An Advaita forum focusing on Realisation / Realization, enlightenment, non-duality, Real Love, peace, freedom, Your original nature, natural abidance, the nothingness, and Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj.
Now available on DVD or downloadable computer file:
seven hours of satsang with floyd guiding seekers through all seven steps (in their exact order) to Realization. See details at the end of this post.
seven hours of satsang with floyd guiding seekers through all seven steps (in their exact order) to Realization. See details at the end of this post.
FROM A SITE VISITOR: It’s starting to sink in, maybe. i think it was Michael who talked on this site about Maharaj’s warning against the “big teachers” and then you discussed that and then Louise said some things about what didn’t work for her and what did and all along i was rejecting all of that because i do have the big library with all the big names in it. But I kept being drawn back and i’m looking at 15 years of reading all those books and see that i still don’t have what i’ve been looking for. So, i’m making amends to all three of you and going back to some people i spoke to about you and Michael and Louise and admitting there’s a more than average chance that you three might all be pointing out something i needed to hear - something that is valid. Thank you, Karl.
F.: Thx for the e-mail, Karl, but there are no three people here to whom amends can be made—just three specks of consciousness that cannot be offended. Now, to the relevant issues around the topic you’ve raised:
As noted, Maharaj did warn that one way to assure that you will never Realize is to seek out a “big name” teacher. Why? First, that action reinforces your arrogance rather than eliminating ego and egotism (which works to defend a false role.) How? To find out, ask WHO wants to associate only with the big name person?
WHO wants to associate only with the preacher or priest rather than the mere members of a congregation? WHO wants to be “sponsored” only by the big name in an organization? Is the arrogance associated with such a desire not easily seen?
Secondly, the big names are big names because of their mass appeal, but the Advaita Teachings—and especially the direct path, nisarga approach—have never been popular among the masses.
Further, whatever words the big names are saying that appeal to the masses are by default shown to be false, relative-based concepts because those are the only concepts that the masses have always found appealing.
The masses have historically believed in myths and superstitions and lies and nonsense, so the fact that the masses find the big names appealing is evidence that the big names are talking nonsense and are reinforcing and expanding the concept-based and relative-based beliefs of the masses.
Maharaj was never one of the “big name” teachers in India. He never had his own ashram. His audiences seldom numbered more than a few dozen at a time. He did not accumulate a worldwide following or large facilities or a huge bank account; instead, he encouraged de-accumulation.
Those who are trapped in the seeker role and who do not really want to follow a path that leads to the end of all seeking and the end of all identity—including “The Religious One,” “the Spiritual Giant,” “The Super Seeker,” and/or "The Supreme Self," ad infinitum—actually just want to accumulate.
Been there. Done that. When it was Realized that the big name authors that "floyd" was reading had all been exposed to pointers offered by Maharaj, no more time or money was spent with their books. The movement was to that source—specifically to the one that offered a direct path that led to Realization, to As If Living afterwards, and to an all-natural way of moving through the remainder of the manifestation.
Once the movement away from the big names and toward a speck that offered the above took place, then it was soon found that the big names had bastardized the message that Maharaj offered, picking and choosing the parts that could be twisted into the types of relative topics that appeal to the masses, such as “getting power, now” or “improving the (false) self” or "changing yourself for the better" or "being all you can be" or "changing the world."
Those who are similarly accumulating a library of books that are supposedly about non-duality and supposedly about Realization—rather than reading books that actually guide the seeker to Realization—will never Realize; in fact, those actions will guarantee that seekers will never Realize.
When it was seen that all of the reading and accumulating was for naught—and was actually an impediment—the process of tossing out the library happened spontaneously, signaling the shift to a different course.
A visitor who stopped by as that purging was happening asked if he could have the books that were being tossed. His request was refused, triggering an angry response. It was explained, “You have said you want to complete the ‘journey’ to full realization. If I now understand that this library would be as much an impediment to you as it has been to me, why would I present these books to you as if they were gifts while knowing full well that they are obstructions?”
Read a restaurant review, with pictures, about the best meal available in the best restaurant in your area and it will avail you nothing. You must eat the meal provided by a Realized teacher YourSelf; You must chew the food provided by a Realized teacher YourSelf; You must swallow the food provided by a Realized teacher YourSelf;
then You must digest the food provided by a Realized teacher YourSelf, and then only will You have tasted the real rather than having an editor talk about a meal and show you pictures of a meal (some of which will be distorted and will not really show the meal for what it actually is).
