Knowing-Being: Direct Intuitive Realization of the Self

aparokShAnubhUti is a short treatise written by Shankara, the seventh century saint and foremost exponent of Advaita Vedanta, in which he provides the most Direct Path to the realization of the Self on a “here and now” basis. Through the 144 verses of this text, he explains that the means to having the direct and intuitive realization of brahman - the eternal, immutable Beingness-Knowingness, which is our very nature. He declares, up-front, the unreality of the three entities, the Individual-World-Creator, a model commonly invoked by many philosophical systems to explain the genesis of a “me,” the person, and the world that I live in.

Srinivasa Rao gave an elaborate commentary on aparokShAnubhUti in a series of talks, over a period of eight days. These audio commentaries have been transcribed, translated into English, edited, and organized into this book to help Non-Dual aspirants understand the intricacies of Shankara’s Direct Path.

"The artwork on the book cover was provided by Vidya Spandana. Inspired by the classic advaitic teachings on the clay pot, AKASHA depicts the profound sameness of the infinite sky and its reflection in the infinite array of forms of all shapes and sizes. AKASHA was painted using earth pigments. The pigments’ connection to earth, space, and their journey across time - transformed by the great forces of nature -- are a testament to the marvel and ephemeral nature of Jagat."