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.
As for Maharaj, you will find here some of his early pointers for beginners but some of his later pointers that are for seekers farther along the "path." During his last years, he said of I AM THAT: "That book and whatever was expounded at that time was only relevant for that period. I am speaking differently today" and am "emphasizing different aspects." What he offered later differed considerably from his earlier talks, making clear that the pointers in I AM THAT will take you to the midpoint of "the race" but that his final talks point the way to "the finish line."
F.: Shared in an earlier post in this series was this exchange:
Questioner: "Is it not obligatory to live out one’s natural span of life?"
Maharaj: "Natural - spontaneously - easy - yes. But disease and suffering are not natural. There is noble virtue in unshakable endurance of whatever comes, but there is also dignity in the refusal of meaningless torture and humiliation."
For Maharaj to say that "there is also dignity in" reveals that he was expanding his list of what constitutes abidance with dignity. "The refusal" is one element of dignity, added to the other modes of dignity that he catalogued which include:
abiding naturally;
abiding spontaneously;
and
abiding in an easy fashion.
Are you abiding in a natural, spontaneous, easy fashion?
Next, re-consider this, please:
"Dignity" is defined as "a composed manner or style." "Composed" is defined as "calm" or "tranquil" or "serene."
To ask persons to appraise objectively the manner or style of their abidance is to ask a surgeon to perform surgery on herself / himself. Neither can ever happen.
A man arrived here recently in a state of total panic, his anxiety level so high that he had entered into a state of emotional intoxication that included a level of histrionics that is seldom seen on any Broadway stage.
Though an intelligent professional and a financially-successful doctor, the subconscious agendas of his personas rendered his intelligence completely useless, inspiring extreme theatrics and hyperventilation.
Yet when he was told that I could not talk with him until he calmed down, he was shocked. The panic attacks of this "Perfectionist" have been so "normalized" over the years that they now seem to be a completely reasonable attribute of his present modus operandi.
He sees himself as a most dignified gentleman and professional, and was quite offended when a contrary view was offered for his consideration. The source of this particular bout of panic?
Several personas were feeling threatened by his wife's most recent notice that she was thinking about leaving him.
Floyd: "Is this the same wife whom you claimed a few weeks ago was 'making your life a living hell' and who has 'refused to have sex with you for a decade' and who 'criticizes you ceaselessly' and who has told you that 'she does not love you and never has'?"
He: "You know it is."
Floyd: "And now you are once again upset at the prospect that she might leave but not at all upset at the prospect that she might stay? Interesting."
Maharaj's talk of abiding with dignity offers as much opportunity for self-deception and distortion as anything that calls for accurate and honest and objective self-inspection. The man could not see at all that he has neither a shred of calmness or serenity nor a shred of dignity, what with his theatrics and over-reacting and drama and histrionics and panic.
So what is required for truly abiding with dignity, calmness, serenity, and tranquility? Witnessing all that happens without the accompaniment of emotion-driven actions or persona-induced reactions while remaining fully awake and aware and conscious to All.
And what does not constitute living with dignity, calmness, serenity, and calmness?
Being "emotionally-unavailable," which only results in an outer appearance of calmness.
Being devoid of feelings, which only results in an outer appearance of serenity.
Being near-catatonic, which only results in an outer appearance of calmness.
Being in a cannabis-or-pill-or-alcohol-induced state which only appears to be a state of calmness.
Being driven by one's societal influence when that culture is one with a "Northern bent" that results in persons being cold and uncaring and rigid and distant and excessively formal and remote and detached and aloof, which only results in an outer appearance of dignity and serenity.
Being trapped in avoidance, which only results in an outer appearance of calmness.
Being uncommunicative and repressing one's feelings when an expression of what is being felt inside would be far healthier, which only supports an illusion of calmness.
Being in denial, which only results in the delusion that one is calm and serene.
In those cases and many more, the appearance of being dignified, calm, serene, and composed is quite the opposite of the Real dignity that Maharaj referred to and is nothing at all like Real calmness, Real serenity, and Real composure.
Maharaj spoke of "the inner" and "the outer." Unless those are one, and unless the outer is a true reflection of the inner, then any claims about being "pretty cool and calm and collected" are just so much distortion and self-delusion and self-deception.
