An Advaita forum focusing on Realisation, enlightenment, non-duality, Real Love, peace, freedom, Your original nature, abiding naturally, the Oneness, the Nothingness, and Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj.
Here, there is nothing that is believed, so there is no one here who wants you to believe anything, either. Here, the invitation is to be free of all that you have been programmed, conditioned, acculturated, and domesticated to believe so that you can be free, period.
From a site visitor: Does Louise teach the online classes?
F.: Yes. Details will be provided at the end of today's post.
From a seeker at a retreat: Why do you say "conscious-energy" instead of consciousness?
F.: Because consciousness is a form of energy. The terms are used interchangeably here. Maharaj said, "...everything is a form of energy. Consciousness is most differentiated in the waking state." [F.: Why? Because ego functions the most, and discriminates the most, during the waking state.] Maharaj continued: "Less so in dream. Still less in sleep. Homogeneous - in the fourth state. Beyond the inexpressible monolithic Reality, the abode of the gnani."
From a site visitor: "I don't get the 'find your identity--who you really are' while also being told to 'reach the no-identity state'."
F.: All pointers are level-appropriate. The Realized teacher can hear a few words from a seeker and know exactly where on the seven-step "path" that seeker is and what pointer needs to be heard to allow the seeker to move to the next step.
Some have been confused by Maharaj's pointer that, "At the moment of Realization, the person ceases, identity remains, but identity is not a person." That pointer was level-appropriate for the seeker being invited to move to the True Self stage, when it is realized that nothing personal or individual is real and that what is real is that which is temporarily manifested - the consciousness - which (once unblocked) sees ItSelf as Pure Witnessing.
So identification with the person ends ("the person ceases") yet identity remains for a period (specifically, identification as the "True Self" or the "Pure Witnessing Consciousness"); therefore, the additional point that "identity is not a person."
Yet there are understandings beyond the knowing of the True Self as Pure Witnessing, including identification with the Absolute, later identification with the Nothingness, and then eventually identification with nothing at all. At that point, the no-concept, non-dual, no-identity state has been "reached."
In the end, though, there are no dualistic concerns with "this is real" vs. "that is not real." Louise put it exactly yesterday when she offered this:
Louise: What happens when the “self” is blotted out? Not even an absence of self, but a "never, ever having been there at all". Where there was never presence, how can there be "absence"? Where there was never self, how can there be "non-self"?
F.: If a child believed mirages to be real, only to learn as an adult that they are not, would the adult conclude that "Since mirages are not real, then what is real are all of the 'not-mirages'"?
Maharaj explained it thusly: "Your difficulty stems from the idea that reality is a state of consciousness, one among many. You tend to say, 'This is real...that is not real' and 'this is partly real...partly unreal,' as if Reality were an attribute or quality to have in varying measures."
Realized, it is understood that a "haver" is as much an impossibility as a "do-er." Energy (including conscious-energy) can have nothing, so consciousness can have nothing. Only witnessing can happen during the temporary period of manifestation. Consciousness can temporarily be, and witnessing can temporarily happen, but neither consciousness nor witnessing can "have" or "do."
From a site visitor: This from Louise really rang true and cleared up a lot "I" was struggling with: Does it matter if the separate sense of self is a “good” self or “bad” self? No matter at all. All selfhood is false and binds you into a false perception of reality. The false persona – struggling to maintain its self-identity – will try to argue that letting go of the “good” self that seeks truth, helps others, etc will mean an instant regression into the “bad”self persona – that sloths out, hurts others, etc. Not true.
F.: So many who are only at the third of seven steps to Realization adopt "Amazing Grace" as their theme song ("I was a wretch" and "I once was lost, but now am found") when they think they have "found it," "changed for the better," given up playing the role of "The Wretch" or "The Scoundrel" and have become "The Saint." Having assumed a posture of "goodness personified," they fear if they stop playing the bogus role of "The Very Spiritual One" that they will automatically regress to their former "scoundrel mode of operating."
But Louise made clear: Eliminating a persona does not automatically mean identification with another. You are invited to examine who you are in the absence of ALL personas – good and bad.
As with all beliefs, the belief in the "wretch-to-saint transformation" becomes a hook that hangs persons up and prevents completion of the full "journey," yet the concept of "transformation" is not reality. If witnessed objectively, it can also be seen that there are no "good" roles at all.
[Recall "The Transformed, Spiritual Man" who reported in January that his wife told him: “Now that I've seen both options, I think I could tolerate the former jerk more than this boring, arrogant saint that has shown up. It's about time to move on.”
And over the years there has been no shortage of men bemoaning the fact that "the fun person I married has disappeared." Of course all mirages disappear eventually. When one assumes an image, it is to fulfill a hidden agenda. When the agenda is fulfilled, wherefore the need to continue to sustain a totally bogus, totally fabricated image?]
