Today's "DAILY CONSIDERATION" for
You
F.: Understand the approach of the one offering treatment for the Ultimate Sickness: a surgeon that removes malignant cancers from a body neither hates the cancer nor the person with the cancer, but that physician is enthusiastically dedicated to removing the internal source of a patient's sickness. The same applies to those that offer the Ultimate Medicine that treats the Ultimate Sickness.
Now, to continue with the discussion of the historical and evolutionary roots of the Sickness (which is now centered in "the mind"). Recall that the brain is rooted in the elements, the consciousness is rooted in the Absolute, and the mind is rooted in programming, conditioning, etc. But to truly understand what happened to humanity which now guarantees that almost all humans will "contract" the Ultimate Sickness and will suffer from the misery that accompanies it, understand the brain and the brain-changes that occurred over the millennia:
There came fairly recently in terms of human development an evolutionary shift from a brain that was about one cup in size to one that became about 3.5 cups in size. There was originally the cerebellum (a part of the brain that is much older than the cerebrum which developed later). The cerebellum deals with regulation and coordination of movement; posture; balance; and natural functions.
That was the whole deal with humans at one point. The literal growth in size of the brain paved the way for the development of the cerebrum (which is now about 85% of the brain.) The frontal lobe of the cerebrum deals with reasoning. The temporal lobe deals with perceptions / misperceptions; speech; and memory-and-information-retrieval.
Nowadays, the cerebellum makes up only about 10% of the brain (but still contains nearly 50% of the neurons). So the cerebellum dealt with mere being, and with efficient movement that facilitated survival of the species. The cerebrum developed and now deals with doingness and "mind stuff," the result of which is that the average human now has about 70,000 thoughts per day (also known here as "the chatter of a thousand monkeys in the head"). The result is that people even if alone are nevertheless in group therapy all day long.
Consider a parallel: a woman shared that her doctors removed a tumor from her body that weighed 3.3 pounds. That tumor developed as a result of abnormal cell growth. The same happened over thousands of years with the human brain that swelled to 3.5 times its original size as brain cells grew in number, and originally the results were beneficial as far as survival of the species goes. Now, the enlarged brain is more like a detrimental tumor. What happened?
As the human body "evolved" / "de-volved" via mutating, the results were not optimal for survival. The ancestors of humans had outer shells (think "lobster" or "crayfish"), but that outer shell has been replaced by an inner shell (the ribcage) to protect sensitive organs; as noted earlier though, the largest, most vulnerable organ (the skin) developed outside the shell. Not a beneficial change as far as survival is concerned.
Add gene mutations to the mix along with the fact that faster and more ferocious predators were stalking slower humans that were less adept at functioning as "killing machines" - as were some of their hungry neighbors on the planet - and all sorts of disadvantageous, detrimental effects resulted for the human species.
Then, there came a turning point: the pre-human / human brain developed in size and ability just in the nick of time, so to speak, as far as human survival was concerned. The expanded brain size brought with it the ability to store and retrieve memories and the ability to develop and expand intelligence.
Before that brain-change, pre-humans and humans were on the defensive, running and hiding at times from hundreds or thousands of animals that were higher on the food chain, that could run faster and fight better. The brain's storage and retrieval abilities, combined with intelligence, allowed for the survival of the species even as mutation trends were leaving the human species in a most vulnerable position. Intelligence allowed humans to develop weapons and fighting techniques that in turn allowed them to compensate for the areas where they were physically deficient when compared to the bodily skills of those forms that would feed on them. But what else did intelligence bring?
Not just a means to survive, but a drive for survival that brought with it not only slyness, sneakiness, and shrewdness but also previously unknown levels of mercilessness and callousness, all rooted in pure self-centeredness. The weapons that came about that could be used as "equalizers" gave humans an ability to kill that they had not known before ... an ability that was highly efficient and that would soon even inspire bloodlust among some. A sense of duality was reinforced, and the newer parts of the brain generated an "us vs. them" mentality which is rooted in duality and which reached new heights and which began to thrive as never before.
The former defensive posture of humans shifted more and more to an offensive posture. For any who look to the evidence in history that uncovers humankind's underbelly, they will see clearly that, paralleling the development of intelligence, there was the development of an unbelievable capacity for aggression, hostility, sadism, malice, meanness, brutality, and viciousness. That newer human capacity can be traced to the development of the brain which allowed not only for intelligence but also for the development of an often-sociopathic current or undercurrent as well.
Humanity had gained an "upper hand" in the struggle with other forms and eventually with other humans, and - as the sages have noted - it should come as no surprise any more when humans with power abuse their power. That is what happened. That stage of brain alteration marked the beginning of the primal form of human pathology. Savagery of a barbaric intensity became a central and inherent part of human nature at that point. Humans became the best "killing machines" on the planet.
They became - and in far too many quarters remain - the most dangerous marauder and slaughterer and executioner and eradicator and slayer on the planet. Intelligence has now provided the wherewithal by which humanity has stockpiled enough weapons to eradicate human and animal life on the planet fifty times over. Some at this point say, "But Floyd, your deal, like Maharaj's deal, is to eradicate ignorance and what Maharaj called 'stupidity verging on insanity,' so why disparage our intelligence?" Do not confuse intelligence with wisdom. Do not mistake intelligence as the antidote for ignorance.
