An Advaita forum focusing on Realisation, enlightenment, non-duality, Real Love, peace, freedom, Your original nature, abiding naturally, the Oneness, the Noneness, 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.
THANKS TO LOUISE: Louise has provided to site visitors another series that offers the Advaita understanding in her unique but especially clear manner. If you missed that series over the previous four days, you are invited to scroll down to October 20th and read that series first. Thanks again, Louise.
FROM A SITE VISITOR: [A request that two topics be discussed] Please write about the inner guru. Maharaj talked about "inner energies waking up". The way it is here, these inner energies awoke during the spiritual seeker phase but persist like a homing device long after the seeker persona is observed and discarded. I wonder what it was like for "Floyd." I have seen it as some relative symptoms or experiences.
Also: when simply being still, abiding in awareness, there is the sense that the awareness IS, independent of breathing, and that if the breathing were to cease, this awareness would persist.
F.: [To review]
It was shared that Maharaj was asked: "Does his inner Guru guide and help him or does he leave him to his own resources, just waiting for the outcome?" Maharaj answered, “All happens by itself. Neither the seeker nor the [inner] Guru do anything. Things happen as they happen.” So there is no inner guru / doer that is doing anything.
Next, among all forms-cum-consciousness other than programmed persons, the intuitive knowing functions without being known. There is a point on the “journey” when knowing is sensed directly and consciously. Post-Realization, the knowing continues to function without any conscious consideration and without any sense of "A Knower."
That post-Realization circumstance is the same circumstance that is already happening consistently among all other non-human forms—including plants and animals. What happens with acorns and with deer just happens; what happens with flowers and with fish just happens; what happens with berries and with birds just happens.
Among humans, though, when programming, conditioning, domestication and acculturation happen, then all rational processes are neutralized. That which was originally a "store and recall" section of the brain that evolved in order to help perpetuate the species has now been warped into a “destructive thinking mind.”
Yes, the process of offering the Advaita understanding involves, at least early on, the use of logic and rationality to differentiate true from false. That is the level at which Maharaj invited persons to “Use your mind” or to “seek a clear mind …”; however, he would report to those farther along “the path” that he was “mindless” and then this: “As to my mind, there is no such thing.”
After logic and reason eliminate belief in any of the fiction stored in the thinking mind, then all mind-ness ends. After that, there is no need for rationality. Then, the instinctive knowing—in the absence of any knower—functions spontaneously and can be considered an inner resource or an inner guru.
The process from that point on is comparable to the functioning of the lungs or the heart. What happens with those two organs happens spontaneously without any thinker thinking, "Expand and contract, lungs" or "Squeeze and release, heart." So it is with all that happens spontaneously with every space-cum-consciousness other than humans as well as among humans post-Realization.
Remember that Maharaj said that science would one day provide evidence that the Advaita teachings are valid, and one science—the noetic science—is mentioned with the caution that everything the Advaitin needs to understand about this science is contained here. (No need to be pulled to a side path that will slow the Realization process.)
In spite of the noetic science’s “Advaita-like” intent, specifically, to create “a foundation for collective transformation toward a world grounded in freedom, wisdom, and love,” understand that the nisargan will discount any wanderings by noetic scientists into the paranormal, faith healing, etc.
That said, note that the study of instinctive knowing is called “noetic" science, after the Greek word for "intuitive knowing." The word "noetic" comes from the ancient Greek nous, for which there is no exact equivalent in English. It refers, though, to the "inner knowing," a kind of intuitive consciousness, which allows for direct and immediate access to knowledge beyond what is available via the basic senses and the power of reason.
The bird that flies away when approached (in order to perpetuate the manifestation of consciousness) does so automatically because of that intuitive knowing which allows for spontaneous functioning.
Yet the bird does not know “something” or “a great deal” or “itself.” It is not consciously accessing some inner guide. It is not honing in on some external sender of signals or messages or "guidance." The knowing simply functions without any sense that it is “The Knower.”
Furthermore, the understanding of the functioning of the totality will never be based, as one noetic scientist put it, “on religious or traditional authority, nor the guarded property of an elite priesthood, but should be empirically based and publicly verifiable, open and free to all.” If you read Louise’s last series, you will see that she pointed toward that same fact.
