An Advaita Vedanta philosophy site, focusing on Realization, enlightenment, nisarga yoga, non-duality (nonduality), your original nature, dwelling as your natural state, and the teachings of Maharaj.
Announcing the closing of the Non-Duality Bookstore as the focus in the future will be on providing books electronically. See at the end of this post an offer to receive at lower-than-eBook prices the last of the paper books remaining in stock at 50% off with free shipping in the U.S. and half-price shipping internationally.
F.: Yesterday’s post mentioned (1) freedom from belief in myths and superstition and (2) the “going back” (to the Absolute) in the exact reverse order of the way by which the “coming in” happened and resulted in body identification.
An excerpt from the book From the I to the Absolute (A Seven-Step Journey to Reality) addressed both of those Advaitin topics during a satsang session which is transcribed into that book:
F.: “How did our seven-step journey begin?”
Q.: “With debunking body identification.”
F.: “So we know that a person cannot be any farther removed from reality than when trapped in that limited identity. Fixed in that false identity, the body becomes the focus of all. It's given status, becomes a tool used to manipulate others fixed in body identification, and becomes a source of egotism. All in life becomes geared toward assuring body continuity.
“One is set up to believe in the most far-fetched teachings imaginable if the teachings include a plan for body continuity. Some of the longest-standing myths and superstitions deal with where babies come from.
[The Advaitin teacher can guide seekers through the process by which Reality can be overlaid on the relative. As discussed yesterday, dogma and ideology, to the contrary, guide persons to overlay fantasy on the relative so they ignore the scientific facts that refute the belief that a third party in some spiritual realm is also involved in "baby-making."]
"From those earliest fabricated explanations came the notion that children are ‘gifts from god.’ Rather high status, yes? Quite the source of ego, yes? We’ve seen that all misery in the relative existence is rooted in false identities, personalities, personas or ego-states.
“From lack of knowledge come ideas and beliefs; from ego comes the drive to cling to the false ideas and beliefs. The ego-states of ‘Super Parent’ and ‘Super Child’ are rooted in such unawareness. Thus, the first of the seven steps on the journey to Realization must address the error of body identification.
“If persons cannot become free of the misconceptions about ‘how they got here,’ then they'll remain in the ignorance of body identification—as far removed from reality as can be. [Pause]
“So we began the journey by debunking, as you said, the myths and superstitions about ‘how we got here’ and by inviting protégés to find the answer to this question: ‘How did this food-body come to be?’ If one cannot get free of the myths and arrogance around this ‘coming,’ then the journey never even begins. The Realized know the answer. They know how this food-body ‘came’ to be. [Pause] Maharaj said that science would one day prove the accuracy of what he taught.
“While science is not necessary for the understanding, the awareness already being within, it does now provide exactly what Maharaj predicted. We now understand scientifically that in most cases it is sunlight’s interaction with plants that allows the process to begin, the exception being certain organisms thriving at the bottom of the ocean that obtain their energy from chemicals released via thermal vents rather than sunlight. [Yet still, no sun...no thermal vents.]
“With plants, the process of photosynthesis results in the separation of water molecules, the production of oxygen and glucose, and a means by which energy manifests in organisms that obtain their energy indirectly rather than directly. Plant-eaters acquire their energy by consuming plants. Carnivores receive their energy by consuming animals that ate plants. [Pause]
“These scientific explanations aside, one can understand how this food-body came to be by meditating upon a simple question: “Where were You in the days prior to conception?” Let me read a piece I’ve written for a book. In an interview that will be included at the end of the novel, I offer the answer to a question asked by the editor: “How did you come to know that you are not the body and not the breath but are the conscious-energy alone?” The answer I gave is... [begins reading]
“I did what my teacher suggested. I meditated on where I was in the days before conception, before the body began forming, before the oxygen began circulating. I determined where I was, via contemplation, during the days before being manifested in a mother’s womb. I traced my ‘roots’ back to where I really came from in order to know What I Really Am. Anyone with a brain functioning without damage can do the same. If you are 35 years old, let’s say, then count backwards. That is how I reached the pre-conception state and the awareness of What I Am. Literally say out loud, ‘I am 35; I will now go back. I am now 34; I am now 33.’ Try it.”
Try it and see what You find. Begin the process of "going back" in the reverse order by which the beingness "came." Only by returning to the original state can abidance as that state happen even as the manifestation continues. Only when abiding as THAT, and then overlaying THAT upon the Is-ness can truth be seen...can freedom happen...can peace and joy manifest. Please enter the silence of contemplation. (To be continued)
An excerpt from the book From the I to the Absolute (A Seven-Step Journey to Reality) addressed both of those Advaitin topics during a satsang session which is transcribed into that book:
F.: “How did our seven-step journey begin?”
Q.: “With debunking body identification.”
F.: “So we know that a person cannot be any farther removed from reality than when trapped in that limited identity. Fixed in that false identity, the body becomes the focus of all. It's given status, becomes a tool used to manipulate others fixed in body identification, and becomes a source of egotism. All in life becomes geared toward assuring body continuity.
“One is set up to believe in the most far-fetched teachings imaginable if the teachings include a plan for body continuity. Some of the longest-standing myths and superstitions deal with where babies come from.
[The Advaitin teacher can guide seekers through the process by which Reality can be overlaid on the relative. As discussed yesterday, dogma and ideology, to the contrary, guide persons to overlay fantasy on the relative so they ignore the scientific facts that refute the belief that a third party in some spiritual realm is also involved in "baby-making."]
"From those earliest fabricated explanations came the notion that children are ‘gifts from god.’ Rather high status, yes? Quite the source of ego, yes? We’ve seen that all misery in the relative existence is rooted in false identities, personalities, personas or ego-states.