You are invited to enter into the silence. (To be continued)
F.: Shared in an earlier post in this series was this exchange:
Questioner: "Is it not obligatory to live out one’s natural span of life?"
Maharaj: "Natural - spontaneously - easy - yes. But disease and suffering are not natural. There is noble virtue in unshakable endurance of whatever comes, but there is also dignity in the refusal of meaningless torture and humiliation."
For Maharaj to say that "there is also dignity in" reveals that he was expanding his list of what constitutes abidance with dignity. "The refusal" is one element of dignity, added to the other modes of dignity that he catalogued which include:
abiding naturally;
abiding spontaneously;
and
abiding in an easy fashion.
Are you abiding in a natural, spontaneous, easy fashion?
Next, re-consider this, please:
"Dignity" is defined as "a composed manner or style." "Composed" is defined as "calm" or "tranquil" or "serene."
To ask persons to appraise objectively the manner or style of their abidance is to ask a surgeon to perform surgery on herself / himself. Neither can ever happen.
A man arrived here recently in a state of total panic, his anxiety level so high that he had entered into a state of emotional intoxication that included a level of histrionics that is seldom seen on any Broadway stage.
Though an intelligent professional and a financially-successful doctor, the subconscious agendas of his personas rendered his intelligence completely useless, inspiring extreme theatrics and hyperventilation.
Yet when he was told that I could not talk with him until he calmed down, he was shocked. The panic attacks of this "Perfectionist" have been so "normalized" over the years that they now seem to be a completely reasonable attribute of his present modus operandi.
He sees himself as a most dignified gentleman and professional, and was quite offended when a contrary view was offered for his consideration. The source of this particular bout of panic?
Several personas were feeling threatened by his wife's most recent notice that she was thinking about leaving him.
Floyd: "Is this the same wife whom you claimed a few weeks ago was 'making your life a living hell' and who has 'refused to have sex with you for a decade' and who 'criticizes you ceaselessly' and who has told you that 'she does not love you and never has'?"
He: "You know it is."
Floyd: "And now you are once again upset at the prospect that she might leave but not at all upset at the prospect that she might stay? Interesting."
Maharaj's talk of abiding with dignity offers as much opportunity for self-deception and distortion as anything that calls for accurate and honest and objective self-inspection. The man could not see at all that he has neither a shred of calmness or serenity nor a shred of dignity, what with his theatrics and over-reacting and drama and histrionics and panic.
So what is required for truly abiding with dignity, calmness, serenity, and tranquility? Witnessing all that happens without the accompaniment of emotion-driven actions or persona-induced reactions while remaining fully awake and aware and conscious to All.
And what does not constitute living with dignity, calmness, serenity, and calmness?
Being "emotionally-unavailable," which only results in an outer appearance of calmness.
Being devoid of feelings, which only results in an outer appearance of serenity.
Being near-catatonic, which only results in an outer appearance of calmness.
Being in a cannabis-or-pill-or-alcohol-induced state which only appears to be a state of calmness.
Being driven by one's societal influence when that culture is one with a "Northern bent" that results in persons being cold and uncaring and rigid and distant and excessively formal and remote and detached and aloof, which only results in an outer appearance of dignity and serenity.
Being trapped in avoidance, which only results in an outer appearance of calmness.
Being uncommunicative and repressing one's feelings when an expression of what is being felt inside would be far healthier, which only supports an illusion of calmness.
Being in denial, which only results in the delusion that one is calm and serene.
In those cases and many more, the appearance of being dignified, calm, serene, and composed is quite the opposite of the Real dignity that Maharaj referred to and is nothing at all like Real calmness, Real serenity, and Real composure.
Maharaj spoke of "the inner" and "the outer." Unless those are one, and unless the outer is a true reflection of the inner, then any claims about being "pretty cool and calm and collected" are just so much distortion and self-delusion and self-deception.
