Tea From A Zen Cup

TEA FROM A ZEN CUP

By

Swami Anand Neelambar

TEA FROM A ZEN CUP

PREFACE This is an overflow of some of my writings during meditations. Meditation is a simple surrender and acceptance of all that is. These writings were composed during a span of time and reflect the various dimensions of consciousness. This work was done in parts and complied to produce this volume. Each piece is separate and should not assume any chronological sequence. I do not lay claim to the contents of these overflows. I am merely a nimitta that listened to these songs of SHAKTI as she sang in the sanctum of my being. This is a humble offering to describe those beatific experiences. These overflows are an attempt to capture what cannot be encompassed in words. An enchanting dream of beauty Waltzing through the heart With pastels hues of divine love, Embracing eternal life. A reticence of mystifying charm Cast with eyes of crystal pearls A soft rose of delicate smiles In an aura of sweet innocence Ever trusting infinite existence; The mystic speaks from beyond… A new dawn has awakened. The breeze is wafting the sweet fragrance of flowers just blossomed. The peacock is dancing with a new display of feathers. The basuri penetrates deep into the heart, stirring chords of love, of laughter, of longing. Within the sounds there is silence, palpable, tangible; there opens a doorway to the divine. The mind disappears and no-mind overflows… Swami Anand Neelambar Swami Anand Neelambar

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TEA FROM A ZEN CUP

TEA FROM A ZEN CUP I With the present world situation as it is, it is imperative that another alternative to this rat race to nowhere be offered, before it is too late. At the dawn of the twenty first century if intelligence does not turn inwards it may mean the end for the evolutionary process of human consciousness. We have explored into the very limits of outer science and have ignored the inner alchemy. And more destructive forces have been unleashed in the name of socalled progress. Machinery has advanced but Man has remained the same. Humanity now needs to go forward, inward. Meditation is the journey to this inner space. Let us accept this challenge for self transformation and create a better environment for LOVE, BEAUTY and CREATIVITY to blossom in all its Divine Splendour. II Man is the only creature capable of looking upwards. This has led to the study of the stars, journey to the moon and development of outer space technology. Man is also the only creature capable of introspection. This has led to the discovery of various meditation techniques and yogic disciplines. These two sciences developed in disharmony with each other. And so Man is in his present miserable condition. This impasse can only be resolved when Scientists and Mystics work in harmony. This is the vision of a New Man. We are at the fortunate threshold where this merger is happening. And thus can participate in the wonderful birth of the New Religion-less Religion. The first time Swami Anand Neelambar

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TEA FROM A ZEN CUP

ever truly Scientific Religion freed from all rubbish, rituals, ceremonies, and priestly corruption. This Scientific Religion is the future happening now! We invite you to come be a part of this new awakening. III In his quest for Truth Man has been plagued by a dichotomy, a schizophrenia of duties. His so-called religious institutions with their codes of morality, social ethics, and catechisms of dogmas profess one thing; while Man lives a hypocritical life. The simple reason is that these ‘mafias of the soul’ demand the unnatural and impossible from Man. And when he fails, he is condemned; guilt arises. Man is thus easily manipulated by the priests and politicians. For the recovery of the Truth, these bastard traditions, and criminals against humanity must be categorically abandoned; and simple meditation be explored. Meditation is one; its paths are many. Each individual must explore himself his own way. Without this exploration or rather ‘imploration’ (inner exploration), the quest for Truth is a vain endeavour doomed to failure, frustration and New Age Mania. We invite you to come and journey with us into the realm of meditation and self transformation. IV The stark naked reality stares us in the face. On the surface things appear bleak and grim. But through a penetrating insight the centre radiates a dynamic impetus of creativity.

Swami Anand Neelambar

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TEA FROM A ZEN CUP

The world is not what it appears to be. This superimposition is called Maya. But a substantial reality must exist on which this mirage is projected. That reality is known as Brahman in Vedanta terminology. Brahman is consciousness. Consciousness is the dynamic creative force of the world order. Its nature can be compared to a cyclone or whirlwind in which nothing is created nor destroyed, it is an eternal flux. Life, Existence, Truth is an ever changing reality. Meditation is the knack of celebrating this eternal change. Come dance with us in this LILA of cosmic jubilance. V Meditation is a blossoming of consciousness from the mud of sensuality into a lotus of existential joy and delight. Modern Man revels in the morass of sensual perversities and even indulges in so-called meditation techniques to gain a refined titillation of these sensual pleasures. There are mahatmas and gurus who exploit Man in the name of meditation by teaching such nonsense. Firstly meditation cannot be taught. It can only be caught. Meditation is an inner flowering of consciousness. Essentially, meditation is not for delighting but for enlightening. And enlightenment happens as a corollary to meditation; it is not a goal to be attained. We invite you to come and celebrate, rejoice with us this blossoming of meditation. This existential flowering happens very rarely. Come journey with us to your inner space and discover your child-like innocence, spontaneity and creative overflow.

Swami Anand Neelambar

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TEA FROM A ZEN CUP

VI Mind cannot be silenced. Mind is a constant, continuous chattering. But this is just the surface dimension of the Mind. Deep within is a vast unexplored sanctum of silence, stillness. Meditation is the way of penetrating, diving into this ocean of silence. It is pointless and futile to attempt to silence the Mind. Rather it is wiser and more practical and possible to simply witness the thought process and go deeper within the Mind. In this sojourn a point of stillness comes and this is the goal of all meditation techniques. From this still point within all that is beautiful blossoms: creativity, trust, love, compassion, bliss. This still point already exists in the Mind. But the turmoil and conflicts that besiege life make it difficult to discern and witness. However, through patience and regular practice it can be realized. Then Celebration explodes. Come journey with us on this voyage of self discovery. Lets us explore into the inner recesses of the Mind and attain to Tranquillity, Peace and Beatitude.

VII The modern quest for truth is really a mental and intellectual tautology of ancient scriptures. It seems the search is merely peripheral, and the inquiry remains on the surface; they never touch the central core of the being. This vain pursuit is what has led to the wanton conflicts amongst religious minds. With a mere surface scrutiny into religions, one cannot unveil the universal and essential truths. Meditation is an integral and total involvement into religion. It is the deeper and truer search and leads to a state of self realization. One begins at the periphery but Swami Anand Neelambar

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TEA FROM A ZEN CUP

journeys within to a still point at the centre of the being. Come and accept this invitation to journey with us to this tranquil inner sanctum. Let your life become a celebration of silence and peace. VIII This century has fulfilled the dream of knowledge. Everyone knows. In fact, the information superhighways have eroded into the inaccessible pathways of knowledge. From one end of the globe to the next information can be exchanged. However with this wanton dispersion of knowledge, no one really understands the being. It seems the more we know the less we understand. The universe remains a profound mystery. With this knowledge we have encountered our utter ignorance of ourselves and the world. We understand nothing. Meditation is a dialectical, radical revolution into KNOWING. We come to know less, in fact no-thing. Yet we understand everything. We taste of the fruit of the tree of life. We experience life in its true essence. Not a dull life of knowledge, but a wonder-filled life of innocence. Meditation is the celebration of this experience of life. We invite you to come and dance with us - celebrate life. Abandon your so-called knowledge. Embrace child-like innocence and dance to the inner rhythms. The whole existence is the Dance of the Divine. The LILA of Nataraj.

Swami Anand Neelambar

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