If Realization happens, there is no movement from one role to another. There is an abandonment of assuming any false role as a true identity. Yet that hook stalls most seekers at the third of seven steps on the "journey" where they buy into the congratulatory and self-congratulatory concept of "having arrived" when in fact they have only assumed the new but phony status of being "extremely spiritual" or even "saintly" or "god-like."
Consider this exchange when one visitor to the loft revealed the dualistic belief that old, bad identities had been replaced with a new, good identity:
Questioner: The new just looks at the old.
Maharaj: "The new is the total denial of the old. The 'permissive new' is not really new. It is but a new attitude [F.: a.k.a., "belief] of the old. The really new obliterates the old completely."
Again, Louise: The false persona...will try to argue that letting go of the “good” self...will mean an instant regression into the “bad” self persona....Not true.
F.: Realized, there is no "new view" about the reality / non-reality of mirages. ALL thoughts about mirages end when the fiction-filled "mind" ends.
Please enter the silence of contemplation. (To be continued)
F.: Because consciousness is a form of energy. The terms are used interchangeably here. Maharaj said, "...everything is a form of energy. Consciousness is most differentiated in the waking state." [F.: Why? Because ego functions the most, and discriminates the most, during the waking state.] Maharaj continued: "Less so in dream. Still less in sleep. Homogeneous - in the fourth state. Beyond the inexpressible monolithic Reality, the abode of the gnani."
From a site visitor: "I don't get the 'find your identity--who you really are' while also being told to 'reach the no-identity state'."
F.: All pointers are level-appropriate. The Realized teacher can hear a few words from a seeker and know exactly where on the seven-step "path" that seeker is and what pointer needs to be heard to allow the seeker to move to the next step.
Some have been confused by Maharaj's pointer that, "At the moment of Realization, the person ceases, identity remains, but identity is not a person." That pointer was level-appropriate for the seeker being invited to move to the True Self stage, when it is realized that nothing personal or individual is real and that what is real is that which is temporarily manifested - the consciousness - which (once unblocked) sees ItSelf as Pure Witnessing.
So identification with the person ends ("the person ceases") yet identity remains for a period (specifically, identification as the "True Self" or the "Pure Witnessing Consciousness"); therefore, the additional point that "identity is not a person."
Yet there are understandings beyond the knowing of the True Self as Pure Witnessing, including identification with the Absolute, later identification with the Nothingness, and then eventually identification with nothing at all. At that point, the no-concept, non-dual, no-identity state has been "reached."
In the end, though, there are no dualistic concerns with "this is real" vs. "that is not real." Louise put it exactly yesterday when she offered this:
Louise: What happens when the “self” is blotted out? Not even an absence of self, but a "never, ever having been there at all". Where there was never presence, how can there be "absence"? Where there was never self, how can there be "non-self"?
F.: If a child believed mirages to be real, only to learn as an adult that they are not, would the adult conclude that "Since mirages are not real, then what is real are all of the 'not-mirages'"?
Maharaj explained it thusly: "Your difficulty stems from the idea that reality is a state of consciousness, one among many. You tend to say, 'This is real...that is not real' and 'this is partly real...partly unreal,' as if Reality were an attribute or quality to have in varying measures."
Realized, it is understood that a "haver" is as much an impossibility as a "do-er." Energy (including conscious-energy) can have nothing, so consciousness can have nothing. Only witnessing can happen during the temporary period of manifestation. Consciousness can temporarily be, and witnessing can temporarily happen, but neither consciousness nor witnessing can "have" or "do."
From a site visitor: This from Louise really rang true and cleared up a lot "I" was struggling with: Does it matter if the separate sense of self is a “good” self or “bad” self? No matter at all. All selfhood is false and binds you into a false perception of reality. The false persona – struggling to maintain its self-identity – will try to argue that letting go of the “good” self that seeks truth, helps others, etc will mean an instant regression into the “bad”self persona – that sloths out, hurts others, etc. Not true.
F.: So many who are only at the third of seven steps to Realization adopt "Amazing Grace" as their theme song ("I was a wretch" and "I once was lost, but now am found") when they think they have "found it," "changed for the better," given up playing the role of "The Wretch" or "The Scoundrel" and have become "The Saint." Having assumed a posture of "goodness personified," they fear if they stop playing the bogus role of "The Very Spiritual One" that they will automatically regress to their former "scoundrel mode of operating."
But Louise made clear: Eliminating a persona does not automatically mean identification with another. You are invited to examine who you are in the absence of ALL personas – good and bad.
As with all beliefs, the belief in the "wretch-to-saint transformation" becomes a hook that hangs persons up and prevents completion of the full "journey," yet the concept of "transformation" is not reality. If witnessed objectively, it can also be seen that there are no "good" roles at all.
[Recall "The Transformed, Spiritual Man" who reported in January that his wife told him: “Now that I've seen both options, I think I could tolerate the former jerk more than this boring, arrogant saint that has shown up. It's about time to move on.”