Yet what is happening with most is this: they are reading the reviews written by the big names and having the words and pictures whet their appetite, only to find that there are no directions at all for finding the restaurant YourSelf.
And the most bizarre part of all of that is that the readers who only read about the meal and only got a glimpse of pictures of the meal really think—for a time, at least—that they feel full. Yet hunger returns in the absence of Full Realization, so it’s back to more of the big names for more…and more…and more. Accumulate, accumulate, accumulate.
But Maharaj said, "Just as the taste of salt pervades the great ocean and every single drop of sea-water carries the same flavour, so every experience gives me the touch of reality, the ever fresh realisation of my own being. He said, “…the scientific approach is for all. 'Trust-test-taste'.”
Yet the case among the masses was summarized when he said, “You have tasted so many things - all came to naught” and “You cannot imagine the taste of pure water - you can only discover it by abandoning all flavourings.”
The big names provide flavorings, but no substance...meal descriptions, but no recipes. For most seekers, therefore, the recipe they seek will remain forever a secret recipe, and they will never truly be fulfilled. Please enter into the silence of contemplation. (To be continued)
F.: Thx for the e-mail, Karl, but there are no three people here to whom amends can be made—just three specks of consciousness that cannot be offended. Now, to the relevant issues around the topic you’ve raised:
As noted, Maharaj did warn that one way to assure that you will never Realize is to seek out a “big name” teacher. Why? First, that action reinforces your arrogance rather than eliminating ego and egotism (which works to defend a false role.) How? To find out, ask WHO wants to associate only with the big name person?
WHO wants to associate only with the preacher or priest rather than the mere members of a congregation? WHO wants to be “sponsored” only by the big name in an organization? Is the arrogance associated with such a desire not easily seen?
Secondly, the big names are big names because of their mass appeal, but the Advaita Teachings—and especially the direct path, nisarga approach—have never been popular among the masses.
Further, whatever words the big names are saying that appeal to the masses are by default shown to be false, relative-based concepts because those are the only concepts that the masses have always found appealing.
The masses have historically believed in myths and superstitions and lies and nonsense, so the fact that the masses find the big names appealing is evidence that the big names are talking nonsense and are reinforcing and expanding the concept-based and relative-based beliefs of the masses.
Maharaj was never one of the “big name” teachers in India. He never had his own ashram. His audiences seldom numbered more than a few dozen at a time. He did not accumulate a worldwide following or large facilities or a huge bank account; instead, he encouraged de-accumulation.
Those who are trapped in the seeker role and who do not really want to follow a path that leads to the end of all seeking and the end of all identity—including “The Religious One,” “the Spiritual Giant,” “The Super Seeker,” and/or "The Supreme Self," ad infinitum—actually just want to accumulate.
Been there. Done that. When it was Realized that the big name authors that "floyd" was reading had all been exposed to pointers offered by Maharaj, no more time or money was spent with their books. The movement was to that source—specifically to the one that offered a direct path that led to Realization, to As If Living afterwards, and to an all-natural way of moving through the remainder of the manifestation.
Once the movement away from the big names and toward a speck that offered the above took place, then it was soon found that the big names had bastardized the message that Maharaj offered, picking and choosing the parts that could be twisted into the types of relative topics that appeal to the masses, such as “getting power, now” or “improving the (false) self” or "changing yourself for the better" or "being all you can be" or "changing the world."
Those who are similarly accumulating a library of books that are supposedly about non-duality and supposedly about Realization—rather than reading books that actually guide the seeker to Realization—will never Realize; in fact, those actions will guarantee that seekers will never Realize.
When it was seen that all of the reading and accumulating was for naught—and was actually an impediment—the process of tossing out the library happened spontaneously, signaling the shift to a different course.
A visitor who stopped by as that purging was happening asked if he could have the books that were being tossed. His request was refused, triggering an angry response. It was explained, “You have said you want to complete the ‘journey’ to full realization. If I now understand that this library would be as much an impediment to you as it has been to me, why would I present these books to you as if they were gifts while knowing full well that they are obstructions?”
Read a restaurant review, with pictures, about the best meal available in the best restaurant in your area and it will avail you nothing. You must eat the meal provided by a Realized teacher YourSelf; You must chew the food provided by a Realized teacher YourSelf; You must swallow the food provided by a Realized teacher YourSelf;
then You must digest the food provided by a Realized teacher YourSelf, and then only will You have tasted the real rather than having an editor talk about a meal and show you pictures of a meal (some of which will be distorted and will not really show the meal for what it actually is).
