Traditional Vedanta in a Non-Traditional Format
About
The Broken Tusk is the website of Daniel McKenzie who writes in the context of traditional Advaita Vedanta—an ancient and venerable wisdom tradition that is a proven means for understanding the nature of experience. He offers a collection of essays, short stories, and books that delve into various aspects of Vedanta, aiming to bridge ancient wisdom with modern understanding. His notable works include “Samsara: An Exploration of the Hidden Forces that Shape and Bind Us,” where he examines the multifaceted concept of samsara, and “The Wisdom Teachings of the Bhagavad Gita,” a commentary that seeks to unlock the Gita’s teachings in accessible terms. Influenced by esteemed teachers such as James Swartz, Swami Dayananda, and Swami Paramarthananda, McKenzie’s writings reflect a deep commitment to the Vedantic tradition. Prior to his immersion in Vedanta, he spent many years practicing Buddhist Vipassana (insight meditation).
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About the Broken Tusk
The name "The Broken Tusk" comes from Indian mythology and the story of Ganesh. There are a few myths about how Ganesh broke his tusk, but the one that is most often told is that Ganesh broke off his own tusk while taking dictation from Veda Vyasa (the great compiler of the Vedas and author of the epic, the Mahabharata which contains the Bhagavad Gita). The agreement made was that Vyasa would recite the Vedas (or the Mahabharata, depending on which version of the story) from beginning to end and that Ganesh would follow along without pausing. As it so happened, the pen that Ganesh was using to write down the scriptural verses began to wear away and become dull. Honoring his agreement, Ganesh found no other alternative than to break off one of his sharpened tusks, dip the point in ink, and continue the writing without missing a beat.
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In the realm of mythology, the depiction of Ganesh is rich with symbolic meaning. The broken tusk symbolizes the Self as non-dual. The act of Ganesh breaking one of his tusks upon encountering the Vedas (sacred texts) illustrates how the teachings of the Vedas can dismantle one's dualistic understanding of existence. Thus, The Broken Tusk is dedicated to the ancient and venerable tradition that enables us to understand our true essence.
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A little about Vedanta...
Vedanta transcends the categories of religion, philosophy, and even spirituality. It is an impartial examination of our experience, unaffected by historical, cultural, or personal points of view. The term "Vedanta" refers to the wisdom contained in the final part of the Vedas (Upanishads) and also to the ultimate knowledge that concludes the quest for understanding. The knowledge that Vedanta teaches is special because it is the knowledge which, once known, renders everything else as good as known. Vedanta's premise is that only through knowledge can one free themselves from the beliefs that keep them from knowing their true nature.
Vedanta has been referred to as the science of consciousness because it uses impeccable logic to reveal the nature of consciousness. Although derived from India, Vedanta belongs to no one country or any one entity, and uses a proven methodology for arriving at the truth. However, its goal isn't so much to show the truth, as to eliminate that which obscures it.
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Vedanta's teaching is timeless and is just as applicable today as it has been for thousands of years. While the teachings themselves can appear obtuse, with proper guidance, discipline and a desire to know, one can obtain the freedom they seek.
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