Be Empty

Introduction

       The following collection of statements and teachings were hand-written by Sri Tirtha Lal on some 100 pages which were stapled together and entitled "I and You'. There are no dates mentioned, however I would guess that these passages were written after the publication of 'Bed Crow' since they reinforce the 'Be empty' teaching contained therein. Much of the work consists of full pages of  poetic exhortations, most in capital letters of varying sizes and emphasis. I have attempted to render these in a way that I hope conveys the spoken effect of the original writing. 

       It is worth noting, perhaps, that Sri Tirtha Lal trained, qualified and practised as a doctor during the earlier part of his life and took part in campaigns to eradicate Malaria in the southern plains region of Nepal - hence the metaphors and occasional medical words used here and there in reference to 'disease' and the responsibility of 'spiritual doctors' in relieving and curing the suffering thereof. Indeed, in the early years, 'The Doctor' was the name by which we few westerners that knew him referred to him, whereas among his Nepali and Indian friends he was known as 'Dai', or 'elder brother'. He used to sign his letters 'True Love, Thy own Atman' and latterly of course, he claimed the title 'Bed Crow', but now I feel it appropriate to refer to him as Sri Tirtha Lal....... such is our need to find a name for the nameless!

       In many ways, a lot of these writings sound something like a 'shouting from the rooftops', proclaiming again and again the inviolability of the Supreme Truth or Reality and lamenting the prevalence of ignorance, especially in those who would put themselves forward to lead others while claiming a knowledge they do not possess. Nevertheless, he concludes with the metaphor of a spiritual warrior who, having fought against all forms of objectivisation in an attempt to eradicate his ego, concludes that the way of love and non-violence is preferable to hate, and thereby achieves his final aim - knowing that 'He, the one single eternity - alone is this universe' and that except Him, there is in fact, no other. -Ed