Yet what is happening with most is this: they are reading the reviews written by the big names and having the words and pictures whet their appetite, only to find that there are no directions at all for finding the restaurant YourSelf.
And the most bizarre part of all of that is that the readers who only read about the meal and only got a glimpse of pictures of the meal really think—for a time, at least—that they feel full. Yet hunger returns in the absence of Full Realization, so it’s back to more of the big names for more…and more…and more. Accumulate, accumulate, accumulate.
But Maharaj said, "Just as the taste of salt pervades the great ocean and every single drop of sea-water carries the same flavour, so every experience gives me the touch of reality, the ever fresh realisation of my own being. He said, “…the scientific approach is for all. 'Trust-test-taste'.”
Yet the case among the masses was summarized when he said, “You have tasted so many things - all came to naught” and “You cannot imagine the taste of pure water - you can only discover it by abandoning all flavourings.”
The big names provide flavorings, but no substance...meal descriptions, but no recipes. For most seekers, therefore, the recipe they seek will remain forever a secret recipe, and they will never truly be fulfilled. Please enter into the silence of contemplation. (To be continued)
SIX WAYS THAT SEEKERS HAVE REALIZED:
1. BY WATCHING the 4-Disk Video (DVD) Set, or the same retreat available as a downloadable file. Either will provide an entire seven-hour retreat / series of satsang sessions showing three seekers being guided through all seven steps by Floyd and can provide viewers with an “experiential,” step-by-step series of satsang meetings that will move the viewers from identification with the I to abidance as the Absolute and then to abidance as That Which Is beyond
Some seekers are already using the computer file version and the DVD sets for meetings in groups in homes, playing the retreat, pausing for discussion, etc.
To find out more or to purchase the DVD set or the downloadable computer file version of the retreat, click:
DVD or Downloadable computer file versions of the Four-Day Advaita Retreat
Option “A” is for the downloadable file version, Option “B” is used to order the DVD set for delivery inside the U.S., Option “C” for international orders.
For the download, Paypal will send me a notice that payment has been received and then I will send by e-mail the downloading instruction, password, etc.
2. BY READING these "guide" books in this exact order:
IT'S ALL BULLSHIT (And Why Knowing It Sets You Free)
SPIRITUAL SOBRIETY (Recovering What Religions Lost)
[Those two prepare the seeker to question it all]
THE MEDITATION GUIDES
[Provide a broad overview of the understanding]
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN I DIE?
[Begins to free the seeker of body identification and the desire for body continuity]
THERE'S NO SUCH THING AS "PEACE OF MIND" (There Is Only Peace if You're Out of Your Mind)
[Shows the seeker how to be free of the subconscious motivators of the false content of the “mind”]
LIBERATION
[Shows the seeker how to be free of the subconscious motivators of personas]
THE ESSENCE OF THE TEACHINGS
[Provides the final preparation for the seeker to be directed along the “path”]
FROM THE I TO THE ABSOLUTE (A Seven-Step Journey to Reality)
[Directs the seeker along the “path”]
CONSCIOUSNESS/AWARENESS: The Nature of Reality Beyond Self-Realization (Peace Every Day When Abiding as The Absolute)
[Allows the seeker to understand the functioning of the totality, the manifestation, and what is involved with the un-manifestation]
FROM THE ABSOLUTE TO THE NOTHINGNESS
[Provides the seeker the wisdom to understand the Noneness as well as the Oneness]
Purchase an e-Book now and begin reading it in minutes (except with e-checks that can take 7-10 days). Trusting our clients as we do, all e-Books are provided to you in printable form.
SAVE IF YOU BUY ALL ELEVEN AT ONCE:
(You may order the books one at a time or you may use the following link to acquire the entire 11-e-Book set on sale for $99 if ordered at one time with the “Buy Now” button below. For this option, there will be no download links provided; once the near-instant notice of payment is received from PayPal, your e-Books will be sent to you as e-mail attachments. All are printable for your convenience.)
1. BY WATCHING the 4-Disk Video (DVD) Set, or the same retreat available as a downloadable file. Either will provide an entire seven-hour retreat / series of satsang sessions showing three seekers being guided through all seven steps by Floyd and can provide viewers with an “experiential,” step-by-step series of satsang meetings that will move the viewers from identification with the I to abidance as the Absolute and then to abidance as That Which Is beyond
Some seekers are already using the computer file version and the DVD sets for meetings in groups in homes, playing the retreat, pausing for discussion, etc.
