I Am That :
Talks With Sri Nisargadatta
by Maharaj Nisargadatta
Paperback
Published by Acorn Pr
Publication date: June 1990
ISBN: 0893860220
Reviews:
patanjali 2000, 2/22/2001
Objectively speaking, "I Am That" is the best book of its kind ever published. Actually the book is an edited open-ended, free-for-all type Socratic dialog between the Maharaj and various aspirants at a variety of levels of spiritual progress. As such, the Maharaj responses to a variety of inquiries are alternately inspiring, perplexing, abrasive, discouraging, exasperating, humorous, ridiculing but ultimately always spiritually exhilerating--especially for the devoted spiritual aspirant. I have known readers who have worn out several copies by repeated re-reading this book from cover to cover. However, the book can be read by bits and pieces or completely ramdomly. The ultimate message? Spiritual fulfillment is as close as one's own breath--if one only has the means to experience it as such and accept in unconditionally.
A Reader, 12/25/97
A treasure. A must read for the seekers of spirituality. Provides valuable clues to self discovery.
R. from Seattle, Washington
, 12/24/97, One of the best books I've ever read.
As a graduate who has a degree in literature and minor in philosophy,
I recommend this book. His words offer a refreshing perspective on
the subject of spirituality and how one should view themselves and
others. It has earned a place on my bookshelf and my guess it will on
yours as well. Enjoy the experience . . .
Empty, 07/30/97, A lovely book pointing to what we truly are.
For most of his life Maruti (later called Nisargadatta Maharaj) worked as a small shopkeeper in the backlanes of Bombay. He lived a common life - he married, raised his children, gossiped with neighbours. In late middle age however, everything changed. By chance a friend introduced Maruti to a Guru, who instructed him in meditation.
Shortly thereafter, sitting quietly and silent, Truth exploded within Maruti dissolving the sense of individual forever.
Slowly word of the change became known. It was said Maruti (now honorarily known as Nisargadatta Maharaj) had become a great teacher. Little by little, people started to come from all over the world to visit him in his small apartement above his shop, where he would talk and answer questions.
This book beautifully presents translations of the recordings made during these talks. It divides the talks into 101 short chapters on topics such as 'Obsession with the Body', 'I and Mine are false ideas', 'Desires fullfilled breed more desires', and 'Seek the Source of consciousness'.
Here is a small excert:
Questioner: "What do you see" Maharaj: "I see what you too could see,
here and now, but for the wrong focus of your attention. You give no
attention to your self. Your mind is always with things, people and
ideas, never with your self. Bring your self into focus, become aware
of your own existence. See how you function, watch the motives and
the results of your actions. Study the prision you have built around
yourself, by inadvertence. By knowing what you are not, you come to
know your self."
This book is truly a gem - a rarity that speaks straight to your heart. As you read it you may find that your habits and conditioning begin to fall away. The pull and push of your life will be seen for what it is, as slowly your viewpoint shifts. And your gaze turns from its obsession with that which occurs toward the Source of all occurance.
E., 04/25/97, Nothing
perceived can be me nor mine
In the book, Nisargadatta says, "Anyhow begin by realizing that the
world is in you, not the other way round". Also he says, "For before
any questions about God can be put, you must be there to be it".
Obviously, the 'you' Maharaj is referring to is neither body, nor the
mind but something entirely above and beyond space and time. The
'you' he is referring to has no name, no shape and in essence the
SELF. He asks us to find that SELF. He says:"The SELF only is,
everything else is a dream....we dream that we sleep, we dream that
we are awake.....find that SELF to which all this happens to, cling
to it and be saved and safe". It's amazing how a poor, uneducated man
can have such deep insights. Call him mad, illiterate or anything you
want but all he requests us is to ask ourselves one question...Who am
I ?
A Reader, 03/19/97, Find
out the answer of all Questions.
This book can show you the way of how to put all questions in a
correct perspective. It's amazing how a almost illetrate man can have
such a deep thinking. You seldom find any citation of another thinker
or philosopher. Nisargadatta speaks of his own personal experience.
Try it. It can add a lot on your thinking way of understand the
"world" around you.