An Advaita Vedanta philosophy site, focusing on Realisation, (Realization), enlightenment, nisarga yoga, non-duality, Real Love, peace, freedom, Your original nature, the natural state, and Maharaj.
Following the post, details on the 50% off sale of the remaining Non-Duality paperback books in the store
NOTE: A seeker who plans to attend an Advaita retreat this August is seeking someone to share the costs. If you are interested, you may use the Contact link and arrangements can be made. With this opportunity, you will be able to attend at about 50% of the regular price. For details of the retreats offered, please visit the retreat information site.
NOTE: A seeker who plans to attend an Advaita retreat this August is seeking someone to share the costs. If you are interested, you may use the Contact link and arrangements can be made. With this opportunity, you will be able to attend at about 50% of the regular price. For details of the retreats offered, please visit the retreat information site.
[The embedded links are only for those seeking a thorough explanation of pointers offered]
FROM A SITE REGULAR VISITING BETTY’S BAY, SOUTH AFRICA: Fascinated to read today’s blog – as this was the topic of last night’s conversation [dealing with a friend’s] “dilemma” that somehow this understanding means “not caring” and not working for change in the world. [Also] odd that people think this understanding is a CHOICE that can be made – rather than seeing this is already the reality – simply hidden from view by the filters of the distorted mind.
F.: Exactly. The Advaita message is a message of freedom – a message about being totally free. Why would a Realized Advaitin not care about the blood being shed at this very moment in Iran by people who would enjoy the most basic freedoms that must be in place before the levels of freedom addressed on this site can even be considered?
When 150+ people have been killed this past week by a religious regime that is intent on preserving its power in “this world” while claiming its authority has been bestowed by "a Power in another world," then of course caring happens among the Realized.
And when magical, supernatural thinking is practiced by those assuming authority, of course tyranny and suppression and brutality and murder shall mark and mar the relative existence of those living under the influence and rule of such megalomaniacs with their distorted, myth-based, and division-inspiring religious beliefs.
And of course everything natural about the relative existence of any nation so ruled will be banned and only the most unnatural and supernatural mode of living will be tolerated by "The Rulers."
Once more, as has been the case for thousands of years, those who talk of love from their pulpits or high places will demonstrate—if challenged—that their talk is empty rhetoric. Those "leaders" live in darkness even while claiming to have been bathed in the light. They live in darkness even at high noon.
So the same types of aggressive behaviors that were catalogued in the early postings in this series are being witnessed again as Iranians that would walk the streets in peace and freedom instead walk the streets in their own blood and that of their fellows.
On one trip to the Normandy beaches in France, the following inscription was read on a memorial in a garden in a town nearby: “From the heart of our land flows the blood of our youth, given to you in the name of freedom.” 2009? No. The 1940’s. So again, the words of Maharaj ring out:
“No doubt, striving for the improvement of the world is a most praiseworthy occupation [if] done selflessly.... But soon man will realise that he pursues a mirage.” That statement will not stop some from striving; thus it is…thus is shall be. Strive away, pursue away, if so driven.
[But how often is such striving really of the altruistic variety? Most who assume the role of "The Helper" are really seeking something in return. Furthermore, how many persons that "The Helpers" claim to have "helped" were really "helped" at all?]
But now, once again, there is land that flows with blood, not on Omaha Beach but on the streets of Tehran—the blood-letting ordered by the highest religious official in that theocratic nation. Yet somewhere, every day on this planet, the masses in their darkness are engaged in blood-letting. Is it their understanding that "I AM THAT...not this"?
Hardly. Instead, there is a belief rather than the understanding, the belief being, “I am supreme.” Trouble enough any time that the “I Am” is followed by any noun or adjective. Far more when the “I AM” is followed by “supreme.”
Yet who among the non-Realized do not hold that belief? Once an ego-state is assumed, then egotism will upgrade a false identity to the highest possible level and “This is who I think I am” becomes the false but self-assured belief that will drive all thoughts and words and deeds.
When such a belief prevails, then barbaric nonsense will continue across the globe. It will happen for as long as persons walk in the darkness of their ideologies and dogma and concepts and ideas and beliefs and in the darkness of their “mind” / personality foolishness. With 6.5 billion+ non-Realized persons on the planet being fully attached to their dogma and ideologies, what chance for peace?