To find out more or to purchase the DVD set or the downloadable computer file version of the retreat, click:
DVD or Downloadable computer file versions of the Four-Day Advaita Retreat
Option “A” is for the downloadable file version, Option “B” is used to order the DVD set for delivery inside the U.S., Option “C” for international orders.
For the download, Paypal will send me a notice that payment has been received and then I will send by e-mail the downloading instruction, password, etc.
2. BY READING these "guide" books in this exact order:
IT'S ALL BULLSHIT (And Why Knowing It Sets You Free)
SPIRITUAL SOBRIETY (Recovering What Religions Lost)
[Those two prepare the seeker to question it all]
THE MEDITATION GUIDES
[Provide a broad overview of the understanding]
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN I DIE?
[Begins to free the seeker of body identification and the desire for body continuity]
THERE'S NO SUCH THING AS "PEACE OF MIND" (There Is Only Peace if You're Out of Your Mind)
[Shows the seeker how to be free of the subconscious motivators of the false content of the “mind”]
LIBERATION
[Shows the seeker how to be free of the subconscious motivators of personas]
THE ESSENCE OF THE TEACHINGS
[Provides the final preparation for the seeker to be directed along the “path”]
FROM THE I TO THE ABSOLUTE (A Seven-Step Journey to Reality)
[Directs the seeker along the “path”]
CONSCIOUSNESS/AWARENESS: The Nature of Reality Beyond Self-Realization (Peace Every Day When Abiding as The Absolute)
[Allows the seeker to understand the functioning of the totality, the manifestation, and what is involved with the un-manifestation]
FROM THE ABSOLUTE TO THE NOTHINGNESS
[Provides the seeker the wisdom to understand the Noneness as well as the Oneness]
Purchase an e-Book now and begin reading it in minutes (except with e-checks that can take 7-10 days). Trusting our clients as we do, all e-Books are provided to you in printable form.
SAVE IF YOU BUY ALL ELEVEN AT ONCE:
(You may order the books one at a time or you may use the following link to acquire the entire 11-e-Book set on sale for $99 if ordered at one time with the “Buy Now” button below. For this option, there will be no download links provided; once the near-instant notice of payment is received from PayPal, your e-Books will be sent to you as e-mail attachments. All are printable for your convenience.)
You may visit The Official Website of Floyd Henderson for information on each book.
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 details or for information on making arrangements for a session
6. BY ARRANGING for floyd to travel to your location and meet with you or your group. Use the contact link above to discuss details.
SUBMITTING ADVAITA VEDANTA POETRY FOR PUBLICATION
Visit
Submitting Advaita Vedanta Poetry for Publication
DONATIONS
FROM SIM IN KENTUCKY, U.S.A.: How about a donate button? I give monthly to a blog about locations and reviews of a particular type of restaurant we like. I’d sure donate to this blog.
FROM “ANONYMOUS”: Almost every visitor brought Maharaj food or flowers. I’d like to treat you to a meal if you tell me how to do so with my credit card!
FROM LOUISE, SOUTH AFRICA: [Consider the case of an acquaintance who] added a donate button to his site. Regular blog readers were happy to support the site in this way.
F.: Okay—so it’s done, but note that the postings and responses are offered without charge, as is access to the library of 1,400+ Advaitin essays archived on the site.
That said, any donation will be appreciated. Thank you.
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 details or for information on making arrangements for a session
6. BY ARRANGING for floyd to travel to your location and meet with you or your group. Use the contact link above to discuss details.
SUBMITTING ADVAITA VEDANTA POETRY FOR PUBLICATION
Visit
Submitting Advaita Vedanta Poetry for Publication
DONATIONS
FROM SIM IN KENTUCKY, U.S.A.: How about a donate button? I give monthly to a blog about locations and reviews of a particular type of restaurant we like. I’d sure donate to this blog.
FROM “ANONYMOUS”: Almost every visitor brought Maharaj food or flowers. I’d like to treat you to a meal if you tell me how to do so with my credit card!
FROM LOUISE, SOUTH AFRICA: [Consider the case of an acquaintance who] added a donate button to his site. Regular blog readers were happy to support the site in this way.
F.: Okay—so it’s done, but note that the postings and responses are offered without charge, as is access to the library of 1,400+ Advaitin essays archived on the site.
That said, any donation will be appreciated. Thank you.
