S p i r i t ua l i t y S t u d i e s 6 - 2 Fa l l 2 0 2 0 3 Gejza M. Timčák 1 Introduction Sanskrit termĀtma vichāra stands for the English word Self-enquiry and denotes a method of contemplation best known through the teachings of Ramana Maharshi (1879– 1950). The method has already been researched (e.g. Glenn Friesen 2005; Dojčár 2013, 1–11; Dojčár 2017, 65–103; Dojčár and Gálik 2017, 121–135), its didactics, however, was not comprehensively developed yet. Dojčár and Gálik (2017) came to the conclusion that “mystical death” was the key to achieving vidyā or jñāna . The phenomenon of the so-calledmystical death is recognized in various religious traditions (Campbell 1988, 245). The alchemic tradition , for instance, is one of such symbolic ways of showing that one has to renounce everything if one is to discover the secrets of life (Jung 1993, 232; Roob 1997, 122). In alchemy, thus, mystical death and resurrection constitutes a central part of the so-called “great work”. There are also examples from the tradition of yoga where sādhakagets throughmystical deathwhen the life experience , as we usually understand it, recedes suddenly to give place to the Life itself . One example is of Ramakrshna who is reported to claim following: “ Almost despairing of the attainment of nirvikalpa samādhi, I then opened my eyes and said to the naked one [Note: Paramahamsa Totapuri, his master]: no, it cannot be done. I cannot make the mind free from functioning and force it to dive into the Self … He said: ‘Collect your mind here into this point ’.” (Saradadananda 1952, 251). “ With firm determination I sat for meditation again … there remained then no function of the mind, which transcended quickly the realm of names and forms, making me merge in samādhi. ” He, however, had already completed his preparation in a dualistic kind of samādhi (Saradadananda 1952, 241). Description of basic About the author Doc. Ing. Gejza M. Timčák, PhD. , is a yoga tutor and author of a number of yoga related books like Joga 1–4 in Slovak (6 editions), Joga 1–2 in Hungarian (2 editions), Yoga 1 in German (1 edition), Personal Development Strategies in Yoga , translation of the Gheranda Samhita, Goraksha Shatakam, Aparoksha Anubhuti, Sarva Upanishad, Satkarma Sangrahah or Shat Chakra Nirupanam . On conferences and courses he had countless presentations on diverse yoga subjects. He co-authored books (e.g. teaching materials for Slovak Yoga Association’s yoga-teacher courses), films (e.g. Disregarded Possibilities ), and videos (e.g. Hitting the Bull’s Eye ) on yoga. He is a co-developer of the Savita Yoga style, president of the Slovak Yoga Association, and chairman of the Association for the Advancement of Yoga. His activities relate also to the European Union of Yoga. He teaches yoga in various European and Asian countries. His email contact is timcak.gejza@atk.sk .
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