In this episode of Healing at the Edge, RamDev explores the path of love and devotion, sharing stories of Maharajji and outlining practices for dying into love.
A Tale of Two Paths: Inquiry & Devotion
Who are you right now? Who is reading this? Posing these questions which harken to the great Indian Saint, Ramana Maharshi, and his practice of self-inquiry, RamDev explores the two paths to Oneness which Ramana lays out. Through this lens, RamDev illuminates the path of self-inquiry and awareness, as well as the path love and devotion, both as tangible paths to enlightenment.
“Either you’re going to surrender and die into love—you’re going to love so much that your separateness is going to dissolve through your love for God. Or, you’re going to look clearly enough at who you are, that your separateness is going to dissolve by this very clear looking.” – RamDev
Dig Ram Dass’ take on Ramana Maharshi’s practice of self-inquiry, as he explores ‘what survives,’ on Ep. 127 of Here and Now
Devotional Vipassana (21:03)
RamDev outlines his practice of devotional vipassana; wherein, you are mindful of the unconditional love that is the nature of each moment. Encased within each and every moment is the nature of things: love, grace, awareness, presence. This is what tantra is about: opening up your heart enough that the “I” fixation diminishes, and you are much more interested in the nature of things.
“The beloved can only be everything. God isn’t just that thing that happens when we sit down in front of our puja table.” – RamDev
Dive into the beautifully overflowing path of devotion and love, with Trudy Goodman Kornfield, on Ep. 48 of the BHNN Guest Podcast
Dying Into Love (29:17)
Sharing stories of Maharajji which help exemplify truths of mindfulness, ego, and devotion; RamDev explores the inherent difficulty in getting the (self-lamenting) Western mind into a state of loving devotion. Touching on the importance of mindfulness, therapy, and inquiry to help excavate our shadows, RamDev illuminates the nuances in surrendering into open-hearted, devotional love of God, Guru, and Self.
“Can we allow our heart to be broken? Can we be imperfect, finite, human beings, who again and again trust the infinite nature of the heart?” – RamDev
For a guided meditation from RamDev, highlighting our inherent connection to the divine, tune into Ep. 45 of Healing at the Edge
Source images via @stacylulubee and @kenken4