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:
View seven hours of satsang with floyd and be guided through all seven steps (in their exact order) to Realization. See details at the end of this post.
View seven hours of satsang with floyd and be guided 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.: It was seen yesterday that the big name teachers that Maharaj warned about have big names because they have big appeal among the masses. And what appeals to the masses? Truth? Absolutely not. Tell most people the truth and you’ll earn top ranking on their enemy’s list.
Share ego-inflating, ego-supporting lies with those among the non-Realized masses and your “friends list” will be very long. If you see that the beliefs revered by the masses are mythical, magical, superstitious, and nonsensical;
if you see that the beliefs that persons attach to are the ones that engender ego-states and egotism; and if you see that the beliefs they hold in the highest regard include the fictionalized concepts as presented in what they take to be the incontestable, undeniable, unquestionable truth of their supposedly “holy books”…
…then you will also see that the very fact that a teacher’s teachings are appealing to the masses is clear evidence that those teachings are rooted in ego-boosting, persona / personality-supporting nonsense.
How not to Realize, then? Read what is popular. Visit the lecturers who are popular. Buy “self-help” books that are on the bestseller lists. Follow the lead of the masses and try what they try, do what they do, visit the teachers they visit, and believe what they believe.
Fail to see that it is that very unconscious act of following the masses, of going along with the crowds, of buying into whatever is their currently-popular concept-du-jour, of unquestioningly accepting the results of acculturation, and all you will share in will be their sleep-induced highs and their miserable, sheep-like-induced low's.
Yesterday’s post concluded with this pointer from Maharaj:
Yet the case among the masses was summarized when he said, “You have tasted so many things [but] 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 present their mass-appeal concepts, all of which seem to be adding flavor to the bland relative existence of most persons who are trapped in their fiction-driven, death-in-life scenarios. That flavor seems for a time to make their relative existence more appealing, but the very act of giving the relative a temporarily “good” taste is enough incentive to lock persons into the relative and preempt any chance of their seeking Full Realization.
The big teachers about whom Maharaj issued a warning will tell you that the ocean they bring to you tastes salty, and that you need to keep tasting what they offer if you want to add some zest to your life...if you want to spice up your life.
You can think that their concepts have a tasty flavor, but their noumenal-like talk about strictly phenomenal concepts and relative issues will trap you in the relative, where the masses are fixated, rather than guide you to the natural state…to your original, real state;
instead of providing a road map to guide you on a “journey” to that true state, they will reinforce and increase your attachment to the unnatural / supernatural state that is false.
They will not guide you along "the path" because they have not traveled it and because that process has little appeal to the masses. Who wants to be nothing once the masses have been programmed to "try to be something"...to "make something of yourself"?
Again, their mass affirmation is evidence of the fact that the big name teachers are not pointing out the steps along "the path" to Realization; therefore, fewer and fewer will ever Realize in this mass marketing, mass appeal environment.
Louise, familiar to the regular visitors to this site, recently described the hindrance to Realization thusly:
As seekers, we often mistake the nature of the medicine – we want something that can be grasped by the mind and matches our conceptual image of the guru-aspirant relationship; we don’t really grasp that the Teachings have a purifying effect that dissolve the mind; that this understanding will never be grasped intellectually by an individual.
The reason Maharaj warned seekers to avoid "the big names" was because they do not offer the real medicine. That which is being offered by the big names is a placebo and does not result in a dissolving of the fiction-filled mind;
to the contrary, what they offer actually expands the dis-ease as they expand the content of “the mind.” They foster the intellectual and sell intellectual concepts to those who egotistically take themselves to be intellectual and who arrogantly want to be even more intellectual.
Learning more and more is valued among their followers, and the requirement to unlearn and to de-accumulate in order to Realize is never even addressed by those famous wallahs of relative, bogus concepts that supposedly deal with non-duality but do not.
The few who do Realize are looking for that which the masses will never know or enjoy or like or buy into (literally). They are looking for that which is beyond the grasp of the masses.
Read—if you so desire—the subject matter which is now being presented by the big names (most of whom were, by the way, familiar early on with the teachings of Maharaj); but if you study the words of Maharaj, you will see that they have bastardized his teachings for the sake of selling their popular concepts that have mass appeal;
understand, however, that no fish has ever been filleted and fried without having first taken the bait without even knowing what it was swallowing. Further, all artificial bait always looks more appealing than what is real. If you take that route, you will know first hand the way to not Realize because you will be buying into their bait as you read about their ego-based, relative concepts such as:
“changing your thoughts” or “changing your world” or “finding your calling” or “being incredible” or “succeeding” or “gaining power now” or “being ambitious” or “finding a purpose or meaning” or “spiritual laws” or “fulfilling dreams” or “knowing some god of gods” or "loving everything that happens (including the death of your child or being beaten or being raped)" or about other concepts dealing with self-improvement when there is no self to improve at all.
But consider, if you would truly Realize, that the way to Realization is to find the means by which You can be guided directly along the “path” to Realization. All else is distraction. Please enter into the silence of contemplation.
F.: It was seen yesterday that the big name teachers that Maharaj warned about have big names because they have big appeal among the masses. And what appeals to the masses? Truth? Absolutely not. Tell most people the truth and you’ll earn top ranking on their enemy’s list.
