Jean’s Journals – Being with Nisargadatta Maharaj. Glorieta suggested me to post this book by Jean Dunn one of Nisargadetta’s most devoted students. Jean Dunn was one of Nisargadatta Maharaj’s closest Western students, and a student who Nisargadatta considered to be one of his most deeply realized students. Jean Dunn was apparently the only Westerner that Nisargadatta explicitly asked to teach. Jean Dunn had already edited three books of Nisargadatta’s dialogues, titled “Seeds of Consciousness”, “Prior to Consciousness”, and “Consciousness and the Absolute“. During Jean Dunn’s lifetime, the Journals were freely distributed, with her permission, and people were free to make copies for sincere students of the teachings of advaita, of Nisargadatta, and of spirituality in general. Afterwards, copies have been circulating, though some versions were edited, and had parts missing.
The most pristine teachings of Nisargadatta
Here is the complete book formatted as a PDF e-book. Included in the end is an article by Jean Dunn, and an interview with her. The article and interview were part of the original manuscript that was distributed. Glorietta writes: For many who have read these journals, who have studied Nisargadatta’s teachings, and others in his lineage (the Inchigiri Navnath Sampradaya), these journals include the most pristine teachings of Nisargadatta. They also show Jean Dunn’s own experience, which is very unique, of her spiritual awakening with Nisargadatta.”
Download the free PDF e-book here:
Jeans Journals – Being with Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj
The three books Jean Dunn has written, the sequel to I AM That, which has opened the door for so many ‘seekers’, are invaluable. Out of respect for her, for the work she has done, I started translating her diaries into Dutch.
I was almost done with it when I came across the above discussion. Yes, the plan was to publish the result, only to pay tribute to her work, and certainly not to earn anything from it.
I was with Maharaj at the same time as Jean Dunn, just not as long as she was, just a few weeks. In her diaries she describes the atmosphere, the surroundings, the hustle and bustle in a way that brought me back to the most special time of my life.
I see now that It is best to respect Jean Dunn’s wish not to publish her diaries. That’s why I stopped translating. She must have made her wish known to her daughter Judy for a good reason.
On this perfect day, after more than 50 years of study and contemplation, the subtle guiding graceful ray of mouna led me to your site…. and I will be forever grateful. Thank You All, especially Jean and Judy.
If Jean Dunn’s family doesn’t want this published, you should respect them and take it down. You may (or may not) be able to legally justify publishing this, but you cannot justify it ethically. I work in publishing and am familiar with copyright laws. But I am also familiar with generally agreed upon respectful and professional behavior.
Thank You!
Judy Amlin.
I submitted a comment yesterday. My name is Judy Amlin. My mother was Jean Dunn. She did not want her journal to be published, as I mentioned before. I respectfully request that you remove it from your site. If you wish to confirm my identity, please contact her publishers at Acorn Press.
I would appreciate an answer from you.
Sincerely, Judith Amlin
Hi Judy, Glorieta O’Malley, one follower of Nisargadatta asked me post the journal here on the site.
She told me that the original manuscript was not copyrighted, and not meant to be sold, so it should be okay to be put online. I was also told that during Jean Dunn’s lifetime, the Journals were freely distributed, with her permission, and people were free to make copies for sincere students of the teachings of advaita, of Nisargadatta, and of spirituality in general. Afterwards, copies have been circulating, though some versions were edited, and had parts missing. This is the original version.
Glorieta O’Malley says that for many who have read these journals, who have studied Nisargadatta’s teachings, and others in his lineage (the Inchigiri Navnath Sampradaya), these journals include the most pristine teachings of Nisargadatta.
Admin
I have no idea who she is(Glorieta O’Malley), but Jean told me personally that she had a few copies made for her devotees, and that she did not want the journal to be published. She deliberately did not copyright it in order to keep it out of the public domain. They were not “freely distributed”, and no one was encouraged to make copies for others. Someone is projecting their own ideas here. There are existent copies that were given to her successor for distribution from guru to disciple. However, she did not instruct her devotees about her desire to keep it among her followers, and not to publish. I imagine she did not feel it was necessary. She did however, tell me that it was not to be published. It is not about money. She did not want it published, whether for money or for free. Please take it down.
Wisdom teachings to be kept private? On what basis? Shouldn’t humanity have access?
Sri Nisagardatta Maharaj accepted all into his home that wished to learn from him. Read that sentence again.
Now an heir of one of his disciples claims ownership? As Shi Va said I don’t know whether to laugh or cry. It is a contradiction of the teachings to keep them private.
With that fact in mind I am using these teaching for the benefit of all beings.
This is Judy Amlin. I am not nor have I ever claimed “ownership” of the journals. I have only expressed what my mother told me. Her reasoning was that “these teachings are not for everyone”. At this stage, I have decided that, since they have become so widespread, that there is nothing more that I can do. Please don’t project your ideas onto me. I was only trying to do what my beloved mother asked me to do. Also, get a grip on that ego.
It is said in bhagavad gita that Man has no claim over the fruits of his labour. Here we have a woman who claims the fruits of her mother’s labour.I dont know whether to laugh or cry.
Spiritual teaching belongs to humanity not to individuals,
Why do you deny us your mothers gift to this world?
Please read my response to Nathan Whitaker.
Also, re: these teachings are not for everyone, was in reference to personal teachings in the journal. Not His public teachings, as published by several authors.
Also, “Gentlemen” (obviously using that term loosely), I would suggest you reread your own comments. I would never dream of mocking, laughing at, or trying to otherwise demean someone in the way that you have done. I will respond succinctly to those who are being Rude. As her heir, re: all her writings, I chose not to publish the journals after they started showing up. I could have copyrighted them and made money off of them, had I wanted to do so. Her publisher wanted me to do that. I did not, as I felt it would be disrespectful of me to do so after she told me what her wishes were.