Tuesday, November 18, 2008

WHAT “NIRVANA” IS…AND ISN’T, Part Two

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FROM A SITE VISITOR: Iam happy that I have found this blog. How can I experience Nirvana? Thank you, Bhadanta

F.: “Nirvana” in Sanskrit technically refers tothe extinguishing of the flame of life” (literally (“out” + “blown”) and to “emancipation from matter.” So how can you “experience nirvana”?

Here’s the conundrum: to experience “nirvana,” the temporarily manifested consciousness that You Are must unmanifest (what the non-Realized take to be “death” or “the end of life”). Yet if not manifested, nothing can be experienced or known. In fact, there is not even an "experiencer" or "knower" now!

The very question you asked seems to suggest that you have been exposed to Jainism or Buddhism or some similar teachings; if so, you’ll have a problem with this pointer: the manifested consciousness can know ItSelf, but contrary to what you might have been told, there is no “one” (post-manifestation) that can know anything.

Awareness will be, yes, but there will be no means by which awareness can be aware of itself. So the dilemma for you is to unlearn certain concepts if you would understand the pointer that "to know nirvana requires the completion of certain steps—during the present manifestation—by which the knower disappears."

Now, Advaita does offer a solution, because post-Realization, it is possible to abide as THAT and function as that original natural—dwelling as that natural state that is most “nirvana-like”—even though yet manifest.

More specifically, what you could know is “nivritti,” meaning the rejection of body-mind-personality identification and being “liberated” to that extent. Such liberation would include a rejection of all beliefs about the conceptual “world” and would include the freedom that you are likely seeking as you want to “attain nirvana.”

[NOTE: Understand that the peace you seek can only happen as a result of wanting nothing and fearing nothing, and that includes not wanting nirvana and not wanting bliss. Want not if peace is to happen.]

The question must be asked, "Is 'the extinguishing of the flame of life' what you really seek, or do you seek peace NOW, even as the relative life continues?" Nirvana refers to a “reunion” as the temporary Amness concludes. The notion of “this” uniting with “that” is dualistic, certainly in line with the Buddhist teachings but quite contrary to the Advaitin understanding of “not-two.”

Many seek “peace” and/or “bliss.” Some believe that they must evolve through (1) a series of reincarnations by which they (2) “improve” or (3) “become better,” but all three of those concepts are also rejected by Advaitins.

If peace is to happen and is to be enjoyed, it can only happen NOW. To believe that one can “be in nirvana” is only possible to the extent that the consciousness can be totally re-purified or unblocked, to the extent that the “mind” is no more, and to the extent that identification is only with the dark silence of the void.

But WHO can know that void, post-manifestation? No one. To understand nirvana as “the final dissolution,” understand the nothingness that preceded the stirring of consciousness and its manifestation. To understand the lack of peace, understand programming and conditioning.

It was the acceptance of the teaching of concepts and ideas and lies—and storing those accumulations in what is called “your mind”—that has set you up to have no peace and that has set you up to engage in all this seeking. The trap is, seeking will never bring peace.

You need not become better, you need not improve, you need not gain more, and you need not accumulate more. You must de-accumulate and cast aside and reject and un-learn.

It was after the formation of the “mind” that the projecting of “this world” happened. All of your discontentment involves the “stuff” of “this world” that you are taking to be real. If you would be at peace, it will not come via reincarnation, which is a hoax.

It can only come NOW if You take Your stand as that natural state of no mind and no projecting. That is as close to "nirvana" as you can be…and still be. Please enter the silence of contemplation.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON TODAY’S POST:

  • Click WHAT HAPPENS WHEN I DIE?

  • Click THERE’S NO SUCH THING AS “PEACE OF MIND” (There Is Only Peace If You’re Out of Your Mind)

  • Click LIBERATION

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