An Advaita forum focusing on Realisation, enlightenment, non-duality, Real Love, peace, freedom, Your original nature, abiding naturally, the Oneness, the Nothingness, and Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj.
As for Maharaj, you will find here some of his early pointers for beginners but some of his later pointers that are for seekers farther along the "path." During his last years, he said of I AM THAT: "That book and whatever was expounded at that time was only relevant for that period. I am speaking differently today" and am "emphasizing different aspects." What he offered later differed considerably from his earlier talks, making clear that the pointers in I AM THAT will take you to the midpoint of "the race" but that his final talks point the way to "the finish line."
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From "GIVE PEACE A CHANCE"
(John Lennon / Yoko Ono)
"This-ism, that-ism, is-m, is-m, is-m."
(John Lennon / Yoko Ono)
"This-ism, that-ism, is-m, is-m, is-m."
FROM A SITE VISITOR (Received 18 January 2012): Today's post, the part when John and Yoko wrote about is-ms, really triggered something. Do any of your books discuss is-ms? If so, which ones?
F.: To attach to - and to be driven by - the agendas of the "this-ism's" or "that-ism's" catalogued yesterday is to eliminate any chance of "giving peace a chance."
Peace cannot happen unless one is free and - just as a ship attached to a dock is not free and, therefore, cannot fulfill its natural providence - a person cannot function naturally or peacefully if attached to any of the "-ism's" mentioned in that earlier post.
Why? Because, as mentioned, attachment to "-ism's" will always nurture duality; distortion; illusion; delusion; learned ignorance; varying degrees of psychic unhealthiness as a result of personality disorders; a variety of neuroses; an assortment of psychoses and full-blown insanity; and the resulting inability to be in touch with reality or Reality either one.
The same applies when personas are assigned or adopted because persons fall under the blinding spell of the belief that "this" or "that" defines who (or what) they are.
The antidote that some sages have used throughout history to treat belief in the "this-ism's" and "that-ism's" which persons use to identify themselves is the mantra "I AM." The advice is to focus on the “I AM” and to break the habit of allowing any word or label other than “THAT” to ever follow the phrase.
Then, “I am a great husband” and “I am a great wife” and “I am a super employee” and “I am a great lover” all become instead “I AM” ... only, “I AM” ... only, “I AM” ... only, and “I AM" ... only.
An impression based in reality is an intrinsic impression. Prior to having being taught even a single idea or concept, a child (i.e., a space housing newly-manifested consciousness) is aware of its Is-ness. Even the most recently-manifested speck of consciousness is in touch with the intuitive impression that It Is. It intrinsically “knows” I AM.
Were it to later Realize, it could say as another Realized teacher said and as is said here: "Do not speak of me as 'floyd'; speak of me as I AM." Were it to later Realize, the speck would not mistakenly believe that it was born but would say, "Before my 'parents' and even before 'this world,' I AM."
Any impression other than the intrinsic impression that I AM (and, post-Realization, I AM THAT) is merely an idea, a concept. All other impressions are nothing more than learned, acquired, false beliefs.
All man-fabricated religious and spiritual “knowledge,” all ideas, and all concepts are generated from that accumulation of fiction called the “mind” and from fictional identities called personas or personalities or roles or ego-states or stage characters or states-of-being-this or states-of-being-that. How could that which is associated with a mind-mirage and associated with a personality-mirage possibly be real?
Yet such impressions control the thoughts and words and deeds of persons (the non-Realized) across the planet. The result is that persons are unstable and are offensive at times as they are driven by their impressions and are defensive at times when driven by other impressions. Their impressions will also drive them to be aggressive at times and cowering at other times. Instability is guaranteed.
The following pointers are often shared with those trying to understand personality and trying to understand why all sages have advised seekers to take the steps required to be free of personality ... to be free of belief in all of their "this-ism's" and "that-ism's" which they actually think can identify who they are:
Many ask why the enneagram personality inventory tool is offered here along with Advaitin pointers. Consider: at the root of the hundreds of personality disorders that can
a. guarantee a loss of contact with the essence and the True Self and that can
b. generate ignorant or insane thoughts and words and deeds is - of course - personality.
Personality - the belief that "I am this" or "I am that" - must be understood completely in order to be discarded completely as an identity and to be eliminated as the key hidden motivator of dualistic thoughts and words and actions.
