Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Advaita isn't likely to win any popularity contests

For the simple reason that, in its pure essence, it offers nothing to seekers. Most "spiritual" or religious systems suggest actions that you can take to "get closer to perfection": meditation, prayer, devotion, fasting, contemplation, submitting to authority, etc. There is the idea that: "Now I am imperfect but, if I take the right steps, in the future I will be closer to truth." Non duality doesn't even allow for a future apart from the past, and, without a conceptual future, seeking goes right out the window. That which is being pointed to must be present in this very moment.

Do you see that you see? Do you know that you know? Of course. Most of the confusion lies around who sees. We think that we are a separate material body with a brain in it that is the seat of consciousness and perceives that which is outside of it, but, looking now, aren't the body and mind (thoughts) just more sensations/perceptions, as "the world" is? All of these experiences would be impossible without the witnessing presence that is the kernel of everything. There is no division in the process of knowing. The knower and the known are merely conceptual phantoms that dissolve into natural, effortless unity when thought is silent. Thought will make a jumble of this because it's too easy; it is absolutely already the case.

Once it's seen that we aren't the chaotic and confused self-image but the seeing itself, seeking is done. It's a blessed realization.

Monday, March 21, 2011

How to be a successful modern guru

First off, claim that you have achieved a state called "enlightenment", then, claim that you have the ability to show others how to "achieve" it. You'll have seekers banging down your door all times of the day and night trying to get close to the special "enlightened one". Claim to have special powers, to be able to make ashes appear from your fingertips or to walk on water. Only surround yourself with people who worship you and who you can mistreat without pissing them off because their self esteem is so low. Take the highest seat in the room and wear special clothing that distinguishes you from everyone else. Talk about renunciation while owning a fleet of sports cars and wearing astronomically expensive jewelery. Talk about celibacy while taking the "choicest fruits" of your flock for your own pleasure. Talk about how everything you do is without ego while demanding that you are always the center of attention and in control of the minute details of your follower's lives.

This game goes on all the time. Does this have anything to do with truth? Of course not. Who could be nearer to God than you are at this moment? The stream of thoughts (arising from source) conceptually dissect life and, when we mistake these projections for reality, we believe in limitation and separation, but, in the absence of such ideas, there is simply boundless being.

There is no mind to be in bondage. There is no separate self. Laboring under the weight of these concepts is suffering. With or without these beliefs, the aware presence that is the source of all creation shines and appears as the ever-changing kaleidoscopic universe of experience. Nothing is apart from that.

Friday, March 4, 2011

A change of mind can make all of the difference

We feel like our "problems" are real things with mass and weight but a simple shift of perspective takes all of the gravity and feeling of substantiality away from them. What is the ultimate change of mind? The realization that I am no mind. I have never been bound by arising thought forms, they are just another expression of my emptiness as form. I am nothing and that is a damn beautiful thing. It is total, utter, unconditional freedom.

It's OK if identification with the life story and appearance arises, it's not a personal thing. Anything you have ever seen, felt, known, touched and dreamt of has been nothing less than the dream/play/dance of God. What happens when the dream ends? Nothing - it never began.