Share ego-inflating, ego-supporting lies with those among the non-Realized masses and your “friends list” will be very long. If you see that the beliefs revered by the masses are mythical, magical, superstitious, and nonsensical;
if you see that the beliefs that persons attach to are the ones that engender ego-states and egotism; and if you see that the beliefs they hold in the highest regard include the fictionalized concepts as presented in what they take to be the incontestable, undeniable, unquestionable truth of their supposedly “holy books”…
…then you will also see that the very fact that a teacher’s teachings are appealing to the masses is clear evidence that those teachings are rooted in ego-boosting, persona / personality-supporting nonsense.
How not to Realize, then? Read what is popular. Visit the lecturers who are popular. Buy “self-help” books that are on the bestseller lists. Follow the lead of the masses and try what they try, do what they do, visit the teachers they visit, and believe what they believe.
Fail to see that it is that very unconscious act of following the masses, of going along with the crowds, of buying into whatever is their currently-popular concept-du-jour, of unquestioningly accepting the results of acculturation, and all you will share in will be their sleep-induced highs and their miserable, sheep-like-induced low's.
Yesterday’s post concluded with this pointer from Maharaj:
Yet the case among the masses was summarized when he said, “You have tasted so many things [but] 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 present their mass-appeal concepts, all of which seem to be adding flavor to the bland relative existence of most persons who are trapped in their fiction-driven, death-in-life scenarios. That flavor seems for a time to make their relative existence more appealing, but the very act of giving the relative a temporarily “good” taste is enough incentive to lock persons into the relative and preempt any chance of their seeking Full Realization.
The big teachers about whom Maharaj issued a warning will tell you that the ocean they bring to you tastes salty, and that you need to keep tasting what they offer if you want to add some zest to your life...if you want to spice up your life.
You can think that their concepts have a tasty flavor, but their noumenal-like talk about strictly phenomenal concepts and relative issues will trap you in the relative, where the masses are fixated, rather than guide you to the natural state…to your original, real state;
instead of providing a road map to guide you on a “journey” to that true state, they will reinforce and increase your attachment to the unnatural / supernatural state that is false.
They will not guide you along "the path" because they have not traveled it and because that process has little appeal to the masses. Who wants to be nothing once the masses have been programmed to "try to be something"...to "make something of yourself"?
Again, their mass affirmation is evidence of the fact that the big name teachers are not pointing out the steps along "the path" to Realization; therefore, fewer and fewer will ever Realize in this mass marketing, mass appeal environment.
Louise, familiar to the regular visitors to this site, recently described the hindrance to Realization thusly:
As seekers, we often mistake the nature of the medicine – we want something that can be grasped by the mind and matches our conceptual image of the guru-aspirant relationship; we don’t really grasp that the Teachings have a purifying effect that dissolve the mind; that this understanding will never be grasped intellectually by an individual.
The reason Maharaj warned seekers to avoid "the big names" was because they do not offer the real medicine. That which is being offered by the big names is a placebo and does not result in a dissolving of the fiction-filled mind;
to the contrary, what they offer actually expands the dis-ease as they expand the content of “the mind.” They foster the intellectual and sell intellectual concepts to those who egotistically take themselves to be intellectual and who arrogantly want to be even more intellectual.
Learning more and more is valued among their followers, and the requirement to unlearn and to de-accumulate in order to Realize is never even addressed by those famous wallahs of relative, bogus concepts that supposedly deal with non-duality but do not.
The few who do Realize are looking for that which the masses will never know or enjoy or like or buy into (literally). They are looking for that which is beyond the grasp of the masses.
Read—if you so desire—the subject matter which is now being presented by the big names (most of whom were, by the way, familiar early on with the teachings of Maharaj); but if you study the words of Maharaj, you will see that they have bastardized his teachings for the sake of selling their popular concepts that have mass appeal;
understand, however, that no fish has ever been filleted and fried without having first taken the bait without even knowing what it was swallowing. Further, all artificial bait always looks more appealing than what is real. If you take that route, you will know first hand the way to not Realize because you will be buying into their bait as you read about their ego-based, relative concepts such as:
“changing your thoughts” or “changing your world” or “finding your calling” or “being incredible” or “succeeding” or “gaining power now” or “being ambitious” or “finding a purpose or meaning” or “spiritual laws” or “fulfilling dreams” or “knowing some god of gods” or "loving everything that happens (including the death of your child or being beaten or being raped)" or about other concepts dealing with self-improvement when there is no self to improve at all.
But consider, if you would truly Realize, that the way to Realization is to find the means by which You can be guided directly along the “path” to Realization. All else is distraction. Please enter into the silence of contemplation.
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.
[It is recommend that you watch the video with pen and paper in hand. Write whatever needs clarification. You'll see that there are constant reviews and you might find an answer later in the seven-hour presentation. Then, after you watch it all, there will be a common ground for discussion. Purchase of the DVD’s or the file will include the right to clarifications and answers to your specific questions via e-mail.]
2. BY READING these 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.
[It is recommend that you watch the video with pen and paper in hand. Write whatever needs clarification. You'll see that there are constant reviews and you might find an answer later in the seven-hour presentation. Then, after you watch it all, there will be a common ground for discussion. Purchase of the DVD’s or the file will include the right to clarifications and answers to your specific questions via e-mail.]
2. BY READING these 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.
