Sri Ramana Maharshi
Sri Ramana Maharshi, according to Ken Wilber,3 Òis arguably the greatest Guru who ever lived.Ó He has stated that the only reason we are not enlightened is that we do not know that we are already enlightened. While this is no doubt true, I have in my own some forty years of psychedelic exploration, enhanced by Tibetan Buddhist meditation practice, uncovered a vast variety of conditions that seemed to form barriers to this realization. Some of these are listed in the second paragraph above.
While I have found meditation practices extremely valuable, and an important factor in deepening and increasing the profundity of psychedelic experiences, I have found properly conducted psychedelic experiences to be the most powerful aid in rapidly resolving the obstacles that separate us from full realization. But it is well to remember that experiences alone, as influential and valuable as they may be, may not accomplish completely freeing the mind without dedicated application of newfound wisdom. An excellent way of focusing, clarifying, and applying learned wisdom is through a good meditation practice.
All the following factors promote effective psychedelic application: preparation, intent, honesty, set and setting, a qualified guide, experienced and dedicated companions. As interior obstacles are resolved and transcended, one sinks deeper into the intimate, priceless connection with our inner Being. As one develops proficiency and the ability to hold the mind steadily focused, one can discover that the most promising activity is to search out, encounter, and then maintain
the connectedness with the Heart of our own being. For me, this has led to the most satisfactory outcomes.
I do not want to create the impression that this is a simple thing to accomplish. I have found this kind of straightforward surrender very difficult to achieve and maintain, often because we resist the feelings or experiences that spontaneously wish to arise. It may take exploring with different attitudes and occasionally focusing our attention on various considerations, especially if we are prone to getting tense by trying too hard. Things that may work in one situation may not
work the next time, and a fresh approach is required. And since we
are all different, results may well vary considerably from person to
person. For it is fresh, unmediated experience that we are seeking. Just
reading this information or hearing similar ideas and concepts from
others will not accomplish the objective. We each in our own way
must seek out how to best discover and maintain this priceless connection. For myself, I have found that simply being still and Òjust beingÓ is extraordinarily difficult.
Yet I firmly believe this to be the highest prize. Having achieved
an on-going connection or realization of our True Self, we are free to
direct our attention wherever we wish. It is from this perspective that
any object of attention is seen in its clearest light, in its truest aspects, in the most meaningful connections with other aspects of reality. It is from this perspective that the greatest creativity flows forth. By learning how to maintain this connection, we have truly learned how to learn.
Taken From: Learning How to Learn