You are invited to enter into the silence. (To be continued)
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For those seeking the full explanation of the topics addressed on this site: there are non-duality books offered below as well as retreats and Skype or telephone sessions available at Floyd Henderson's Website
The full explanations are also available in the books in the author's collection that explain in detail all of the non-duality, nisarga teachings offered here:
1. Most non-duality books below are available through Amazon.com.
2. Read Kindle books on your own device by downloading a free app.
The full explanations are also available in the books in the author's collection that explain in detail all of the non-duality, nisarga teachings offered here:
1. Most non-duality books below are available through Amazon.com.
2. Read Kindle books on your own device by downloading a free app.
The available books are arranged on the carousels below. Use the arrows to move each book to the forefront; then, you may click on any book that you might be interested in to find more information or to purchase.
THE ADVANCED SEEKERS' SERIES
From the I to the Absolute
Consciousness / Awareness
From the Absolute to the Nothingness
The Final Understanding
The Advanced Seekers' Series in paperback
The Two Meditation Guides
From the I to the Absolute
Consciousness / Awareness
From the Absolute to the Nothingness
The Final Understanding
The Advanced Seekers' Series in paperback
The Two Meditation Guides
The BLISSFUL ABIDANCE SERIES, PART ONE
What BLISS Is and What BLISS Is Not
Why You Must Be Empty If You Would Be Full
When Reality Is Overlaid Upon the Relative
Freedom from Shifting Between States of Happiness and Unhappiness
Liberation
The Blissful Abidance Series (6 books) in paperback
What BLISS Is and What BLISS Is Not
Why You Must Be Empty If You Would Be Full
When Reality Is Overlaid Upon the Relative
Freedom from Shifting Between States of Happiness and Unhappiness
Liberation
The Blissful Abidance Series (6 books) in paperback
The ADVAITINS Collection
with THE MAHARAJ QUATRO, including:
(1) Why NISARGA YOGA in addition to the ADVAITA TEACHING?
(2) Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj and His Evolution
(3) A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE
(4) Going Crazy / Going Sane
Jesus Christ the Advaitin
William Shakespeare the Advaitin
with THE MAHARAJ QUATRO, including:
(1) Why NISARGA YOGA in addition to the ADVAITA TEACHING?
(2) Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj and His Evolution
(3) A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE
(4) Going Crazy / Going Sane
Jesus Christ the Advaitin
William Shakespeare the Advaitin
The BLISSFUL ABIDANCE SERIES, PART TWO
Overcoming the Fear of Being Totally Independent
I AM THAT (vs. "This Is Who I Think I Am")
The Essence of the Teachings
There Is Nothing That Is Personal (Including You and Including God)
Lessons in Non-Duality from Travels in South Africa
The Path to Freedom vs. the Path to Misery
Overcoming the Fear of Being Totally Independent
I AM THAT (vs. "This Is Who I Think I Am")
The Essence of the Teachings
There Is Nothing That Is Personal (Including You and Including God)
Lessons in Non-Duality from Travels in South Africa
The Path to Freedom vs. the Path to Misery
The FREEDOM FROM THE MIND Series
Instability / Insanity: What the Advaita Teachings Can (and Cannot) Address
PROGRAMMING, CONDITIONING, DOMESTICATION, AND ACCULTURATION
The Ultimate Sickness, The Ultimate Medicine
Going Crazy / Going Sane
There's No Such Thing As "Peace of Mind" (There Is Only Peace If You're Out of Your Mind)
Dancing Lightly
Instability / Insanity: What the Advaita Teachings Can (and Cannot) Address
PROGRAMMING, CONDITIONING, DOMESTICATION, AND ACCULTURATION
The Ultimate Sickness, The Ultimate Medicine
Going Crazy / Going Sane
There's No Such Thing As "Peace of Mind" (There Is Only Peace If You're Out of Your Mind)
Dancing Lightly
RECOVERY LITERATURE, the RELATIONSHIP books
A Twelve-Step Journey to SELF-Realization [Kindle]
A Twelve-Step Journey to SELF-Realization [Paperback]
A Guide for Working the Twelve Steps (In the Manner Used by the Founders)
The Twelve Steps and Advaita / Non-Duality: A 21-Day Plan for a Psychic Change
Finding Real Love in An Unreal World
Casting Light on the Dark Side of Relationships
A Twelve-Step Journey to SELF-Realization [Kindle]
A Twelve-Step Journey to SELF-Realization [Paperback]
A Guide for Working the Twelve Steps (In the Manner Used by the Founders)
The Twelve Steps and Advaita / Non-Duality: A 21-Day Plan for a Psychic Change
Finding Real Love in An Unreal World
Casting Light on the Dark Side of Relationships
The NO DEATH books, NON-DUALITY IN FICTION, FINANCIAL SANITY
The Myth of Death
What Happens When I Die?