And over the years there has been no shortage of men bemoaning the fact that "the fun person I married has disappeared." Of course all mirages disappear eventually. When one assumes an image, it is to fulfill a hidden agenda. When the agenda is fulfilled, wherefore the need to continue to sustain a totally bogus, totally fabricated image?]
If Realization happens, there is no movement from one role to another. There is an abandonment of assuming any false role as a true identity. Yet that hook stalls most seekers at the third of seven steps on the "journey" where they buy into the congratulatory and self-congratulatory concept of "having arrived" when in fact they have only assumed the new but phony status of being "extremely spiritual" or even "saintly" or "god-like."
Consider this exchange when one visitor to the loft revealed the dualistic belief that old, bad identities had been replaced with a new, good identity:
Questioner: The new just looks at the old.
Maharaj: "The new is the total denial of the old. The 'permissive new' is not really new. It is but a new attitude [F.: a.k.a., "belief] of the old. The really new obliterates the old completely."
Again, Louise: The false persona...will try to argue that letting go of the “good” self...will mean an instant regression into the “bad” self persona....Not true.
F.: Realized, there is no "new view" about the reality / non-reality of mirages. ALL thoughts about mirages end when the fiction-filled "mind" ends.
Please enter the silence of contemplation. (To be continued)
Much of what Louise has shared has resonated with many site visitors. to that end, some have inquired recently if Louise offers the online Advaita Internet Course. The answer is, "Yes."
Whether taking the course with Louise or Floyd, the price of the course includes all 11 of the Advaita eBooks, questions sent after completion of the assigned readings, replies to your answers, and follow-up as required.
With either teacher, you will be guided through all seven of the steps, in order, that lead from identification with the false "I" to the Absolute (and beyond). For more specific information and details about the course, you may click on the link to the right.
Purchase at Discount the Advaita Internet Course with Louise
by
Clicking the Buy Now Button below:
or
Purchase at Discount the Advaita Internet Course with Floyd
by
Clicking the Buy Now Button below:
Whether taking the course with Louise or Floyd, the price of the course includes all 11 of the Advaita eBooks, questions sent after completion of the assigned readings, replies to your answers, and follow-up as required.
With either teacher, you will be guided through all seven of the steps, in order, that lead from identification with the false "I" to the Absolute (and beyond). For more specific information and details about the course, you may click on the link to the right.
Purchase at Discount the Advaita Internet Course with Louise
by
Clicking the Buy Now Button below:
or
Purchase at Discount the Advaita Internet Course with Floyd
by
Clicking the Buy Now Button below:
[THE YOUTUBE ADVAITA VEDANTA VIDEOS ARE AVAILABLE IN LARGER FORMATS BELOW WHICH MIGHT PROVIDE MORE COMFORTABLE VIEWING FOR SOME SITE VISITORS]
Now you can receive for $40 a downloadable computer file version of the same 7-hour satsang that seekers receive when they visit for the Advaita Retreat with Floyd. You will be guided through the seven steps from identification with the false "I" to the Absolute (and beyond).
For more information or to order, click:
DVD or Downloadable computer file versions of the Four-Day Advaita Retreat
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.)
For more information or to order, click:
DVD or Downloadable computer file versions of the Four-Day Advaita Retreat
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.)
You may visit The Official Website of Floyd Henderson for information on each book.
TRANSLATED ADVAITA EBOOKS AVAILABLE
Beginning today, the 11 Advaita eBooks listed at the end of this post are available in twenty-two non-English languages. If you are interested in purchasing an eBook in another language, click Contact Floyd to see if the language you prefer is available. Again, the quality of the translation cannot be guaranteed but it might make some pointers available to seekers that might not otherwise receive them. If you want to send a translated eBook to someone as a gift, that can also be arranged via the contact link above.
(Charges will include the regular price of the eBook + a US$10.00 translating fee.)
TO PAY FOR A TRANSLATION - US$10.00 - CLICK THE BUY BUTTON BELOW
(Contact Floyd before paying to be certain the language you prefer is available)
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.
TRANSLATED ADVAITA EBOOKS AVAILABLE
Beginning today, the 11 Advaita eBooks listed at the end of this post are available in twenty-two non-English languages. If you are interested in purchasing an eBook in another language, click Contact Floyd to see if the language you prefer is available. Again, the quality of the translation cannot be guaranteed but it might make some pointers available to seekers that might not otherwise receive them. If you want to send a translated eBook to someone as a gift, that can also be arranged via the contact link above.
(Charges will include the regular price of the eBook + a US$10.00 translating fee.)
TO PAY FOR A TRANSLATION - US$10.00 - CLICK THE BUY BUTTON BELOW
(Contact Floyd before paying to be certain the language you prefer is available)
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.
YOUTUBE ADVAITA VEDANTA YOGA VIDEOS
Click on the arrow below to start Video One:
Click on the arrow below to start Video Two:
Click on the arrow below to start Video Three:
Click on the arrow below to start Video Four:
Click on the arrow below to start Video Five:
Please enter the silence of contemplation. ()
