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Personal Experiences and Narratives with Robert Adams
"Again, I speak from the Ultimate Truth. Yet, until you are abiding in the Ultimate Truth,
it behooves you to engage in that which awakens Truth."
Silence of the Heart
Robert Adams
AND A CHILD SHALL LEAD THEM
“Many moments were transformed into a deep stillness that perfectly emitted the most needed message. I was actually present at this well known afternoon that made a profound impression on us all. It distinguished the Sages clear position on things important- because Robert, although very ‘cool’, in understanding of modern society- is substantial in the timeless spiritual ethics of behavior and common civility. This may not seem important, but it is essential in noticing that a teacher is, on the deepest level, in accordance with true spirituality. I found that this is the same throughout the long lasting spiritual texts, regardless of the trends of the moment. Robert says "Your true spiritual stature is revealed by the words that come out of your mouth, your real thoughts, your actions to others. Everything else is dry head knowledge.”
Many, as I did, originally misunderstood this to mean being coolly passive in the face of suffering or borderline unfairness. After all, if we don’t reflect what we are claiming to follow, what use is it to us or anyone else when we are alone with ourselves, in pain, in need? Now more than ever, I hold this yardstick of his personal substance- adherence to always kind behavior, as the revealer of ‘stature’. Particularly now, for those of us in disbelief at the trend of ever new ‘satsang givers’ stating that though psychosis or depression illumination came, devoid of any spiritual training or sacrifice. This is unheard of in India or any valid religion where deep transmutation of the heart is required. Robert simply observes that today, anyone practicing a little self inquiry establishes themselves as a teacher instead of knowing God. I really solidified cloudy generalizations of vague impersonalism and misunderstandings like these when you observe how the teacher draws solid boundaries as Robert displayed this one afternoon. We get the urgency to filter the gold from the dust.
After Robert Adams, it is very difficult to attend anything else other than his path. There is another aspect to introduce that afternoon. Robert himself quietly observed a mental mirage engulfing spiritual circles. Erudite pundits, saying “I am Consciousness”, yet “will not give someone a ride home from satsang’, open the door or give their seat to a woman, step up when a girl, innocent bystander, animal or child is being treated poorly. Now Robert enlightened a lot of us who arrived from some pretty cold, unnurtured backgrounds, believing to be ‘detached’ or spiritual, above the rest of the world, when in actuality, deep psychological wounds and loneliness needed to be resolved. With this explanatory set in mind, it was the afternoon of a gathering, or ‘meeting’ as Robert called it. It was in his later years in Los Angeles. He spoke to a different audience from his former audiences of Indian teachers and families in temples, etc.
Here, in Hollywood, someone offered their home and we were gathering and being seated, almost all single adults well versed in what Robert explains as ‘seeking many teachers and groups, practices and retreats, yet never having a direct experience of God. Not choosing one path and taking it all the way to the end.” Many people recount this afternoon. This is what I observed.
Suddenly there was a hush and a feeling of something unusual occurring. The quiet talking had stopped, the seats had stopped being moved in rearrangement. Robert, who had never in several years said or done anything other than speak in a soft voice, encourage, comfort and soothe others, listening endlessly and patiently to their sorrows, life predicaments, and asking about the well being of their families, suddenly firmly said ‘No.’ I looked up to see him turn and smile at a young child with the deepest of tenderness as if his own, patting them on the shoulder and reassuring their scared expression. “Here. You sit here in the front where you like.” He looked at the man who had just scolded the confused child and told him to get up off of the chair and go away to give it to an adult, as if the mere presence of the child was a needless hindrance.
