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. By the way, Louise will be posting later this week. Stop by to visit.
F.: [Continued from yesterday] Maharaj's reference to the "child-man" strikes at the core of a key part of the Advaita teachings:
1. The basic personality type is set by age six and subconsciously controls thoughts and words and deeds thereafter;
2. If personality is not transitioned, then "the man" will act like "the child";
3. If one does not (a) stop living under the influence of "the child" and if one continues to be influenced by (b) the institutions around the globe that program and condition persons to be dependent and co-dependent, then misery and suffering must follow when an adult-aged life is lived out under the domination of an inner child rather than the inner guru.
Again, Maharaj: "To me dependence on anything for happiness is utter misery."
Maharaj: "The cause of suffering is dependence, and independence is the remedy. Yoga is the science and the art of self-liberation through Self-understanding."
Realization happens when pointers from a Realized teacher are taken into the quiet for contemplation. When Realization comes, it comes while alone, in the silence, not in auditoriums, not in religious services, not in spiritual group meetings.
Whatever happens in group settings will block Realization unless (a) spot-on pointers are offered specifically to a seeker at a certain level in order to move the seeker to the next level and unless
(b) those pointers are taken into the silence and contemplated. If the moment of peripetia comes by following the guidance and tapping into the inner resource, only then might the "journey" continue and be completed.
Support groups (whether religious or spiritual) support false identities, false ideas, false beliefs; they support outer reliance rather than inner reliance; they support group desires rather than independence; and they support dependencies and substitute dependencies and co-dependency. Consider the message:
"Rely on the group" (even if its GroupThink is clearly insane); "be dependent and even co-dependent by relying on god" (or on a god or gods who are co-dependent.) How do you know god is co-dependent? Because you are told: "You can make god angry or pleased." See, you can control the way god feels. And you control how god feels far more often than god can affect the way you feel.
So you have more power than your god, because you beg him / her / it / them to make you happy but that does not happen with any consistency at all, but you, on the other hand, can supposedly make him / her / it / them very unhappy, consistently, always disappointing, always trying to make up.
Is that insane? Yes, totally insane. Is that the basis of a very sick "relationship"? Yes. But such is always the case when false concepts, ideas, and beliefs are assumed to be truth.
The difference, therefore, is this: where Advaita invites you to see how you have been programmed and then takes the steps required for you to be de-programmed, the other venues have a goal of re-programming you. How very clear the options:
More indoctrination, or being de-indoctrinated? More brainwashing, or a brain flush? More propaganda and disinformation and learning of "their" concepts, or unlearning that which was non-factual to begin with? More programming and re-programming, or complete de-programming?
Again, Maharaj: "You need no support." That is, the Real You needs no support, but the false "you's" require endless support. Yet each group is driven by its monomania, not unlike Captain Ahab who just had to be rid of that whale: "there is one thing only that we focus on. Nothing else matters." So groups, as with religions, encourage substitute dependencies.
"You may use nicotine which treats your continuing anxiety even though you speak of your new-found peace, but don't you dare use 'that'; it is, however, completely acceptable to use 'this' and 'this' and 'this'," and "Depend on the group; depend on your adviser or preacher or priest or rabbi or imam or sponsor; depend on god - the one 'of your own conception'."
(Being "of your own conception" should make clear that such a god really is nothing more than a concept - it's right there in the wording: a conceptualization, an idea dreamed up by you or by those who influenced you or who still influence you; yet most persons who talk such talk will never see that "concept" really does mean "concept").
So the next question is, "Do you really want to be independent, meaning you must be independent of conceptualized gods and false persons and bogus concepts and erroneous beliefs and the content of not-really-holy-texts, or do you want to continue to be dependent and co-dependent and practice substitute dependencies?"
Other questions are relevant as well: "Do you want to be free of listening to nonsense? Do you want to be independent of advice that makes no sense because it is being offered by people who are not sane?" It can be asked, in fact, "Do you really want to be independent to even the slightest degree?" though freedom has no degrees.
For most, the answer is, "No, not really" though they will claim the opposite; thus, it is clear why so few Realize:
1. Realization, as Maharaj taught, is about total independence; and
2. Most do not want to be independent to even a small degree, much less totally independent, so Realization cannot come; the masses prefer dependence, having been programmed and conditioned and acculturated to believe that dependence is the prerequisite for happiness.
Maharaj: "Dependence on anything for happiness is utter misery. Pleasure and pain have causes, while my state is my own, totally uncaused, independent, unassailable"
and
"All dependence on another is futile, for what others can give others will take away" [F.: be the "other" a god or a man or a woman or a child]. "Only what is your own at the start will remain your own in the end."
Dependence comes when living in an unnatural fashion (i.e., being ignorant or insane) or trying to live in a supernatural fashion, believing that all that happens in the natural realm is governed by supernatural forces outside the realm. All such beliefs lead to entrapment, not freedom. When the relative existence unfolds in a nisarga fashion, only then can there be total freedom.
Maharaj: "This dwelling on the sense ‘I am’ is the simple, easy and natural Yoga, the Nisarga Yoga. There is no secrecy in it and no dependence."
The deer are totally free; fish are totally free; birds are totally free. Might they be shot or caught and die? Yes, possibly, but that too is a form of freedom. Such is the case with all forms.
Meanwhile, though, the deer and fish and birds are free of trying to live by scripture; free of having to study texts and apply "supernatural messages" to everyday, natural functioning; free of insanity; free of stupidity; free of being self-destructive.
Do they function in "relationships"? Yes, but they assume no roles, become lost in no dreams, believe in no concepts, and suffer no dependencies...no co-dependencies...no substitute dependencies. Dependency and co-dependency are unnatural; supernatural beliefs are unnatural; freedom is natural. Very simple, yes?
