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: G,day Floyd: I have been considering writings about hope including Victor Frankel's book and how hope, faith and meaning help people survive. I recall the first time I started to gain information on non-duality and Maharaj's work, I lost hope and felt like lying down under a tree and dying as I had lost inspiration.
When the content of the email was eventually discussed with the sender, this is what unfolded:
F.: The reason that the teachings do not suggest that you should pursue the concept of "hope" is this: hoping and wishing and desiring account for 50% of all misery and suffering (the other 50% of all misery and suffering being rooted in fear).
Maharaj said: "Desire and fear, both are self-centred states"
and
"The ending of the self with its desires and fears enables you to return to your real nature, the source of all happiness and peace"
and
"Be free from predilections and preferences and the mind with its burden of sorrow will be no more."
Consider also:
Questioner: But I am not alone to suffer. There are others.
Maharaj: When you go to them with your desires and fears, you merely add to their sorrows. First be free of suffering yourself and then only hope of helping others. You do not even need to hope....
[The dialogue continued]
F.: So, review the more-than-fifty-year-history of your hopes and see what is revealed: you have said that as a child you had a hope that you would eventually have loving, available parents who were not totally self-absorbed narcissists, correct?
Visitor: Yes.
F.: Did you receive what you hoped for...what you wished for?
V.: No.
F.: Recall the things you hoped you would receive at Christmas. Did you receive what you hoped for?
V.: No.
F.: And what of the things you wished for at school...that you would receive an 'A' on a test, that a certain girl would go on a date with you, that bullies would stop harassing you? Did all you hoped for at school come true?
V. No.
F.: So how did you feel when time and again your hopes were dashed?
V.: Miserable.
F.: So could you say that there were so many occasions when your hopes and desires were not met that you ended up being miserable time and time again and that the times you "felt like lying down under a tree and dying" were really associated not with times when you had no hope but were associated with the times when you had great hopes?
V.: Hummm.
F.: And all of those occasions happened decades before you ever heard of non-duality or Maharaj?
V.: Yes.
F.: You married, yes?
V.: Yes.
F.: You had great hopes, yes, probably including the hope that you were finally going to get the love from her that you never got from your parents, correct?
V.: Correct.
F.: Did you get what you hoped for?
V.: No.
F.: You then hoped you could find a job that would allow you to pay your bills but allow you enough free time to enjoy your life. Yes?
V.: Yes.
F.: But how many hours are you now working each week?
V.: 70, 80, 90.
F.: So have you gotten what you hoped to get in terms of employment?
V.: No.
F.: So let's review: as you look back over everything you've hoped for in your life, as you claim that it is only "hope" that gives persons the ability to survive, don't the facts show that all of the times in your life when you "felt like lying down under a tree and dying" were the times when you first had hope but did not receive what you were hoping for?
V.: Yes.
F.: Isn't it clear, then, that your identifying things to hope for did not help you survive but almost led to many instances where you did not survive...did not even want to survive?
V.: Yes.
F.: Do you see the irony, then? Do you not see that hope generates hopelessness and that the relative existence would unfold more pleasantly is you allowed what happens to happen spontaneously without complicating things with your wishes and desires and hopes and, yes, fears as well?
V.: Hummm.
F.: Isn't it also clear, then, why Maharaj said that all of your misery and suffering is set up by hoping and wishing and desiring (along with fearing, which more often than not involves fearing that your hopes will not come true)?
V.: Yes. [Long pause] You know, Floyd, I really do need the complete non-dual understanding. I want to do this deal with you and get that.
F.: So long as you are not preoccupied with hoping and wishing and desiring it, then the deal can move forward. Eventually, you might reach the point where you understand that there is nothing to get, nothing to lose, and no one to experience either getting or losing, no one to experience either hope or hopelessness. The deer function unwaveringly from that position of neutrality. Non-duality provides an opportunity for you to do the same.
When the content of the email was eventually discussed with the sender, this is what unfolded:
F.: The reason that the teachings do not suggest that you should pursue the concept of "hope" is this: hoping and wishing and desiring account for 50% of all misery and suffering (the other 50% of all misery and suffering being rooted in fear).
Maharaj said: "Desire and fear, both are self-centred states"
and
"The ending of the self with its desires and fears enables you to return to your real nature, the source of all happiness and peace"
and
"Be free from predilections and preferences and the mind with its burden of sorrow will be no more."
Consider also:
Questioner: But I am not alone to suffer. There are others.
Maharaj: When you go to them with your desires and fears, you merely add to their sorrows. First be free of suffering yourself and then only hope of helping others. You do not even need to hope....
[The dialogue continued]
F.: So, review the more-than-fifty-year-history of your hopes and see what is revealed: you have said that as a child you had a hope that you would eventually have loving, available parents who were not totally self-absorbed narcissists, correct?
Visitor: Yes.
F.: Did you receive what you hoped for...what you wished for?
V.: No.
F.: Recall the things you hoped you would receive at Christmas. Did you receive what you hoped for?
V.: No.
F.: And what of the things you wished for at school...that you would receive an 'A' on a test, that a certain girl would go on a date with you, that bullies would stop harassing you? Did all you hoped for at school come true?
V. No.
F.: So how did you feel when time and again your hopes were dashed?
V.: Miserable.
F.: So could you say that there were so many occasions when your hopes and desires were not met that you ended up being miserable time and time again and that the times you "felt like lying down under a tree and dying" were really associated not with times when you had no hope but were associated with the times when you had great hopes?
V.: Hummm.
F.: And all of those occasions happened decades before you ever heard of non-duality or Maharaj?
V.: Yes.
F.: You married, yes?
V.: Yes.
F.: You had great hopes, yes, probably including the hope that you were finally going to get the love from her that you never got from your parents, correct?
V.: Correct.
F.: Did you get what you hoped for?
V.: No.
F.: You then hoped you could find a job that would allow you to pay your bills but allow you enough free time to enjoy your life. Yes?
V.: Yes.
F.: But how many hours are you now working each week?
V.: 70, 80, 90.
F.: So have you gotten what you hoped to get in terms of employment?
V.: No.
F.: So let's review: as you look back over everything you've hoped for in your life, as you claim that it is only "hope" that gives persons the ability to survive, don't the facts show that all of the times in your life when you "felt like lying down under a tree and dying" were the times when you first had hope but did not receive what you were hoping for?
V.: Yes.
F.: Isn't it clear, then, that your identifying things to hope for did not help you survive but almost led to many instances where you did not survive...did not even want to survive?
V.: Yes.
F.: Do you see the irony, then? Do you not see that hope generates hopelessness and that the relative existence would unfold more pleasantly is you allowed what happens to happen spontaneously without complicating things with your wishes and desires and hopes and, yes, fears as well?
V.: Hummm.
F.: Isn't it also clear, then, why Maharaj said that all of your misery and suffering is set up by hoping and wishing and desiring (along with fearing, which more often than not involves fearing that your hopes will not come true)?
V.: Yes. [Long pause] You know, Floyd, I really do need the complete non-dual understanding. I want to do this deal with you and get that.
F.: So long as you are not preoccupied with hoping and wishing and desiring it, then the deal can move forward. Eventually, you might reach the point where you understand that there is nothing to get, nothing to lose, and no one to experience either getting or losing, no one to experience either hope or hopelessness. The deer function unwaveringly from that position of neutrality. Non-duality provides an opportunity for you to do the same.
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.