Then Robert did something even more defined. “The child was sitting there first. You sit in the back.” he said to the man who had scared /scolded the child, as we all watched wordlessly. In many many years that was the only time I observed Robert ever spoke such. Of course, it was barely above a whisper, but the definitiveness, boldness, and commitment to defending and protecting someone in an environment that had absolutely no ‘reward’ for doing so, no purpose or logical reason to stop the flow in the room, showed one thing. That which is lacking in grabbing the ‘icing off the cake’ of ancient spiritual teachings without diving into the true substance: self awareness. There was simply nothing else to do. Since then I have really pondered my lessons and found much that Robert said that had simply gone in one ear and out the other because it did not fit in with my embarrassingly self centered concepts of what I thought the talks were, what true advaita was, and what I liked about it. I am honest enough to say I am both embarrassed and humbled to see that many prefer to pass off ‘the kindness - selfless part” as irrelevant. In actuality, it is the core. For without that, everything is coming from selfish ego. And we fool ourselves into thinking that what our ego likes, the image of ‘being in this for years’, confidently discussing it with others, is ‘it’, rather than transforming and getting on with it. Robert made it fun without compromising anything.
Because of this, I would share with you a small section of the many, many, talks I read and re read in which Robert emphasizes this often neglected area. “This world is like the third grade. We are still learning not to hurt each other. Most people who find a teaching like this, simply add it to their ego, their intellect. And their ego gets bigger than ever. Then they use these terms to hurt one another. They say, ‘It is my Self talking to you, not me. So be quiet!’ (laughter) ‘I am enlightened now. I don’t need to help anyone.’ This is the opposite of truth. The Jnani is the first one to get in there and help. The Jnani never says, it is your karma. He keeps quiet and asks how he can help. Do not pronounce yourself to anyone, do not discuss or debate. Simply become an living embodiment of loving kindness and you will effortlessly manifest your true nature. That is all you need to focus on.”
Before that afternoon, I felt it was not my place to step in and ‘do anything’ when I saw suffering occurring. Somehow, I had come to the conclusion that I was superior to this. What happened?
Last week I stepped in when the kids on my street were throwing rocks at a stray dog. Without exploding on the children I corrected them and I brought the stray home and he is sitting here looking at me. One week later. We are a family. Simple. Perhaps not as initially impressive as sitting in front of a crowd ‘giving satsang’ to all nodding in agreement, but somehow I dare to think Robert would approve.”
John Breyer
THE LOST KEYCHAIN
"When I attended a talk in Sedona, it was so crowded that I stood for half of the talk until Robert saw me and insisted that the host leave and find me a seat as he paused. This was the year prior to his cessation of the teaching. None of the teachers roaming the new age town of Sedona remotely resembled Robert in wisdom or humility. He and his lovely wife were as if a plane from the Himalayas dropped a local saint down upon us. Totally uninterested in any local spiritual activities or adulation, he could be seen walking down the street of the large hilltop home they lived, hand in hand with his wife each evening, in white running shoes and white jacket, waving happily at us as we drove by. He was a town celebrity of the time.
Tour buses and limos drove by his house showing the local Sedona saint. I had no idea by his grand sensitivity to everyone that he was seriously ill and had been for many years. I guess this was because they were so selflessly maternal and paternal in the most cosmic sense. I showed up at my requested counseling appointment as his wife brought formal tea in as a surprise. Small graces go a long way. After leaving, I realized that I had lost my keys. Since I couldn’t get home, I sheepishly returned and rang their doorbell. I knew it must be in the ashram living room overlooking the mountains. I knew that they did not see people in their home without formal appointments. It was so beautifully decorated with paintings and comfortable velvet and temple items, very well loved. “ I lost my keys.” I announced. “I umm…” Immediately, they both put on jackets and came into the cold, searching every inch of the ground and driveway for my keys. Robert walked very slowly, humming a happy tune. His wife lifted my spirits with her joie de vivre. It seemed completely natural that a world famous teacher whom people reserved appointments with years in advance, that buses reserved seats to see the saints house, would be out here scouring the ground with me for my keys in the cold assuring me that we would find them, as if I was their own. I watched my mood go from dour to light. Then to a feeling of long craved security that I never really got. This went on in my mind until it all felt completely natural for strangers to care about me to this extent rather than get rid of me as fast as possible. This healing camaraderie went on for over forty five minutes. I seemed to be becoming lighter with every moment. A light kind of mist always trailed after Robert. It lead to a higher and higher atmosphere. Finally Robert said ‘nothing is ever lost’ and then suddenly picked up my keys off of the ground, grinning at me as the world lit up. This teacher glowed like an evening lamppost in a dark night.
