tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2102779776758563952.post1178825397729138090..comments2023-10-10T04:34:25.848-04:00Comments on You Are Dreaming: Looking from I AMRandall Friendhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18004296258866577268noreply@blogger.comBlogger28125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2102779776758563952.post-17124971420913014252009-12-09T19:48:13.258-05:002009-12-09T19:48:13.258-05:00Randall Friend says:
"Unless there was an ap...Randall Friend says:<br /><br />"Unless there was an appearance of "me-seeing-world", the totality could not know itself."<br /><br />...<br /><br />Isn't this a seeing without anyone seeing it? Basically noone can see or know oneness. There can only be a knowing or seeing of oneness, with noone to know or see it. So no goal, no destiny...just life as life IS.Consiushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03620643131577772588noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2102779776758563952.post-75636119946572318672009-10-19T11:34:38.364-04:002009-10-19T11:34:38.364-04:00Anonymous,
Universal mind is another conceptual p...Anonymous,<br /><br />Universal mind is another conceptual pointer - mind is also only a concept - what do we mean by mind? We mean the bundle of thoughts, memories, imagination, etc. So there is actually no such thing or place as mind. <br /><br />If something doesn't resonate, discard it absolutely. Stick with what resonates, but stick with it diligently. <br /><br />There is a presence - a knowing - it isn't objective - all is objective TO that presence of knowing - even the thoughts, the body, all feelings, etc. Notice that everything you have ever known appears TO you - therefore what you are must be subjective and not objective - does that subjectivity appear? Is it describable in terms of attributes, shape/size/color? No. Yet it is the most intimate knowledge.<br /><br />The mind (or thoughts) translate this sense of presence through the words "I AM". Yet in doing so it is attempting to objectify this presence of being or knowing. <br /><br />Therefore the identification comes, the conceptual limits, are placed in this attempt to objectify this "Self" - the mind can only think in terms of duality - therefore what you are is seen to be a limited "thing" with an opposite, which is the world, or other Selves.<br /><br />In reality there is only one "I" - that is you. All else appears to "I".<br /><br />Find out what is the true meaning of "I".<br /><br /><br />love<br />randallRandall Friendhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18004296258866577268noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2102779776758563952.post-83194181425927824432009-10-19T04:33:38.301-04:002009-10-19T04:33:38.301-04:00So when you are talking about mind are you talking...So when you are talking about mind are you talking about the one universal mind ? It has been said the mind is an illusion where all thoughts come from ? <br />As some put it there is no mind. I am assuming what is being talked about there is a mind that is personal or individual which is not the case. Intelligence losing itself just doesn't resonate. How can Intelligence lose it self. It's smarter than that.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2102779776758563952.post-64448263291719396842009-10-18T14:32:39.104-04:002009-10-18T14:32:39.104-04:00Anonymous,
Is the mind apart from the Intelligenc...Anonymous,<br /><br />Is the mind apart from the Intelligence? There are planets spinning, hearts beating, trees growing - what is doing this? <br /><br />As such with the mind - what is doing it? If we separate mind from the intelligence we have split up the universe itself. <br /><br />That intelligence seems to lose itself and then find itself - losing itself means forgetting itself as wholeness - finding itself means recognizing it's true nature as wholeness. <br /><br />We start by talking about how mind is the very prism through which the pure light of Self is broken up into things, into this and that. Yet when we realize that this prism is not apart from the light, that it is merely a reflection or shadow of that light, then that Intelligence realizes itself as the whole, as the singular essence expressing itself as this and that.<br /><br />Ultimately, this and that are not problems - it is only taking yourself to be this as opposed to that which brings suffering and that hole we try to fill through spirituality.<br /><br /><br />love<br />randallRandall Friendhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18004296258866577268noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2102779776758563952.post-50747338234612670532009-10-16T16:52:31.817-04:002009-10-16T16:52:31.817-04:00Hi Randall : You say that it is the actual intelli...Hi Randall : You say that it is the actual intelligence involved in the search. There is a bit of confusion for me there. What I have heard or thought is that the mind is searching. Why would intelligence seek ? Why would awareness search ? And if it is the actual intelligence then how is it that non duality doesn't resonate with all. Christendom for example believes that they are separate from God which they call sin , and that in there search they have found Him. But there is still that separation. God is God and they are not. And if this false self is an illusion , a mental construct and a thought, then who is searching. Who is saying this if there is no entity ? If it is the mind saying this then to who ? Thanks .Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2102779776758563952.post-49906521576596017382009-08-30T22:32:21.835-04:002009-08-30T22:32:21.835-04:00Thank you all.