But consider the effects of the expanded brain: like the pet pit bull that seemed always to be willing to protect its human master from attack and harm, only to turn on that human and attack later on, the same happened with the brain as it evolved.
Consider this example involving a couple of early cave dwellers: with an expanded brain, Thorax was able to store into "memory" the details of an event that happened one day when he and his pal Abrik were out hunting. Abrik walked off the edge of the cliff and created quite the splat at the base of the hill he fell from. When Thorax or his offspring later approached the edge of a cliff, his evolved brain allowed him to retrieve from memory - to recall - the fate of Abrik and then stop some distance away from the edge.
Yet the brain that was humankind's friend at one point now has a part called "the mind" that has turned like a pit bull on humanity, so now the brain of Bill the alcoholic can say at 8 A.M., "Oh my gosh. I feel terrible. For as long as I live, I will never again drink as much as I drank last night."
But by 5 P.M., after a day's stress and anxiety and fear have accumulated because Bill has no coping skills, "the self-defeating, self-destructive mind" begins talking and exerts a greater influence than the "self-constructive" brain which provided a sane and sound message at 8 A.M.
At 5 P.M., the mind part says, "You know you don't want to go home sober and try to deal with all of the issues of your unhealthy relationship there, so one drink wouldn't hurt. It will help."
So when Bill is invited to stop off for a drink with his co-workers, his mind persuades him to agree. One drink leads to two, two to three, etc., and Bill arrives home as drunk as he was the night before. The harmful part of the brain that is "the mind" now holds greater sway over thoughts and words and actions that the helpful parts of the brain.
Thus, when seekers suggest that they are accumulating knowledge in order to Realize and to be at peace, or that they believe they can use their intelligence to Realize and be at peace, is it now clear why a Realized Nisargan points out that it is their learned ignorance and their egotistical pride in their intelligence that will be what blocks them from ever being at peace and from ever being peaceful?
Again, do not conclude that the opposite of ignorance is intelligence. Some of the most intelligent people that have come this way are often the most ignorant, blind, and illogical of all.
Thus, the antidote for the Ultimate Sickness is not intelligence. To that end, is it any wonder that Maharaj recommended becoming "mindless" and reaching a state of "zero concepts"?
To be continued.
Please enter the silence of contemplation.
(Note: Online Internet Course now available at a discount. See details above.) [Received from Mac, 10/17/12]: "Glad to see the online teaching offered at a discount. Hopefully, more who are ready will be able to take the course. For me, the course was the beginning of the unlearning that led to the trip to the lake for a retreat and the understanding."
Now, to continue with the discussion of the historical and evolutionary roots of the Sickness (which is now centered in "the mind"). Recall that the brain is rooted in the elements, the consciousness is rooted in the Absolute, and the mind is rooted in programming, conditioning, etc. But to truly understand what happened to humanity which now guarantees that almost all humans will "contract" the Ultimate Sickness and will suffer from the misery that accompanies it, understand the brain and the brain-changes that occurred over the millennia:
There came fairly recently in terms of human development an evolutionary shift from a brain that was about one cup in size to one that became about 3.5 cups in size. There was originally the cerebellum (a part of the brain that is much older than the cerebrum which developed later). The cerebellum deals with regulation and coordination of movement; posture; balance; and natural functions.
That was the whole deal with humans at one point. The literal growth in size of the brain paved the way for the development of the cerebrum (which is now about 85% of the brain.) The frontal lobe of the cerebrum deals with reasoning. The temporal lobe deals with perceptions / misperceptions; speech; and memory-and-information-retrieval.
Nowadays, the cerebellum makes up only about 10% of the brain (but still contains nearly 50% of the neurons). So the cerebellum dealt with mere being, and with efficient movement that facilitated survival of the species. The cerebrum developed and now deals with doingness and "mind stuff," the result of which is that the average human now has about 70,000 thoughts per day (also known here as "the chatter of a thousand monkeys in the head"). The result is that people even if alone are nevertheless in group therapy all day long.
Consider a parallel: a woman shared that her doctors removed a tumor from her body that weighed 3.3 pounds. That tumor developed as a result of abnormal cell growth. The same happened over thousands of years with the human brain that swelled to 3.5 times its original size as brain cells grew in number, and originally the results were beneficial as far as survival of the species goes. Now, the enlarged brain is more like a detrimental tumor. What happened?
As the human body "evolved" / "de-volved" via mutating, the results were not optimal for survival. The ancestors of humans had outer shells (think "lobster" or "crayfish"), but that outer shell has been replaced by an inner shell (the ribcage) to protect sensitive organs; as noted earlier though, the largest, most vulnerable organ (the skin) developed outside the shell. Not a beneficial change as far as survival is concerned.
Add gene mutations to the mix along with the fact that faster and more ferocious predators were stalking slower humans that were less adept at functioning as "killing machines" - as were some of their hungry neighbors on the planet - and all sorts of disadvantageous, detrimental effects resulted for the human species.
Then, there came a turning point: the pre-human / human brain developed in size and ability just in the nick of time, so to speak, as far as human survival was concerned. The expanded brain size brought with it the ability to store and retrieve memories and the ability to develop and expand intelligence.
