Will be traveling on a "pilgrimage" with Russill Paul to south India from mid-Jan to mid-Feb (http://www.russillpaul.com/pilgrimage.html). Russill was my chanting teacher and we will be spending most of our time at his "home" ashram, which is a blend of Christian and Hindu mysticism, doing a lot of chanting and meditation and some visiting of local temples, ending with a trip to Ramana Maharshi's ashram in Tiruvannamalai, where i have spent time before.
This ashram, Shantivanam, is located on the Cauvery River, the Ganges of the South, and is an important pilgrimage site. The ashram was founded by French Catholic monastics in the early 20th century, who were intent on converting the mystical/monastic Hindus. One fascinating figure was Swami Abhishiktananda, by whom and about whom much was written. Early in his time in India, he met Ramana Maharshi, and that changed everything.
Abhishiktananda was succeeded by Bede Griffiths, another important figure in 20th century advaita, particularly "cross-religion" efforts. Russill Paul was his student. There is much on youTube and the web on all of them.
No comments:
Post a Comment