159. Petrica Verdes, Translator of Ilie Cioara’s Works

Ilie Cioara was an enlightened mystic who did not belong to any lineage or tradition of awakening. Jerry Katz describes his writings: “This work stands independently of ancient traditions, well known sages, and the current nonduality scene. That is refreshing. Ilie Cioara's works are among the finest books on nondual consciousness." Like Ramana Maharshi, Krishnamurti, and Eckhart Tolle, his is a simple message of discovering our inner divine nature through the silence of the mind. His original writings in 16 books describe the experience of meditation and enlightenment, as well as the practice of “Self-knowing” using all-encompassing Attention. Born in 1916, Cioara lived his life in almost complete isolation in Eastern Europe, in a communist country, completely oblivious of nonduality, Zen, etc. Originally a Christian mystic, he practiced a mantra for over 20 years. One day, he felt an intuitive impulse to drop the mantra, and just practice the silence of the mind, by listening to the noises on the street, in the now. After following this practice for a few years, one morning, as he was waking up from his sleep, he suddenly experienced Enlightenment. His description of meditation is fresh and devoid of any tradition and jargon. Four books by Ilie Cioara have been published in English so far, translated by Petrica Verdes: The Silence of the Mind I Am Boundlessness The Wondrous Journey: Into the Depth of Our Being Life Is Eternal Newness Petrica Verdes (Deva Daan) is an ordinary person. No ego trip, no need to be somebody, no need to be special, no need to gather diplomas, Ph.D.'s, qualifications, trainings, no need to impress, no need to be famous or influence people. No need to go on a trip of the “ego”. Just happy living an ordinary life, because this life is already extraordinary as it is, an ongoing unfolding miracle. Sometimes he serves in humbleness as an instrument for Spirit. Not wanting to write anything or teach anyone - sometimes silence speaks through him, not knowing what the next word will be. Interview recorded 1/26/2013 YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Petrica Verdes and Ilia Choara 00:05:00 - The Method of Repetition in Eleazar's Poetry 00:08:50 - Reading Objective Poetry and Windows to Infinity 00:12:53 - Living in the Energy of the Place 00:16:27 - The Inner Journey and Ilié's Dramatic Life 00:19:23 - The Beginning of Astral Travel 00:22:49 - The Astral World and Entities 00:26:38 - Imprisonment and Hard Labor 00:29:44 - The Purpose of Challenges and Growth 00:32:50 - Ilê Tuareg's Labor Camp Experience and Spiritual Journey 00:36:43 - The Crisis and Awakening 00:41:56 - Papaji and the Silencing of the Mind 00:46:23 - The Practice of Witnessing and All-Encompassing Attention 00:50:16 - The Practice of Watchfulness 00:53:34 - The Practice of Watchfulness 00:56:27 - Tuning into Inner Experience 00:59:38 - Witnessing throughout deep sleep 01:02:23 - The Disappearance of Practice 01:05:37 - The Excuse for Laziness and Misunderstanding Enlightenment 01:08:33 - Meeting an Enlightened Being 01:12:12 - The Challenge of Translating Poetry 01:15:18 - The Consciousness of Rocks 01:18:58 - The Impulses to Write and Translate After 16 Years 01:22:32 - Enlightenment and the Seven Bodies 01:26:28 - The Fear and Presence 01:29:57 - A Meeting with a Spiritual Teacher 01:32:43 - Ramana Maharshi's Continued Influence 01:35:54 - The Writing Process and Disinterest 01:40:05 - The Void and Psychological Emptiness 01:43:53 - Concluding Remarks and Appreciation 01:46:53 - Batgap.com and Interview Updates