Before that brain-change, pre-humans and humans were on the defensive, running and hiding at times from hundreds or thousands of animals that were higher on the food chain, that could run faster and fight better. The brain's storage and retrieval abilities, combined with intelligence, allowed for the survival of the species even as mutation trends were leaving the human species in a most vulnerable position. Intelligence allowed humans to develop weapons and fighting techniques that in turn allowed them to compensate for the areas where they were physically deficient when compared to the bodily skills of those forms that would feed on them. But what else did intelligence bring?
Not just a means to survive, but a drive for survival that brought with it not only slyness, sneakiness, and shrewdness but also previously unknown levels of mercilessness and callousness, all rooted in pure self-centeredness. The weapons that came about that could be used as "equalizers" gave humans an ability to kill that they had not known before ... an ability that was highly efficient and that would soon even inspire bloodlust among some. A sense of duality was reinforced, and the newer parts of the brain generated an "us vs. them" mentality which is rooted in duality and which reached new heights and which began to thrive as never before.
The former defensive posture of humans shifted more and more to an offensive posture. For any who look to the evidence in history that uncovers humankind's underbelly, they will see clearly that, paralleling the development of intelligence, there was the development of an unbelievable capacity for aggression, hostility, sadism, malice, meanness, brutality, and viciousness. That newer human capacity can be traced to the development of the brain which allowed not only for intelligence but also for the development of an often-sociopathic current or undercurrent as well.
Humanity had gained an "upper hand" in the struggle with other forms and eventually with other humans, and - as the sages have noted - it should come as no surprise any more when humans with power abuse their power. That is what happened. That stage of brain alteration marked the beginning of the primal form of human pathology. Savagery of a barbaric intensity became a central and inherent part of human nature at that point. Humans became the best "killing machines" on the planet.
They became - and in far too many quarters remain - the most dangerous marauder and slaughterer and executioner and eradicator and slayer on the planet. Intelligence has now provided the wherewithal by which humanity has stockpiled enough weapons to eradicate human and animal life on the planet fifty times over. Some at this point say, "But Floyd, your deal, like Maharaj's deal, is to eradicate ignorance and what Maharaj called 'stupidity verging on insanity,' so why disparage our intelligence?" Do not confuse intelligence with wisdom. Do not mistake intelligence as the antidote for ignorance.
But consider the effects of the expanded brain: like the pet pit bull that seemed always to be willing to protect its human master from attack and harm, only to turn on that human and attack later on, the same happened with the brain as it evolved.
Consider this example involving a couple of early cave dwellers: with an expanded brain, Thorax was able to store into "memory" the details of an event that happened one day when he and his pal Abrik were out hunting. Abrik walked off the edge of the cliff and created quite the splat at the base of the hill he fell from. When Thorax or his offspring later approached the edge of a cliff, his evolved brain allowed him to retrieve from memory - to recall - the fate of Abrik and then stop some distance away from the edge.
Yet the brain that was humankind's friend at one point now has a part called "the mind" that has turned like a pit bull on humanity, so now the brain of Bill the alcoholic can say at 8 A.M., "Oh my gosh. I feel terrible. For as long as I live, I will never again drink as much as I drank last night."
But by 5 P.M., after a day's stress and anxiety and fear have accumulated because Bill has no coping skills, "the self-defeating, self-destructive mind" begins talking and exerts a greater influence than the "self-constructive" brain which provided a sane and sound message at 8 A.M.
At 5 P.M., the mind part says, "You know you don't want to go home sober and try to deal with all of the issues of your unhealthy relationship there, so one drink wouldn't hurt. It will help."
So when Bill is invited to stop off for a drink with his co-workers, his mind persuades him to agree. One drink leads to two, two to three, etc., and Bill arrives home as drunk as he was the night before. The harmful part of the brain that is "the mind" now holds greater sway over thoughts and words and actions that the helpful parts of the brain.
Thus, when seekers suggest that they are accumulating knowledge in order to Realize and to be at peace, or that they believe they can use their intelligence to Realize and be at peace, is it now clear why a Realized Nisargan points out that it is their learned ignorance and their egotistical pride in their intelligence that will be what blocks them from ever being at peace and from ever being peaceful?
Again, do not conclude that the opposite of ignorance is intelligence. Some of the most intelligent people that have come this way are often the most ignorant, blind, and illogical of all.
Thus, the antidote for the Ultimate Sickness is not intelligence. To that end, is it any wonder that Maharaj recommended becoming "mindless" and reaching a state of "zero concepts"?
To be continued.
Please enter the silence of contemplation.
(Note: Online Internet Course now available at a discount. See details above.) [Received from Mac, 10/17/12]: "Glad to see the online teaching offered at a discount. Hopefully, more who are ready will be able to take the course. For me, the course was the beginning of the unlearning that led to the trip to the lake for a retreat and the understanding."
SHIFTING THE FOCUS FROM THAT WHICH DOES NOT WORK TO THAT WHICH DOES, Part One
A "movement" or "shift" happened here that added another parallel to the many parallels in terms of the phenomenal "experiences" and the noumenal revelations that "Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj" and "Floyd" share in common. (Many visitors over the years have said that they also shared the same parallels with "Maharaj" and "Floyd" as well.)
