Is the naturopath who prescribes a rigid health plan to restore natural health, harsh and unloving?
We have our own fixed notions of how Realization and Enlightenment should look. We want our Teachings packaged in gentleness, kindness, unconditional acceptance. We forget that the false thoughts (sand grains cemented together) that bind this fictional self-identity (sandstone rock) are unlikely to just disentangle themselves and drop away. If this was the case, Realization would be an often-occurring and easily recognizable phenomenon; the norm, rather than the exception. Like the surgeon, the Advaitin teacher removes all false identities and false belief structures. Like the naturopath, the Advaitin Teacher provides the View of your natural state, and at a more refined level, purifies the consciousness so that the toxins of false understanding are eliminated. One method is surgical, incisive and direct; the other method is subtle, non-invasive, long-range. Both methods will have their effect.
Can You see that this is LOVE. While what is toxic and false is being removed, the process may appear UNLOVING, as ego states will seldom collaborate willingly with relinquishing their cherished ideas, opinions and sense of self. However, this is at the level of appearance only. In the absence of ego states, in the free-flowing no-thing-ness that characterizes purified AMNESS, the LOVE that has returned You to natural functioning will be seen for what it is. [In the early days of visiting this blog, “louise” sometimes reacted to postings that appeared sharp, hard, cutting. This was a reaction at the level of entrenched self-identity to the surgeon at work. (Here, “floyd’s” style is similar to “maharaj” – surgical and incisive; the “ego-slayer” at work.) Now, when these same postings are read, there is simply the recognition of LOVE whispering. It is instantly clear which step or false identity is being targeted by the surgeon for removal.]
However – as always in the relative sea of sharks, discernment on the part of the seeker is paramount. It is only ego states that may react with discomfort to the Teachings; the restoring of the already-present natural condition NEVER entails abuse or requires the seeker to act in a way that is demeaning, ritual-based, or personally debasing. In some spiritual circles, the methods on offer for eradicting the false involve bowing to the whims of the ego-bound personality of the non-realized teacher. Here are just two examples:
Requiring seekers to:
- Stand in an icy lake and do prostrations for many hours to demonstrate commitment to a teacher and his teachings – resulting in the serious physical collapse of one seeker.
- Sit in a plastic-covered sweat lodge for hours at the teacher’s instruction, purportedly to overcome a false sense of personal limitation – resulting in the deaths of some seekers
The Advaitin Teacher perceives the seeker with clear sight; can see where the functioning is unnatural; where the belief structures are faulty; the root of the suffering – and precisely how freedom can be found by the removal of these impurities. However – the impurities are NEVER removed by requiring MORE unnatural acts and MORE unnatural thoughts. Instead, in the deep, blue shade, the teacher uses logic and reasoning to point out the false. The teacher activates the inner guru – that seed of purified consciousness – that like a GPS will safely and surely navigate the seeker home.
To this end, ask yourself:
- Can You see how the term “LOVE whisperings” can be applied to the pure consciousness as it speaks?
- Can You discern and witness when an ego persona is in reaction to a direct pointer of a Realized Teacher?
- Do You understand why ego personas “react” and “emote” when presented with certain pointers?
- Can You see that pointers that appear harsh and direct when heard through the filter of personality, can later be seen as neutral truths expressed via the purified consciousness?
- Can You discern via the inner guru when teachings “pretend” to be pure Advaita, yet are actually false teachings by a non-realized teacher?
Let us end with the words of the master surgeon, Nisargadatta Maharaj:
‘Swaroop-siddha’ (stabilization in self-identity or the Self), what is that exactly? Many people visit here and they want to be happy, but those who visit here will not require happiness, they will be beyond it. When a sage stabilizes in his centre, he goes into quietude. You talk when food essence is there, but having understood both he transcends knowledge and ignorance. That Absolute principle does not know itself; clear all your doubts about your own self.
To be continued.
Please enter the silence of contemplation.
(For extending teaching on the Advaitan Understanding – that guide You from the temporary fluctuating relative stance to abidance as Your Real Nature, see the links on the right hand side of this blog.)
Comments / clarifications may be sent to louise.advaita@gmail.com
