Updated :
An Advaita Vedanta realization, enlightenment, nisarga yoga site discussing non-duality (nonduality), your original nature, and dwelling in the natural state as revealed by Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj. FROM A SITE VISITOR: Dear Floyd, I have been reading and contemplating about enlightenment/non duality/advaita heavily. I have a tendency to reconcile science with enlightenment. Off lately I have been reading Advaita in books by Nisargadatta Maharaj, and i understand whatever i have been reading. Its been said that whatever that exist is timeless awareness. It is that God principle which makes up everything and every being. Its also been said that we are not our body and mind but we are that all pervading God principle which manifests whatever that is manifested. All sages and saints in the past and present have always said that we are not this gross body but we are beyond. If body is such a gross principle then why is it that we are not born enlightened irrespective of the body/brain development. Why is it that when we were child we dint have that matured consciousness or understanding of enlightenment. The point i want to stress here is that why the brain (or say body) is not given importance when a person gets enlightened. The very fact that for meditation and contemplation our brain is used and some how we get enlightened , then why is it said that body is gross and we are not the body, cause in the first place itself we use our brain to attain enlightenment or universal ever present consciousness. If body , with body here i mean matured and developed brain too, if maturity and development of brain were so unimportant then we would have been born enlightened but that is not the case. According to my understanding brain plays a vital role in enlightenment, in attaining universal consciousness, then why is body(this includes brain obviously) discarded as gross principle and not in reality belonging to us but just considered as five elemental play.Please shed some light on this and clarify my doubt. Also please let me know if i was unable to put forth my doubt in an understandable form.Thanks, Ravi. F.: Hello Ravi. The complete explanation for all of the subjects you raise required all of the books listed below, but the shorter version will be offered here for you and other site visitors. First, “reconciling science” and these Teachings is appropriate, Maharaj having predicted that one day science would “catch up with” the Teachings and confirm their validity (as has happened).
The effects of your programming become obvious when you report in one sentence that whatever exists is “timeless awareness” but contradict that in the next sentence by saying it is a “God principle which makes up everything and every being.”
Nothing more will be said of that contradiction other than to invite you to enter the quiet and consider your statements until the understanding comes. As for not being “this gross body” but something “beyond,” understand: that which is witnessing that it is not this gross body is not currently “beyond” but is very much present (consider “body-cum-consciousness”) in order to report that finding.
During a retreat conducted recently in-house, the guest was asked, “If you lose your arms and legs and undergo heart and liver transplants, are You still You, even without those appendages and organs?” He answered in the affirmative. That which was conscious of its presence (namely, the consciousness) was quite present and was well aware that it was something other than the body by which it is currently manifested.
The distinction is that the elements that have come together will not stay together, but the consciousness that recognized the facts concerning the phenomenal and noumenal is a form of energy that has been, is, and shall be; yet even that consciousness will not know “ItSelf” once unmanifested.
As for why you are not born enlightened, it is because (1) You were not born and because (2) “enlightenment” is merely a concept and “infant ravi” had not yet been programmed with the concepts required in order to discuss concepts. Thorns must first be imbedded, and other thorns must be available to remove them, before thorns can be used to remove thorns.
Too, You are light, and light cannot be enlightened. “The awakening” can, in some respects, have an element of “event-ness”: “Oh my gosh! It has all been nothing but untruths, all myth-based lies!” though there are stages involved as well since the early awakenings to truth are not as clear as the later degrees;
similarly, enlightenment is not an event but is a process of stages by which (A) all false identities are cast aside in order to make way for an awareness of an identity that can be understood via the inner guru and is the means by which (B) belief in lies is cast aside in order for Truth to be known. How could "infant ravi" possibly be freed of the lies that make up "the mind" before that infant has been programmed and conditioned to have a lie-filled "mind"?
More to the point, understand the condition which calls for light, namely, the darkness...the darkness of learned ignorance that will be taught to "infant ravi" someday but to which infants are not exposed.
Next, for you to understand that which you do not understand and that about which you are raising questions, you must find the roots of the brain, the “mind,” and the consciousness. You are invited to consider the nature of all three until the discussion continues tomorrow. Please enter into the silence of contemplation. (To be continued) FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE SUBJECT MATTER OF THIS SERIES, see “The Advanced Advaitin Seeker’s Package”: From the I to the Absolute, Consciousness/Awareness, and From the Absolute to the Nothingness. To order, visit http://floydhenderson.com/order.htm .