“From lack of knowledge come ideas and beliefs; from ego comes the drive to cling to the false ideas and beliefs. The ego-states of ‘Super Parent’ and ‘Super Child’ are rooted in such unawareness. Thus, the first of the seven steps on the journey to Realization must address the error of body identification.
“If persons cannot become free of the misconceptions about ‘how they got here,’ then they'll remain in the ignorance of body identification—as far removed from reality as can be. [Pause]
“So we began the journey by debunking, as you said, the myths and superstitions about ‘how we got here’ and by inviting protégés to find the answer to this question: ‘How did this food-body come to be?’ If one cannot get free of the myths and arrogance around this ‘coming,’ then the journey never even begins. The Realized know the answer. They know how this food-body ‘came’ to be. [Pause] Maharaj said that science would one day prove the accuracy of what he taught.
“While science is not necessary for the understanding, the awareness already being within, it does now provide exactly what Maharaj predicted. We now understand scientifically that in most cases it is sunlight’s interaction with plants that allows the process to begin, the exception being certain organisms thriving at the bottom of the ocean that obtain their energy from chemicals released via thermal vents rather than sunlight. [Yet still, no sun...no thermal vents.]
“With plants, the process of photosynthesis results in the separation of water molecules, the production of oxygen and glucose, and a means by which energy manifests in organisms that obtain their energy indirectly rather than directly. Plant-eaters acquire their energy by consuming plants. Carnivores receive their energy by consuming animals that ate plants. [Pause]
“These scientific explanations aside, one can understand how this food-body came to be by meditating upon a simple question: “Where were You in the days prior to conception?” Let me read a piece I’ve written for a book. In an interview that will be included at the end of the novel, I offer the answer to a question asked by the editor: “How did you come to know that you are not the body and not the breath but are the conscious-energy alone?” The answer I gave is... [begins reading]
“I did what my teacher suggested. I meditated on where I was in the days before conception, before the body began forming, before the oxygen began circulating. I determined where I was, via contemplation, during the days before being manifested in a mother’s womb. I traced my ‘roots’ back to where I really came from in order to know What I Really Am. Anyone with a brain functioning without damage can do the same. If you are 35 years old, let’s say, then count backwards. That is how I reached the pre-conception state and the awareness of What I Am. Literally say out loud, ‘I am 35; I will now go back. I am now 34; I am now 33.’ Try it.”
Try it and see what You find. Begin the process of "going back" in the reverse order by which the beingness "came." Only by returning to the original state can abidance as that state happen even as the manifestation continues. Only when abiding as THAT, and then overlaying THAT upon the Is-ness can truth be seen...can freedom happen...can peace and joy manifest. Please enter the silence of contemplation. (To be continued)
THE FOLLOWING NON-DUALITY BOOKS ARE IN THE STORE IN LIMITED SUPPLY AND WILL BE OFFERED AT 50% OFF WHEN BOUGHT AS A PACKAGE:
While quantities last, the following package deal is being offered: Receive all nine (9) of the books listed below for $88 total with free shipping in the U.S. and ½ price shipping internationally.
[Sorry, but the offer does not apply to eBooks; this limited-time offer, however, is even less expensive than eBooks. This applies to the last of the paper books which are now in stock but which will never be available again. As various titles sell out, as happened with one title yesterday, the remaining paper versions will be offered at a pro-rated price of 50% off also.]
NON-DUALITY TITLES:
From the Absolute to the Nothingness
Consciousness/Awareness
From the I to the Absolute (A Seven-Step Journey to Reality)
It's All Bullshit (and Why Knowing it Sets You Free)
Self-Transformation Meditation Guide I
Self-Transformation Meditation Guide II
There's No Such Thing as ''Peace of Mind''
Spiritual Sobriety (Recovering What Religions Lost)
The Essence of the Teachings
or
PICK AND CHOOSE:
Order any six from the list above and you still receive 50% off + free shipping. (Smaller orders received 50% off but shipping fees apply)
To order, visit
Contact
to make arrangements for payment and delivery.
VISA or MC accepted.
Also, announcing the latest release:
Finding REAL LOVE in an Unreal World
Finding REAL LOVE
Available as an eBook
1. Add to cart
2. Check out
3. Pay with any major credit card or Paypal
(Secure pay site)
While quantities last, the following package deal is being offered: Receive all nine (9) of the books listed below for $88 total with free shipping in the U.S. and ½ price shipping internationally.
[Sorry, but the offer does not apply to eBooks; this limited-time offer, however, is even less expensive than eBooks. This applies to the last of the paper books which are now in stock but which will never be available again. As various titles sell out, as happened with one title yesterday, the remaining paper versions will be offered at a pro-rated price of 50% off also.]
NON-DUALITY TITLES:
From the Absolute to the Nothingness
Consciousness/Awareness
From the I to the Absolute (A Seven-Step Journey to Reality)
It's All Bullshit (and Why Knowing it Sets You Free)
Self-Transformation Meditation Guide I
Self-Transformation Meditation Guide II
There's No Such Thing as ''Peace of Mind''
Spiritual Sobriety (Recovering What Religions Lost)
The Essence of the Teachings
or
PICK AND CHOOSE:
Order any six from the list above and you still receive 50% off + free shipping. (Smaller orders received 50% off but shipping fees apply)
To order, visit
Contact
to make arrangements for payment and delivery.
VISA or MC accepted.
Also, announcing the latest release:
Finding REAL LOVE in an Unreal World
Finding REAL LOVE
Available as an eBook
1. Add to cart
2. Check out
3. Pay with any major credit card or Paypal
(Secure pay site)
