Enlightenment Without GOD (Mandukya Upanishad)

About the Book It is declared in the Mandukya Upanishad that if one studies and practices its teachings, one acquires the knowledge to attain enlightenment. This volume is written for those students who actually want to practice the method according to this Upanishad. . . . The mandukya provides a comprehensive map for the inward journey that shows the individual the way from the mundane to the eternal. It then describes this state, the Ultimate Reality, the goal of human existence.

About the Author

One of the greatest masters of the 20th century, Swami Rama is the founder of the Himalayan Institute. Born in the Himalayas, he studied in both India and Europe, and received his spiritual training in the Himalayan cave monasteries and in Tibet. His best known work, Living with the Himalayan masters, reveals the many facets of this singular adept and demonstrates his embodiment of the living Himalayan Tradition.

Preface

This book has come into existence with the original idea of writing an extensive commentary on Gaudapada- carya's work, called Mandukya Karika, which is highly philosophical, and more advanced psychologically and philosophically than the Western approaches. Very few people know this great scholar and sage in the West. His work is actually a synthesis of the Hindu way of sadhana and the Buddhist way of sadhana. His independent and highly provocative commentary is worth studying.

Swami Rama comes from the heritage of the great sage and scholar, Shankara, the architect of the Advaita- nondual system. In this first volume, only the original Upanishad comprising twelve verses has been explained by him from an experiential standpoint. The second volume, which is in preparation, makes a detailed commentary on the Karika. This first volume will be useful for psy- chologists, therapists, and philosophers, and especially to those aspirants who are aspiring to realize the Ultimate Truth.

Pandit Rajmani Tigunait has assisted Swamiji through- out in writing this book. Dr. Susan Thornburg and Dr. Arpita have devoted long hours in taking down dictation, editing, and making it available for final printing. The final script was reviewed by Dr. Phil Nuernberger and Dr. John Harvey. Barb Bova, a medical student, typed and retyped the original manuscript. Compliments are due to Patrice Hafford for typesetting, Mr. Charles Blanchard for print- ing, and Randy Padorr-Black for art and design.

**Contents and Sample Pages**