FROM A SITE VISITOR: Iam happy that I have found this blog. How can I experience Nirvana? Thank you, Bhadanta
F.: “Nirvana” in Sanskrit technically refers to “the extinguishing of the flame of life” (literally (“out” + “blown”) and to “emancipation from matter.” So how can you “experience nirvana”?
Here’s the conundrum: to experience “nirvana,” the temporarily manifested consciousness that You Are must unmanifest (what the non-Realized take to be “death” or “the end of life”). Yet if not manifested, nothing can be experienced or known. In fact, there is not even an "experiencer" or "knower" now!
The very question you asked seems to suggest that you have been exposed to Jainism or Buddhism or some similar teachings; if so, you’ll have a problem with this pointer: the manifested consciousness can know ItSelf, but contrary to what you might have been told, there is no “one” (post-manifestation) that can know anything.
Awareness will be, yes, but there will be no means by which awareness can be aware of itself. So the dilemma for you is to unlearn certain concepts if you would understand the pointer that "to know nirvana requires the completion of certain steps—during the present manifestation—by which the knower disappears."
Now, Advaita does offer a solution, because post-Realization, it is possible to abide as THAT and function as that original natural—dwelling as that natural state that is most “nirvana-like”—even though yet manifest.
More specifically, what you could know is “nivritti,” meaning the rejection of body-mind-personality identification and being “liberated” to that extent. Such liberation would include a rejection of all beliefs about the conceptual “world” and would include the freedom that you are likely seeking as you want to “attain nirvana.”
[NOTE: Understand that the peace you seek can only happen as a result of wanting nothing and fearing nothing, and that includes not wanting nirvana and not wanting bliss. Want not if peace is to happen.]
The question must be asked, "Is 'the extinguishing of the flame of life' what you really seek, or do you seek peace NOW, even as the relative life continues?" Nirvana refers to a “reunion” as the temporary Amness concludes. The notion of “this” uniting with “that” is dualistic, certainly in line with the Buddhist teachings but quite contrary to the Advaitin understanding of “not-two.”
Many seek “peace” and/or “bliss.” Some believe that they must evolve through (1) a series of reincarnations by which they (2) “improve” or (3) “become better,” but all three of those concepts are also rejected by Advaitins.
If peace is to happen and is to be enjoyed, it can only happen NOW. To believe that one can “be in nirvana” is only possible to the extent that the consciousness can be totally re-purified or unblocked, to the extent that the “mind” is no more, and to the extent that identification is only with the dark silence of the void.
But WHO can know that void, post-manifestation? No one. To understand nirvana as “the final dissolution,” understand the nothingness that preceded the stirring of consciousness and its manifestation. To understand the lack of peace, understand programming and conditioning.
It was the acceptance of the teaching of concepts and ideas and lies—and storing those accumulations in what is called “your mind”—that has set you up to have no peace and that has set you up to engage in all this seeking. The trap is, seeking will never bring peace.
You need not become better, you need not improve, you need not gain more, and you need not accumulate more. You must de-accumulate and cast aside and reject and un-learn.
It was after the formation of the “mind” that the projecting of “this world” happened. All of your discontentment involves the “stuff” of “this world” that you are taking to be real. If you would be at peace, it will not come via reincarnation, which is a hoax.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON TODAY’S POST:
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.