Thus, chaos and fighting will happen among those who consider themselves to be in “personal relationships”; among those within nations divided by sects or denominations or political parties or ideologies or separatist wings…left or right;
among nations divided by different economic systems or different forms of government; among all with a false notion that "This is who I think I am, and my exalted who-ness leaves me 'apart from,' 'different from,' and 'better than,' so stop talking your gibberish about Oneness." Be not surprised when those assuming supreme power abuse it supremely.
In their quest to accumulate more and more, to gain and to hold relative power, and to be able to control the masses, the greedy and the ignorant (embroiled as they are in their self-seeking and power-seeking rather than Self-seeking) will guarantee that they shall remain in darkness and shall never know Truth; therefore, they are likely destined to be abusive fools forever and to behave accordingly.
Why is there such chaos that flows from those who claim that they have been shown the truth by a higher power, that they know more than all others, and that all should therefore listen to them and follow their dictates with unquestioning faith? Dennis Waite explains it this way:
“Truth is not about acquiring more and more knowledge until some sort of critical mass is attained and the Self is realised - quite the opposite. It is about discarding more and more of the material and immaterial aspects to which the ego has become attached until nothing more is left.”
Such is the conduct of those who claim to know so much but who actually understand nothing. Furthermore, the misunderstanding by the friend referenced in the e-mail above is one of the most common confusions among those who might believe that they are familiar with all of the implications of these teaching but are not. One visitor to Maharaj’s loft revealed the type of erroneous conclusions that can be drawn in regards to these pointers when he said:
The person immersed in the world has a life of many flavours. He weeps, he laughs, loves and hates, desires and fears, suffers and rejoices. The desireless and fearless jnani, what life has he? Is he not left high and dry in his aloofness?
Maharaj replied: "His state is not so desolate. It tastes of the pure, uncaused, undiluted bliss. He is happy and fully aware that happiness is his very nature and that he need not do anything, nor strive for anything to secure it. You imagine that without cause there can be no happiness. To me dependence on anything for happiness is utter misery."
To live a relative existence without the independence that is central to the discussions on this site can lead to death or to death-in-life. It can also inspire some to choose something similar to the Realized jnani's mahasamadhi—as some in Iran are doing—rather than continue an existence without such freedom…without independence.
So, this series is offering suggestions for being free—for abiding in a fashion marked by total freedom. I am totally independent of what most take to be “this world,” and nothing has ever been forfeited so willingly. If one were but to look objectively at his/her current existence, the only sane conclusion would be "Good riddance."
Some bid good riddance by means of physical suicide, ironically hating "a world of insanity and violence." There is a sane and non-violent means by which "this world" can be cast aside. For those that long for freedom from the insanity of what they take to be "this world," you can begin by using the recommendations offered so far in this series:
1. Witness
2. Be done with the notions of experiences and an experiencer
3. Abide as the “awakened / alert sleep” state
How to reach such a state? Understand that what happened with “floyd” / Floyd can happen with "you" / You; however, understand also that Realization cannot come in the fashion touted by the neo-Advaitin notion that “You need no teacher, no readings, nothing. Just know and go.”
Pointers are required. Persons have been pointed away from truth for scores of years. Being pointed in another direction is essential if Realization is to happen. The pointers that are offered in an exact sequence in “The Advanced Seekers’ Book Set” below can guide You to an understanding of this:
modes of (a) existence and (b) abidance that seem to merge seamlessly can be understood to have not merged at all but to have always been One. I AM THAT and I AM are not separate pointers to “two-ness.” The summative phrase I AM THAT; I AM is a single pointer to the “not-two-ness.”
Thus, “alert” and “asleep” (the latter referring to a mode of abidance that is as peaceful as the deep sleep state, that is "sleep-like" in that it is beyond both beingness and non-beingness) can manifest now. It can happen now. It is the state that Is now, if You but Realize that fact.
Thus also the accuracy of the pointer above: “…People think this understanding is a CHOICE that can be made – rather than seeing this is already the reality – simply hidden from view by the filters of the distorted mind.”