The Twice-Stolen Necklace Murders (Non-Duality) [Kindle]
The Board of Directors of Wars (Non-Duality) [Kindle]
The Board of Directors of Wars (Non-Duality) [Paperback]
Living Within Your Means
How Your Personality Type Shapes Your Spending Habits
The Myth of Death
What Happens When I Die?
The Twice-Stolen Necklace Murders (Non-Duality) [Kindle]
The Board of Directors of Wars (Non-Duality) [Kindle]
The Board of Directors of Wars (Non-Duality) [Paperback]
Living Within Your Means
How Your Personality Type Shapes Your Spending Habits
NON-DUALITY BOOKS, EACH CONTAINING A SERIES OF ESSAYS DISCUSSING ONE OF THE SEVEN STEPS ON THE PATH TO REALIZATION
FOR THOSE WHO PREFER PAPERBACK, THE FOLLOWING PAPERBACK BOOKS ARE ON SALE NOW
(Click the pictures for information on the paperback versions)
(Click the pictures for information on the paperback versions)
(FOUR BOOKS IN ONE)
(SIX BOOKS IN ONE)
FOR THOSE SEEKING FURTHER EXPLANATION
An online Advaita Internet Course is offered here. The price of the course includes the four Advaita eBooks used as the texts; questions sent after completion of the assigned readings; replies to your answers; and follow-up as required.
The price of the course includes the four Advaita eBooks used as the texts; questions sent after completion of the assigned readings, replies to your answers, and follow-up as required.
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. To get started now now, click the pay button below and receive the $365 course for a discounted price of $325.00.
Purchase at Discount the Advaita Internet Course with Floyd
by
Clicking the Buy Now Button below:
Or, if you prefer, begin by arranging a one-hour Advaita session via Skype with Floyd:
Next, you can now 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).
The price of the course includes the four Advaita eBooks used as the texts; questions sent after completion of the assigned readings, replies to your answers, and follow-up as required.
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. To get started now now, click the pay button below and receive the $365 course for a discounted price of $325.00.
Purchase at Discount the Advaita Internet Course with Floyd
by
Clicking the Buy Now Button below:
Or, if you prefer, begin by arranging a one-hour Advaita session via Skype with Floyd:
Next, you can now 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, Seven-Hour Video (DVD) Set of an advaita retreat, or the downloadable file version. To find out more or to purchase the DVD or downloadable computer file version of the retreat, click:
DVD or Downloadable computer file versions of the Four-Day Advaita Retreat
International buyers: note the separate option for those outside the continental U.S.
2. BY READING the explanations offered in the collection of non-duality books that are available on this site.
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 information or use the link below to pay for your first Advaita session.
You may click the BUY NOW button below to begin arrangements for your first Advaita session with Floyd via Skype and he will contact you to schedule:
DVD or Downloadable computer file versions of the Four-Day Advaita Retreat
SIX WAYS THAT SEEKERS HAVE REALIZED:
1. BY WATCHING the 4-Disk, Seven-Hour Video (DVD) Set of an advaita retreat, or the downloadable file version. To find out more or to purchase the DVD or downloadable computer file version of the retreat, click:
DVD or Downloadable computer file versions of the Four-Day Advaita Retreat
International buyers: note the separate option for those outside the continental U.S.
2. BY READING the explanations offered in the collection of non-duality books that are available on this site.
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 information or use the link below to pay for your first Advaita session.
You may click the BUY NOW button below to begin arrangements for your first Advaita session with Floyd via Skype and he will contact you to schedule:
6. BY ARRANGING for floyd to travel to your location and meet with you or your group. Use the contact link below to discuss details.
