I don't know why this Spiritual Teacher takes arguments of idiots like Richard Dawkins and Crishtopher Hitchens seriously ??? Even Materialism can be questioned just like how atheists question Religion. Materialism is not fundamental quality of the world after all.
😮A few years ago I was travelling to the place where the "General Sherman" tree resides. It is around 2000 years old. I have had mystical experiences with trees in the past. As I travelled I kept thinking about the tree and wondered why a soul would want to remain as a tree for so long. It seemed that it would eventually want to evolve into a higher being. I couldn't stop thinking about this. The only reason I could fathom would be "well 2000 years is nothing compared to infinity." As I drove I kept contemplating this and focusing on this tree for the entire trip. I decided that when I got there I would ask the tree this question. (Please don't laugh. Trees can communicate with us if we are open). So when I arrived there I placed my hand on "General Sherman" and asked the question. Here was its answer. "My evolution is complete. I have chosen to return as this tree to glorify Divine Mother." I was stunned!! I KNEW the answer wasn't coming from me as I had NEVER considered such an answer would be forthcoming! Suddenly I had a huge change in consciousness and as I looked around at all the trees in the forest and all the flowers and bushes and all the flora, I could see EVERYTHING alive with consciousness. It reminded me of the childhood fables I had read as a child in which the forest came alive and spoke to the child. This was a life changing experience for me and since then I NEVER have been able to look at trees or other flora the same again. Today when I heard Swamiji Maharaj say "what does the object (and the tree I dare say) do for consciousness? They manifest this consciousness," I feel that I more fully realize what that tree was saying that day in the forest. Very powerful and life changing event in my life. And so are you revered Swami Maharaj.
I've always wondered about this subject. Several weeks ago I put this question in the comment section of a young lady's podcast. I also recommended that she invite Swami Sarvapriyananda to speak on her podcast. I don't know if she did or not. I am glad to hear his explanation of the field and the knower of the field. Swami Sarvapriyanandaji thank you very much.
Does Bhagavan say He is also the one who experiences the Kshetra? If so, the entity is a mere appearance, and hence, after death of the body NOTHING is left behind except the SELF. There is therefore no need for self-realization.
That terminology is the accepted way to refer to a monk. A bit like using 'Reverend' for a priest in old(er) english. In terms of time, possibly a decade between joining an order and completing novitiate.
I've been studying yoga for 50 years and the people answering here have no idea what they're talking about... I have been at swamiji programs and he is wonderful...but people just need to be with someone they consider great and enlightened...but people don't really know who is great or not 🙏☮️☯️☸️🕉️🥰...and if someone is humble they maybe shouldn't allow people to call them Maharaj 🙏🙏🙏
Its just a way of referring monks in India, in Ramkrishna Miseion it started with Swami Shivananda, who used to call Swami Brahmhananda as maharaja they way of saying continued. It has nothing to do with humbleness, if you don't want to use the term don't use monks won't mind it. Even monks themselves use the term 'Maharaj' to refer to other monks.
Nisargadatta Maharaj always said that the subject (the 'I', consciousness) and the object/s (the world) appear and disappear simultaneously - and beyond the contrast of subject/object lies the non-dual mystery. I guess it's not correct to call this oness "consciousness", or "awareness", as there is nothing which could be conscious/aware of something else, as it is all one.