September 2025 – Andrew Taggart, Ph.D.
5 posts published by Andrew Taggart during September 2025| Andrew Taggart, Ph.D.
5 posts published by Andrew Taggart during September 2025| Andrew Taggart, Ph.D.
Paul Deussen understands very well that the first teaching of Advaita Vedanta is viveka–discrimination, separation, or telling apart. What is to be told apart from what? Deussen writes, “This aim [in essence, moksha] the Vedanta reaches by separating from the soul (the Self, atman) everything that is not soul, not Self, and is only transferred […]| Andrew Taggart, Ph.D.
Proposition 1: The Observer Observation implies an observer. Argument: It must be established that all objective experiences are simply observations. Initially, it may seem as if a thought, a feeling, a sensation, or a perception is, somehow, just an independently existing event. But this is not true. A little reflection shows that a sight never […]| Andrew Taggart, Ph.D.
Where is there existence, where is non-existence; where is unity, where is duality? What need is there to say more? Nothing emanates from me. –Janaka, Astavakra Samhita The Ashtakvakra Samhita ends gloriously with this verse from Janaka. It is, indeed, a statement about ajata vada. Hence, it is the ultimate teaching. In direct experience of […]| Andrew Taggart, Ph.D.
In Astavakra Samhita, Astavakra states, “Cultivate indifference to everything” (X.1). With the help of the direct path teaching of Atmananda, we can easily grasp what “everything” means. By “everything,” we mean “experience” or “direct experience.” When we ask, “What sorts?” we then come to a very simple, and provisional, taxonomy: perceptions (the world); sensations (the […]| Andrew Taggart, Ph.D.
The opening verse of Drig Drisha Viveka states: Form is the seen, the eye is the seer; that eye is the seen, and mind is its seer; thoughts in the mind are seen by the Witness which alone is the Seer, but can never be the seen. —Drig Drisha Viveka, trans. and commentary by […]| Andrew Taggart, Ph.D.
Ramana Maharshi’s “Who am I?” is such a wonderful text. Consider just one brief line of inquiry. A Dialogical Summary His interlocutor asks him about when Self-realization will occur (Question 4). Not until the idea that the world is real has been removed, replies Bhagavan. There can’t be?, queries the disciple. Nope, says Bhagavan. Why […]| Andrew Taggart, Ph.D.
When we think of someone spraying bullets through stained glass windows into a Catholic church where young children are observing morning mass, we should feel horrified. In an effort to make sense of our horror, however, we should not resort to psychological categories like “mental illness.” If we do, then, sadly, we’ve failed to reckon […]| Andrew Taggart, Ph.D.
The reason our ego disappears when we investigate it in this way is that it does not actually exist even now, but merely seems to exist when we are looking elsewhere instead of at ourself alone. –Michael James, in reference to the teaching of Sri Ramana Maharshi (my emphasis) There’s something very peculiar about the […]| Andrew Taggart, Ph.D.
The Pathless Path With Paul Millerd You can watch the 1:53 teaser here. Living The ‘Yoga Of Work’ In this lively interview with Paul Millerd, I discuss my older views of Total Work (circa 2018-21) as well as my updated rendition, which I’m calling “the yoga of work.”| Andrew Taggart, Ph.D.
Michael James has written a number of excellent long form essays (for example, here and here) about the ajata doctrine, the highest or ultimate nondual teaching according to Gaudapada, Ramana Mahar…| Andrew Taggart, Ph.D.
Living Wisdom, Being Peace| Andrew Taggart, Ph.D.
My friend Jonatan Spejlborg is currently raising funds for the artist residency and school he and his colleagues are creating. Specifically, they need to raise money in order to build the house whe…| Andrew Taggart, Ph.D.
