiritual Master

The Guru Gita aptly describes the guru as “dispeller of darkness” (from gu, “darkness” and ru, “that which dispels”). A true, God-illumined guru is one who, in his attainment of self-mastery, has realized his identity with the omnipresent Spirit. Such a one is uniquely qualified to lead the seeker on his or her inward journey toward perfection.

“The blind cannot lead the blind,” said Paramahansaji. “Only a master, one who knows God, may rightly teach others about Him. To regain one’s divinity one must have such a master or guru. He who faithfully follows a true guru becomes like him, for the guru helps to elevate the disciple to his own level of realization.”

The guru-disciple relationship is the highest expression of friendship, for it is based on unconditional divine love and wisdom. It is the loftiest and most sacred of all relationships.
- The Saker on January 11, 2016 · at 9:58 pm EST/EDT
  
  Dear Vierochka,
  Thank you! What a superb version. I have added it to my collections of versions of the Guru Stotram :-)
  Thank you so much!
  Kind regards and hugs,
  The Saker
Sarasvati on January 11, 2016 · at 4:17 pm EST/EDT

Thank you for posting the beautiful chant. I have many times chanted the Guru Gita but it’s been a while, so I have now been reconnected thanks to you.

I think that polytheism is a misunderstanding of an ultimate truth. I was brought up as a nice little Roman Catholic Italian girl from Long Island, NY, and of course was used to the idea of saints, to say nothing of the Trinity. I feel that both multiple deities and saints are simply a way of focusing on energies at play in the universe to draw them to you.

Much of Hindu iconography depicts the powers of the Ultimate. My personal favorite is the Shiva Nataraja, the cosmic dancer, representing among other things the five-fold functions of god: Creation, Destruction, Maintenance, Concealment and, before all else, Grace. Of course, all this is pointing fingers at the moon.

However, I know that many Hindus think of the gods and goddesses (and at least they recognize the feminine aspect) as concrete.

Anyway, it was a prayer to Jesus that brought me to the philosophy of non-dual Kashmir Shaivism (similar to Advaita Vedanta), which would be best described as monism. To me, anything else is simply not possible.
Anonymous on January 11, 2016 · at 5:29 pm EST/EDT

Wow, fantastic comments, people! These spiritual matters generate the most interesting and enlightening threads on this site. Subs in the desert are thirsty for the truth.
Anonymous on January 12, 2016 · at 4:22 pm EST/EDT

:)
Robin Gaura on February 09, 2016 · at 2:12 am EST/EDT

Thanks for the chants. As a westerner raised catholic, I converted to buddhism, studying and practicing in the Tibetan Gelugpa tradition. One of the hardest things to wrap my mind around has been the guru devotion central to my adopted tradition. It has taken so much practice to soften the idea of a self enough to open myself to devotion to my lama. Once one can really feel devotion and see divinity in another person, (be they mother, teacher, Jesus, or Quan Yin…) one can start the re enchantment of the world which sees all as divine, and all as empty of inherent existence.
There are subtle knots around the heart which need to untie, and the way is through love and devotion.
I don´t want to ruffle anyone´s lovely and useful belief system in saying this, but some think Jesus was teaching guru yoga when he said, Î am the way, the truth and the light, no one comes to the father but through me….´ (I probably didn´t get the verse exact.)
Blessed Be
Nic Roberts on February 15, 2016 · at 5:08 pm EST/EDT

I’m a baptized Mormon Christian and a long time practitioner of bhakti-yoga. I see no contradiction. I find the Gospels of Lord Jesus and the Bhadavad-Gita of Lord Krishna dove tail quite nicely. I enjoy your writings. Hare Krishna, prabhu!
- Anonymous on February 16, 2016 · at 6:39 pm EST/EDT
  
  Haribol, Nic.
  Nice to see a Kindred Spirit here.
  I am a Gaudiya-Vaishnava, though not affiliated with any group or movement.
  ys
  Lind
John on February 16, 2016 · at 3:23 am EST/EDT

What a wonderful discovery as I wander the pathways of the electronic landscape this evening. May all beings find peace, may all beings find happiness, may we all learn the value of true compassion. Thank you for leaving this little treasure out there among the thorny branches of human ignorance and suffering that you present with such clarity and wisdom.
Yep on February 23, 2016 · at 5:14 am EST/EDT

This is awesome and epic Saker. And uplifting. Thanks so much. The coming together of East and West is what will save humanity.

In that vein I’m sure you’re probably familiar with the internet music channel ‘hos.com’ where you find moving sacred choral music from Russia and spiritual music from India.
And since Easter is approaching try to check out if you haven’t already the Russian author Nicolas Notovitch author of the magnificent transcript : ‘The unknown life of Jesus Christ’. I think it’s out print but reading it somehow makes me proud of how enlightened Russians are.