Sunday, January 02, 2011

The Conditioned Eye: Part 1 – Site Co-Host Louise Sterling

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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.

Furthermore, for those who have developed a preference for any non-nisargan yoga or who prefer Traditional Advaita Vedanta, Neo-Advaita, Neo-Vedanta, or Pseudo Advaita: here you will only find the use of the Direct Path Method of teaching along with the Nisarga (Natural) Yoga, all shared in simple, everyday English.


(Please note: The Annual Fall / Winter Season Book Sale is now under way. Most Non-Duality eBooks at floydhenderson.com are on sale at 30-50% off regular price.)

Having never left the house you are asking for the way home. Get rid of wrong ideas, that is all. Collecting right ideas also will take you nowhere. Just cease imagining.....Don't rely on your mind for liberation. It is the mind that brought you into bondage. Go beyond it altogether. -- Nisargadatta Maharaj

Seeing with clear sight means seeing without the filters of conditioning. Imagine a colored lens is placed over a film projector. The projected film that is shown takes on the hue of the colored lens. So the film images are tinged with blue, green, red, yellow – whatever color lens is used. The layers of conditioning are synonymous with colored lenses. This is the Conditioned Eye – the gaze of duality or separation.

The Conditioned Eye is habituated. The perceived view seems natural and normal; it seems fixed and solid. Yet, the view is not natural and normal. Persons are conditioned by society to accept as natural and normal a collection of false beliefs including the false concept of a separate self, of a conditioned “I”. The conditioned mind functions to neutralize discomfort; to downplay fears and suffering; and to foreground memories or dreams of desire fulfilment. In this way, the perceived view of duality and separation is seen as natural and normal by millions of persons; the colored lenses that distort the view are unseen and unnoticed.

Let’s examine these colored lenses or filters of perception in more detail. For many persons, the way the world is perceived is in constant flux. This is because the so-called perceiving entity or observer is in constant flux – consisting entirely of a shifting collection of thoughts, feelings, desires, fears, beliefs, opinions, and concepts. As this conceptual collection shifts and changes, so the way the world is perceived shifts and changes. Take the scenario of falling in love. The predominant ideas, feelings, opinions are like these: “I will be happy for the rest of my life.”; “I have met my soul mate.”; “I will never be lonely, unhappy or frightened again.” “She/he is the most beautiful / handsome, fascinating, kind, supportive human being.” The Conditioned Eye or the filter of perception is rose-colored – the thoughts and feelings of happiness are projected outwards bathing the world in the glow of happiness. However, if at some point falling out of love or boredom / habituation takes place, the predominant thoughts and feelings will shift to ones like these: “I am bored and frustrated in this relationship. It is not making me happy.”; “Perhaps she/he is not really my soul mate.”; “I am lonely, unhappy and misunderstood.” “She/he is a boring, mediocre, irritating, unattractive (fill in the relevant adjectives) human being.” The filter of perception is dark-colored – the ideas, opinions, thoughts and feelings of unhappiness are projected outwards making the world appear dull and unhappy.

Trapped in personality, with its volatile fluctuations, most persons live in a dramatic world of roller coaster highs and lows. The conditioned filters are constantly changing and the world “outside” as a result is always shifting polarity from positive to negative and all the ranges in between. For long-term meditators or practitioners, perhaps the attachment to thoughts, opinions, and concepts is less entrenched, and the feelings less volatile. In this case, the conditioned filters may not change so regularly and dramatically. However, whether the view is predominantly “stable” or “volatile”, there is still a conditioned or conceptual filter in place distorting the view.

When seeking for liberation with the conditioned mind, the seeker cannot see this. There is a sense that the learned “knowledge” of false ideas (conditioning) can be replaced with the learned “knowledge” of true ideas. So, the seeker will read more, find more teachers, learn more, and ultimately acquire a more refined or different set of ideas, opinions, concepts, etc. Will this result in a different way of perceiving the world? Quite probably. However, this is not Self-Realization. All that has happened is that the seeker has replaced one colored filter with another.

The invitation of the Advaitin Teachings is to step outside of this entire construction. The layers of conditioning that distort cannot be identified and eliminated piecemeal. The conditioning is like a fog. How can one “piece” of fog be removed? Any fog-free space is immediately and instantly filled with more fog. Only when the geological conditions change, and the weather clears to produce an environment that is fog-free – does the fog disappear entirely. The false perception of the conditioned mind is like this.

As Maharaj explains: It is useless to search for the truth, when the mind is blind to the false. It must be purged of the false completely before truth can dawn on it.

Please enter the silence of contemplation. (To be continued)

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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:

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.

NOTE: When you order this package, you receive three additional ebooks free: CASTING LIGHT ON THE DARK SIDE OF RELATIONSHIPS, FINDING REAL LOVE IN AN UNREAL WORLD and THE TWICE-STOLEN NECKLACE MURDERS (offering the Advaita teachings in a fictional novel format)

You may visit The Official Website of Floyd Henderson for information on each book.

3. BY ENROLLING in the Online Advaita Classes

Received 19 August 2010 from one that just completed the entire course:

I would like to extend deepest appreciation towards you for these teachings that you have offered. It has been most valuable towards what may not have been revealed throughout this manifestation labeled "anthony." Understanding Truth and finding words for gratitude are one as is all. Thank you again for pointing "me" to THAT and the understanding that came as well. Hopeful for future "contact"! Sincerely, Anthony M. W.

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.
Presently, Skype sessions are being conducted with parties in Australia; The Netherlands; New Jersey, U.S.A.; London, England; Italy; and India.
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."

You may purchase your copy of the ebook version of THE TWICE-STOLEN NECKLACE MURDERS then start reading within minutes:


The Sequel to The Twice-Stolen Necklace Murders:
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF WARS


For a paperback or eBook version of the book, click:

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Please enter the silence of contemplation.

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