Author : Floyd Henderson
An Advaita Vedanta realization, enlightenment, nisarga yoga site discussing non-duality (nonduality), your original nature, and dwelling in the natural state as revealed by Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj. F.: In the queue of e-mail to be answered are Gerald, Ravi, Alex and then several others. There will be a pause in responding, however, since an increasing numbers of persons obviously have no understanding of the direction to “consider that pointer for seventy-two hours.” It is the task of the Advaitin teacher that understands every step on the “path” to Realization to be able to take the spoken or written words of a seeker and determine within minutes (or sometimes seconds) where that seeker is on the “path” as revealed by those words. Then, the teacher will offer level-appropriate considerations that might allow an understanding to come to that individual seeker which can, in turn, allow that person to break free of the bondage of the beliefs that have the seeker stuck at that step. In his book Back to the Truth, Dennis Waite explained in the following words this process of a teacher recognizing a seeker’s “place on the path,” determining what that seeker should hear next, and then offering the specific responses that are level-appropriate: “It is the perennial problem of the teacher to be able to judge where the student currently is in his or her understanding and lead them onwards from there. This is why a living ‘guru’ is really needed, so that questions may be asked and answered face to face.” Of the exact steps required to complete the “journey” to Full Realization, Maharaj said, “…You should go back, reverse, to the source” and “Follow the same path by which you came.” Every one of the seven steps that moved the consciousness away from an understanding of the Absolute and into a limited identification with the body must be taken in the exact reverse order to return to an understanding of THAT. If the pointers offered here are taken into careful and conscious consideration, the seeker might be freed from being fixated at one of the early steps on the “path” and shift to the next step. Yet far too many seekers now either fail to understand the process or they allow egotism to drive them away from following a clear-cut direction to use a tool that had been shown for thousands of years to be effective in bringing about the understanding. Instead, more and more are arriving with a propensity to ignore the direction of the teacher to focus on ONE point for “three moons” (to use the term of teachers among the indigenous peoples) and to talk or write or respond immediately even though having been directed to consider for seventy-two hours nothing except the pointer(s) offered. At play is what was once a trait that was unique to Westerners, especially the “go-do-zoom Anglo-Saxon / Aryan-types,” who have taught for millennia that workaholism is a “good” thing, that inactivity is a “bad” thing, and that “work will set you free” ( as they warned via their signs at Auschwitz). Originally, those types touted the value they assigned to “freedom of speech” and the right to say whatever came to one’s “mind”; by contrast, Easterners showed that they valued “freedom from speech” and the ability to be free of the corrupt “mind” that activates the mouth and that generates noise and response. Now, as their economic desires are driving the East to become more and more Westernized, the tradition is being lost there as well. Modelling the West, Easterners are turning their backs on the silence which is anathema to the ego (the false “I”). Easterners, too, are now televising “talk shows” and “news talk shows” and “entertainment talk shows” while offering a host of “radio talk shows” while breeding a crop of “talking heads.” The ego loves the noise and hates the silence. Ironically, the silence is one treatment that can be effective in eliminating what has become a global addiction to noise and talk and a focus on nonsense (and the unremitting discussion thereof). The original purpose of meditation (to go into the quiet and to be fully awake and fully aware in order to use a period of silence to consciously consider the meanings behind certain pointers) has been lost. Now, those engaged in their spiritual workaholism boast of “the fifteen minutes of complete mental stillness” they experienced during their “morning meditation time”). What of the rest of the day? Once fully Realized, there is no going into or coming out of any samadhi state. There is a fixation in the peace and quiet of the Absolute. So the ancient “ground rules” will be presented once again: when a teacher invites you to focus on a pointer or a set of pointers for seventy-two hours, there are proven reasons for making that assignment. For anyone to write back immediately and say, “I’ll do exactly what you said and focus only on that, but I also am wondering about this, this and that as well” is to reveal a self-contradiction that most persons cannot see. It is tantamount to saying, “I will follow your instructions and only focus on one thing, but I’m also going to reveal to you all of the other things I’m focusing on.” These teachings are about, in part, being restored to sanity…to functioning naturally rather than under the auspices of a warped “mind.” One Advaitin said, “A dual-minded person is unstable in all ways.” To claim that one is focusing on one thing while focusing on many things is evidence of the blocking or the bastardization of consciousness that is the very reason these teachings are offered. Thus, when the assignment to focus on one pointer is abandoned to raise all sorts of other “issues” and “thoughts” and concerns (which are only concerns to some ego-state) then understand why all of subsequent issues raised in subsequent e-mails will be ignored. Realization requires the following of one exact “path” with one exact step to be taken before the next, and the Realized teacher will not participate in the randomness of dual-mindedness that drives some seekers to try to “jump all over the place” rather than follow the directions offered along the “path.” The self-contradictory nature of ego-states will drive certain seekers to (A) sign on with a guide that knows the exact way along a “path” and that has completed a “journey” that the seeker would complete and (B) will drive those same seekers to say that they will follow the directions offered along the “path” while (C) claiming that they are following directions while (D) walking off on their own and ignoring every direction offered. Be not surprised when the guide departs to point the way for other “travellers” who are truly willing to follow the “path” per directions. Please enter the silence of contemplation.