I mention this because in reverie, I see so many layers occurring here that were so much more valuable to me than the formal visit was. A sense of emotional abandonment from my own parents was faced for the first time and observed, not from the heavy handed ‘confrontation’ of therapy but from the tenderness of a a angels wing. The truth that people existed who interrupted their own evening to do something for me with nothing in it for them. The action instead of words of a famous teacher who could have easily blown me off. And the healing of the child in me who experienced, just for a moment, a healthy paternal and maternal demonstration of what spiritual is. What a family is. It was intensive therapy muted by clarity. It seemed it was found when it was supposed to be, after the blessing of seeing my life. Nothing is ever lost."
Karen
The First Visit
CHRISTMAS DISCOURSE
“I first attended a gathering with the rare teacher Robert Adams during the holiday season. The friend who had advised me to attend his talks was a credible and responsible sort, a World Religions professor who explained that Robert was not of the unanchored type. Not a rambling ‘awakening’ potpourri, but a solid sort, a family man, who relayed a practical yet ‘completely astounding’ conveyance of the human journey to the spiritual understanding and experience of our bliss nature. How could I refuse the invitation? Expecting the literary religions talk that we often attended at the state college, I put on a tie and slacks and was 'good to go'. I am sure my surprise was evident when we entered the audience to see a tall, clearly refined airy seeming man warmly smiling, wearing a tall red fur Santa Clause hat with a white fur ball on top, blowing bubbles!
I soon found that any mistaking this innocent humor for fools fodder would be a great mistake. It was the thoroughly healthy humor of those who know all too well the full gravity of the walk on this earth. He displayed no sense of investment in his own “I am the leader” personality quite common at such talks. Yet at the same time, there was an air of the deep timeless, of the multidimensional shaman awareness, that was intense. We were deeply involved in the Vedanta Society at the time. The formality, structure and environment weeds out the off balanced anything -goes stratum. This achieved an open channel of spiritual force. I was surprised to find that this same sense of force was flooding from this teacher, from his very being without the outer environment.
One naturally pronamed in respect to him on entering, just from the presence of the sacred. We now continued attending for several years, occasionally still visiting the Vedanta Society out of the established bonding. Robert Adams eventually left for Sedona, where I attended once a month driving from LA. During this time I can safely say that my inner life underwent a complete metamorphosis. I realized that the previous format of attending many services and talks, discussing the precepts, had become an addiction of sorts, like Sunday church goers who are completely different people during the week. The formal ritual of attending famed authors talks had done nothing for me in overcoming inner fears, annoyances, and eagerness for competition. Roberts ‘techniques’ did. His example of a deep, almost liquid tranquility, uncommon air, and practical soundness did. In reflecting on the most revealing moments 'of the heart' of this teacher during those years, I first encountered the pain of loss. The human self feels a sadness as in losing a dear one, yet just as my own aunt in childhood appeared to me smiling after ‘dying’, I know that this is of my human heart, rather than any finality of apparent outer absence. Because of this, it took me a few days to complete this small tribute to the heart of this teacher. Three instances now come to mind.
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Roberts unending patience, thoroughness, and precision in complete accordance with the school of Vedanta, while respecting the unspoken religion of the questioner when answering hundreds of 'pop quiz' type questions. This went far beyond the call of duty. He treated each questioner as if the world literally depended on them completely comprehending the answer. He insured that they would personally benefit from it. In attending philosophy and world religions conferences and authors interviews for documentary channels, I have never experienced any teacher go to this extent unless it was a personal crisis. At times I thought surely this must come to an end, this person is disrespecting him with such endless examination of the smallest subject. But Robert Adams appeared to change forms before us from a liquid fount of pure wisdom, to a precise concrete ‘reading’ of the persons being, intent, perhaps their akashic records. His answer was unexplainably addressed to them rather than the topic. For he saw that the subject was only a format for their deeper needs. So that he filled this with peace. No one left a question without a lifetime of food for thought. Unobtrusively, with clearly sincere seekers, he took a particularly caring precision and interest, never ceasing or cutting anyone off. Once I looked at him and was struck with the purity of it all. This was a truly selfless man who cared about others on the human level as God spoke through him. Similar to suddenly meeting a beautiful master child in a field of flowers, his heart revealed itself simply at that moment.