Further, Realization cannot happen unless the seeker understands personality; understands how personality drives persons via misery-producing desires and fears; understands the full impact of personality on the relative existence; understands how it generates a sense of dis-ease and separation; understands how personality produces emotional instability; and understands how it blocks any and all opportunity to know the Oneness (reinforcing instead the false belief in "different-from" and "better-than" and "higher than" and "apart from").
One of the most ancient of all methods used to "treat" the sicknesses that are generated by personality is Advaita, and the Advaita-Enneagram connection is ancient as well, though the enneagram or enneagram-like revelations that were a part of the ancient teachings appeared in a variety of versions.
The science-based version used here is relatively new, now offering the ancient understanding with more clarity and validity than ever before and allowing the transitioning beyond personality-identification to happen more quickly and efficiently for many seekers of Full Realization.
That said, the kind of information that is revealed by the testing and personality typing that is employed here is the information that Advaitin teachers have shared for hundreds and thousands of years, making the understanding of one's personality (actually, "personalities") central to the Realization process.
It is one thing to speak of personality in the most general of terms, but when persons are shown on a scale of 1-100 the exact rate of their personality-based anger or pride or lust or laziness, then more awareness seems to come (which allows for many the ability to detach from the personalities that are blocking the "path" to Realization).
To understand the Advaita-Enneagram linkage, consider some of the historical background, with gratitude to the early teachers such as Evagrius and Ichazo and to the more recent instructors that are versed in the use of the Enneagram (called by some "a matrix of personality structures that recognizes nine observable points of view" among persons).
To understand the historical background is to understand how persons become separated from the essence and the Self; how that separation results in passions that generate the most despicable "personality defects" imaginable, relatively speaking; and why the Advaita "path" has become necessary as a means by which persons can "re-connect" with the essence, the Self, and Real Love.
Ichazo, who early on made the link between the non-duality teachings and the understandings that can be revealed via the Enneagram, said:
"We have to distinguish between [humans] in essence [vs. how they are] in ego or personality. In essence, every [human] is perfect, fearless, and in a loving unity with the entire cosmos; there is no conflict within the [human] between head, heart, and stomach or between the [human] and others. Then something happens: the ego begins to develop, there is a transition from objectivity to subjectivity, and [humans] fall from essence into personality."
Peace cannot happen unless one is free and - just as a ship attached to a dock is not free and, therefore, cannot fulfill its natural providence - a person cannot function naturally or peacefully if attached to any of the "-ism's" mentioned in that earlier post.
Why? Because, as mentioned, attachment to "-ism's" will always nurture duality; distortion; illusion; delusion; learned ignorance; varying degrees of psychic unhealthiness as a result of personality disorders; a variety of neuroses; an assortment of psychoses and full-blown insanity; and the resulting inability to be in touch with reality or Reality either one.
The same applies when personas are assigned or adopted because persons fall under the blinding spell of the belief that "this" or "that" defines who (or what) they are.
The antidote that some sages have used throughout history to treat belief in the "this-ism's" and "that-ism's" which persons use to identify themselves is the mantra "I AM." The advice is to focus on the “I AM” and to break the habit of allowing any word or label other than “THAT” to ever follow the phrase.
Then, “I am a great husband” and “I am a great wife” and “I am a super employee” and “I am a great lover” all become instead “I AM” ... only, “I AM” ... only, “I AM” ... only, and “I AM" ... only.
An impression based in reality is an intrinsic impression. Prior to having being taught even a single idea or concept, a child (i.e., a space housing newly-manifested consciousness) is aware of its Is-ness. Even the most recently-manifested speck of consciousness is in touch with the intuitive impression that It Is. It intrinsically “knows” I AM.
Were it to later Realize, it could say as another Realized teacher said and as is said here: "Do not speak of me as 'floyd'; speak of me as I AM." Were it to later Realize, the speck would not mistakenly believe that it was born but would say, "Before my 'parents' and even before 'this world,' I AM."
Any impression other than the intrinsic impression that I AM (and, post-Realization, I AM THAT) is merely an idea, a concept. All other impressions are nothing more than learned, acquired, false beliefs.
All man-fabricated religious and spiritual “knowledge,” all ideas, and all concepts are generated from that accumulation of fiction called the “mind” and from fictional identities called personas or personalities or roles or ego-states or stage characters or states-of-being-this or states-of-being-that. How could that which is associated with a mind-mirage and associated with a personality-mirage possibly be real?
Yet such impressions control the thoughts and words and deeds of persons (the non-Realized) across the planet. The result is that persons are unstable and are offensive at times as they are driven by their impressions and are defensive at times when driven by other impressions. Their impressions will also drive them to be aggressive at times and cowering at other times. Instability is guaranteed.