MouloudThank you all.<br /><br />MouloudM.B.https://www.blogger.com/profile/00894356331391003487noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2102779776758563952.post-88546245776068169182009-08-29T07:28:28.677-04:002009-08-29T07:28:28.677-04:00M,
"Why" is an exercise for the mind. ...M, <br /><br />"Why" is an exercise for the mind. The only answer is "why not?" <br /><br />The totality is only knowing itself - therefore relativity is necessary - duality is necessary. Unless there was an appearance of "me-seeing-world", the totality could not know itself.<br /><br />And this is evidenced by what you call "deep sleep" - in that "state" there is no appearance - the totality is not aware of anything yet it still IS. Then Consciousness returns and once again this world appears, only ever Life seeing itself.<br /><br />Trying to find an answer in the mind is futility. The mind can only think in terms of duality, in terms of opposites, in terms of relativity. And that's it's job - that's the very mechanism through which Life is aware of itself.<br /><br />Yet this veil is extremely thin and shaky - there are many cracks in this foundation of duality - if it's investigated or questioned, it's like a house of cards that may be brought down by the slight shaking of the table. <br /><br />This doesn't mean that the appearance stops, that Life is no longer aware of itself AS the world. It simply means that this conceptualization going on, the identification AS a separate individual is seen through, seen to be a mirage. And then Life goes on, "living happens" but there is no one living a life.<br /><br /><br />love<br />randallRandall Friendhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18004296258866577268noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2102779776758563952.post-73633624426453987312009-08-28T12:52:57.579-04:002009-08-28T12:52:57.579-04:00I AM? hmmmm
But why does The Self manifest as &#...I AM? hmmmm<br /><br />But why does The Self manifest as 'stuff' at all. I mean why are there beings and comings and goings and life and death and planets and all the stuff. I understand that the Great Self is the Truth of all. But why particularity at all? Is this Gods idea of fun? or blessing? does God have intention? I am not just asking why does duality happen. You have explained that idea very well - but even without the presumption of separteness - why all of this?<br />Thank you<br />MAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2102779776758563952.post-78843773318367171192009-08-27T23:03:48.583-04:002009-08-27T23:03:48.583-04:00M.B.,
You say "How to realize THAT?" - ...M.B.,<br /><br />You say "How to realize THAT?" - pay attention to the mind - you are obviously the witness of the mind - so watch it - notice it - see that it ties in this immediacy of knowing presence (THAT by which you know you exist) with the objective content (thoughts/body). See that this identification or idea that you are a separate individual is entirely created in this process of placing that certainty of existence upon the body-mind, which are passing content.<br /><br />You say "How to be Peace, equanimity?" Relative peace is the mind - it comes when what IS is the way it's preferred to be. Conflict and suffering comes when what IS is argued with and resisted. Yet all this happens IN the mind.<br /><br />True Peace is your natural state - it is already the case and beyond all "states" of mind. True Peace cannot be found and cannot be lost. You already ARE that. Recognize the falseness of the identification and that Peace is noticed to already be the case.<br /><br />You say "Who is Sat-Chit-Ananda?" Sat just means IS. What IS. The IS-ness of this very moment. The IS-ness of all "things". The true existence or essence of all appearance. That is Sat.<br /><br />Chit is knowing - that is already going on, right now, call it perceiving, seeing, awareness, cognizing - whatever you CALL it is not IT - yet THAT can never be denied or conceptualized. That knowing or Chit is the changeless background of all passing things, including Consciousness itself. This isn't something found anew - it's simply noticed as already being the case.<br /><br />Ananda is fullness - wholeness. It is the recognition of perfection in this very moment, the realization that you are not limited, not opposed, not contained. In moments where the sense of lack is at rest, when the seeking is paused, there is a sense of wholeness - ananda isn't found anew - it is revealed when the sense of lack is dissolved through SEEING reality as it is, not as it's conceptualized. Ananda is the natural state.<br /><br />SatChitAnanda is a conceptual description of WHAT-YOU-ARE, right here and now, before, during and after all spiritual seeking. <br /><br /><br />love<br />randallRandall Friendhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18004296258866577268noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2102779776758563952.post-49345742760931935252009-08-27T22:54:48.364-04:002009-08-27T22:54:48.364-04:00T,
Hello again my friend.
