Date Posted:10:39 Author: Mike C - 9 Jun 2001 Subject: Guadapada
Who was Gaudapada?
There are several stories about Gaudapada and his time line. One common and accepted is that he was Shankaras' Gurus' Guru.
Anyway Gaudapada taught the following, " The mind should not be allowed to enjoy the bliss that arises out of the condition of absorption. It should be freed from attachment to such happiness through the exercise of discrimination. When the mind does not lose itself in inactivity and oblivion, or is not distracted by desires-that is to say, when the mind achieves quietness and does not give rise to appearances it verily becomes Brahman. This, the highest bliss, is based upon the realization of Self; it is peace, identical with liberation, indescribable, and unborn. It is further described as the omniscient Brahman, because it is one with the unborn Self, which is the object sought by knowledge."*
Shibenduji has told me about some of the writings of Lahiri Mahasaya. As he is describing some of his experiences in his personal diaries he says, " I know these experiences are not real but I must go through them". Later Lahiri Mahasaya says that, "All Gods have disappeared and emptiness has merged with euphoria". This is the natural state or "Turiya" that has been described by enlightened beings from Buddha to Shankara, from the Ancient Risis to the present day teacher of the Dynastic Kriya Lineage of Lahiri Mahasaya.
