THE RAZOR'S EDGE

My Photo
Name: the Wanderling
Location: United States

Darshan under Sri Ramana Maharshi, Zen study-practice under Japanese master Yasutani Hakuun Roshi and American Zen master Alfred Pulyan. Returned Peace Corps Volunteer (RPCV); Red Cross DSHR worker, deployed six weeks for Rita/Katrina hurricane duty with an additional six weeks for hurricanes Gustav and Ida.

Wednesday, June 15, 2005

THE RAZOR'S EDGE


the Wanderling


ENLIGHTENED INDIVIDUALS I'VE MET



SINCE TIME IMMEMORIAL PEOPLE HAVE SOUGHT ENLIGHTENMENT AND SPIRITUAL AWAKENING. SUCH WAS THE CASE OF A YOUNG AMERICAN CALLED LAURANCE DARRELL FOLLOWING A DEVASTATING WARTIME EVENT. SEEKING AN ANSWER TO LIFE AND THE INFINITE HE TRAVELED TO INDIA EVENTUALLY STUDYING UNDER A VENERATED MAHARSHI. HIGH IN THE MOUNTAINS, HE EXPERIENCED ENLIGHTENMENT. BRITISH AUTHOR W. SOMERSET MAUGHAM CHRONICLED HIS STORY IN A BOOK HE CALLED THE RAZOR'S EDGE.








  1. ZEN ENLIGHTENMENT: The Path Unfolds

    Recounts meeting "Larry Darrell" in real life and the downstream results of that encounter.

  2. THE RAZOR'S EDGE: W. Somerset Maugham, Sri Ramana Maharshi, Guy Hague, and Zen

    Explores who Larry Darrell was in "real life" and what happened to him post-novel.


  3. SRI RAMANA MAHARSHI

    Insights and background into the "holy man" Maugham used as a model for Larry Darrell's teacher.


  4. W. SOMERSET MAUGHAM: Travels In India

    Just when was Maugham in India and meet the Maharshi Sri Ramana?

  5. RELIGION AND CATHOLICISM IN THE RAZOR' EDGE

    Although eastern mysticism is the main focus in Maugham's novel, threads of other religions abide.

  6. RAZOR'S EDGE NOTES
    Quick overview of the novel's major characters and themes done in a list-type note style.

  7. MAXIM'S RESTAURANT, PARIS, AND THE RAZOR'S EDGE

    Maxim's was the backdrop to one of Isabel and Larry's major meetings.

  8. LAFAYETTE FLYING CORPS

    In WWI, Larry, an American, served in the Royal Flying Corps. Watching his closest friend die sent him on his spirtual quest. Years later he meets a friend who flew for the French.

  9. AS THE DAY BROKE IN ITS SPLENDOR

    Larry tells Maugham of his meeting with the Maharshi and eventual spiritual awakening.

  10. WILLIAM SOMERSET MAUGHAM
    Good biography. Lots of Maugham graphics, from early childhood to late adult.

    Two additional, concise biographies, each from a different perspective:


  11. HERE LIES THE HEART

    Feminine seductress Mercedes De Acosta tells or her meeting with Sri Ramana and writes of Maugham.

  12. KATHA UPANISHAD

    Maugham opens his novel and gets the title THE RAZOR'S EDGE from the Katha Upanisand. What is the Katha Upanishad?

  13. 20th CENTURY NOVELS: The Razor's Edge

    Maugham's novel was a runnaway bestseller. Some of the reasons why are explored.