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FROM A SITE VISITOR: Just finished reading the series on doubt. Believing I was farther along the path, but not even sure I’ve passed what you called obstacle one. Any suggestions? Thx.
F.: Yesterday, this consideration was offered:
WHAT specifically is that You that is permanent…that has always been?
Maharaj said that science would one day advance far enough to prove all of the ancient, non-duality teachings. Now, science can affirm that two things are permanent. Two things have always “been” so they were never “created.” Science affirms, in fact, that those two things can neither be created nor destroyed.
Those two are energy and matter. In his teachings of relativity, Einstein showed that matter and energy can be equated. If it is understood that matter is made of atoms and molecules (including protons, neutrons, and electrons) then being equated can be understood. Electrons carry and absorb and release energy. A proton is a subatomic particle with an electrical charge, found in the atoms of all elements. Energy.
If you were to view a steel beam by use of an electron microscope, you would see that the beam—as perceived—is not at all as perceived. You would see subatomic elements in constant motion. Energy.
So, again, WHAT specifically is that You that is permanent…that has always been? The answer is “energy.” Now, there are various forms of energy, and varied forms of energy have certain distinguishing properties. The form of energy that is of interest to Advaitin seekers is the energy that has as one of its properties the ability to be conscious of, if manifested.
It is that energy which just happened to be what was conscious of the fact that You would still be You even if body parts were removed and even if certain organs were replaced. Consciousness knew that when You answered the five questions in the affirmative.
So consciousness can know. The relative problem is that, when the consciousness is blocked via programming and conditioning and learned ignorance and "mind"-formation, then it does not even know ItSelf, much less truth.
That said, understand that, prior to manifestation, the consciousness did not and could not know, and post-manifestation the same is fact: it will not know. So, regarding the “what and where,” the “what” can now be identified:
The “what” which knows is energy that can be referred to as consciousness. Prior to manifestation, that which can know when manifested can be pointed to with the phrase “awareness that was not aware of. ”
And that which knows but which shall someday unmanifest and be released into the ocean of awareness (into the limitless pool of energy) will once more be “awareness that is not aware of.” That form of energy, like all energy, has been forever. It is the present manifestation of the consciousness, however, that is a fleeting and transitory happening. That explains the “what” prior to conception.
Tomorrow, the “where” shall be addressed. For today, note that none of the “was-ness” and “is-ness” and “shall be-ness” has the slightest thing to do with a body or with a “mind.” Please enter the silence of contemplation. (To be continued)
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RETREATS OR SATSANG w/ floyd ONE-ON-ONE, by TELEPHONE, by INTERNET CHAT ROOM, and via THE ADVAITA COURSE BY INTERNET (see link to right)
For details click ADVAITA VEDANTA RETREATS & SATSANG
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