The wisdom of this teacher comes from Being in That space, not from books, not from learning, not from hearsay. As a result, this collection of "answers" can pierce us as no other. It takes us right to That Place. So much so, that I dare you to try to read more than 4 pages at one sitting. If you want to get tossed into your soul, read this book.

before settling down on his meditation pillow, sri nisargadatta majaraj was a cigarette salesman.

This book comes as the first of three books edited by Jean Dunn. The next are two books, Prior to Consciousness, and Consciousness and the Absolute. All three books are set up as interviews between seekers from all over the world asking questions to Nisargadatta about issues relating to the nature of being. In Nisargadatta's clear and simple language he strips away all false notions and lays before the questioner the Real, ever present, and without attribute, nature of the Self. It is a rare experience to read the conversations of a fully awakened individual, and soak up the wisdom that is present on every page and imbued in every sentence. A finer book on the simple truth that every one IS, that which they are seeking is extremely hard to come by. His words are tremendously powerful, You Are the Absolute, beyond time and space and without attributes. The wisdom within this book will plant a seed that will sprout and bring with it the nature of what you are, beyond all notions or conception.

Want to stop your mind? Read this book. Read the other reviews too. They really say all I want to say.

Prior to Consciousness is set up as a number of interviews between Nisargadatta Maharaj and spiritual seekers from all over the world. These talks were given from the August of 1980 till just before Maharaj's death in September 1981. Through clear and simple words Maharaj tears away the false and leaves the reader with the pure state of one's own beingness. Nisargadatta's main advice is for one to stablize in the state of the "I am," which is really one's only reference. Nisargadatta is similar in his approach as Ramana Maharshi, getting one to question the questioner. Freedom is yours to be had, you are free already; just get rid of all your notions of freedom. This is the most powerful book I have ever read and still continue to enjoy reading sections of it whenever I pick it up. If one is interested in Advaita this is a must.