F.: Along the "path," talk of "True Identity" and "the Real Self" and "the True Self" are level-appropriate discussions. In the end, though, no seeker can move beyond the third of seven steps on the "path" from identification with the "false I" to an understanding of the Absolute (and that which was even prior to That) without abandoning all validity given by persons to the body-mind-personality / identity triad.
Maharaj: "Identity, individuality, uniqueness - they are ... aspects of the mind, yet of the mind only."
He noted that it is "the mind" that finds identity to be a "valuable" attribute, but since the body and "the mind" and the personality are all illusions, then so is "value" and so is any concept generated by "the mind," including "identity."
Maharaj noted that (1) the search for identity and (2) the belief that an identity has been found and (3) the belief that an identity can be named is also of "the mind." If some want to gather and enter into that dance, so be it, but in the end, the Truth can be known but not stated; therefore, to emphasize again, any stated label or identity cannot be the Truth.
Let the pointer be reiterated: identification deals with the relative only. Post-manifestation, there is no "one" to know itself or ItSelf. Both self-ness and Self-ness are limited to the phenomenal. Maharaj asked:
"How can something know itself when there is nothing with which to compare? It is alone, without identity, without attributes. We can only talk about it at the phenomenal stage."
Even the so-called "best minds" continue to struggle with the "name game," as discussed in an interview in the back of the non-duality novel The Twice-Stolen Necklace Murders (see below):
Editor: "I know that modern science is confirming this teaching, as in the new revelations regarding the ‘Field of Consciousness.’ But is this understanding compatible with the newest teachings in physics, such as the ‘strings theory’?"
F.: "Absolutely. My Teacher said decades ago that science would one day catch up with the ancients’ understanding and prove that the teachings are fact. Such is happening. Since strings are the lowest common denominator of EVERYTHING, smaller than atoms, smaller than electrons, smaller than the mass of protons and neutrons at the core of electrons, then the understanding of the science of strings shows us that the only thing which makes you appear to be different from me—or from a piano, or from a tree—is the vibrational pattern of the strings. And since the strings are simply energy in movement, and since the strings know automatically what to do when they are manifested in a human as opposed to in a piano as opposed to in a tree, then the teaching of strings proves this Understanding, scientifically. We are consciousness-energy.
"We are all THAT, all the same, all one, with only appearances leading us to believe we are separate or different. We are not. Physics now proves that we are THAT, that We Are All One. We ARE the strings, so to speak. Use whatever name you choose to refer to that one ‘thing’ from which all is composed when manifest. More recently, the strings theory had been modified by some who now claim that the ‘sparticle’ might be even more basic than the string. No matter. What is Real is whatever that most basic, singular, nondual ‘thing’ is, period. Now call That what you want, the truth is that Easterners have known for about 40,000 years that everything in the universe that is manifested or not is nothing more nor less than a manifestation or not manifestation of That, of the one True That-ness. Call it ‘strings’ or ‘That’ or ‘sparticle’ or ‘energy with consciousness.’ That is All, and That is All there Is."
"Strings" or "That" or "sparticle" notwithstanding," the best that can be hoped for by seekers who are too preoccupied with the machinations of "the mind" is to come up with one term (or, over an entire period of seeking, one term after another) that can become the spoken Truth.
It cannot happen, and neither can freedom and peace happen as long as there is (a) a preoccupation with finding a Truth that can be stated or (b) believing that one knows the Truth and can state it and (c) believing that one can tell it to others and (d) being willing tell it to others for the price of admission to a $5000.00 seminar or for 10% of one's income, "for life."
The pointer that "peace" and "mind" cannot co-exist is discussed in the book There's No Such Thing as "Peace of Mind" (There Is Only Peace if You're Out of Your Mind), and because Maharaj spoke accurately when he said that trying to name or label an identity has only to do with "the mind," then two conclusions can be drawn:
1. Because "the mind" is an illusion - the storehouse of all false ideas and beliefs and concepts - then any identity dreamed up via use of "the mind" will also be an illusion and a false idea or belief or concept as well; and
2. because "the mind" and peace cannot co-exist, then all this preoccupation with finding an exact name for what is pointed to with "That" will guarantee that no peace shall come. As the teachings dealing with de-accumulation note, freedom (and then peace) come - in that order - with giving up, not with getting more. And that includes identities; that means, all identities.
The naturally-abiding deer is at peace because it is identity-less. It is identity-less because it is mindless. No yoga save this yoga - the nisarga yoga - invites the seeker to stop, to relax, to take it easy, to stop living unnaturally, and to stop all the spiritual workaholism involved with trying to live supernaturally and then enjoy what can only be enjoyed at the only instance when anything can be enjoyed: NOW.
Please enter the silence of contemplation. (To be continued)
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. Sue the contact link to the right to make arrangemnets
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.
The Twice-Stolen Necklace Murders offers the non-duality message by way of a mystery-adventure novel, discussing the movement from pain to healing to awakening to peace.
From Dr. R.F. Maley, Ph.D, Professor Emeritus and former Head of the Department of Psychology, University of Houston: "Floyd Henderson's book, The Twice-Stolen Necklace Murders, is a fun read and an interesting mystery, but perhaps more importantly it serves as a vehicle for blending Eastern Philosophy and Native American Spirituality to make an intellectually challenging novel. The book's insights into both relationships and authoritarian conditioning of people in our society make it a must read, tracing the roots of narcissistic, sociopathic and psychopathic behaviors to the very core of the culture. This truly witty and politically-incorrect study of the aggressive nature of 'the American character' offers not only a diagnosis but also a treatment plan, making the book an excellent supplemental reading in courses such as psychology, anthropology, philosophy, sociology and counseling."
The Sequel to The Twice-Stolen Necklace Murders:
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF WARS
[RE: The "Subscribe To" feature: In some cases, all of the month's postings might be sent the first time after subscribing; after that, you should receive only one day's posting at a time.]
YOUTUBE ADVAITA VEDANTA YOGA VIDEOS
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Please enter the silence of contemplation.
