Since I was mentioned, I guess I'll say a few things. First, I am a huge fan of Robert's work, in addition to considering him a dear friend. As he says, we agree on more than we disagree about.
Yes, I like and recommend both Rupert and Mooji, but that doesn't mean I resonate with everything they say or do. The recommended books list on my website includes a hugely diverse group of teachers and authors.
I met Rupert many years ago, before he was teaching, on a retreat with Francis Lucille. In the years since Rupert has been teaching, we've had a few in person conversations when we were in the same place, we've exchanged a few emails, we shared a meal once at a SAND conference, and we certainly have a friendly collegial relationship, but I wouldn't describe us as personal friends.
I met Mooji in person once, early in his teaching career, at a small private gathering in Chicago. He was very down to earth and warm-hearted. I felt great love from him, and I was moved by what he said. We've had contact a few times since and I've listened to many of his talks online. I find his essential message very clear and powerful. I recommend him for the clarity of the message and the love I feel from him and around him.
Yes, Mooji does teach in the Hindu guru style of his teacher, Papaji, and it's not my style by any means, but I'm not as put off by it as many Westerners are, probably because I do have a devotional bhakti streak. (I love Rumi, for example, while Robert does not). Feet kissing is a thing in India, and my sense is that Mooji tries to dissuade people from doing it. In fact, people are asked not to do it, but some do it anyway, and Mooji accepts it gracefully when they do. So, while I can't imagine letting anyone kiss my feet, it doesn't bother me that much when it happens with Mooji. He is physically affectionate with both men and women, young and old. Offstage, Mooji seems to hang out with his devotees in a casual way, albeit he is clearly looked upon as the guru by his followers. Anyway, I love him, and I don't see him the way Robert does, although I do see the dangers in the guru style of teaching, and it isn't my way..
I agree with Robert that Rupert presents his understanding and perspective (philosophical Idealism) as a fact, and for me, it is a possibility and not a certainty. I greatly appreciate, resonate with and share Robert's epistemological humility in such matters. But I don't see Rupert playing the guru in the way Mooji does. I haven't been to any of Rupert's retreats, but I would guess that, like his teacher Francis, Rupert hangs out with everyone in a casual way outside the talks. I find him very clear and his expression very beautiful and primarily experiential in focus, all of which I appreciate.
Like Rupert, I even have a Christian streak. I resonate with the word God. But at heart, I'm about the simplicity of just being here in this moment, appreciating the beauty and the wonder in what is, and not needing any metaphysical explanations or certainties.
I agree. I like Robert Saltzman, and I also agree with everything he says. And, I also pray the rosary whenever I am stressed and I need to beg for mercy.
Yep - we all like/feel a resonance with what we like/feel a resonance with...and as with anything that perspective shifts - ebb and flow - with each unfolding moment. Others may understand it or not. Doesn't matter.
"Support" is an interesting word. I love my family and friends, but I don't support every single thing they say or do. I wonder why anyone is interested who / what you "support" Robert. I love your books and videos, but I don't agree with every single word you've said. If I did, I'd probably be a robot. I'm not sure that you support Joan, so much as you guys are good friends. What's wrong with that?...
I’m with you. I tried to read Spira and was turned off for some reason. I can only surmise that I felt like I was being pushed in a certain direction or that that there was an air of certainty around his way of seeing. It was so long ago I can’t remember what it was exactly except to put it in my dad’s terms a “big headed” attitude. That’s all I can remember thinking. It doesn’t really matter except that he seems to be one of the darlings of non-duality these days.
I learned something reading this I didn’t know and that is Mooji is on the Bhakti path. I had no idea. I liked listening to him, but was never able to successfully implement his suggestions. I appreciated his gentleness I think.
Since I was mentioned, I guess I'll say a few things. First, I am a huge fan of Robert's work, in addition to considering him a dear friend. As he says, we agree on more than we disagree about.
Yes, I like and recommend both Rupert and Mooji, but that doesn't mean I resonate with everything they say or do. The recommended books list on my website includes a hugely diverse group of teachers and authors.
I met Rupert many years ago, before he was teaching, on a retreat with Francis Lucille. In the years since Rupert has been teaching, we've had a few in person conversations when we were in the same place, we've exchanged a few emails, we shared a meal once at a SAND conference, and we certainly have a friendly collegial relationship, but I wouldn't describe us as personal friends.
I met Mooji in person once, early in his teaching career, at a small private gathering in Chicago. He was very down to earth and warm-hearted. I felt great love from him, and I was moved by what he said. We've had contact a few times since and I've listened to many of his talks online. I find his essential message very clear and powerful. I recommend him for the clarity of the message and the love I feel from him and around him.
Yes, Mooji does teach in the Hindu guru style of his teacher, Papaji, and it's not my style by any means, but I'm not as put off by it as many Westerners are, probably because I do have a devotional bhakti streak. (I love Rumi, for example, while Robert does not). Feet kissing is a thing in India, and my sense is that Mooji tries to dissuade people from doing it. In fact, people are asked not to do it, but some do it anyway, and Mooji accepts it gracefully when they do. So, while I can't imagine letting anyone kiss my feet, it doesn't bother me that much when it happens with Mooji. He is physically affectionate with both men and women, young and old. Offstage, Mooji seems to hang out with his devotees in a casual way, albeit he is clearly looked upon as the guru by his followers. Anyway, I love him, and I don't see him the way Robert does, although I do see the dangers in the guru style of teaching, and it isn't my way..
I agree with Robert that Rupert presents his understanding and perspective (philosophical Idealism) as a fact, and for me, it is a possibility and not a certainty. I greatly appreciate, resonate with and share Robert's epistemological humility in such matters. But I don't see Rupert playing the guru in the way Mooji does. I haven't been to any of Rupert's retreats, but I would guess that, like his teacher Francis, Rupert hangs out with everyone in a casual way outside the talks. I find him very clear and his expression very beautiful and primarily experiential in focus, all of which I appreciate.
Like Rupert, I even have a Christian streak. I resonate with the word God. But at heart, I'm about the simplicity of just being here in this moment, appreciating the beauty and the wonder in what is, and not needing any metaphysical explanations or certainties.
beautifully put. Would that American politics be like this ;-) I'm Canadian and having diarrhea from being so stressed about the outcome.
I support William Butler Yeats. :)
I agree. I like Robert Saltzman, and I also agree with everything he says. And, I also pray the rosary whenever I am stressed and I need to beg for mercy.
Yep - we all like/feel a resonance with what we like/feel a resonance with...and as with anything that perspective shifts - ebb and flow - with each unfolding moment. Others may understand it or not. Doesn't matter.
Thanks as always Robert. Best wishes.
"Support" is an interesting word. I love my family and friends, but I don't support every single thing they say or do. I wonder why anyone is interested who / what you "support" Robert. I love your books and videos, but I don't agree with every single word you've said. If I did, I'd probably be a robot. I'm not sure that you support Joan, so much as you guys are good friends. What's wrong with that?...
I’m with you. I tried to read Spira and was turned off for some reason. I can only surmise that I felt like I was being pushed in a certain direction or that that there was an air of certainty around his way of seeing. It was so long ago I can’t remember what it was exactly except to put it in my dad’s terms a “big headed” attitude. That’s all I can remember thinking. It doesn’t really matter except that he seems to be one of the darlings of non-duality these days.
I learned something reading this I didn’t know and that is Mooji is on the Bhakti path. I had no idea. I liked listening to him, but was never able to successfully implement his suggestions. I appreciated his gentleness I think.
I'm totally with you on both these teachers. Misleading at best. You describe why very clearly.