How does one read the Dawn Horse Testament (with its grammatical style)?

[Max Gilderbloom]

I chucked out the hundred bucks for the Dawn Horse Testament and while I have panned alot of value from it, especially from looking in the index for specific topics, but in general, the writing style is quite confusing for me, just reading it from page 1-1000+ straight through seems quite daunting...

Any advice?

[Max Gilderbloom]

It seems that everytime Da says "me" it is actually referring to the so-called transcendental spirit, or the Godhead itself-consiousness... Is this how most people read it?

It doesn't seem that "me" would refer to his physical body and ego-identity as spiritual guru only?

[Max Gilderbloom]

Interesting. It seems that many spiritual teachers have a record of such behavior, which I'm sure your aware of. What comes to my mind:

-Roshi Philip Kapleau's teachers drinking massive amounts of alcohol and setting him up with prostitutes at Japanese parties
-Chogyam Trungpa's record of women and partying
-I have also heard the Korean Zen Master Seung Sahn had sex with many of his female students...

Do you feel that Da's actions make him "less enlightened" or simply that you would be cautious to be his devotee and join the community?

[henri]

There are three ways of enlightenment, thinking, feeling and action. Though action never can be 100% perfect due to the dualistic nature of the world.

[Max Gilderbloom]

Interesting... what was your history before that decision? Were you involved in the more metaphysical/eastern spiritual traditions (I assume?)

It seems most spiritual teachers of Christianity are not self-realized people?

[advadhut]

I too not merely dabbled but in great depth immersed myself in spiritual paths and disciplines, obsessively and intensively over many many years. Then Jesus revealed himself to me and every day since then I have staggered at the beauty and simplicity and wonder that is Jesus Christ Himself: the True Shepherd of our souls.

And unlike, the Gurus who cannot truly be Him or like Him; He Truly Cares for His sheep.

Stunned.

Graham

[JiminyCrieckey]

It's grammatical style is a clear and blatent warning as to how inflated that guy is. It's a testament alright. A testament to how high one can climb and still be fundamentally clueless as to what spiritual life is really all about. Lucifer is a good Biblical example. He was the brightest angel in heaven, but he wanted things his way. He wanted to be the focus of attention. So, with all that brightness he is still in a miserable hell, even when compared to the peace of the dimmest humble heart. Just like Da.

[henri]

A sadguru offers you experiences like calming the mind, opening the heart and giving you a smile.
When that's not happening, move on. He is fake or just not ment for you...

[Max Gilderbloom]

Question: Is Adi Da any more ego-centered than Jesus? As Jesus proclaimed he was the only way to God. "The only way to God is through Me." Sounds alot like Adi Da!

[henri]

Jesus is the only way? Jesus is Love-yes, Jesus is the only way. Jesus has many names: he is Buddha, he is Krishna, and he is you. Your name also belongs to Jesus (Sri Sri Ravi Shankar).

Jesus was the only way that time, that religion, that culture, introducing love into a fear-based religion.
There have been and there shall be two ways to the Divine, one based on fear, the other one based on love.

In my opinion the saying: the only way through God is through me." is not the small-me (ego), but the big-Me (your essence). Compare small-mind with big-Mind. One who listens understands.

[Max Gilderbloom]

"In my opinion the saying: the only way through God is through me." is not the small-me (ego), but the big-Me (your essence). Compare small-mind with big-Mind."

Yep, I completely agree. That is why I believe in both Jesus' and Adi Da's teachings... they have to be taken in THAT context exactly. When they are, the words are quite harmonious.

Good points

[JiminyCrieckey]

I know what you are saying. But after many years of spiritual teachers and teachings I'm findng that Meister Eckhart was more on the money when he said, "Only God can say 'I am'." Looking to external gurus, rather than your own "I am" is counter-productive. Sure, one can learn some stuff, but does it really point you toward simply doing the right thing? No one needs a high falutin' guru to do that. Only a conscience. In fact, I would have to say most of the guru following I did was in order to avoid simply following my conscience and doing the right thing. It was along the lines of, "I don't have to get involved in the petty things of this world because I'm trying to find my own Self-Realization." It took 20 years to realize the importance of doing the "petty things." Who is doing the petty things? .......I am....... Exactly.

Or how about Emanuel Swedenborg's, "Heaven is achieved through deed, not creed."

Just expressing why I think Da, or the worship of any other being, is a bad idea.

[Max Gilderbloom]

Perhaps people confuse workshipping Da as God with worshipping Da as a mortal human body