F.: [Continued from yesterday] Maharaj's reference to the "child-man" strikes at the core of a key part of the Advaita teachings:
1. The basic personality type is set by age six and subconsciously controls thoughts and words and deeds thereafter;
2. If personality is not transitioned, then "the man" will act like "the child";
3. If one does not (a) stop living under the influence of "the child" and if one continues to be influenced by (b) the institutions around the globe that program and condition persons to be dependent and co-dependent, then misery and suffering must follow when an adult-aged life is lived out under the domination of an inner child rather than the inner guru.
Again, Maharaj: "To me dependence on anything for happiness is utter misery."
Maharaj: "The cause of suffering is dependence, and independence is the remedy. Yoga is the science and the art of self-liberation through Self-understanding."
Realization happens when pointers from a Realized teacher are taken into the quiet for contemplation. When Realization comes, it comes while alone, in the silence, not in auditoriums, not in religious services, not in spiritual group meetings.
Whatever happens in group settings will block Realization unless (a) spot-on pointers are offered specifically to a seeker at a certain level in order to move the seeker to the next level and unless
(b) those pointers are taken into the silence and contemplated. If the moment of peripetia comes by following the guidance and tapping into the inner resource, only then might the "journey" continue and be completed.
Support groups (whether religious or spiritual) support false identities, false ideas, false beliefs; they support outer reliance rather than inner reliance; they support group desires rather than independence; and they support dependencies and substitute dependencies and co-dependency. Consider the message:
"Rely on the group" (even if its GroupThink is clearly insane); "be dependent and even co-dependent by relying on god" (or on a god or gods who are co-dependent.) How do you know god is co-dependent? Because you are told: "You can make god angry or pleased." See, you can control the way god feels. And you control how god feels far more often than god can affect the way you feel.
So you have more power than your god, because you beg him / her / it / them to make you happy but that does not happen with any consistency at all, but you, on the other hand, can supposedly make him / her / it / them very unhappy, consistently, always disappointing, always trying to make up.
Is that insane? Yes, totally insane. Is that the basis of a very sick "relationship"? Yes. But such is always the case when false concepts, ideas, and beliefs are assumed to be truth.
The difference, therefore, is this: where Advaita invites you to see how you have been programmed and then takes the steps required for you to be de-programmed, the other venues have a goal of re-programming you. How very clear the options:
More indoctrination, or being de-indoctrinated? More brainwashing, or a brain flush? More propaganda and disinformation and learning of "their" concepts, or unlearning that which was non-factual to begin with? More programming and re-programming, or complete de-programming?
Again, Maharaj: "You need no support." That is, the Real You needs no support, but the false "you's" require endless support. Yet each group is driven by its monomania, not unlike Captain Ahab who just had to be rid of that whale: "there is one thing only that we focus on. Nothing else matters." So groups, as with religions, encourage substitute dependencies.
"You may use nicotine which treats your continuing anxiety even though you speak of your new-found peace, but don't you dare use 'that'; it is, however, completely acceptable to use 'this' and 'this' and 'this'," and "Depend on the group; depend on your adviser or preacher or priest or rabbi or imam or sponsor; depend on god - the one 'of your own conception'."
(Being "of your own conception" should make clear that such a god really is nothing more than a concept - it's right there in the wording: a conceptualization, an idea dreamed up by you or by those who influenced you or who still influence you; yet most persons who talk such talk will never see that "concept" really does mean "concept").
So the next question is, "Do you really want to be independent, meaning you must be independent of conceptualized gods and false persons and bogus concepts and erroneous beliefs and the content of not-really-holy-texts, or do you want to continue to be dependent and co-dependent and practice substitute dependencies?"
Other questions are relevant as well: "Do you want to be free of listening to nonsense? Do you want to be independent of advice that makes no sense because it is being offered by people who are not sane?" It can be asked, in fact, "Do you really want to be independent to even the slightest degree?" though freedom has no degrees.
For most, the answer is, "No, not really" though they will claim the opposite; thus, it is clear why so few Realize:
1. Realization, as Maharaj taught, is about total independence; and
2. Most do not want to be independent to even a small degree, much less totally independent, so Realization cannot come; the masses prefer dependence, having been programmed and conditioned and acculturated to believe that dependence is the prerequisite for happiness.
Maharaj: "Dependence on anything for happiness is utter misery. Pleasure and pain have causes, while my state is my own, totally uncaused, independent, unassailable"
and
"All dependence on another is futile, for what others can give others will take away" [F.: be the "other" a god or a man or a woman or a child]. "Only what is your own at the start will remain your own in the end."
Dependence comes when living in an unnatural fashion (i.e., being ignorant or insane) or trying to live in a supernatural fashion, believing that all that happens in the natural realm is governed by supernatural forces outside the realm. All such beliefs lead to entrapment, not freedom. When the relative existence unfolds in a nisarga fashion, only then can there be total freedom.
Maharaj: "This dwelling on the sense ‘I am’ is the simple, easy and natural Yoga, the Nisarga Yoga. There is no secrecy in it and no dependence."
The deer are totally free; fish are totally free; birds are totally free. Might they be shot or caught and die? Yes, possibly, but that too is a form of freedom. Such is the case with all forms.
Meanwhile, though, the deer and fish and birds are free of trying to live by scripture; free of having to study texts and apply "supernatural messages" to everyday, natural functioning; free of insanity; free of stupidity; free of being self-destructive.
Do they function in "relationships"? Yes, but they assume no roles, become lost in no dreams, believe in no concepts, and suffer no dependencies...no co-dependencies...no substitute dependencies. Dependency and co-dependency are unnatural; supernatural beliefs are unnatural; freedom is natural. Very simple, yes?
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:
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:
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.
