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