Selected Passages from Meetings with 'Sailor' Bob Adamson
A Companion CD Series to the Book, What's Wrong with Right Now
Unless You Think about It?
Recorded and Edited by Gilbert Schultz
Reviewed by Dennis L. Trunk
Nisargadatta pointed to the reality, the actuality THAT I AM. Now I abide as THAT. - 'Sailor' Bob Adamson
Bob Adamson may be one of the world's most under-recognized teachers of Nonduality. He lives in Australia, where he teaches a small group of students at regular meetings in his home. Since he doesn't travel on the international satsang circuit, this CD of excerpts from his meetings is a golden opportunity to hear him speak.
Although many of the CD's 16 passages, which total nearly 79 minutes, are similar to material which can be found in his book, What's Wrong with Right Now Unless You Think about It?, they are meant to be a companion to the book, not a replacement. Reading the book (see review) is essential in order to become fully attuned to his teaching. Also, because the recordings were captured in less than perfect acoustic surroundings, and because Adamson's somewhat muted voice and his Australian accent require close listening at times, familiarity with the book will help in deciphering any unclear words or phrases in the audio. (Reviewer's Note: Since the time of this review, the audio quality of the CD series has been greatly improved.)
But the CD is also more than a companion to the book. The most important benefit from hearing it is that the talks can be heard as Adamson intended; that is, in a receptive mode of simply listening; awareness speaking to awareness, without the intervention of the mind's screening process. This uncompromising acknowledgement - that there is nothing but consciousness itself without boundaries, and that there are no problems except those created by thought - is an important characteristic of his direct teaching style. He often points out that there is neither teacher nor student. Regardless of appearances, there is only the Self teaching the Self.
As that suggests and as the CD demonstrates, Adamson does not elevate himself. He is a very simple and plain teacher who presents pure Nonduality in the only way possible, by pointing directly to the truth that what you are looking for is never found in the mind. It is awareness, presence, being - always immediate, always in the present, always self-evident, always obvious. Listening repeatedly to the passages on this CD invites the truth to shine through the mind's fog and to bring about awakening through increased understanding. As many students have found, Adamson does not have to be physically present in order to teach. Abiding as That, he is borderless. He is always as close as the Self.
Update: Since the writing of this review, Volumes 2 and 3 of this CD series - equal to the first volume in excellence - have become available as part of a 3-CD set called, "Conversations On No-Thing." For more information about this CD set, or to read a sampling of the teaching, or to place an order, visit 'Sailor' Bob Adamson. Or, you can order from Non-Duality Press in the UK, or "Sailor" Bob Adamson's Bookstore in the US.
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Dennis L. Trunk
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