In the case of "Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj" and "Floyd":
1. both grew up in very poor families 2. both moved to populated areas to seek employment opportunities 3. both exhibited business skills that led to their opening and operating many businesses and to their having a large number of employees working for them 4. both succeeded financially 5. both became attached to accumulating
6. both married and had a family 7. both were initially religious 8. both moved away from organized religion and became interested in "spiritual" matters, finding and following the teachings of a big name teacher (or, in "Floyd's" case, many big name teachers) 9. both had highly religious wives who were quite displeased with the shift away from religion and toward "spirituality" 10. both began to feel empty in spite of all of their "spiritual seeking" and in spite of all of their accumulated "spiritual knowledge"
11. both began to de-accumulate after both saw that they could survive quite well on a fraction of the income they had been making 12. both had wives who were unhappy when the de-accumulation stage was entered and both had wives who became unhappy about their husbands' focus on non-duality and who blamed their unhappiness on no longer having a religious husband (The facts be known, in both cases the unhappiness involved the fact that their husbands were no longer interested in - or willing - to work 80+ hours per week and that their husbands were no longer interested in accumulating wealth and possessions and providing the rich lifestyle to which their wives had grown accustomed) 13. both eventually came to see that the religious and spiritual states were also ego-states, and both saw that there are far more steps on the "path" to complete after reaching the religious and spiritual steps and after playing those roles which are the third of seven steps on the entire "path" 14. both "lost" their wives (one via "death," the other through divorce) 15. both accelerated their seeking
16. both entered into the "forest dweller stage" 17. both Realized 18. both began to de-accumulate even more 19. both began sharing the teachings 20. for years, both answered questions in whatever order those questions were received, though both said that the movement from identification with the false "I" / "I's" involved an exact, step-wise manner of moving along a "path" that involved "going back" in the same (but reverse order) of the way they "came in" - that is, the way that the manifestation happened and the way that the consciousness was blocked through seven stages that resulted in their becoming identified solely with their false personas, with the content of the "mind," and eventually, with the body. But the most significant awareness that finally came to both after years of offering satsang and after having answered thousands and thousands of questions was this: After years of "Maharaj" offering satsang in his loft, and after years of "Floyd" offering satsang in meeting halls and in his home and via what one site visitor called "Floyd's electronic loft," this fact became obvious to both: "Maharaj" came to see in the 1970's and into 1980 and 1981 that his approach was not working and "Floyd" finally came to see the same.
21. Both saw that many who heard the teachings are not going to understand (Maharaj reporting that "only 1 in 100,000 are going to 'get' this" understanding) 22. both soon saw that even more than expected of those who heard the teachings were not going to understand (Maharaj modifying his "guesstimate" and reporting that "only 1 in 1,000,000 are going to 'get' this" understanding) 23. eventually both saw that even far more than expected of those who heard the teachings were not going to understand (Maharaj eventually concluding that "only 1 in 10,000,000 are going to 'get' this" understanding). And the failings were not the fault of seekers. A "one -in-ten-million" estimate is proof that satsang was not working for most seekers, and the evidence here lately is proof of the same.
Both "Maharaj" and "Floyd" invited seekers to focus on the exact, step-wise "path." Yes, during satsang, "Maharaj" sometimes alluded to the steps while discussing them in no particular order - but he never once laid out the steps in the exact order in which they had to be completed. That was not his teachings style or approach.
Therefore, another movement or shift is happening here spontaneously after reflecting on the more than two decades since the teachings were first offered here and looking at the results of Maharaj sharing pointers in his loft and looking at the results of "Floyd" sharing pointers in this electronic loft: Looking objectively at his results, Maharaj's satsang method of sharing - in the end and by his own admission (only "one out of 10,000,000") - did not produce the intended outcome.
Looking objectively at the results here when using an "electronic loft" satsang method of sharing has not produced the intended outcome nearly as often as any of the three "face-to-face" methods used with seekers by which they have been led through the seven steps in order. Here, the body is growing older, of course. Mahasamadhi could be taken today, or it could be taken in twenty years.
Obviously, that cannot be known. But the decision here has been made that whatever amount of the relative existence remains shall be spent in sharing the teachings in the ways that have been seen over the last 20+ years to be the most effective methods.
Looking back over the list of those that have truly received the understanding, it is seen that Robert R. read all of the books, then took the online Advaita course and then completed some face-to-face Skype sessions to receive the final clarifications required. It was seen that Mac read all of the books, completed the online course, and then attended a retreat where he was guided through the seven steps. Mac said that the online course work inspired him to attend the retreat in order to be able to receive the final "pieces." It was seen that Andy Gugar, Jr. read all of the books, then came here for a retreat and was taken through the seven steps in order, and then returned once more for the final clarifications required. After reviewing the shifts that happened with him after attending two retreats, he reaffirmed this past week his commitment to helping spread the non-duality, nisarga understanding as presented here. As a result of seeing what has "worked" during the last 20+ years of sharing the non-duality understanding - and seeing what had not "worked" as well - changes will be made.
SHIFTING THE FOCUS FROM THAT WHICH DOES NOT WORK TO THAT WHICH DOES, Part Two
In "Part One," examples were given of seekers that were led to Realization not by satsang but by following the various protocols outlined farther down this page which provide the understanding in the step-wise, orderly, required fashion which moves seekers along a "path" that is as prescribed by Maharaj ... "going back" in the "reverse order" by which the consciousness manifested and became blocked.
