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.
In the non-realized state, there is a mind that is a conceptual storehouse. These concepts are acquired through a systematic process of conditioning and domestication. The Advaitin teachings point to the false understandings that prop up the non-realized, personality-led, subject-object view of reality -- and offer pointers to neutralize these false beliefs.
Take the idea "I was born". You may take it to be true. It is not. You were not born, nor will you ever die. It is the idea that was born and shall die, not you. By identifying yourself with it you became mortal. (Maharaj)
An example of a false idea is that you are a mortal person who was born on a particular day to particular parents, and that you will die.
In this scenario, the true idea or pointer can be taken into silent consideration. Since it is “true”, ultimately it will have the effect of eliminating the false ideas that are linked to or contrary to it.
The true idea is not real. It is a thorn. All concepts are false. However, the thorn or true concept is used to eliminate the false concept.
Eventually, when all false concepts are eliminated, the true concepts are also discarded. Non-duality is a concept-free understanding. The objective is the elimination of the concept-filled mind in its entirety.
Pointers may arise spontaneously or be provided by a teacher/teaching
Pointers to truth may arise spontaneously in the mind. However, most often the pointers are offered by the Advaitin teacher through writing or verbal instruction. Often the pointers may be offered but not taken.
Maharaj asserts that the primary pointer is to stay with the sense “I am” without attributes. This is like simply focusing on the seed from which the tree emerges, rather than examining the tree’s every leaf, branch, twig, flower or fruit. To find the source, return to the source. From this seed, Maharaj explains, the knowledge will unfold spontaneously.
Pointers must be level appropriate to be effective
While the egotism of the seeker often creates a compulsion to seek advanced pointers, this will not work. The clouded mind consists of layers of false concepts that must be eliminated in a particular order for the final understanding to occur. When “louise” began studying with “floyd”, despite years of spiritual seeking and meditating, the pointer “you are not your physical body” had not been offered, and this was the initial pointer that was required for silent consideration. In the case of “louise”, while much that was false at the level of personality, egotism, ego states had been eliminated, there was still a false belief of being a separate physical person in a world of objects. Until that preliminary “mind cloud” was eliminated, there could be no possibility of liberation.
The mind of the seeker must be ripe for the pointer to have its effect
A pointer can only be “metabolized” and have its purifying effect when the mind is ready. Later, when the student is “ripe”, the pointer may appear to arise spontaneously in the mind; in reality the pointer has often been offered by the teacher at an earlier time, but only now can it be directly understood.
The mind of the seeker must usually be relatively calm for the pointer to have its effect
The message offered on this site, is that there is no such thing as peace of mind. The mind being a storehouse of learned ignorance is false and unstable. While this is the case, it is also acknowledged that for a pointer to take root and be understood completely, the mind needs to be still and calm. If you toss a pebble into a still, clear pool of water, the pebble is easily seen. On the other hand, if you toss a pebble into a turbulent, murky pool, it will not be easily discerned. The mind filled with racing thoughts, conflicting ego personas with a myriad of agendas, and competing desires and fears is not calm. Instead, it is chaotic and troubled. To introduce a pointer into a turbulent mind like this is pointless. First the mind of the seeker must be relatively still, calm and untroubled. This is why advanced seekers may naturally enter the forest dweller stage (which does not require leaving a home, family and work but does require elimination of the “noise” and “busyness” and “drama” of the ego-led relative life.) This stage can be equated with the still, clear pool referenced above.
Pointers must be reflected on in silent contemplation
A pointer is like a tablet of detergent. When tossed into the pool of the mind, it naturally cleans and purifies. There is no particular need to “do” anything. This is contrary to the goal-driven, accumulation-orientated society that strives to gain and get.
Maharaj explains:
"These moments of inner quiet will burn out all obstacles without fail. Don't doubt its efficacy. Try it. Silence is the main factor. In peace and silence you grow. In peace and silence, the skin of the "I" dissolves and the inner and the outer become one."
"Your hope lies in keeping silent in your mind and quiet in your heart. Realized people are very quiet. You must realize yourself as the immovable behind and beyond the movable, the silent witness of all that happens."
To be continued.
Please enter the silence of contemplation.
For extending teaching on the Advaitan Understanding – and the removal of the false that obscures Your Real Nature, see the links on the right hand side of this blog.
Comments / clarifications may be sent to louise.advaita@gmail.com