Author : Floyd Henderson
An Advaita Vedanta realization, enlightenment, nisarga yoga site discussing non-duality (nonduality), your original nature, and dwelling in the natural state as revealed by Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj. FROM A SITE VISITOR: Thanks for the may 7 and 8 writings explaining that this period of manifestation doesn’t have to be any different from the pre-mani. and post-mani. I finally “got it,” as you said. Gerald F.: Several had the same realization, Gerald. For others that have asked for further explanation, the following is offered:
It’s no different from the “snake in a rope” teaching device: the rope was not a snake in “the past,” is not a snake now, and will not be a snake in “the future.”
Furthermore, who said “the rope” is “a rope”? It’s not. Any persons who think “the rope” is a snake or even think that “the rope” is really a rope (just because someone in the past said so) is not perceiving reality.
Even relatively speaking, understand that the rope did not have the “form” or “shape” of a rope prior to. What is now labelled “a rope” was merely certain natural elements that had not yet combined to form the space currently being called “a rope.”
As with persons, what the rope appears to be is not what it is, and what those persons in darkness take the rope to be (namely, a snake) is certainly not what it is.
For those who think the rope will always be a rope, they do not understand the Laws of Thermodynamics which insure that whatever elements “come together” in the relative existence will most definitely “come part.”
Similarly, persons were not persons in “the past” (who signed off on some “sacred contract”); they are not persons now; and they will not be persons in “the future.” All persons are personas, assumed personalities that are not real.
Understand that no person had any “form” or personal “shape” prior to. What is now labelled “a human” was originally certain natural elements that had not yet combined to form the space currently being called “a boy or girl” or “a male or female human” (and which played a role in a scenario by which another speck of consciousness manifested).
As with the misperceived rope, what persons appear to be is not what IS, and what persons (the non-Realized yet in darkness) take themselves to be is certainly not truth. That which is merely an appearance in consciousness is never what it appears to be.
For those who think that their bodies and “minds” and personas will experience eternal continuity, they do not understand the Laws of Thermodynamics which insure that whatever elements “come together” in the relative existence will most definitely “come part.”
[To site visitor Alex: Your questions regarding “heaven and hell” will be answered in an upcoming post. For now, you are invited to re-read the paragraph above and the three paragraphs that follow and consider those pointers for 72 hours.]
When the elemental plant-food body returns to the elements, the elemental brain in which the “mind” content is stored and in which belief in personas is stored, will be no more.
Post-manifestation, there will be no eternal self, no eternal Self, and no eternal Supreme Self. There will be no self-ness or Self-ness of any kind, the Absolute being beyond beingness and non-beingness as well.
All “ropes in the relative” will eventually “dis-integrate” as far as form is concerned and the elements will return to their original elemental form. So too shall all persons / humans. The difference is that persons could Realize and then function NOW with the freedom and independence that can occur if abidance happens as THAT original nature.
Post-Realization, You would know Your original nature and abide as such; the peace of that prior, pre-manifestation, no-thinking state could happen NOW; and awareness without any “one” to be aware could happen NOW. Realized, there is no duality at all involved with the "I AM THAT" and the "I AM." Please enter the silence of contemplation. FOR FURTHER READING ON TODAY’S TOPIC: Click WHAT HAPPENS WHEN I DIE? and Click THERE’S NO SUCH THING AS “PEACE OF MIND” (There Is Only Peace If You’re Out of Your Mind) and Click LIBERATION UPCOMING POSTS: Ravi asks about the role of body and brain post-enlightenment and Alex (“programmed by catholicism”) asks about the validity of heaven and hell and associated fears.