However, conversations with some that just read the majority of the books have revealed that they certainly seem to have grasped the understanding and Realized as well. As a result of seeing what has "worked" during the last 20+ years of sharing the non-duality understanding - and seeing what has "not worked" as well - changes are being made. There are seven specific steps that happen when awareness-energy is "pulled" into a cycle of manifestation. When that energy manifests as conscious-energy, that formerly pure and unadulterated energy becomes "corrupted" (or "blocked" from seeing clearly) via programming, conditioning, domestication, acculturation, and brainwashing. Soon, there is a belief in the not-Real as a result of seven degrees of separation from an understanding of the Real. Using the method that was also employed by his contemporaries - a method which focused on offering non-duality pointers via satsang - Maharaj addressed questions in the order in which they were received. He might receive a question from a seeker at the third step and his reply would include what amounted to an invitation to move to the fourth step. The next question might come from a seeker at the first step, and the reply would include an invitation to move to the second step. The information offered to the second seeker would seemingly contradict what was offered to the first seeker, so visitors who have come here for decades have asked questions which showed how confused they were by the fact that Maharaj's statements to each visitor in his loft were "level-appropriate" yet were provided in no precise order, resulting in what seemed to be an inconsistent message. So the process overall was confusing in that seekers were told to follow the "path back" in the same way that they "came in," except in reverse order, but pointers were not given in a specific, step-wise order at all. Maharaj did recognize the seven steps that are taught here, but by offering the teachings in an order that was dictated by the order in which questions were received from seekers who were at different steps on the "path," the result was this: a pointer about moving beyond the fourth step might be followed by a pointer about moving beyond the first step, and that pointer might be followed by a pointer about how to move beyond the sixth step. The same was done on this site for seven years. The result is a collection of 1,800 or so essays discussing almost every non-duality topic that can be discussed, and the search button on the top right side of this page will now allow seekers with a question about a specific topic to find an explanation. That method, however, will never provide the manner in which the seven steps on the "path" must be transmitted and received in order to Realize Fully. An objective study of the history here of more than twenty years of offering non-duality pointers reveals this: seekers that were given pointers in the exact order in which they needed to receive them were the ones that Realized.
They read the books, then they completed the online course and / or completed seven Skype or telephone sessions or came here for a retreat (or watched the downloadable DVD version of an actual retreat, available below).
Some found that which they were seeking by reading the author's book that deal with non-duality subject matter. Via all of those venues, the steps are taught in their proper order. The essays available on this site will remain for those interested in searching for a discussion of a particular non-duality topic without charge, but the focus here until mahasamadhi is taken is going to be on offering the teachings in the step-wise fashion that has been seen to work.
1. both grew up in very poor families 2. both moved to populated areas to seek employment opportunities 3. both exhibited business skills that led to their opening and operating many businesses and to their having a large number of employees working for them 4. both succeeded financially 5. both became attached to accumulating
6. both married and had a family 7. both were initially religious 8. both moved away from organized religion and became interested in "spiritual" matters, finding and following the teachings of a big name teacher (or, in "Floyd's" case, many big name teachers) 9. both had highly religious wives who were quite displeased with the shift away from religion and toward "spirituality" 10. both began to feel empty in spite of all of their "spiritual seeking" and in spite of all of their accumulated "spiritual knowledge"
11. both began to de-accumulate after both saw that they could survive quite well on a fraction of the income they had been making 12. both had wives who were unhappy when the de-accumulation stage was entered and both had wives who became unhappy about their husbands' focus on non-duality and who blamed their unhappiness on no longer having a religious husband (The facts be known, in both cases the unhappiness involved the fact that their husbands were no longer interested in - or willing - to work 80+ hours per week and that their husbands were no longer interested in accumulating wealth and possessions and providing the rich lifestyle to which their wives had grown accustomed) 13. both eventually came to see that the religious and spiritual states were also ego-states, and both saw that there are far more steps on the "path" to complete after reaching the religious and spiritual steps and after playing those roles which are the third of seven steps on the entire "path" 14. both "lost" their wives (one via "death," the other through divorce) 15. both accelerated their seeking
16. both entered into the "forest dweller stage" 17. both Realized 18. both began to de-accumulate even more 19. both began sharing the teachings 20. for years, both answered questions in whatever order those questions were received, though both said that the movement from identification with the false "I" / "I's" involved an exact, step-wise manner of moving along a "path" that involved "going back" in the same (but reverse order) of the way they "came in" - that is, the way that the manifestation happened and the way that the consciousness was blocked through seven stages that resulted in their becoming identified solely with their false personas, with the content of the "mind," and eventually, with the body. But the most significant awareness that finally came to both after years of offering satsang and after having answered thousands and thousands of questions was this: After years of "Maharaj" offering satsang in his loft, and after years of "Floyd" offering satsang in meeting halls and in his home and via what one site visitor called "Floyd's electronic loft," this fact became obvious to both: "Maharaj" came to see in the 1970's and into 1980 and 1981 that his approach was not working and "Floyd" finally came to see the same.