That silent, peaceful state Is now. That silent, peaceful state Is here. Understand it Is now. Understand it Is here. Realize and then enjoy the silence and the peace, right here…right now. Abide as the unmanifested now, even while manifested, and the joy of silence, the lightness of de-accumulation, and the pleasures of peace will manifest as well.
Tomorrow, a break from this series to offer "REALIZATION via VISUALIZATION and CONSIDERATION." When this series continues after that set of considerations are set forth, then the fourth recommendation in this series will be discussed: “Be unflinchingly true to Truth.” Please enter the silence of contemplation. (To be continued)
F.: Exactly. The Advaita message is a message of freedom – a message about being totally free. Why would a Realized Advaitin not care about the blood being shed at this very moment in Iran by people who would enjoy the most basic freedoms that must be in place before the levels of freedom addressed on this site can even be considered?
When 150+ people have been killed this past week by a religious regime that is intent on preserving its power in “this world” while claiming its authority has been bestowed by "a Power in another world," then of course caring happens among the Realized.
And when magical, supernatural thinking is practiced by those assuming authority, of course tyranny and suppression and brutality and murder shall mark and mar the relative existence of those living under the influence and rule of such megalomaniacs with their distorted, myth-based, and division-inspiring religious beliefs.
And of course everything natural about the relative existence of any nation so ruled will be banned and only the most unnatural and supernatural mode of living will be tolerated by "The Rulers."
Once more, as has been the case for thousands of years, those who talk of love from their pulpits or high places will demonstrate—if challenged—that their talk is empty rhetoric. Those "leaders" live in darkness even while claiming to have been bathed in the light. They live in darkness even at high noon.
So the same types of aggressive behaviors that were catalogued in the early postings in this series are being witnessed again as Iranians that would walk the streets in peace and freedom instead walk the streets in their own blood and that of their fellows.
On one trip to the Normandy beaches in France, the following inscription was read on a memorial in a garden in a town nearby: “From the heart of our land flows the blood of our youth, given to you in the name of freedom.” 2009? No. The 1940’s. So again, the words of Maharaj ring out:
“No doubt, striving for the improvement of the world is a most praiseworthy occupation [if] done selflessly.... But soon man will realise that he pursues a mirage.” That statement will not stop some from striving; thus it is…thus is shall be. Strive away, pursue away, if so driven.
[But how often is such striving really of the altruistic variety? Most who assume the role of "The Helper" are really seeking something in return. Furthermore, how many persons that "The Helpers" claim to have "helped" were really "helped" at all?]
But now, once again, there is land that flows with blood, not on Omaha Beach but on the streets of Tehran—the blood-letting ordered by the highest religious official in that theocratic nation. Yet somewhere, every day on this planet, the masses in their darkness are engaged in blood-letting. Is it their understanding that "I AM THAT...not this"?
Hardly. Instead, there is a belief rather than the understanding, the belief being, “I am supreme.” Trouble enough any time that the “I Am” is followed by any noun or adjective. Far more when the “I AM” is followed by “supreme.”
Yet who among the non-Realized do not hold that belief? Once an ego-state is assumed, then egotism will upgrade a false identity to the highest possible level and “This is who I think I am” becomes the false but self-assured belief that will drive all thoughts and words and deeds.
When such a belief prevails, then barbaric nonsense will continue across the globe. It will happen for as long as persons walk in the darkness of their ideologies and dogma and concepts and ideas and beliefs and in the darkness of their “mind” / personality foolishness. With 6.5 billion+ non-Realized persons on the planet being fully attached to their dogma and ideologies, what chance for peace?
Thus, chaos and fighting will happen among those who consider themselves to be in “personal relationships”; among those within nations divided by sects or denominations or political parties or ideologies or separatist wings…left or right;
among nations divided by different economic systems or different forms of government; among all with a false notion that "This is who I think I am, and my exalted who-ness leaves me 'apart from,' 'different from,' and 'better than,' so stop talking your gibberish about Oneness." Be not surprised when those assuming supreme power abuse it supremely.
In their quest to accumulate more and more, to gain and to hold relative power, and to be able to control the masses, the greedy and the ignorant (embroiled as they are in their self-seeking and power-seeking rather than Self-seeking) will guarantee that they shall remain in darkness and shall never know Truth; therefore, they are likely destined to be abusive fools forever and to behave accordingly.