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Robert did not mince his positions when speaking to anyone involved in drug or toxic substance abuse. Expecting a relaxed sense of observance rather than taking a stand, students were surprised. To one man he said, “Observe it all you want. But is this leading to stopping? You must surrender such things.” This freed many from the confusion of harmful self indulgence.
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Robert treated his little dog with the respect of a king, much like the teacher Ramana Maharshi with his cow. The feeling was mutual. The confident little dog walked side by side with him, guarding him like a king. His long silky hair was kept at optimum care by his daughter. He actually exuded joy. Each morning and evening they walked together in a well manicured park. As the years went by, he grew older and when the dog could not walk for long distances, Robert actually carried him wrapped affectionately in his arms down the street and around the park on their usual route, every morning and evening for his last few years. He walked with him for many blocks in his arms. The sight made me misty eyed. Robert predicted publicly his dogs day of physical departure.
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A year before. He also stated that soon after he would leave his physical form, but would still be aware of each person as he was in the form. Both events followed his predictions to the ‘t’.
On Spiritual Integrity, Honor and Correct Behavior
“Virtue Is It’s Own Reward”
Enjoy an interview with Robert Adams and The Mountain Path Magazine, per dated logged phone interview with Robert Adams. This article is unaffiliated and unassociated in its entirety with other parties, addresses or groups. For accurate information, origin and dates, see The Source of the Teaching: The Robert Adams Institute Data and Archives from the journal of Robert Adams and extended article request premdevi@cox.net.
There is only one Self. What you feel toward somebody else, you are feeling toward yourself. What you do to anybody else you are doing to yourself. If you help somebody else, you are helping yourself, and if you hurt somebody else, you are hurting yourself.
What your body does is karmic. It has nothing to do with you. When you realize, "I am not the body, I am not the mind, and I am not the doer," then you are safe. But as long as you think you are doing something kind for somebody, then you want a reward, you want recognition. But when you know there is only one Self, you are automatically kind to everybody. Virtue is its own reward.
Extended Topic Discourses: “The Three Virtues: Love, Compassion and Humility.” “There is Only One Heart” “Never forget the most important thing, love, compassion and humility.” Silence of the Heart:The Three Virtues
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Robert Adams is a Jewel in a Sea of New Neo Teachers- The True Teaching for Direct Experience
It is my sheer pleasure to discover a real traditional sage that knows what it takes to humble oneself and do practices every day to really 'turn oneself inside out'. The increasingly unqualified 'satsang givers' and teachers saying one needs do nothing but be, have misunderstood the true message of the ages. They have thrown away the gold for stones. Robert shone so much love that one just knows the immense level of attainment he acquired beyond being, as many use as a reason to do no evolvement. He would look at those seeking extensive intellectual debates on terminologies and self validation as a loving father yet correct them clearly. Due to his fun and innocence, his self dicipline was often missed.
Cathy Sinclair
"Remember to Remember Your Practices" Robert Adams from Remember to Remember
Not New Age Neo-Advaita,
By donna (USA)
I have been studying Advaita Vedanta for over forty years including all the traditional sources. I have not been impressed by the current crop of New Age Advaita teachers, whose teachings might be characterized as "the cult of non-practice". Such teachings may be attractive and consoling to those who wish to be congratulated for being "already realized" but not so useful to those who are truly moved to realize the true nature of self and world for real. They do have the value of introducing newbies to the fundamental conclusions of non-dualism, but the seemingly logical advice to engage in no spiritual practice has a serious flaw. This flaw is the failure to recognize or acknowledge that nearly everyone is already doing a very intense practice -- the practice of identification with a presumed separate self. All of the devastating consequences including fear, sorrow, anger and all the rest -- called "suffering" in Buddhism -- follow from this already ongoing practice. This practice is not undone by simply reading the great Advaitic conclusions and somehow "noticing" that they are true. Such noticing doesn't cut very deep into the already firmly-held conviction of separation and mortality. Those teachers who merely offer "pointers" to one's true nature delude their followers into thinking that nothing beyond noticing what is being pointed to is necessary. For awhile, at first, this may seem to "work", but soon the deeply entrenched practice of egoity and presumption of separation reasserts itself with a vengeance.