21. Both saw that many who heard the teachings are not going to understand (Maharaj reporting that "only 1 in 100,000 are going to 'get' this" understanding) 22. both soon saw that even more than expected of those who heard the teachings were not going to understand (Maharaj modifying his "guesstimate" and reporting that "only 1 in 1,000,000 are going to 'get' this" understanding) 23. eventually both saw that even far more than expected of those who heard the teachings were not going to understand (Maharaj eventually concluding that "only 1 in 10,000,000 are going to 'get' this" understanding). And the failings were not the fault of seekers. A "one -in-ten-million" estimate is proof that satsang was not working for most seekers, and the evidence here lately is proof of the same.
Both "Maharaj" and "Floyd" invited seekers to focus on the exact, step-wise "path." Yes, during satsang, "Maharaj" sometimes alluded to the steps while discussing them in no particular order - but he never once laid out the steps in the exact order in which they had to be completed. That was not his teachings style or approach.
Therefore, another movement or shift is happening here spontaneously after reflecting on the more than two decades since the teachings were first offered here and looking at the results of Maharaj sharing pointers in his loft and looking at the results of "Floyd" sharing pointers in this electronic loft: Looking objectively at his results, Maharaj's satsang method of sharing - in the end and by his own admission (only "one out of 10,000,000") - did not produce the intended outcome.
Looking objectively at the results here when using an "electronic loft" satsang method of sharing has not produced the intended outcome nearly as often as any of the three "face-to-face" methods used with seekers by which they have been led through the seven steps in order. Here, the body is growing older, of course. Mahasamadhi could be taken today, or it could be taken in twenty years.
Obviously, that cannot be known. But the decision here has been made that whatever amount of the relative existence remains shall be spent in sharing the teachings in the ways that have been seen over the last 20+ years to be the most effective methods.
Looking back over the list of those that have truly received the understanding, it is seen that Robert R. read all of the books, then took the online Advaita course and then completed some face-to-face Skype sessions to receive the final clarifications required. It was seen that Mac read all of the books, completed the online course, and then attended a retreat where he was guided through the seven steps. Mac said that the online course work inspired him to attend the retreat in order to be able to receive the final "pieces." It was seen that Andy Gugar, Jr. read all of the books, then came here for a retreat and was taken through the seven steps in order, and then returned once more for the final clarifications required. After reviewing the shifts that happened with him after attending two retreats, he reaffirmed this past week his commitment to helping spread the non-duality, nisarga understanding as presented here. As a result of seeing what has "worked" during the last 20+ years of sharing the non-duality understanding - and seeing what had not "worked" as well - changes will be made.
SHIFTING THE FOCUS FROM THAT WHICH DOES NOT WORK TO THAT WHICH DOES, Part Two
In "Part One," examples were given of seekers that were led to Realization not by satsang but by following the various protocols outlined farther down this page which provide the understanding in the step-wise, orderly, required fashion which moves seekers along a "path" that is as prescribed by Maharaj ... "going back" in the "reverse order" by which the consciousness manifested and became blocked.
However, conversations with some that just read the majority of the books have revealed that they certainly seem to have grasped the understanding and Realized as well. As a result of seeing what has "worked" during the last 20+ years of sharing the non-duality understanding - and seeing what has "not worked" as well - changes are being made. There are seven specific steps that happen when awareness-energy is "pulled" into a cycle of manifestation. When that energy manifests as conscious-energy, that formerly pure and unadulterated energy becomes "corrupted" (or "blocked" from seeing clearly) via programming, conditioning, domestication, acculturation, and brainwashing. Soon, there is a belief in the not-Real as a result of seven degrees of separation from an understanding of the Real. Using the method that was also employed by his contemporaries - a method which focused on offering non-duality pointers via satsang - Maharaj addressed questions in the order in which they were received. He might receive a question from a seeker at the third step and his reply would include what amounted to an invitation to move to the fourth step. The next question might come from a seeker at the first step, and the reply would include an invitation to move to the second step. The information offered to the second seeker would seemingly contradict what was offered to the first seeker, so visitors who have come here for decades have asked questions which showed how confused they were by the fact that Maharaj's statements to each visitor in his loft were "level-appropriate" yet were provided in no precise order, resulting in what seemed to be an inconsistent message. So the process overall was confusing in that seekers were told to follow the "path back" in the same way that they "came in," except in reverse order, but pointers were not given in a specific, step-wise order at all. Maharaj did recognize the seven steps that are taught here, but by offering the teachings in an order that was dictated by the order in which questions were received from seekers who were at different steps on the "path," the result was this: a pointer about moving beyond the fourth step might be followed by a pointer about moving beyond the first step, and that pointer might be followed by a pointer about how to move beyond the sixth step. The same was done on this site for seven years. The result is a collection of 1,800 or so essays discussing almost every non-duality topic that can be discussed, and the search button on the top right side of this page will now allow seekers with a question about a specific topic to find an explanation. That method, however, will never provide the manner in which the seven steps on the "path" must be transmitted and received in order to Realize Fully. An objective study of the history here of more than twenty years of offering non-duality pointers reveals this: seekers that were given pointers in the exact order in which they needed to receive them were the ones that Realized.
They read the books, then they completed the online course and / or completed seven Skype or telephone sessions or came here for a retreat (or watched the downloadable DVD version of an actual retreat, available below).
