Theos-Talk Archives (November 2002 Message tt00755)

--- In theos-talk@y..., "Steve Stubbs" <stevestubbs@y...> wrote:

>>> Sometime when you get a chance, could you briefly tell us which 
autobiogaphies you sre referring to, and why you think phenomenal 
experience is actually ultimate reality?

The best starting place I know of is the book, Hindu Encounter with 
Modernity, by Shukavak N. Dasa. This book is actually a biography, 
but is based on autobiographical as well as objective material. It 
covers the life and theology of Kedarnatha Dutta, a Bengali Vaishnava 
who lived about 100 years ago. Besides being fascinating as a 
biography, it's the best introduction to Vaishnava theology I have 
ever seen. 

As to why I think phenomenal experience is actually ultimate reality, 
perhaps that book will explain better than I can. But in a nutshell, 
those who (I believe) have actually "been there" have said that 
beyond the familiar phenomena of this world, and the several planes 
of more subtle existence and phenomena described in numerous esoteric 
traditions, including Theosophy, there is a plane of absolute 
consciousness without phenomena or identity, which is a resting 
(actually, dissolving) place for some. Beyond even that, there is 
another realm of existence characterized by phenomena of a different 
order. If, some day, I come across a description by a purported 
eyewitness of something still further elevated, I will assess the 
credibility of the reporter as best I can, and may revise my map of 
reality again. But for now, this is where my search for truth has 
led me.

Robert