The Myth of Enlightenment: Seeing Through the Illusion of Separation [Paperback]

I am writing a review not after reading the book, but because I have had the opportunity to sit with this man and question him in India. I found that he had a rapt audience of devoted listeners who seemed to relish his antics of exploding peoples preconceived egoistical ideas. All well and good. But I have been an ardent student of Non-dual traditions for over twenty years, and have sat with many different teachers from different traditions, and I can honestly say that this man is certainly no Buddha. He is a very clever man, and he has a a very strong intellectual understanding of the philosophy...a virtual advaita heavyweight champion. But he lacks the boundless compassion and unconditional heart that is the quality of any great realized being. Instead, Karl delights in the "de-construction" process with the zeal of a pre-pubescent boy, ridiculing and taunting people just to get them to break down. He sidesteps all direct questioning regarding him, and justifies all his rude behavior with the idea that he has no ego, and therefor anything goes. (very dangerous to be propogating this notion to the gereral public) His intellect makes him immune to any real exploration into his very obnoxious and unorthodox way of teaching. I think he has a very big ego... so big that he has succesfully shielded it from his own eyes.
Apart from respecting his sharp intellect and strong understanding of Advaita philosophy, I think he is doing a major disservice to non-dual teachings by posing as some figure of enlightenment.
If you are inspired by his teachings, thats great. Even tyrants can make wonderful teachers. Just dont go calling him a Buddha, please.

Reading Karl Renz's MYTH OF ENLIGHTENMENT strips away all remaining illusions the mind still creates even if you "think" you got it! If we can manage to read this book in timeless presence and "loose our mind" we are realizing there is nothing to realize! Karl knows all the tricks the mind is playing and brings with his book a refreshing non-perspective, humorous and radical approach recommended for anyone interested in any spiritual path and/or non-dualistic philosophy.

"Comrade this is no book,
Who touches this touches a man...
It is I you hold and who holds you." (Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass)

First, some context:

I have read/explored this book's presentation thoroughly now for the second time. Someone considering this book as a choice, may find these comments helpful. The book is a transcription of live dialogues. Fortunately, I have had the opportunity to sit at several question and answer sessions with Karl and to watch many of the available DVDs. I have a "feel" for the flavor and texture of his answers, body language, vocal intimations, etc that cannot be written in words. While I cannot say that I have "touched the man", for certain he touched "me". "Emptiness means the absence of everything except what you are." (p 188).
From what I have seen, I can tell you that these dialogues are quite typical of his "style" of presentation. We with query, who see ourselves as separate, individuals ( man), pose as half of the apparent Q and A team.. We seem to ask the "same ole questions", verbalized sometimes cleverly, sometimes not. He, knowingly being both ends of the duo and everything in between, prior to all perplexity, responds from Self to Self. Awareness that is "what man is" responds to itself; so Karl says. Answering at times with humor, or tenderness, paradoxical perplexity, or perhaps perceived insult, he may seem to contradict himself in a matter of minutes! However he responds, there is for me, the Felt undercurrent of non-emotional Love and Lightheartedness of being. This, even if he is sitting on the edge of his seat leaning forward and thundering responses loudly, rapidly as lightning flashing. He, a truth whisperer with the universe as his megaphone, shouting from the Silence that IS every bone and stone, "THIS is Home". Just This; AS it IS, whatever it is. Prior to every thought, feeling , emotion, prior to even I AM, the Consciousness of all, says he.

I felt an open invitation/ daring flirtation, hinting at the possibility of Present Knowingness in this Merciless Mercy. Like an older brother, grandfather or child, I felt like I could unabashedly ask him anything or as easily go for a coke, beer or coffee with him. And did. Such is the everyday ambience of ordinariness and approachability that surrounds him. At least so it seemed for me, tiring now after all these decades of longing and searching, and being addicted to the silly shenanigans of Self-pursuit. Test it for yourself. It is NOT easy read for some and is not for everyone, but is one of the most down to earth, that is, Fundamental, Radical expressions of That which cannot be known by its expression, I have ever experienced.

It seems I have digressed from discussing the "book" to discussing the "man"? Yes, it seemed so to me as well until, in my perplexity, I saw where Whitman's poetry, haunting me now for days, fits. Fits like a key that opens a door that isn't "there". No need for key or lock if there is no door or wall or imprisoning structure.

Q: " So the I has to disappear?
A: How can something disappear that was never there.?" ( p114, The Myth...)

"The separate person you take yourself to be is merely a story you're telling yourself, and you experience what you believe. It appears real because you tell it to yourself daily." (p63, Ibid) "Your true nature is eternal, prior to the appearance of time, space and all that arises in it. Eternally untouched, this absolute awareness perceives itself in and as itself." (p 192)

"Comrade, this is no book,". (Whitman, Leaves of Grass)
Touched may you BE.
Beverly

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