Some found that which they were seeking by reading the author's book that deal with non-duality subject matter. Via all of those venues, the steps are taught in their proper order. The essays available on this site will remain for those interested in searching for a discussion of a particular non-duality topic without charge, but the focus here until mahasamadhi is taken is going to be on offering the teachings in the step-wise fashion that has been seen to work.
THESE PAPERBACK BOOKS ARE AVAILABLE THROUGH AMAZON.COM
(Four by Floyd Henderson and two by Dennis Waite. Click the picture for more information or to order)
(Four by Floyd Henderson and two by Dennis Waite. Click the picture for more information or to order)
* * * * * * *
All EBOOK AND PAPERBACK VERSION OF HENDERSON'S NON-DUALITY BOOKS
and
RECOVERY LITERATURE
and
FINANCIAL BOOKS
are available at
Within minutes of purchase you can be reading any of the eBooks below on your mobile devices, including an iPhone, iPad, Android tablet, Android phone, laptop, home computer or on a Kindle reader.
For Apple and Android, either download the eBook directly onto your device or email the eBook file to your mobile device and open the file from your email. For Kindles or other similar devices, use your USB cable to transfer the eBook to your reader.
* * * * * * *
FOR THOSE SEEKING FURTHER EXPLANATION OF THE NON-DUALITY UNDERSTANDING, AS NOTED ABOVE, SOME SEEKERS HAVE REALIZED BY USING THE METHODS BELOW, OR A COMBINATION OF THE METHODS:
* * * * * * *
FOR THOSE SEEKING FURTHER EXPLANATION OF THE NON-DUALITY UNDERSTANDING, AS NOTED ABOVE, SOME SEEKERS HAVE REALIZED BY USING THE METHODS BELOW, OR A COMBINATION OF THE METHODS:
WAYS THAT SEEKERS HAVE REALIZED:
I. 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.
II. BY READING the explanations offered in the collection of non-duality books that are available on this site and at www.floydhenderson.com.
III. 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
IV. BY ATTENDING an Advaitin retreat with floyd and being guided through all seven steps. For details of the retreats offered, please visit the retreat information site.
V. BY ARRANGING a one-hour session via Skype or telephone with Floyd. (Skype is a free service.)
Click the button to pay and you will be contacted to arrange a date and time for the call.
VI. ALL OF THE FOLLOWING BOOKS are available at
Floyd Henderson's Website
and ALL CAN BE SENT TO FRIENDS OR FAMILY MEMBERS AS GIFTS [details at floydhenderson.com. Once on that site, click on the picture of the book you would like to send as a gift for details]
CONSCIOUSNESS / AWARENESS
This anthology of four books by Floyd Henderson contains the volumes that make up what has been called "The Advanced Seekers' Series" for those seeking Realization via the Advaita teachings
This anthology contains the six books that make up what has been called "The Blissful Abidance Series" for those seeking to live blissfully and happily for the remainder of the manifestation, including these books
This book can be read as a "Stand-Alone eBook" or as a "Companion Piece" or "Follow-Up" to be read after "When Only Three Hours of Manifestation Remain."
After having guided over 8,000 people through the Twelve Steps, the focus eventually turned toward working with the few who have been seeking recovery for some time but sense that "there must be something more" or who have said, "I am still not where I want to be." A few - even with double-digit "sobriety" - have said, "I don't want to drink ... I want to die."
RELATED TOPICS: alcoholism treatment, enneagram, Enlightenment, addiction, Mark Houston, non-duality, non-duality ebooks, Realization, self-help, peace, Nisargadatta Maharaj, working the twelve steps
I. 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.
II. BY READING the explanations offered in the collection of non-duality books that are available on this site and at www.floydhenderson.com.
III. 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
IV. BY ATTENDING an Advaitin retreat with floyd and being guided through all seven steps. For details of the retreats offered, please visit the retreat information site.
V. BY ARRANGING a one-hour session via Skype or telephone with Floyd. (Skype is a free service.)
Click the button to pay and you will be contacted to arrange a date and time for the call.
VI. ALL OF THE FOLLOWING BOOKS are available at
and ALL CAN BE SENT TO FRIENDS OR FAMILY MEMBERS AS GIFTS [details at floydhenderson.com. Once on that site, click on the picture of the book you would like to send as a gift for details]
FROM THE I TO THE ABSOLUTE: A Seven-Step Journey to the Absolute
For more information on this book, or to purchase a copy now, click:
CONSCIOUSNESS / AWARENESS
For more information on this book, or to purchase a copy now, click:
FROM THE ABSOLUTE TO THE NOTHINGNESS
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THE FINAL UNDERSTANDING
For more information on this book, or to purchase a copy now, click:
THE ADVANCED SEEKERS' SERIES
This anthology of four books by Floyd Henderson contains the volumes that make up what has been called "The Advanced Seekers' Series" for those seeking Realization via the Advaita teachings
For more information on this book, or to purchase a copy now, click:
THE BLISSFUL ABIDANCE SERIES
This anthology contains the six books that make up what has been called "The Blissful Abidance Series" for those seeking to live blissfully and happily for the remainder of the manifestation, including these books
For more information on this book, or to purchase a copy now, click:
SRI NISARGADATTA MAHARAJ AND HIS EVOLUTION
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THE FINAL FIFTEEN TOPICS DISCUSSED BY SRI NISARGADATTA MAHARAJ
This book can be read as a "Stand-Alone eBook" or as a "Companion Piece" or "Follow-Up" to be read after "When Only Three Hours of Manifestation Remain."