The following pointers are often shared with those trying to understand personality and trying to understand why all sages have advised seekers to take the steps required to be free of personality ... to be free of belief in all of their "this-ism's" and "that-ism's" which they actually think can identify who they are:
Many ask why the enneagram personality inventory tool is offered here along with Advaitin pointers. Consider: at the root of the hundreds of personality disorders that can
a. guarantee a loss of contact with the essence and the True Self and that can
b. generate ignorant or insane thoughts and words and deeds is - of course - personality.
Personality - the belief that "I am this" or "I am that" - must be understood completely in order to be discarded completely as an identity and to be eliminated as the key hidden motivator of dualistic thoughts and words and actions.
Further, Realization cannot happen unless the seeker understands personality; understands how personality drives persons via misery-producing desires and fears; understands the full impact of personality on the relative existence; understands how it generates a sense of dis-ease and separation; understands how personality produces emotional instability; and understands how it blocks any and all opportunity to know the Oneness (reinforcing instead the false belief in "different-from" and "better-than" and "higher than" and "apart from").
One of the most ancient of all methods used to "treat" the sicknesses that are generated by personality is Advaita, and the Advaita-Enneagram connection is ancient as well, though the enneagram or enneagram-like revelations that were a part of the ancient teachings appeared in a variety of versions.
The science-based version used here is relatively new, now offering the ancient understanding with more clarity and validity than ever before and allowing the transitioning beyond personality-identification to happen more quickly and efficiently for many seekers of Full Realization.
That said, the kind of information that is revealed by the testing and personality typing that is employed here is the information that Advaitin teachers have shared for hundreds and thousands of years, making the understanding of one's personality (actually, "personalities") central to the Realization process.
It is one thing to speak of personality in the most general of terms, but when persons are shown on a scale of 1-100 the exact rate of their personality-based anger or pride or lust or laziness, then more awareness seems to come (which allows for many the ability to detach from the personalities that are blocking the "path" to Realization).
To understand the Advaita-Enneagram linkage, consider some of the historical background, with gratitude to the early teachers such as Evagrius and Ichazo and to the more recent instructors that are versed in the use of the Enneagram (called by some "a matrix of personality structures that recognizes nine observable points of view" among persons).
To understand the historical background is to understand how persons become separated from the essence and the Self; how that separation results in passions that generate the most despicable "personality defects" imaginable, relatively speaking; and why the Advaita "path" has become necessary as a means by which persons can "re-connect" with the essence, the Self, and Real Love.
Ichazo, who early on made the link between the non-duality teachings and the understandings that can be revealed via the Enneagram, said:
"We have to distinguish between [humans] in essence [vs. how they are] in ego or personality. In essence, every [human] is perfect, fearless, and in a loving unity with the entire cosmos; there is no conflict within the [human] between head, heart, and stomach or between the [human] and others. Then something happens: the ego begins to develop, there is a transition from objectivity to subjectivity, and [humans] fall from essence into personality."
Please enter the silence of contemplation.
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For those seeking the full explanation of the topics addressed on this site: there are non-duality books offered below as well as retreats and Skype or telephone sessions available at Floyd Henderson's Website
The full explanations are also available in the books in the author's collection that explain in detail all of the non-duality, nisarga teachings offered here:
1. Most non-duality books below are available through Amazon.com.
2. Read Kindle books on your own device by downloading a free app.
The full explanations are also available in the books in the author's collection that explain in detail all of the non-duality, nisarga teachings offered here:
1. Most non-duality books below are available through Amazon.com.
2. Read Kindle books on your own device by downloading a free app.
The available books are arranged on the carousels below. Use the arrows to move each book to the forefront; then, you may click on any book that you might be interested in to find more information or to purchase.
THE ADVANCED SEEKERS' SERIES
From the I to the Absolute
Consciousness / Awareness
From the Absolute to the Nothingness
The Final Understanding
The Advanced Seekers' Series in paperback
The Two Meditation Guides
From the I to the Absolute
Consciousness / Awareness
From the Absolute to the Nothingness
The Final Understanding
The Advanced Seekers' Series in paperback
The Two Meditation Guides
The BLISSFUL ABIDANCE SERIES, PART ONE
What BLISS Is and What BLISS Is Not
Why You Must Be Empty If You Would Be Full
When Reality Is Overlaid Upon the Relative
Freedom from Shifting Between States of Happiness and Unhappiness
Liberation
The Blissful Abidance Series (6 books) in paperback
What BLISS Is and What BLISS Is Not
Why You Must Be Empty If You Would Be Full
When Reality Is Overlaid Upon the Relative
Freedom from Shifting Between States of Happiness and Unhappiness
Liberation
The Blissful Abidance Series (6 books) in paperback
The ADVAITINS Collection
with THE SRI NISARGADATTA MAHARAJ SERIES, including:
(1) Why NISARGA YOGA in addition to the ADVAITA TEACHING?