Why is there such chaos that flows from those who claim that they have been shown the truth by a higher power, that they know more than all others, and that all should therefore listen to them and follow their dictates with unquestioning faith? Dennis Waite explains it this way:
“Truth is not about acquiring more and more knowledge until some sort of critical mass is attained and the Self is realised - quite the opposite. It is about discarding more and more of the material and immaterial aspects to which the ego has become attached until nothing more is left.”
Such is the conduct of those who claim to know so much but who actually understand nothing. Furthermore, the misunderstanding by the friend referenced in the e-mail above is one of the most common confusions among those who might believe that they are familiar with all of the implications of these teaching but are not. One visitor to Maharaj’s loft revealed the type of erroneous conclusions that can be drawn in regards to these pointers when he said:
The person immersed in the world has a life of many flavours. He weeps, he laughs, loves and hates, desires and fears, suffers and rejoices. The desireless and fearless jnani, what life has he? Is he not left high and dry in his aloofness?
Maharaj replied: "His state is not so desolate. It tastes of the pure, uncaused, undiluted bliss. He is happy and fully aware that happiness is his very nature and that he need not do anything, nor strive for anything to secure it. You imagine that without cause there can be no happiness. To me dependence on anything for happiness is utter misery."
To live a relative existence without the independence that is central to the discussions on this site can lead to death or to death-in-life. It can also inspire some to choose something similar to the Realized jnani's mahasamadhi—as some in Iran are doing—rather than continue an existence without such freedom…without independence.
So, this series is offering suggestions for being free—for abiding in a fashion marked by total freedom. I am totally independent of what most take to be “this world,” and nothing has ever been forfeited so willingly. If one were but to look objectively at his/her current existence, the only sane conclusion would be "Good riddance."
Some bid good riddance by means of physical suicide, ironically hating "a world of insanity and violence." There is a sane and non-violent means by which "this world" can be cast aside. For those that long for freedom from the insanity of what they take to be "this world," you can begin by using the recommendations offered so far in this series:
1. Witness
2. Be done with the notions of experiences and an experiencer
3. Abide as the “awakened / alert sleep” state
How to reach such a state? Understand that what happened with “floyd” / Floyd can happen with "you" / You; however, understand also that Realization cannot come in the fashion touted by the neo-Advaitin notion that “You need no teacher, no readings, nothing. Just know and go.”
Pointers are required. Persons have been pointed away from truth for scores of years. Being pointed in another direction is essential if Realization is to happen. The pointers that are offered in an exact sequence in “The Advanced Seekers’ Book Set” below can guide You to an understanding of this:
modes of (a) existence and (b) abidance that seem to merge seamlessly can be understood to have not merged at all but to have always been One. I AM THAT and I AM are not separate pointers to “two-ness.” The summative phrase I AM THAT; I AM is a single pointer to the “not-two-ness.”
Thus, “alert” and “asleep” (the latter referring to a mode of abidance that is as peaceful as the deep sleep state, that is "sleep-like" in that it is beyond both beingness and non-beingness) can manifest now. It can happen now. It is the state that Is now, if You but Realize that fact.
Thus also the accuracy of the pointer above: “…People think this understanding is a CHOICE that can be made – rather than seeing this is already the reality – simply hidden from view by the filters of the distorted mind.”
That silent, peaceful state Is now. That silent, peaceful state Is here. Understand it Is now. Understand it Is here. Realize and then enjoy the silence and the peace, right here…right now. Abide as the unmanifested now, even while manifested, and the joy of silence, the lightness of de-accumulation, and the pleasures of peace will manifest as well.