I am sorry to see Robert Adams wonderful book, "Silence of the Heart", sometimes lumped into the category of such New Age Neo-Advaita. It is actually something quite different. It is far more reflective of the strong non-dualistic teachings of Ramana Maharshi and Nisargadatta Maharaj. Such traditional teachers fully understood the power of maya and did not underestimate its force. While they articulated the highest non-dualistic conclusions, they also offered potent practices to undermine the deeply encrusted egoic presumptions of aspirants. Robert Adams teaches in this same spirit. This book contains the highest wisdom that can be expressed in words along with a healthy respect for the obstacles faced by sincere aspirants. Adams offers the kind of realistic assessment and authentic practices to move beyond the limitations which have plagued us for eons, into the clear light of authentic wisdom and transcendental realization. Robert Adams was the real deal and is worthy of serious attention. Highly recommended for those who wish to move beyond the sometimes inspiring, but ultimately limited offerings of the New Age Neos.
beth email
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Requested Permissions required for use of personal authors narratives per private request.
ROBERT, HUMOR AND THE HEALERS
It was a Saturday morning. My days had mutated into a grayish blur of sameness. I half-heartedly attempted to redefine the low key monotony and the loneliness as ‘being in the silence’ but in reality I honestly had little happiness in my strict schedule. I sensed the value there, taking a ‘tragedy’ (a relative passed) and pulling it up into reading, practices and healthy vegetarian diet. But there is a slow silent seriousness that is not divine that grows and ferments like a mildew when we reduce our world to ourselves. Or to a few in only same type lives.
I had received permission to drop a present for Mrs. Adams at the door during the weekend, and leave. It was a special teacup set from the UK I picked up there, because her hospitable, warming and welcoming ‘tea parties’ were legendary. No one ever just had a bare bones appointment. We were treated like a long lost friend. Exotic Indian teas and refreshments instantly appeared. The light peeked out of the darkness for a moment then in my route ‘just the facts Mame’ uninteresting world. I drove up to the home in the afternoon, hearing warm laughter, tinkling cooking, and the sounds of happiness inside. It reflected what I wanted to hear inside of my own life. Inside of my own being. I turned to quickly leave after leaving the pretty wrapped package on the steps. To my chagrin and unpreparedness, the door suddenly flung open! I instantly put my hands to my uncombed hair and stepped back in surprise. There stood Robert. But not just Robert. There was each and every trinket, hanging healing magnet, herb pocket, beads, pouch, copper healing bracelet, and well wishing healing implement that students had presented to him as gifts in Sunday gatherings. And he wore each and every one! Hanging from his neck in bunches over a crisp white shirt, and from his wrists. Clearly over two dozen. In addition to this, he had a huge bright green smoothie in a tall clear glass in his hand. He peered at me over bright red glasses. He wore a bright red Mickey Mouse Disneyland baseball cap. It was a kaleidoscope of color. Startlingly graceful, handsome, very dignified and so upright in his usual composed stillness, he smiled at me. ‘Good afternoon!”
“Oh Robert… I did not mean to disturb you. I brought the gift for her, here it is.”
I clumsily picked up the box and handed it to him, he was standing there radiating friendliness.
