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anekantavada
May 2009 
An integral insight
M. Alan
In my last post I mentioned I would not be posting for a while. I did not say why because I did not want to "jinx" the process. I find that by talking or writing about something before it has fully manifested or occurred, the result is an "ahrimanisation" (from Steiner's "ahriman") which negatively affects any spiritual outcome. Perhaps this is why many spiritual teachers prefer to be silent, or to Teach through silence. The very public, even exhibitionist, nature of blogging, youtube, and the rest of the internet shows that it is very difficult for higher consciousness to establish itself in this environment.
But now that I am back to writing, daily internet etc I can explain that during this time I was travelling around northern NSW, meditating or trying to, abnd communing with nature. During this time on the road I was away from my computer and only accessed the Net at internet cafes etc, which generally are quite expensive.
I must say that while I had a great time my original intention of making progress with Sadhana did not eventuate. There was a period where I was going fairly well, and really up against the frustration of the restless mind, but various circumstances and my own lack of willpower (chiefly the latter) prevented real progress.
However I did have some good ideas and insights for my book. The most important intellectual development was the rejection of the fallacy that any single perspective or metaphysic or cosmology can in any way explain realtity, even in relative terms. This allowed me to finally break free of limitations of integralist/perennialist thinking, since up to this time there had still been this element of Wilber-like delusion that everything can be explained - even if only partially and very incompletely - in a single abstract mental philosophy. And even though my own system of that time was, and still remains, far superior to Wilber's because I was not shackled by his need to be presentable to the materialistic standards of mainstream academia, I still like him (and many other philosophers and esotericists) retained the idea of a meta-narrative, a big picture explanation. Now I am able to access a much truer "integral" perspective, which is closer to Jainism and to what Sri Aurobindo really taught (as opposed to misinterpretations of what he taught)
So in a real sense I did make great progress, only it wasn't in the area I was expecting!
Now I can return to my book and present an authentic "Integral Metaphysic"; i.e. one that is based on the integration and transcendence of multiple perspectives, as opposed to a linear one-dimenisonal account.
I'm looking forward to reading up on Jainism too; the Jains were the original "integral philosophers" (do a google for Anekantavada)
Access: Public
Yes, Alan my old fruit……I think you are probably right but it is impossible really to prove objectively. I used to think that Sant Mat was the cats whiskers, and still do to some extent!
As you know its main manifestation via the sects of the Radhasoami Faith (teaching Shabd Yoga) believe that all religions, and other forms of mysticism only really reach one of the lower sub-planes, or planes rather than the ultimate one where “true” God-realization occurs. Morever, they also claim that the inner Sound and Light of Spiriti is the only way to achieve “genuine” mergence with the Supreme Power.It acts as a spiritual elevator to the “highest” plane if one is initiated by a Perfect Master.
However, Faqir Chand who was guru of a “Radhaswami” sect believed that there was no one right way to attain “God-realization “as such.”His approach was much more catholic in outlook, and moreover revealed a profound secret…….
The secret was this…he, Faqir Chand claimed that he was unaware of what was going on in his disciples spiritual lives especially claimed miracles in connection with the manifestation of his Radiant Form. Yet, his devotees believed him to be the physical manifestion of God Himself, and should ofcourse be omniscient!!
From a Sant Mat point of view Chand could be regarded as an imperfect Master.
This point for a short while worried him unitl he discovered that other respected Gurus claimed that they were unaware of their Radiant Forms appearing to tb heir followers!!
Chands conclusion was simply that it was the devotees FAITH, AND BELIEF in a Master which caused inner, and outer miracles. What manifested Itself within the disciple, and “paraded” itself as the Guru was a infact the manifestion of the HIGHER SELF…..that which is our PURE DIVINE SELF, AND REAL GUIDE emanating from a realm way beyond time, and space as we would understand it!!
This makes alot of sense but I suspect this is not the complete secret if there is such a thing (as the universe is infinite with infinite possibilities). It also offers an explanation that devotees can have extraordinary miracles (which may use a Gurus Radiant Form) in which the outer Guru may be just a fake.!!!
I hope you do include something about Faqir Chand in your book because it is an important subject. As to whether there is such a thing as an Ultimate Path will always remain essentially an open question. It may well be that all Paths CAN lead to Rome. Note the word CAN because it is probably the degree of old, and new spiritual unfoldment which can lead us to the Ultiamte Goal of “God-Realization.” Depending on the individual evolution it is likely that a tiny minority do not require any Guru, and yet from within they may attain inner guidance of a genuine order, and are able during life, or after life go back to the Source of All without having necessarily to use inner Sound, and Ligth (or indeed, any other method we might understand in this physical world).
So, there you are!!
''…and to what Sri Aurobindo really taught (as opposed to misinterpretations of what he taught)''
I would be interested in reading some examples of this comment.
Thanks.