About Eric
A modern-day mystic and yogi, Eric Putkonen focuses on nonduality, as seen within the "Direct Path" traditions: Jnana Yoga, Advaita Vedanta, Zen Buddhism, etc. After searching for thirteen years and awakening in 2005, he has made himself available to whomever wished to speak with him. He directly points towards our true Self and liberation from suffering...that is "Enlightenment."
He began holding meditations and Satsang ("meetings about the Truth of our Essence") in his home in 2006 and met with individuals privately in order to sit together in silence and point towards who/what we really are.
Eric speaks from direct experience and understanding, but the most influential teachers for him have been the work and lives of Ramana Maharshi, Nisargadatta Maharaj, Eckhart Tolle, Alan Watts, J. Krishnamurti, Mahatma Gandhi, and Paramahansa Yogananda.
What makes Eric's teachings different than another's teachings?
Well, he has realized six truths that he often finds are contrary to other contemporary teachers:
- Not Two (i.e. Advaita or Nonduality) - Others are a mirage, so is a separate self.
- Enlightenment, Awakening, Liberation, Moksha, etc. are equivocal terms for the deep realization of the Self.
- Enlightenment is sudden & complete...it does not come in stages, levels, or over time.
- Enlightenment is not gained, and with Enlightenment there is not anything gained.
- Enlightenment is permanent...it can not be lost or go away in some way.
- Enlightenment is not the end, and yet there is nothing to do.
The true meaning of these six points are not easily understood and often are misunderstood, but are given as the basic tenets of Eric's teachings. He speaks and teaches from these, so (for example) he will not talk about stages of or towards Enlightenment...and in fact, he flatly says that is a part of the illusion. Either we are Enlightened...Awake...or we are still asleep.