For more information on this book, or to purchase a copy now, click:
A TWELVE-STEP JOURNEY TO SELF-TRANSFORMATION
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A GUIDE FOR WORKING THE STEPS (IN THE MANNER USED BY THE FOUNDERS)
The author of this book is also the co-author of a book with Mark Houston entitled "A Twelve-Step Journey to SELF-Transformation" 
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THE TWELVE STEPS AND ADVAITA / NON-DUALITY: A 21-DAY PLAN FOR A PSYCHIC CHANGE
After having guided over 8,000 people through the Twelve Steps, the focus eventually turned toward working with the few who have been seeking recovery for some time but sense that "there must be something more" or who have said, "I am still not where I want to be." A few - even with double-digit "sobriety" - have said, "I don't want to drink ... I want to die."
For more information on this book, or to purchase a copy now, click:
SELF-TRANSFORMATION MEDITATION GUIDE (VOLUME ONE)
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SELF-TRANSFORMATION MEDITATION GUIDE (VOLUME TWO)
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WHY NISARGA YOGA IN ADDITION TO THE ADVAITA TEACHINGS?
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A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE via the Non-Duality Teachings and the Nisarga Yoga
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YOUR ORIGINAL NATURE
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GOING CRAZY / GOING SANE
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INSTABILITY / INSANITY: WHAT THE ADVAITA TEACHINGS CAN (AND CANNOT) ADDRESS
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THERE'S NO SUCH THING AS "PEACE OF MIND" (THERE IS ONLY PEACE IF YOU'RE OUT OF YOUR MIND)
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FREEDOM FROM SHIFTING BETWEEN STATES OF HAPPINESS AND UNHAPPINESS
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THE ULTIMATE SICKNESS / THE ULTIMATE MEDICINE
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PROGRAMMING, CONDITIONING, DOMESTICATION, AND ACCULTURATION (THE SOURCES OF THE ULTIMATE SICKNESS & THE NON-DUALITY TREATMENT)
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"WHAT HAPPENS WHEN I DIE?"
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THE MYTH OF "DEATH"
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THE ESSENCE OF THE TEACHINGS: THE SIMPLICITY OF REALIZATION
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FINDING REAL LOVE IN AN UNREAL WORLD
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CASTING LIGHT ON THE DARK SIDE OF RELATIONSHIPS
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OVERCOMING THE FEAR OF BEING TOTALLY INDEPENDENT
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THE NON-DUALITY POINTERS OFFERED BY YESHU'A ("JESUS THE CHRIST")
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WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE THE ADVAITIN
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WHEN ONLY THREE HOURS OF MANIFESTATION REMAIN (THE "FINAL" TALKS OF FLOYD HENDERSON)
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I AM THAT (vs. "This Is Who I Think I Am")
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QUOTATIONS AND POINTERS DEALING WITH NON-DUALITY, ADVAITA, NISARGA YOGA, AND MORE
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DANCING LIGHTLY
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THE PATH TO FREEDOM VS. THE PATH TO MISERY
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THERE IS NOTHING THAT IS PERSONAL (INCLUDING YOU AND INCLUDING GOD)
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LIBERATION (ATTAINING FREEDOM FROM PERSONALITY VIA REALIZATION)
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WHY YOU MUST BE EMPTY IF YOU WOULD BE FULL
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FREEDOM FROM BELIEFS (Believers, Non-Believers, and "No-Belief-ers")
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WHEN REALITY IS OVERLAID ON THE RELATIVE
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THE RELATIVE RESULTS OF RETURNING TO "THE CHILD IGNORANCE STAGE" OR "THE CHILD NO-KNOWING STATE"
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WHAT BLISS IS AND WHAT BLISS IS NOT
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THE TWICE-STOLEN NECKLACE MURDERS
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THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF WARS
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LESSONS IN NON-DUALITY FROM TRAVELS IN SOUTH AFRICA
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A SERIES OF ESSAYS DISCUSSING THE FIRST STEP ON THE SEVEN-STEP PATH TO REALIZATION
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A SERIES OF ESSAYS DISCUSSING THE SECOND STEP ON THE SEVEN-STEP PATH TO REALIZATION
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A SERIES OF ESSAYS DISCUSSING THE THIRD STEP ON THE SEVEN-STEP PATH TO REALIZATION
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A SERIES OF ESSAYS DISCUSSING THE FOURTH STEP ON THE SEVEN-STEP PATH TO REALIZATION
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A SERIES OF ESSAYS DISCUSSING THE FIFTH STEP ON THE SEVEN-STEP PATH TO REALIZATION
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A SERIES OF ESSAYS DISCUSSING THE SIXTH STEP ON THE SEVEN-STEP PATH TO REALIZATION
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A SERIES OF ESSAYS DISCUSSING THE SEVENTH STEP ON THE SEVEN-STEP PATH TO REALIZATION
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SPIRITUAL SOBRIETY (RECOVERING WHAT RELIGIONS LOST)
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IT'S ALL BULLSHIT (AND WHY KNOWING IT SETS YOU FREE)
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