This: Prose and Poetry of Dancing Emptiness

By Sri H. W. L. Poonja

This 136-page introduction is a selection of poetry and prose from The Truth Is - a 560-page volume of "satsangs," or truths, from renowned Indian guru Sri H. W. L. Poonja- distills the essence of Poonja's teachings in a shorter, more portable collection.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Red Wheel Weiser
• Release date: Jan 15, 2000
• ISBN: 9781609254308

Book preview

Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi

The Guru of Sri Poonja

THIS

Poetry and Prose of Dancing Emptiness

Sri H. W. L. Poonja

COMPILED AND EDITED BY

PRASHANTI AND VIDYAVATI DE JAGER

AND YUDHISHTARA

First published in 2000 by

Red Wheel/Weiser, LLC

368 Congress Street

Boston, MA 02210

www.redwheelweiser.com

14  13  12  11  10  09  08  07  06  05

13  12  11  10  9    8    7   6     5   4   3

Copyright © 1997, 2000 Prashanti de Jager and Yudhishtara

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from Red Wheel/Weiser. Reviewers may quote brief passages.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Poonja, H. W. L.

This : prose and poetry of dancing emptiness / H. W. L.

Poonja

p. cm.

Originally published: 1997.

ISBN 1-57863-176-9 (alk. paper)

1. Hinduism—Prayer-books and devotions—English.

2. Spiritual life—Hinduism. I. Title.

BL1236.22 .P66 2000

294.5'432—dc21                                                 99-054795

Cover photograph copyright © 2000 Chandi Devi

Photograph of Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi courtesy of

Sri Ramanashramam, Triuvannamali

Printed in the United States of America

CCP

The paper used in this publication meets the minimum requirements of the American National Standard for Information Sciences—Permanence of Paper for Printed Library Materials Z39.48-1992 (R1997).

INTRODUCTION

This book is a collection of spontaneous songs spoken by Sri H.W.L. Poonja during gatherings with his students in North India between 1990 and 1997. The songs flow from his impeccable experience of the highest and yet simplest Truth: That we are pure Consciousness, the totality of Existence.

Papaji, as his loved ones call him, was born in the Punjab in 1910 to the sister of Swami Rama Tirtha, one of India's most respected Saints. He realized the Truth when he was 8 years old. This Realization infinitely blossomed in his early 30's when he met his Guru, Sri Ramana Maharishi, the Sage of Arunachala. Since that time he shares this Beauty with his wise words, his look, his touch, and simply by the silent spiritual power that radiates from his Presence. When he left his body in September of 1997 this power exploded and is felt around the world now more than ever.

It is a very rare occurrence that a being like Papaji takes a form, manifesting as a teacher of uncompromising absolute Truth, and says:

Look within,

There is no difference

between yourself, Self and Guru.

You are always Free.

There is no teacher,

there is no student,

there is no teaching.

When we forget our true nature and believe that we are something finite and insignificant he offers words of ancient wisdom to explain the unspeakable. As doubt is removed and illusoryness flees like the night at dawn these same words dance in a celebration of vast Freedom and Love. And indeed, in his precious Satsangs he often tells people to rise up to sing and dance.

This Beloved Master speaks some of the clearest words that can possibly be spoken and at the same time says that all words are only indicators that merely point to the Truth. He directs us daily to vigilantly follow this indication and not to stick to the words. Leave the wordiness of the world, this laughing Buddha lovingly roars, and realize what the words I speak are pointing to. Truth is not knowable, it transcends knowing. It is beyond the ability of mind to analyze, to figure out, to dissect or to comprehend.

From 1918 to Now, Papaji has directly shown to thousands that the Truth is the most magnificent Mystery undifferentiated from our very Self. He guides one to surrender to the wisdom of our Being and that we are the Truth. You are the unchangeable Awareness in which all activity takes place. Always rest in peace. You are eternal Being, unbounded and undivided, just keep Quiet. All is well. Keep Quiet Here and Now. You are Happiness, you are Peace, you are Freedom. Do not entertain any notions that you are in trouble. Be kind to yourself. Open to your Heart and simply Be.

He is a true Master with thousands of ways to stop your mind, to help you inquire into who you really are, to turn your awareness directly toward awareness, to bring you into the infinity of this Moment. We are so lucky to have such essential Wisdom available to us. As he says:

Those who know This know Everything.

If not, even the most learned know nothing at all.

Hindu bhakta, Christian mystic, Zen master, Mountain shaman, Taoist sage, Dzogchen lama, Advaita jnani, Sufi saint, Aghora yogi, Vedic pundit, you name it: with the depth of his knowledge, the extent of his experience, and the clarity of his articulation he proves to be a Master of each and every tradition.

As Timelessness is a sign of the teachings of the Wise, these songs are compiled by essence only and so have no chronology, often even within a single verse. Also, for the sake of clarity, capital letters