Tomorrow, a break from this series to offer "REALIZATION via VISUALIZATION and CONSIDERATION." When this series continues after that set of considerations are set forth, then the fourth recommendation in this series will be discussed: “Be unflinchingly true to Truth.” Please enter the silence of contemplation. (To be continued)
TABLE OF CONTENTS BELOW:
1. REALIZATION AIDS
2. ADVAITA BOOK SETS-50% off
3. ARRANGE FOR FLOYD TO SPEAK TO YOUR GROUP
4. DONATIONS
1. REALIZATION AIDS
The Advanced Seekers’ Book Set
From the I to the Absolute
Consciousness / Awareness
From the Absolute to the Nothingness
Purchase one or all at The Official Website of Floyd Henderson
2. ADVAITA / NON-DUALITY BOOK SET
THE FOLLOWING BOOKS ARE IN THE STORE IN LIMITED SUPPLY AND WILL BE OFFERED AT 50% OFF WHEN BOUGHT AS A PACKAGE:
From the Absolute to the Nothingness
Consciousness/Awareness
From the I to the Absolute (A Seven-Step Journey to Reality)
It's All Bullshit (and Why Knowing it Sets You Free)
Meditation Guide (Advanced Volume)
There's No Such Thing as ''Peace of Mind''
Ending Financial Problems by Understanding Your Personality
The Essence of the Teachings
$79.00 for all eight books + free S&H in the U.S.
Most titles are also available as eBooks
Visit
The Official Website of Floyd Henderson
3. ARRANGE FOR FLOYD TO TRAVEL TO YOUR LOCATION AND SPEAK TO YOUR GROUP
Here’s a recent example:
Travel costs of the drive to Austin and back: $200.00
Friday and Saturday hotel room: $140.00
½ day Friday, Saturday and ½ day Sunday fees: $600.00
16 participants: $59.00 each for the retreat
Certain bargains are currently available for international flights as well
4. DONATIONS
1. REALIZATION AIDS
2. ADVAITA BOOK SETS-50% off
3. ARRANGE FOR FLOYD TO SPEAK TO YOUR GROUP
4. DONATIONS
1. REALIZATION AIDS
The Advanced Seekers’ Book Set
From the I to the Absolute
Consciousness / Awareness
From the Absolute to the Nothingness
Purchase one or all at The Official Website of Floyd Henderson
2. ADVAITA / NON-DUALITY BOOK SET
THE FOLLOWING BOOKS ARE IN THE STORE IN LIMITED SUPPLY AND WILL BE OFFERED AT 50% OFF WHEN BOUGHT AS A PACKAGE:
From the Absolute to the Nothingness
Consciousness/Awareness
From the I to the Absolute (A Seven-Step Journey to Reality)
It's All Bullshit (and Why Knowing it Sets You Free)
Meditation Guide (Advanced Volume)
There's No Such Thing as ''Peace of Mind''
Ending Financial Problems by Understanding Your Personality
The Essence of the Teachings
$79.00 for all eight books + free S&H in the U.S.
Most titles are also available as eBooks
Visit
The Official Website of Floyd Henderson
3. ARRANGE FOR FLOYD TO TRAVEL TO YOUR LOCATION AND SPEAK TO YOUR GROUP
Here’s a recent example:
Travel costs of the drive to Austin and back: $200.00
Friday and Saturday hotel room: $140.00
½ day Friday, Saturday and ½ day Sunday fees: $600.00
16 participants: $59.00 each for the retreat
Certain bargains are currently available for international flights as well
4. DONATIONS
FROM SIM IN KENTUCKY, U.S.A.: How about a donate button? I give monthly to a blog about locations and reviews of a particular type of restaurant we like. I’d sure donate to this blog.
FROM “ANONYMOUS”: Almost every visitor brought Maharaj food or flowers. I’d like to treat you to a meal if you tell me how to do so with my credit card!
FROM LOUISE, SOUTH AFRICA: [Consider the case of an acquaintance who] added a donate button to his site. Regular blog readers were happy to support the site in this way.
F.: Okay—so it’s done, but note that the postings and responses are offered without charge, as is access to the library of 1,300 Advaitin essays archived on the site.
FROM “ANONYMOUS”: Almost every visitor brought Maharaj food or flowers. I’d like to treat you to a meal if you tell me how to do so with my credit card!
FROM LOUISE, SOUTH AFRICA: [Consider the case of an acquaintance who] added a donate button to his site. Regular blog readers were happy to support the site in this way.
F.: Okay—so it’s done, but note that the postings and responses are offered without charge, as is access to the library of 1,300 Advaitin essays archived on the site.
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