(2) Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj and His Evolution
(3) A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE
(4) Going Crazy / Going Sane
(5) The Final Fifteen Topics Discussed by Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj
and
(6) The Non-Duality Pointers Offered by YESHU'A ("Jesus the Christ")
(7) William Shakespeare the Advaitin
with THE SRI NISARGADATTA MAHARAJ SERIES, including:
(1) Why NISARGA YOGA in addition to the ADVAITA TEACHING?
(2) Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj and His Evolution
(3) A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE
(4) Going Crazy / Going Sane
(5) The Final Fifteen Topics Discussed by Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj
and
(6) The Non-Duality Pointers Offered by YESHU'A ("Jesus the Christ")
(7) William Shakespeare the Advaitin
(8) The "Final" Talks of Floyd Henderson
(9) QUOTATIONS AND POINTERS dealing with NON-DUALITY, ADVAITA, NISARGA YOGA and more)
The BLISSFUL ABIDANCE SERIES, PART TWO
Overcoming the Fear of Being Totally Independent
I AM THAT (vs. "This Is Who I Think I Am")
The Essence of the Teachings
There Is Nothing That Is Personal (Including You and Including God)
Lessons in Non-Duality from Travels in South Africa
The Path to Freedom vs. the Path to Misery
Overcoming the Fear of Being Totally Independent
I AM THAT (vs. "This Is Who I Think I Am")
The Essence of the Teachings
There Is Nothing That Is Personal (Including You and Including God)
Lessons in Non-Duality from Travels in South Africa
The Path to Freedom vs. the Path to Misery
The FREEDOM FROM THE MIND Series
Instability / Insanity: What the Advaita Teachings Can (and Cannot) Address
PROGRAMMING, CONDITIONING, DOMESTICATION, AND ACCULTURATION
The Ultimate Sickness, The Ultimate Medicine
Going Crazy / Going Sane
There's No Such Thing As "Peace of Mind" (There Is Only Peace If You're Out of Your Mind)
Dancing Lightly
Instability / Insanity: What the Advaita Teachings Can (and Cannot) Address
PROGRAMMING, CONDITIONING, DOMESTICATION, AND ACCULTURATION
The Ultimate Sickness, The Ultimate Medicine
Going Crazy / Going Sane
There's No Such Thing As "Peace of Mind" (There Is Only Peace If You're Out of Your Mind)
Dancing Lightly
RECOVERY LITERATURE, the RELATIONSHIP books
A Twelve-Step Journey to SELF-Realization [Kindle]
A Twelve-Step Journey to SELF-Realization [Paperback]
A Guide for Working the Twelve Steps (In the Manner Used by the Founders)
The Twelve Steps and Advaita / Non-Duality: A 21-Day Plan for a Psychic Change
Finding Real Love in An Unreal World
Casting Light on the Dark Side of Relationships
A Twelve-Step Journey to SELF-Realization [Kindle]
A Twelve-Step Journey to SELF-Realization [Paperback]
A Guide for Working the Twelve Steps (In the Manner Used by the Founders)
The Twelve Steps and Advaita / Non-Duality: A 21-Day Plan for a Psychic Change
Finding Real Love in An Unreal World
Casting Light on the Dark Side of Relationships
The NO DEATH books, NON-DUALITY IN FICTION, FINANCIAL SANITY
The Myth of Death
What Happens When I Die?
The Twice-Stolen Necklace Murders (Non-Duality) [Kindle]
The Board of Directors of Wars (Non-Duality) [Kindle]
The Board of Directors of Wars (Non-Duality) [Paperback]
Living Within Your Means
How Your Personality Type Shapes Your Spending Habits
The Myth of Death
What Happens When I Die?