Looking closer, I saw tiny, penalized decorative straight pins and bead encrusted closed pins clinging to the magnets hanging around his neck. He acknowledged my surprise. “This is the healing magnet you gave me. Three other people gave me one. They said, ‘Robert, do you ever wear or use the things we give you? So I thought I would wear them. All at once. Today. For all of you.” I paused, then suddenly dropped my hands from my hair and laughed freely. Happily and openly. The dross disappeared from my mind like a moth flying away. I had forgotten the funny things of life. The freedom of sheer cleansing laughter. It has been so long. This too, this was a part of life. If we let it be.
Roberts body had began to display illness some years before. It was a source of grief for his wife. He often made it humorous for her, never wanting her to feel grief. I realized that the decorative pins were a part of her design art compositions. He must have leaned on something where they were and the magnets picked it all up. He just drank his juice. Robert had become an embodiment of ‘good cheer’ for my day, for my mind. I had forgotten how wonderful laughter of this variety felt.
Now never again did Robert appear wearing all of his ‘gifts’ at once, nor his bright red glasses with a red Disney baseball cap. To many this sounded incredulous as I shared this wonderful afternoon moment. I realized that this was not a commonality of the composed, royal princely graceful sage that defined and filled most of our lives once a week for two hours, but a once in a lifetime gift that permanently took a self inflicted weight off of my shoulders. And my life. When I take myself far, far, far too seriously in melancholy repose, I recollect this afternoon and its gift of the understanding teacher whom I suspect knew exactly what he was doing, when I would arrive, and what I needed, and I know, all is well. "All is Very Well indeed."
Margot Cooper
CARROT JUICE AND DELI DELIGHT
My one moment of observing the Masters heart is sweet but reverberating in depth. Spending nine months in a Zendo had calmed the internal equilibrium, but the personal heart revealed that I needed more. I noticed the writings of Robert Adams because they spoke to me on a different level. No one else dared speak of the personal heart, of what occurs in precision after death, of serious illness, of service. These are rudimentary in thousand year old paths. They are non existent in American non dualism that invariably bows to the vacant eyed who avoid such areas. I had received confirmation that a rare ‘lunch appointment’ was occasionally possible since this unusual teacher did not appear other than at satsangs. What a treat. The biggest treat was noting that while everyone was finished and waiting for him by the entrance I asked another guest what he was waiting for. “Every lunch date, no matter where or when, he orders a large vegetarian sandwich and a large carrot juice to go for his daughter. Every week. With every new guest. Then he returns and he brings it for her. Sometimes they share it together. He never omits this. We always wait.” I 'pondered' this. An ‘upper echelon’ guru of world standing who won’t eat a lunch out without bringing a gift for his daughter. I never experienced that in a Zendo. If there is a ‘heart of the teacher’ aha moment, this was it. Unexpected, touching and pure. Just like the Master himself.
Angel Villa
The Heart of the Teacher
FEW PEOPLE
"The sweetest fruit is rare and few, far to find." This favorite quote says it all.
"Few people are aware that Robert was not a ‘full time’ teacher, an 'alternative' figure of any sort, uninterested in the large masses of invitations that arrived daily from major spiritual organizations, teachers, celebrities and groups proposing ideas to join the American spiritual craze of becoming ‘big’. He spoke of this occasionally. “America thinks spirituality is three hundred dollar retreats. The Saints and sages are usually unknown, humbly going about their business. But they are in bliss. They are in God.” He always smiled kindly reading requests for his presence daily all over the world. I know because I was there, assisting in opening mail for Robert and his assistant. In their presence, those requesting him, he often appeared as a lamb among wolves. Each debating, self conscious of their projection and impact on others, while Robert, easily the most pleasant to gaze upon and sweetest to talk to, spent the time asking each one how they were doing personally, how were their wives or husbands, children and pets. Taken aback, they would tilt their head curiously, wondering why he cared, when this important opportunity was before him to acquire a following, increase prestige, and impress. But they were struck by the power of his Truth. The all pervading power of it. They were sincere in their attempt to grasp what our culture extols as success, the admiration of others. The question comes, if others who are in suffering are admiring you who are in suffering, who is stopping the suffering? The mirage of seeking what is not of substance fails to fill the heart.