But there is also an understanding regarding the non-objective and an awareness of what some noetics call an “inner life” that deals with “wisdom” of the type that Maharaj referred to which allows for the understanding that You are "nothing" and "everything" simultaneously.
The parts of the noetic sciences that are relevant to the Advaitin are not the parts that deal with anything tangential or “supernatural” or “paranormal” but are the parts that deal with understanding how the totality is functioning now rather than trying to predict future happenings; that deal with understanding the oneness as opposed to interactions among parts; and that deal with witnessing rather than seeking power in order to control.
It has been noted that noetic science “deals with the rediscovery of truths that in some sense have been discovered over and over again.” There will never be any continuous, widespread enlightenment because every generation is programmed, conditioned, domesticated, and acculturated, so every generation must see the false and then be aware of truth.
Is an "outer guru" required to remove the blockages, a process that then allows the Pure Witness to see, which allows the intuitive knowing to function in a natural, unimpeded manner, and which allows the remainder of the manifestation to unfold spontaneously? More often than not, yes, but as Louise noted, awareness of Truth is ultimately accessed from within, not from without.
As far as being "conscious of the inner guru" or "tuned into the inner guru" or "aware of previously unnoticed awarenesses," all of that only happens at a certain point on “the journey” (just as the use of thorns to remove thorns only happens at certain points early on). The difference is that, after former beliefs are discarded and the new awarenesses manifest, that inner guru is not tossed but functions spontaneously as in the example above of the bird.
Initially, at earlier points along the “path,” reason and logic function to differentiate that which is “natural” from that which is nonsensical and unnatural and / or magical (a.k.a., “supernatural” or "spiritual").
Eventually, though, after all of the effects of programming, conditioning, domestication, and acculturation have dissolved, then those humans functioning under the limitations of the blocked consciousness, and who take themselves to be persons, will be returned to the pre-programming condition and can function in a natural manner that is typical among all other forms.
Then, it will be the inner knowing (the inner guru, the inner resource) that influences behavior rather than mind-thoughts and persona-words that drove whatever deeds were occurring prior to Realization. [Tomorrow, the other questions above will be addressed.]
FROM A SITE VISITOR: [A request that two topics be discussed] Please write about the inner guru. Maharaj talked about "inner energies waking up". The way it is here, these inner energies awoke during the spiritual seeker phase but persist like a homing device long after the seeker persona is observed and discarded. I wonder what it was like for "Floyd." I have seen it as some relative symptoms or experiences.
Also: when simply being still, abiding in awareness, there is the sense that the awareness IS, independent of breathing, and that if the breathing were to cease, this awareness would persist.
F.: [To review]
It was shared that Maharaj was asked: "Does his inner Guru guide and help him or does he leave him to his own resources, just waiting for the outcome?" Maharaj answered, “All happens by itself. Neither the seeker nor the [inner] Guru do anything. Things happen as they happen.” So there is no inner guru / doer that is doing anything.
Next, among all forms-cum-consciousness other than programmed persons, the intuitive knowing functions without being known. There is a point on the “journey” when knowing is sensed directly and consciously. Post-Realization, the knowing continues to function without any conscious consideration and without any sense of "A Knower."
That post-Realization circumstance is the same circumstance that is already happening consistently among all other non-human forms—including plants and animals. What happens with acorns and with deer just happens; what happens with flowers and with fish just happens; what happens with berries and with birds just happens.
Among humans, though, when programming, conditioning, domestication and acculturation happen, then all rational processes are neutralized. That which was originally a "store and recall" section of the brain that evolved in order to help perpetuate the species has now been warped into a “destructive thinking mind.”
Yes, the process of offering the Advaita understanding involves, at least early on, the use of logic and rationality to differentiate true from false. That is the level at which Maharaj invited persons to “Use your mind” or to “seek a clear mind …”; however, he would report to those farther along “the path” that he was “mindless” and then this: “As to my mind, there is no such thing.”
After logic and reason eliminate belief in any of the fiction stored in the thinking mind, then all mind-ness ends. After that, there is no need for rationality. Then, the instinctive knowing—in the absence of any knower—functions spontaneously and can be considered an inner resource or an inner guru.
