JIVANMUKTA – Examples
Taking a cue from Verse 3, Chapter 7 of Bhagavad-Gita, Quantum Physicist Prof. S. Sobottka estimates the probability of an individual attaining the status of Jivanmukta. According to him, it would be as low as less than one in a million!
During the millennia of years of Advaita no method seems to have arisen to increase this probability. On the other hand elaborate layers of deep mysticism and unfalsifiable conceptual explanatory complexes were woven around Liberation or Enlightenment. Such efforts helped in glorifying Liberation to no end and also confounded its understandability. One would even doubt whether there are really any Jivanmuktas at all.
Yogavaasishta in the 75th Canto of the Fifth Chapter, The Calm Down, listed the names of a number of Jivanmuktas of ancient times. The list covers many individuals coming from a wide variety of backgrounds. Examples are:
Royalty
Emperor Janaka
Emperor Dilip
Emperor Mandhata
Emperor Bali of Netherworld
Emperor Nahusha of Bhuloka
Demons
Vritrasura
Prahlada
Sambarasura
Kusala
Gods
God of Fire (Agni)
Brihaspati
Sukra
Brahma
Vishnu
Shiva
Parvati (Shiva’s consort)
Adisesha
Yama (God of Death)
Sivaganas
Bringhi
Kumaraswami
Sages
Narada
Viswamitra
Vasishta
In addition, Yogavaasishta narrates the stories and life histories of several other local Chieftains, Saints and even a King of Persia to exemplify the techniques adopted by them in attaining Liberation.
If we fast-forward to the present, there are undoubtedly a number of noble individuals who are Jivanmuktas living right in our midst. We find them in all the continents openly talking about Advaita or living in constant deep meditation. All of them may not be at the same level (or stage as described in the Post on Gradations). In order to just initiate a discussion, I shall mention only a few names below illustratively without any prejudgment. Readers of this Blog may like to add more names or offer comments.
Australia:
“Sailor” Bob Adamson
Mike Graham
U.S.A.
John Wheeler
Annette Nibley
Vincent Flammini
Joan Tollifson
U.K.
Jeff Foster
David Brockman
Rupert Spira
I watched videos of Bob on the net. I corresponded with a number of Non-Dualists for whom the seeking has ended. The names listed above are only a few of them. I know from my own experience that all of them readily and most caringly and (often) promptly respond to our queries over e-mail and help us in our Self-inquiry. Bob may have discontinued correspondence currently.
Taking a cue from Verse 3, Chapter 7 of Bhagavad-Gita, Quantum Physicist Prof. S. Sobottka estimates the probability of an individual attaining the status of Jivanmukta. According to him, it would be as low as less than one in a million!
During the millennia of years of Advaita no method seems to have arisen to increase this probability. On the other hand elaborate layers of deep mysticism and unfalsifiable conceptual explanatory complexes were woven around Liberation or Enlightenment. Such efforts helped in glorifying Liberation to no end and also confounded its understandability. One would even doubt whether there are really any Jivanmuktas at all.
Yogavaasishta in the 75th Canto of the Fifth Chapter, The Calm Down, listed the names of a number of Jivanmuktas of ancient times. The list covers many individuals coming from a wide variety of backgrounds. Examples are:
Royalty
Emperor Janaka
Emperor Dilip
Emperor Mandhata
Emperor Bali of Netherworld
Emperor Nahusha of Bhuloka
Demons
Vritrasura
Prahlada
Sambarasura
Kusala
Gods
God of Fire (Agni)
Brihaspati
Sukra
Brahma
Vishnu
Shiva
Parvati (Shiva’s consort)
Adisesha
Yama (God of Death)
Sivaganas
Bringhi
Kumaraswami
Sages
Narada
Viswamitra
Vasishta
In addition, Yogavaasishta narrates the stories and life histories of several other local Chieftains, Saints and even a King of Persia to exemplify the techniques adopted by them in attaining Liberation.
If we fast-forward to the present, there are undoubtedly a number of noble individuals who are Jivanmuktas living right in our midst. We find them in all the continents openly talking about Advaita or living in constant deep meditation. All of them may not be at the same level (or stage as described in the Post on Gradations). In order to just initiate a discussion, I shall mention only a few names below illustratively without any prejudgment. Readers of this Blog may like to add more names or offer comments.
Australia:
“Sailor” Bob Adamson
Mike Graham
U.S.A.
John Wheeler
Annette Nibley
Vincent Flammini
Joan Tollifson
U.K.
Jeff Foster
David Brockman
Rupert Spira
I watched videos of Bob on the net. I corresponded with a number of Non-Dualists for whom the seeking has ended. The names listed above are only a few of them. I know from my own experience that all of them readily and most caringly and (often) promptly respond to our queries over e-mail and help us in our Self-inquiry. Bob may have discontinued correspondence currently.
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