Few people are aware of how extraordinarily self disciplined Robert Adams lived each day and action, cheerfully and without fanfare, without minimalizing others harmless fun and frolic. Robert never asked anyone to stop having healthy innocent fun, in fact always said in his home, “have fun!”. However, this was of the variety of playing with animals, going to beautiful concerts, having large laughter filled parties with children or bandharas with his students. He corrected sour types who attempted to utilize teachings to ‘excuse bad behavior, gossip about others’ or generally blow the wind out of other peoples sails.
He ate formally three times a day at a formally set table, in a relaxed, very ordered manner, often with candlelight. He never slept past the rising of the sun, walking for miles and miles. He never asked anyone to be silent on the mundane level, rather to dive within to find the Silence of God on their own in their own choice. He never ate meat, never had meat, cigarettes or similar substances in his home. He got up and left films or concerts with ‘vile’ words, ideas or abuse, generally anything other than g rated. Yet never did he go out of his way to ‘brag’ lecture about this. “When you begin to find Truth, all of these things will fall away. They will have no attraction to you. If you wish to accelerate your progression, you may do this of your own free will. Now.”
Few people are aware that his precious wife has shared early times that Robert was an athletic type in early life, but not in the competitive sense. His outer form was a reflection of the Brahman class, devoid of brute aggression pride or ego, tall, refined, and in athlete build. He walked everywhere, swam for hours deep into the ocean, mountain climbed, spent large amounts of time in nature, and surrounded himself with flowers, gardens, and devoted himself to his children to an extraordinary degree, as that found and described in the ancient Vedas on householder life.
Few people are aware that Robert never held satsang that was completely devoted to ‘silence’ in which he never spoke a word. Many leaders who are unfamiliar with an extemporaneous flow of inner wisdom from upper realms, mistakenly refer to Robert Adams, to simply sit there in silence.
Few people are aware that Robert actually spoke aloud over five hundred completely extemporaneous Discourses, utilizing Silence as the conscious experience of those already elevated by his directive words, to ‘have a direct experience of God.” It was the love that astounded. The love that poured and poured.What is the Silence? Robert: "The Silence is Happiness. They are the same. The Silence is God. They are the same. The Silence is Presence. They are the same.”
Few people are aware that Robert listened extensively to music. His environments were saturated with joyful music. Chant played in his home throughout the day and night. He also played gospel and classical. Music played. Children laughed. He always went out of his way to make people happy. Never neutral. Never accepting grim surrender. Never encouraging us to thing we are nothing in the literal sense, but everything in the spiritual sense. Everything wonderful. "Are you Bright and Shining today? Are you feeling Bright and Shining?" He never sat ‘still’ while someone was suffering. He never remained ‘silent’ and looked at them. He always brought them up. Up to remembering. The ending to it all is happy. It is happy now, unchanging, eternal. waiting. His tenderness utilized simple humanity to express boundless infinity. The depth of his cavernous substance and character put pundits to shame.
He only welcomed them with love. All are welcome. Bask in the wellspring of return to holiness, love.
Few people are aware of the power of Robert Adams warm welcome. Of his unearthly presence. Of his transparency. When he says, “I welcome you with all my heart.” He means it. And what a heart. It is the heart everyone is looking to return to, ‘before the world got a hold of you’. It is the Reality of what our daily experience can be if we so choose. It is the unchanging eternal.
Amelia and Beth
Robert Adams roots in Christian Mysticism, his early writings describing this, and the importance of a devoted heart and pure life in any path are available in several Discourses and the interview in The Mountain Path magazine, holding special significance for the narrative below.
