Iyengar: The, the seer swells in his own true splendor.
Carrera: Then the Seer (Self) abides in Its own nature.
Taimni: Then the Seer is established in his own essential and fundamental nature.
For those of us raised with the Bible, Carrera offers similar teachings from that book. In the New Testament, Jesus says “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God”. He notes the lack of choice in this phrase – when your heart is pure, you will see God. In the Old Testament, Psalm 46.10, he points out “Be still and know that I am God”. Like nirodha (a clear and steady mind), and like a pure heart, stillness is a requirement.
Both Taimni and Iyengar point out that waves of consciousness distort the true expression of the soul. Taimni points out that this state of self realization cannot be understood outside oneself, only from within. Iyengar states that when the mind is regulated and restrained, knowledge can be seen truly and clearly and the “grandeur of the seer is seen and felt”.
Chris, I just wanted to let you know how much I'm enjoying these! These are not the versions I am familiar with - my go-to version is Bouanchaud's and I only have a passing familiarity with Iyengar's. The others are completely new to me, so I am really enjoying your presentation and summaries here.
Posted by: sophi | February 28, 2009 at 08:44 AM
Thanks Sophie. I really like the Carrera translation - it's more readable than the other two. But I like the Iyengar translation because my teachers talk and think like him (all Iyengar teachers) and the language they use is very similar to his. The Taimni translation was written many years ago and the language is harder to read but he also has some terrific insights. It is very useful to look at different translations.
Edwin Bryant is coming out with a new translation this year.
Posted by: Chris | February 28, 2009 at 03:03 PM