Author : Floyd Henderson
An Advaita Vedanta realization, enlightenment, nisarga yoga site discussing non-duality (nonduality), your original nature, and dwelling in the natural state as revealed by Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj. F.: Regulars to this site, along with Advaitin seekers worldwide, are familiar with Dennis Waite. He first offered pointers to site visitors nearly three years ago and has continued to do so as a periodic guest columnist. His insights regarding the non-duality teachings have been enlightening seekers worldwide for decades. For others, this information is offered: Dennis Waite has been a student of Advaita for well over twenty-three years and maintains one of the most visited websites on the subject. He served as the 2007 Chief Moderator of the Advaitin group and has published several books, including The Book of One and Back to the Truth: 5000 Years of Advaita. For information about all of his books, together with endorsements and many extracts, you may visit http://www.advaita.org.uk/. Now, his latest work is being introduced to visitors to this site. Some have asked, “You have books explicating these Teachings. Why do you recommend the books of another Advaitin teacher?” First, there are various methods of teachings (five in total + whatever "modified or individualized" versions outside those five that other persons are presenting) as well as various yogas. While some might “get it” via the Direct Method and the nisarga yoga offered here, others might only “get it” via the methods and explication offered by that speck called “Dennis.” The means is of no significance here. Thus, here is information regarding the latest written version by which that speck is speaking, a book entitled, Enlightenment: the Path through the Jungle:
What is enlightenment? What is it not? Dennis Waite’s latest work exposes the myths and defines this misused term.
Which teaching methods will get you there? And which will not? Enlightenment: the Path Through the Jungle clearly explains how the traditional methods work and why the modern, Western approaches are most unlikely to.
This book is one of the clearest and most powerful works to date on the subject of enlightenment. It provides a detailed examination of the satsang phenomenon (and its more extreme, neo-advaita variant), contrasting these approaches with the traditional methods passed down from teacher to disciple for over a thousand years.
Waite’s lucid and engaging writing indicates what is needed in the way of preparation and methodology in order to gain enlightenment, with special attention given to the problems created by modern teachers’ statements to the effect that there is ‘no person’ and ‘nothing to do’.
The work includes a Foreword by Dr. Greg Goode, philosophical counselor and a recognized expert on the subject of non-duality.
Read the extracts on the links provided and, if you want to read more, e-mail Dennis via the link on the Home Page and he will send you a free E-Book containing many more extracts from the book (as well as some of his digitally manipulated, flower photographs). Dennis said, “For those of you who are familiar with the ‘Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy’, this is not quite so bad as the Vogon reading poetry!”
Book Details: Enlightenment: the Path through the Jungle Published by O-Books Enlightenment: the Path through the Jungle (Paperback), Dennis Waite, O Books, May 2008, ISBN-13: 978-1-84694-118-4. May be ordered now from Amazon.com or Amazon.co.uk. US cover price $22.95, currently $15.61 and additional 5% off for pre-order; UK cover price £11.99, currently £7.91.
Author : Floyd Henderson
An Advaita Vedanta realization, enlightenment, nisarga yoga site discussing non-duality (nonduality), your original nature, and dwelling in the natural state as revealed by Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj. FROM A SITE VISITOR: So isn’t the prevention of ego really all about just staying awake to what we’re thinking and doing and assuring that we remain humble? Patricia F.: So, Patricia, it should be seen that only ego-states take themselves to be thinkers and do-ers and that ego-states are about the fictional “mind” and its belief in the illusions of personality. It should also be seen that humility cannot possibly manifest alongside ego-states and thinking and doingness and “mind” and personality. You were also told that, if you would be truly awake and ego-free, You must also realize that this temporary period of manifestation can and must happen in the same mode as Your natural state prior to manifestation (which will also be Your natural state post-manifestation). Your natural state is Your natural state. You Are THAT now, but you are not functioning as that during the relative existence since you believe that thinking can generate humility and can eliminate ego when thinking is actually the very food on which ego thrives. Yet awareness of that natural state is blocked, obscured, by beliefs and ideas and concepts and thinking. The deer, living quite naturally, does not think, does not assume false identities, and does not use egotism to try to sustain something that is imaginary. All of that would be most unnatural for a deer and it is most unnatural for a human. It is equally unnatural to try to overlay supernatural concepts onto that which is natural. Anything that is unnatural or supernatural has nothing whatsoever to do with what is natural and will, in fact, prevent natural, AS IF living from happening. All unnatural concepts and all supernatural concepts are merely (1) blockages that prevent Pure Witnessing from happening, will (2) guarantee that egotism—not humility—will be the driving force in your relative existence, and will (3) prevent you from “dwelling” as Your natural state for the remainder of the manifestation. Thus, persons are trapped in ego or egotism not because of a lack of humility but because of a lack of awakening…of liberation from personality…of transitioning beyond the body-mind-personality identification. You were invited to understand that Your present state is that natural state and that original nature, that Your awareness of that reality is blocked because of the ideas and concepts and beliefs that prevent the Pure Consciousness/True Self from knowing its nature, and that the way to be free of ego is not by “thinking” but by being free of the “mind” and personality and the effects of conditioning and programming. Please enter the silence of contemplation. (To be continued) TOMORROW: Information on Dennis Waite’s latest book
Author : Floyd Henderson
| 
