FROM A SITE VISITOR: [Received 25 October]: What did you mean in today’s post when you talked about varieties of determinism rather than choice and logic and reason? Sounds interesting in a way but I have no clue what you’re talking about, Thank you, Stephen.
FROM ANOTHER SITE VISITOR [Referring to the book CASTING LIGHT ON THE DARK SIDE OF RELATIONSHIPS]: My girlfriend read your book and found herself having a VERY strong reaction to it--she found it biologically deterministic but is willing to consider its questions.
F.: First, let it be said that no criticism is offered regarding any person having a reaction. Among the Realized, witnessing and understanding merely happen (without attachment) whether peacefulness or an absence of peacefulness is being witnessed. Reactions are rampant among the non-Realized, and the Advaitin teacher will witness such reactions with the same type of objectivity exhibited by a physician who is analyzing a patient’s symptoms:
The doctor will witness the symptoms that indicate a lack of wellness, will determine what treatment is indicated, and will discuss with the patient what was revealed in the diagnosis, but she/he would not judge or criticize the patient while discussing what caused the problem and what needs to change.
So it is here. The “very strong reaction” will be discussed, but there should be no notion of any “personal attack” taking place since, ultimately, no persons are involved.
That said, if a person has a “very strong reaction” to anything and would dismiss it as nothing more than “biological determinism,” wouldn’t that “very strong reaction” itself be an example of deterministic forces at play?
If not, would the claim be that “I chose to have that very strong (and very uncomfortable) reaction”? If that is the case, then it begs the question, “Why would you choose to have a strong and uncomfortable reaction?” Obviously, the reaction was not a result of choice but was a result of one or more deterministic factors.
It also begs these questions: “Now, are you willing to admit that you are yet susceptible to deterministic influences?” and “Are you interested in completing a process that can free You from the vicissitudes of whatever determined that reaction?”
“Further, are you interested in completing a process that can free You from the fluctuations and the instability of mood swings that are triggered by one or more of the various types of determinism?” and “Are you interested in bringing to an end the experiencing of such 'negative' reactions like the 'very strong' one that happened?”
More to the point, if true understanding is sought, would it not be necessary to understand what was behind that reaction, that is, to learn what determined that reaction instead of merely experiencing it, possibly over and over again?
Also, is it possible that some believe that certain types of determinism are more acceptable than other types of determinism? [For example, might personality determinism be "OK" while biological determinism would be "bad"?] The Realized, rather than being driven to a "very strong reaction" by deterministic influences, would have merely witnessed from one of the two levels of witnessing:
[NOTE ON WITNESSING: Early on, while traveling along the “path” to Realization, the witnessing is of the subject-object variety: “Ah, I see his/her words” or “I see this” or “I see that.” Farther along, the witnessing is of the Pure variety:
“I do not see this or that. I see THAT. I see the unicity. I do not see subjects here vs. objects there. I do not recognize those former, false selves that were capable of anger, reaction, and emotional intoxication. I shall not give over control of my feelings to externals...to ‘others’.”]
Before continuing with the discussion, let it be understood that the very strong reaction had nothing to do with the content of the book. The very strong reaction was caused by one or more of the several influences that determine how people think and talk and behave. And the way that persons think and talk and behave is determined (post-programming and conditioning and acculturation and domestication) by internal, not external, factors.
Consider the susceptibility of one’s disposition—not to mention the inability to maintain peace—if one is at the mercy of external influences. Only the Realized would have had a choice after reading that book:
After witnessing the words, (A) the words might have been considered pointers toward the truth or (B) the words might have been considered pointers toward the false; either way, the choice would have been to (C) consider the content further without any emotional reaction or (D) set the book aside without further consideration and without any emotional reaction.
Either way, something would cause (1) an emotional reaction or would cause (2) the reading to end without any emotional reaction. The cause of #1 would likely be multi-faceted...rooted in many deterministic factors; the cause of #2 might be a completion of the “journey” to Full Realization.
The Realized Advaitin understands the teachings that point to an endless series of occurrences that cause various behaviors and emoting and thinking and talking that are typical among the non-Realized.
The Realized understand precipitating events, external behavioral causation, and internal behavioral causation. The Realized also function throughout the post-Realization manifestation without being influenced by any of those three factors.
The Realized teacher will point the seeker toward all of the factors that drive persons into entrapment in body and mind and personality influences. The Advaitin teacher will guide the seeker to an understanding of the deterministic factors that interrupt peace so those can be discarded.
Tomorrow, the Advaitin pointer regarding “no single cause” will be examined in more detail so that those trapped in personas can be free of reacting, of over-reacting, and of emotional intoxication. Only then can choice be an option; only then can logic and reason prevail over emotionalism. Please enter the silence of contemplation. (To be continued)
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON TODAY’S POST:
and
TWO OTHER OFFERINGS ARE AVAILABLE:
More and more seekers are requesting an understanding of how a personality formed in childhood is still determining and controlling everything that is thought or said or done in adulthood. Others have inquired about an opportunity to speak one-on-one about the seven-step “path” to Realization.
Thus, two opportunities are being offered from now until Dec 15th at 50% off:
PERSONALITY TYPING:
Here’s what is included in the package that is available for the next two months (the service available to international visitors but these price being only for the Continental U.S.):
A copy of the personality test (B) Priority mailing of the test (C) Analysis of the test results (D) a one-hour telephone session to discuss the results (E) the cost of the telephone conference. Cost is US$95.
ONE-ON-ONE SATSANG VIA TELE-CONFERENCE
For the next two months, a tele-conference to discuss any aspects of the Advaita teachings one-on-one will be offered. [Rich from the
To arrange either package, >Click ARRANGE PACKAGES provide all of the information requested, and in the message box at the bottom, indicate that you want to make arrangements for the PERSONALITY TYPING or for the ONE-ON-ONE ADVAITA SESSION or both.
