$16.00

Paperback

Duet of One

Ramesh Balsekar

This is my favorite book by Ramesh Balsekar (a direct disciple of Sri Nisargadatta.) I have read it and re-read it. Balskekar’s commentary on The Ashtravakra Gita (The Bible of Non-Duality) to me, offers wondrous insight into the preordained drama that we call life. The Ashtravakra Gita and Ramesh's commentary bring into sharp view what is real and what separates the real from all else. At first there may be fear created by this reality, but through acceptance it brings much peace, as all happens and unfolds as it should, and all action is predetermined. The main theme is that we are dreamers (in actuality there is only one dreamer), the dream being this life. When the time is opportune we awaken to the one reality. This awakening is inevitable and the time and place already set… all we need do and can only do is just carry on in the drama of every day life until that day when the drama becomes a comedy and the laughter begins to flow.

Review by Tony Kainauskas

$16.95

Paperback

Pointers from Nisargadatta Maharaj

Ramesh Balsekar

This is included in this section as well as the section under Ramesh, because Ramesh claims in the preface that the material written in this volume "emerged spontaneously, dictated, in a fine frenzy that surcharged my being, by a compulsive power that could not be denied." Ramesh goes on to explain that not only did the book really spontaneously write itself, but that its publication kind of "just happened", through a series of "coincidences." It is very important to note that the writings and publication both took place while Ramesh was still continuing to attend satsang and before Ramesh himself attained "guruhood status." Nisargadatta authorized the publication saying: "I know that you both are aware that all writing originates in consciousness, that there is writing but no authors."

Both Nisargadatta and Ramesh teach that nothing happens and that there is no doer. Therefore, neither of them outlines a path. In fact both teach that enlightenment cannot be achieved, it just happens, as much as a leaf falling off a tree just happens. When I attended satsang with Ramesh in 2004 he made this point rather graphically. He was trying to drive home this point that enlightenment just happens. He said, "It can happen at any time. It could happen while you are seated on the commode. In fact if it should happen at that moment you might get up and even forget to wipe your ass."

This attitude, that nothing happens, results in many levels of paradoxical traps for the seeker. If there is nothing you can do to get enlightened, then why bother attending satsang? In fact these great teachers say the choice to attend or not attend satsang is not yours to decide. If you are at satsang it is merely because you were destined to be there. Most seekers have trouble with this concept. If we consider ourselves seekers, then we must feel we are involved in the volitional act of seeking. What I like best about this book, Pointers, is that despite the view that there is nothing you can do, this books gives some practical advice or "pointers" which these masters feel may help one to have enlightenment happen to the seeker. If you can figure this out and explain to me in conceptual terms how this makes sense, I would be eternally grateful. Anyway, I loved this book and think it is clearly a must read for the serious student of Advaita.

Review by Len Oppenheim

$24.00

Paperback

Consciousness Speaks

Ramesh Balsekar

Ramesh has written more than a dozen books. Each one is worth reading. In talking to fans of Ramesh, I have found that very often a single book resonates most strongly for a given individual. For some it has been Sin and Guilt, for others A Duet of one, and for other individuals it has been one of the other titles. For me, it was Consciousness Speaks that somehow opened my mind and heart to the full appreciation of this wonderful teacher. The brief introduction by Wayne Liquorman sets the tone for the book. In fact, I believe that reading the eight-page introduction is worth the entire price of the book, and in this seed is contained the wholeness of the teaching. Although Ramesh is a brilliant and skillful writer, I believe he is at his best when teaching and responding to questions from seekers. This book uses the question and answer format and that is why I believe it is his most effective book, and certainly it has been his most popular book at our bookstore. When my sons became interested in Ramesh, it was this book that I provided for them to read first.

The book is very comprehensive, covering all subjects, including mind, intellect, emotions, biology, creation, etc. All the answers are straightforward and simple. Ramesh pulls no punches and allows the knowledge to flow through him, as the title of the book suggests. This is a book to be cherished and read over and over again.

Review by Len Oppenheim

$16.00

Paperback

Acceptance of What Is: A Book About Nothing

Wayne Liquorman

Liquorman begins chapter one with this caveat: "Buyer Beware: Truth disappears in the telling of it." Liquorman was acknowledged by his guru, Ramesh Balsekar, to have "gotten it", in other words to have realized the Advaita Teaching and to be a gyani. So, this is a book about nothing. At the same time it is a book about everything. The book uses a question and answer format, which I find to be very easy to follow and understand. Liquorman has a great sense of humor and a zest for life, both of which clearly come through. Liquorman has the kind of mischievousness and charm I find irresistible. I find it refreshing to get the story of how a Westerner, a businessman, and former substance abuser, achieves realization and how this grace just happens. This is clearly a must read, and if you like the book as much as I did you will take the next step and go to see and hear Wayne, live and in person. Seeing Wayne is a treat, as is reading this book. Although the book is simple, something about the style and presentation resonated so deeply with me that I consider it to be one of the dozen or so books I have ever read that have profoundly influenced me and changed the direction of my life.

Review by Len Oppenheim

$17.00

Paperback

Never Mind: A Journey into Non-Duality

Wayne Liquorman

I have read about a dozen books by Ramesh Balsekar, Liquorman's first book, Acceptance of What Is, Nisargadatta's classic, I Am That, and a number of other books written by or about Advaita sages. I have also had satsang with Ramesh and with Wayne Liquorman. Based on my readings and experience I really thought I knew about as much about Advaita as I was ever going to know.

Surprise! Surprise! I was totally blown away. There is something about the way Wayne Liquorman is able to explain and characterize things that (to use his word) resonates with me. Maybe it is the fact that he is a Westerner and I share with him many cultural and experiential similarities. Whatever the reason, it does not matter. I experienced so many "aha" experiences reading this book that I was in a constant state of hyperawareness.

Reading this book was, to me, like sitting at the dinner table with the greatest dessert I have ever had. I couldn't wait to taste bite after bite, but I did not want to take another bite, because each bite would mean I would be closer to the end. I couldn't put the book down, but at the same time I wanted it to last forever.

It has been a long time between books for Wayne, but it was well worth the wait. I could not possibly give a higher rating to any book I have ever read. This is a must read for everyone.

Review by Len Oppenheim