The Twice-Stolen Necklace Murders (Non-Duality) [Kindle]
The Board of Directors of Wars (Non-Duality) [Kindle]
The Board of Directors of Wars (Non-Duality) [Paperback]
Living Within Your Means
How Your Personality Type Shapes Your Spending Habits
NON-DUALITY BOOKS, EACH CONTAINING A SERIES OF ESSAYS DISCUSSING ONE OF THE SEVEN STEPS ON THE PATH TO REALIZATION
FOR THOSE WHO PREFER PAPERBACK, THE FOLLOWING PAPERBACK BOOKS ARE ON SALE NOW
(Click the pictures for information on the paperback versions)
(Click the pictures for information on the paperback versions)
(FOUR BOOKS IN ONE)
(SIX BOOKS IN ONE)
FOR THOSE SEEKING FURTHER EXPLANATION
An online Advaita Internet Course is offered here. The price of the course includes the four Advaita eBooks used as the texts; questions sent after completion of the assigned readings; replies to your answers; and follow-up as required.
The price of the course includes the four Advaita eBooks used as the texts; questions sent after completion of the assigned readings, replies to your answers, and follow-up as required.
You will be guided through all seven of the steps, in order, that lead from identification with the false "I" to the Absolute (and beyond). For more specific information and details about the course, you may click on the link to the right. To get started now now, click the pay button below and receive the $365 course for a discounted price of $325.00.
Purchase at Discount the Advaita Internet Course with Floyd
by
Clicking the Buy Now Button below:
Or, if you prefer, begin by arranging a one-hour Advaita session via Skype with Floyd:
Next, you can now receive for $40 a downloadable computer file version of the same 7-hour satsang that seekers receive when they visit for the Advaita Retreat with Floyd. You will be guided through the seven steps from identification with the false "I" to the Absolute (and beyond).
The price of the course includes the four Advaita eBooks used as the texts; questions sent after completion of the assigned readings, replies to your answers, and follow-up as required.
You will be guided through all seven of the steps, in order, that lead from identification with the false "I" to the Absolute (and beyond). For more specific information and details about the course, you may click on the link to the right. To get started now now, click the pay button below and receive the $365 course for a discounted price of $325.00.
Purchase at Discount the Advaita Internet Course with Floyd
by
Clicking the Buy Now Button below:
Or, if you prefer, begin by arranging a one-hour Advaita session via Skype with Floyd:
Next, you can now receive for $40 a downloadable computer file version of the same 7-hour satsang that seekers receive when they visit for the Advaita Retreat with Floyd. You will be guided through the seven steps from identification with the false "I" to the Absolute (and beyond).
For more information or to order, click:
DVD or Downloadable computer file versions of the Four-Day Advaita Retreat
SIX WAYS THAT SEEKERS HAVE REALIZED:
1. BY WATCHING the 4-Disk, Seven-Hour Video (DVD) Set of an advaita retreat, or the downloadable file version. To find out more or to purchase the DVD or downloadable computer file version of the retreat, click:
DVD or Downloadable computer file versions of the Four-Day Advaita Retreat
International buyers: note the separate option for those outside the continental U.S.
2. BY READING the explanations offered in the collection of non-duality books that are available on this site.
3. BY ENROLLING in the Online Advaita Classes
For information, visit Information on the Advaita Classes on the Internet
To enroll visit Enroll in the Advaita Internet Course
4. BY ATTENDING an Advaitin retreat for satsang with floyd and being guided through all seven steps. For details of the retreats offered, please visit the retreat information site.
5. BY ARRANGING satsang by telephone in the U.S. or by Skype internationally. Use the Contact link for information or use the link below to pay for your first Advaita session.
You may click the BUY NOW button below to begin arrangements for your first Advaita session with Floyd via Skype and he will contact you to schedule:
DVD or Downloadable computer file versions of the Four-Day Advaita Retreat
SIX WAYS THAT SEEKERS HAVE REALIZED:
1. BY WATCHING the 4-Disk, Seven-Hour Video (DVD) Set of an advaita retreat, or the downloadable file version. To find out more or to purchase the DVD or downloadable computer file version of the retreat, click:
DVD or Downloadable computer file versions of the Four-Day Advaita Retreat
International buyers: note the separate option for those outside the continental U.S.
2. BY READING the explanations offered in the collection of non-duality books that are available on this site.
3. BY ENROLLING in the Online Advaita Classes
For information, visit Information on the Advaita Classes on the Internet
To enroll visit Enroll in the Advaita Internet Course
4. BY ATTENDING an Advaitin retreat for satsang with floyd and being guided through all seven steps. For details of the retreats offered, please visit the retreat information site.
5. BY ARRANGING satsang by telephone in the U.S. or by Skype internationally. Use the Contact link for information or use the link below to pay for your first Advaita session.
You may click the BUY NOW button below to begin arrangements for your first Advaita session with Floyd via Skype and he will contact you to schedule:
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