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

ilie_cioaraIlie 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:

Petrica VerdesPetrica 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.

Petrica Verdes’s website

Interview recorded 1/26/2013

Video and audio below. Audio also available as a Podcast.

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