REFLECTIONS on ADVAITA: PART 17 – GUEST WRITER: LOUISE STERLING

LOVE/NOTHINGNESS Flows – Filling What is Empty, Eroding What is Untrue

“Worship”, “devotion”, “prayer”— these words are labels applied after the fact to the movement of LOVE/NOTHING recognizing itself. Although "louise" was never drawn to a religious context, when a spiritual persona was in place, there were practices that fitted these labels. So, at times there was the experience of the self “worshipping”, “feeling devotion”, or “praying” to what was perceived as omniscient. Self and Other; the splitting of the mind into Subject and Object; Duality – however miraculous and extraordinary these practices may have felt at the time. These words are labels which attempt to use language to describe this natural, spontaneous movement of LOVE/NOTHING. However, attempting to give life to the labels through performing the practices before the Reality is known is back to front. The words themselves are empty shells, as different from what is REAL as the difference between a black and white two-dimensional drawing of a strawberry and the actual eating of the red, sweet, juicy three-dimensional real strawberry.

In the absence of a mind filled with conceptual ideas about what is and what should be, there is no barrier, no abyss of separation. This naked gaze is empty of everything – impersonal yet more intimate than can be described. What is it when there is no separation? The rain falling on the canna leaves outside IS “worship”, IS “devotion”, IS “prayer”. The labels are unnecessary. This View is whispered to You, but actually there is no one present; this unfolds in silence and stillness, this LOVE outpouring, permeating everything, unseen to the eye that is not open to this embrace. No words can describe this movement of LOVE. This is why this is sometimes pointed to in poems or paintings or sculpture or music. Perhaps sometimes a spontaneous act of creation in the absence of self-consciousness can give a glimpse of it. How can You NOT want to strip the bonds of separation – to die inside this unfathomable mystery?

Can You see that unless You are located in this Non-dual, Concept-free Reality, You are settling for cardboard cutout consolations; temporary resting points; mirages in the desert rather than the actual oasis? As the “path” narrows and steepens, these mirage states can be enticing and consoling. There can be a defensive attachment to what is perceived as real, but is actually still temporary, changeable. Can You see why the Advaitan teacher is perceived as harsh – especially when aiming the rifle at the spiritual persona and these blissful mirage states? There is no Advaitan teacher – there is really just this movement of LOVE/NOTHINGNESS flowing. The teaching is agenda-less action. LOVE/NOTHINGNESS expresses naturally, spontaneously – filling what is empty, eroding what is untrue. Be consumed by this river. Allow this naked, empty Love to destroy you. Find the teacher – and trust the guidance offered. Be eroded … until nothing remains.


Tidying up the house this morning, “I” find a glossy magazine on Jewish identity provided to my son at school – with an article entitled The Good Jew. Substitute Good Muslim / Good Christian / Good New Ager. The labels do not matter. They are simply designed to solidify a package of enculturated beliefs and concepts – to create a fixed identity; separating the child from any hope of knowing Reality. Prior to enculturation, all children are naturally, spontaneously abiding in Reality. Then, through a brutal and systematic process of indoctrination, the labeling begins: good boy, bad boy, Jew, Christian, Muslim, Hindu, South African, Indian, American, etc, etc – carving an “identity” out of what is identity-less; limiting what is limit-less; shaping what is form-less. Can You see that this is like cupping your hand underwater in the naturally, free-flowing river, and labeling the water that flows over your hand: louise, female, South African, Caucasian, working class, Christian, good, bad, indifferent, writer, parent, Advaitan ... ad nauseum? Eventually, the indoctrination “works”, the identity is “fixed” – and the seven degrees of separation are layered like screens which create separation. Can You see that You are already the river; that You have always been the river? Just because an out-of-touch society has labeled You as having a body, mind, and personality resulting in a rigid sense of personal identity does not mean it is true.

Investigate. Could it be possible that a society that once believed the earth was flat …may have got it wrong? Could it be possible that religions that once burnt people as witches … may have got it wrong? Could it be possible that a media machine that once advocated smoking cigarettes …may have got it wrong? The Advaitan Teachings are not for the sheep – those who prop up and reinforce the cornerstones of the belief systems of society, its religions and its institutions. The Advaitan Teachings invite You to take all this nonsense and toss it out the window without a backward glance. As such, those who are drawn to Advaita are likely the mavericks who are prepared to question – even their own most sacred beliefs.

This Unfathomable Mystery pointed to with the labels "Love/Nothingness" naturally, spontaneously flows into what is empty, eroding what is untrue. Empty Yourself. Discard the false beliefs, concepts, identifications. Allow what is untrue to be eroded. Clear Your Vision so You can see again with Clear Sight.


"Reality is the ultimate destroyer. All separation, every kind of estrangement and alienation is false. All is one - this is the ultimate solution of every conflict......As long as we imagine ourselves to be separate personalities, one quite apart from another, we cannot grasp reality which is essentially impersonal." -- Nisargadatta Maharaj


Please enter into the silence of contemplation. (To be continued)

(For extending teaching on the degrees of separation from Reality see the ebook: From the I to the Absolute and the DVD of the Advaita Retreat -available soon)

Comments / clarifications may be sent to louise.advaita@gmail.com – a temporary email address available for the duration of these guest postings.