One memorable afternoon had me sitting three seats away from a priest and a celebrity. The two contrasting demeanors were evident. One was very familiar with all sorts of new alternative local groups, a free flowing new mix that did not hold one moral, spiritual or daily or life requirement as pre requisite, and the other whose entire life was based on this, every single day. When Robert finished discourse, his own demeanor was so glowing in that deep peaceful holiness that always filled the room, that people just kept quiet soaking it in. It always came unexpectedly. You always forgot that it would end on such a different, fuller feeling of awareness than when you arrived. And then it would happen again next week. It was like a rowboat that just left the dock, and during the next hour transformed into a smooth sleek motorboat that glided on a powerful waves momentum, taking it home. He lifts you up into clearer waters of your own vessel. It began with his prepatory larger than life cheery greeting. ‘Good afternoon! Greetings and Salutations!” The celebrity kept nodding. The priest looked kind and slightly overworked.
Finally, ‘Any questions?’ The priest explained a description of his ‘practices’ daily mass, prayers, counseling, etc. He explained that he tried his best to help those who came to him, but so few really wanted to change. ‘Can this path bring me Illumination Robert?” A few people leaned back in their chairs knowingly as if they knew he would explain about self inquiry and ‘higher truths’. But Robert nodded. ‘If you surrender everything. With all your heart. Hold nothing back. Surrender your heart to Him. Keep doing what you are doing.” The priests eyes watered up and he wiped them. Now several people were surprised, generally those with bad feelings towards this religion. A debate was attempted. I wrote furiously. “Robert, how can doing all those rituals bring realization of the God self? Of illumination?” “To you they are rituals. To him they are an exchange. An exchange of love with God. If your heart is pure, this brings bliss. This brings Grace. Worshipping God makes you pure. It washes away the hold of the world on you.’ There was silence as we pondered this. It struck a chord in me. I loved cathedrals but thought somehow that ‘consciousness’ was different from ‘God’. Then Robert said that if your heart finds a deep affinity with it, use ‘God’ instead of ‘consciousness’ whenever reading the Lessons. Robert himself has such a ‘priestliness’ much deeper, purer, all seeing. The utter lack of any desire to sway your thinking (unless it was something ’vile’) or discard your background is very foreign to most teachers who strongly wish to ‘expand’ ie change your vocabulary/mind to their most popular terms or likenesses. Like a ‘flower’ in his ‘be like a flower’ writings, Robert just gives fragrance of Truth, of God to anyone who wishes to inhale it deeply. Eventually, the fragrance remains.
Fred and Eileen
The Ancient Touchstones and Reference Points
"If you are a thief, you are attracted to thieves.
If you are a saint, you are attracted to saints." Robert Adams
Dr. Warner, I have only one question and answer exchange with Robert. I noticed how anyone at all could enter the talks, anyone could volunteer to assist, tape or distribute in his later years when the body was ill. I was horrified to see those mere volunteers, strangers, even those he had never met later state themselves as teacher of his own teaching, charging to sit with them, stealing his works publicly giving an entirely unrelated crude misrepresentation in person and words. So contrary to Robert in every way, a crass personal version attacking others, stealing, everything diametrically opposed to the book Silence of the Heart. Sadly using him to relate themselves with this peaceful sages name this must be distinguished for the pure seeking truth. So. I only refer to that one asked question I asked of such things: “In this world there is darkness and light. The light is of God. A reflection of Truth. All else is mans own distortions. The darkness will always be threatened by the light, but the light will always prevail. Do not fool yourself for on this earth you are under the laws of karmic repercussion. Observe the Yamas and Niyamas of right behavior. Do unto others as you would have others do unto you. If you are a thief, you are attracted to thieves. If you are a saint, you are attracted to saints. Cling to goodness and you will be protected. That is the law of karma.”
How true now as then.
Caroline Brown
Dear Caroline:
"No one who has ever known Truth, can ever harm anyone. Can any harm any living thing."
"If you are a thief, you are attracted to thieves. If you are a saint you are attracted to saints."
"If you are an honorable person you will remain in harmonious circumstances with all, humble in truth.'
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Upcoming Ebullient Heart Robert Adams Institute Contributions:
"Robert, Mel Torme and Me." Roberts music concert attendance with Akasha lessons in Truth.
"Is He Some-body?" Roberts Fathers Day touchingly humorous
celebrations at The Beverly Hills Hotel.
" Instananeous Healing" The Day All Problems Lost Their Power
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