The process from that point on is comparable to the functioning of the lungs or the heart. What happens with those two organs happens spontaneously without any thinker thinking, "Expand and contract, lungs" or "Squeeze and release, heart." So it is with all that happens spontaneously with every space-cum-consciousness other than humans as well as among humans post-Realization.
Remember that Maharaj said that science would one day provide evidence that the Advaita teachings are valid, and one science—the noetic science—is mentioned with the caution that everything the Advaitin needs to understand about this science is contained here. (No need to be pulled to a side path that will slow the Realization process.)
In spite of the noetic science’s “Advaita-like” intent, specifically, to create “a foundation for collective transformation toward a world grounded in freedom, wisdom, and love,” understand that the nisargan will discount any wanderings by noetic scientists into the paranormal, faith healing, etc.
That said, note that the study of instinctive knowing is called “noetic" science, after the Greek word for "intuitive knowing." The word "noetic" comes from the ancient Greek nous, for which there is no exact equivalent in English. It refers, though, to the "inner knowing," a kind of intuitive consciousness, which allows for direct and immediate access to knowledge beyond what is available via the basic senses and the power of reason.
The bird that flies away when approached (in order to perpetuate the manifestation of consciousness) does so automatically because of that intuitive knowing which allows for spontaneous functioning.
Yet the bird does not know “something” or “a great deal” or “itself.” It is not consciously accessing some inner guide. It is not honing in on some external sender of signals or messages or "guidance." The knowing simply functions without any sense that it is “The Knower.”
Furthermore, the understanding of the functioning of the totality will never be based, as one noetic scientist put it, “on religious or traditional authority, nor the guarded property of an elite priesthood, but should be empirically based and publicly verifiable, open and free to all.” If you read Louise’s last series, you will see that she pointed toward that same fact.
But there is also an understanding regarding the non-objective and an awareness of what some noetics call an “inner life” that deals with “wisdom” of the type that Maharaj referred to which allows for the understanding that You are "nothing" and "everything" simultaneously.
The parts of the noetic sciences that are relevant to the Advaitin are not the parts that deal with anything tangential or “supernatural” or “paranormal” but are the parts that deal with understanding how the totality is functioning now rather than trying to predict future happenings; that deal with understanding the oneness as opposed to interactions among parts; and that deal with witnessing rather than seeking power in order to control.
It has been noted that noetic science “deals with the rediscovery of truths that in some sense have been discovered over and over again.” There will never be any continuous, widespread enlightenment because every generation is programmed, conditioned, domesticated, and acculturated, so every generation must see the false and then be aware of truth.
Is an "outer guru" required to remove the blockages, a process that then allows the Pure Witness to see, which allows the intuitive knowing to function in a natural, unimpeded manner, and which allows the remainder of the manifestation to unfold spontaneously? More often than not, yes, but as Louise noted, awareness of Truth is ultimately accessed from within, not from without.
As far as being "conscious of the inner guru" or "tuned into the inner guru" or "aware of previously unnoticed awarenesses," all of that only happens at a certain point on “the journey” (just as the use of thorns to remove thorns only happens at certain points early on). The difference is that, after former beliefs are discarded and the new awarenesses manifest, that inner guru is not tossed but functions spontaneously as in the example above of the bird.
Initially, at earlier points along the “path,” reason and logic function to differentiate that which is “natural” from that which is nonsensical and unnatural and / or magical (a.k.a., “supernatural” or "spiritual").
Eventually, though, after all of the effects of programming, conditioning, domestication, and acculturation have dissolved, then those humans functioning under the limitations of the blocked consciousness, and who take themselves to be persons, will be returned to the pre-programming condition and can function in a natural manner that is typical among all other forms.
Then, it will be the inner knowing (the inner guru, the inner resource) that influences behavior rather than mind-thoughts and persona-words that drove whatever deeds were occurring prior to Realization. [Tomorrow, the other questions above will be addressed.]
Please enter 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.
[It is recommended that you watch the video with pen and paper in hand. Write whatever you need clarified. 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 recommended that you watch the video with pen and paper in hand. Write whatever you need clarified. 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.
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.
