The Path Supreme – Conversations with Shri Babaji at the Dehradun Ashram, Home of His Tapas

The Path Supreme is a rare and unique opportunity to read the higher teachings of a Yogi that have traditionally only been revealed to the closest disciples. Shri Shiva Rudra Balayogi, affectionately known as Babaji, has allowed His deep conversations at the Dehradun Ashram located at the foothills of the Himalayas to be transcribed and edited to illuminate the path to Self Realization. Babaji is a Self-Realised Yogi - one who has completed the path of Yoga and attained union with the Self. For twenty years Babaji devoted himself to sadhana (spiritual practice) and served His Guru, Shri Shivabalayogi, being initiated into a monastic life of meditation, devotion and service. Following His Guru's physical passing from the world in 1994, Babaji entered into the spiritual state of Tapas, in which He maintained the mind in complete stillness during meditation for twenty hours a day. Five years of Tapas culminated in the attainment of the goal of all spirituality - Self Realisation, the permanent union of the mind with the Supreme Peace of Infinite Pure Consciousness. The book is divided into three parts and consists primarily of a dialogue of question and answers between serious spiritual aspirants and Babaji. Babaji answers clearly and concisely drawing from His own deep personal experience and profound spiritual insight to unlock the secrets to spiritual progress and Self Realisation. Part one details Babaji's teachings and questions most frequently asked by visitors to the Ashram. It focuses on the meditation technique and living spiritually in the world. As Babaji says, 'You can be in any way of life and still be perfectly spiritual. All you need to do is to adopt the methods. Whatever exercise you undertake, it must help your mind to recede, become more peaceful, quiet and composed.' Babaji illuminates the unity of all spiritual traditions in one simple teaching 'All you have to achieve is that one hundred percent concentration of the mind. When the mind becomes totally concentrated without any resolution, without any thought, then it automatically goes inward toward the Self and ultimately settles there with Supreme peace, totally contented.' Part two details the Higher Teachings. For these intimate talks Babaji again answers from deep personal experience of the Ultimate Truth rather than scriptural study. It is divided into almost thirty chapters with topics such as: The Mind and its Tricks, Pure Consciousness: The Gap between Thoughts, True Peace lies Within, The Self is Beyond all Imaginations, Samadhi and Realisation and Beyond Myths and Illusions. Babaji clears misconceptions about spirituality, inspiring readers to take up sadhana seriously. In one chapter Babaji enters into dialogue with a Scientist. When questioned if everything exists in waves but when the mind focuses and positions itself sees the particle and the wave no more exists ('Heisenberg's uncertainty principle') Babaji replies: 'I would agree very much with the physics concept, because it is very similar to the spiritual concept also. Ultimately, everything that is experienced as a scene, everything that is seen is an illusion. It is not a truth, only the existence of the Self is Truth.' Babaji expands on these concepts further during the dialogue making compelling reading. When asked if is it possible to understand that state of Realisation from the faculties of mind Babaji replies: 'Impossible, because mind exists based on its own imaginations. Its only quality of existence is imagination. The moment it loses all of its imaginations, mind is no more a mind, it is Consciousness of Existence…' More probing questions relating to Samadhi and Realisation are asked which Babaji clearly answers. When questioned if the brain's reflections get erased during Tapas and if they become purified Babaji explains: 'Yes, it is purified. The brain's reflections are very minimal; it does not affect the mind. Only if the consciousness wants it applies the brain. It does not allow the brain to go on playing on its own. Now the Self is the master. It is commanding both the brain and the mind's activities.' The book concludes with a deeply inspirational set of aphorisms, known as the Golden Verses, which were recited spontaneously by Babaji during a retreat. As the pages are turned the wealth of knowledge from a great master starts to penetrate the inner layers of the mind bringing the reader closer along the path to Self Realisation. This book is truly unique in that it is not based on scriptural study but from profound, personal experience and is highly recommended.