Nonduality is a meanin...T,<br /><br />Hello again my friend.<br /><br />Nonduality is a meaningless word. Nonduality points to the one without a second that you ARE.<br /><br />Ending illusion is dangerous to the individual, to the story of "my life", to the habitual grasping of objective content AS what you are. And in this, the entire life, the dreams, all meaning and purpose, free will and choice.. all of it is simply gone.<br /><br />So as the individual, there is much to consider. Why would an individual seek the end of himself? Only because THAT which is behind the search is the actual intelligence at work, wading through the murky waters of identification, coming to see that anything which appears cannot be what you are. It can only ever be a temporary appearance IN or AS the timeless reality that you actually are.<br /><br /><br />love<br />randallRandall Friendhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18004296258866577268noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2102779776758563952.post-27007226966860847672009-08-27T22:49:43.897-04:002009-08-27T22:49:43.897-04:00Roopa,
Hello again my friend. Much love to you.
...Roopa,<br /><br />Hello again my friend. Much love to you.<br /><br /><br />randallRandall Friendhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18004296258866577268noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2102779776758563952.post-14299566537738848372009-08-27T22:49:16.737-04:002009-08-27T22:49:16.737-04:00Anonymous,
You say - "Well this feels ordina...Anonymous,<br /><br />You say - "Well this feels ordinary, and not good????"<br /><br />Yes - and sometimes it feels extraordinary and fantastic. Sometimes it feels mundane and bland. Sometimes it feels amazing and great. <br /><br />Therefore these "feelings" or judgments of what IS is the very nature of suffering - wanting THIS to be different somehow, wanting a more special or spiritual state to come, expecting enlightenment to save us from our boring or awful lives.<br /><br />Enlightenment isn't about making "my life" better. From that perspective confusion will always be the case. Enlightenment is a word which points to your natural state, your already-existing presence which has simply been overlooked in attachment to objects, in identification with objective content called "body-mind".<br /><br />You are not, in fact, this limited person, this separate individual. You are the timeless reality, expressing itself in infinite ways yet only ever expressing itself TO itself, only ever appearing TO itself, only ever One without a second.<br /><br />So whatever THIS IS, you are THAT.<br /><br /><br />love<br />randallRandall Friendhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18004296258866577268noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2102779776758563952.post-72808830252235269252009-08-27T02:45:21.821-04:002009-08-27T02:45:21.821-04:00Thanks,How to be Peace, equanimy?Thanks,How to be Peace, equanimy?M.B.https://www.blogger.com/profile/00894356331391003487noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2102779776758563952.post-52853101237356302552009-08-26T12:13:56.863-04:002009-08-26T12:13:56.863-04:00Why do I see a forest of words? BABEL, BABEL, BABE...Why do I see a forest of words? BABEL, BABEL, BABEL...so many words signifying nothing. It can be madding when silence covers all duality like a non-alphabet blanket. Nothing to figure. Everything we say makes 'sense' to our mind as the mind sees it. But it's all wrong, it's all false. Logician say it's a tautology and vald and true simply by 'it's' structure, but it's all BS. They talk of 'string theory' and how the universe really 'IS'..FALSE! It's only an appearance of certitude the mind that doesn't exist..and so on it goes in this dream. Nothing is as it appears, Alice.RBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16486672910150603560noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2102779776758563952.post-45075595155116255992009-08-26T02:14:08.075-04:002009-08-26T02:14:08.075-04:00I understand everything intellectually. But how to...I understand everything intellectually. But how to realize That, who is Sat-Chit-Ananda?M.B.https://www.blogger.com/profile/00894356331391003487noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2102779776758563952.post-68234919261003196202009-08-25T20:31:18.564-04:002009-08-25T20:31:18.564-04:00"Being the Self is the same thing as duality...."Being the Self is the same thing as duality. Duality is an expression or play of the Self."<br /><br />so non duality is a play of the Self too? <br /><br />"Nisargadatta said something like "this is a very dangerous undertaking - the entire life you take to be your own is destroyed". <br /><br />why is ending illusion dangerous? why not say beautiful instead of dangerous.tnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2102779776758563952.post-10962133885408261802009-08-25T19:37:16.130-04:002009-08-25T19:37:16.130-04:00Absolutely brilliant and clear pointing dear Randa...Absolutely brilliant and clear pointing dear Randall...Roopanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2102779776758563952.post-63468815189068222512009-08-25T14:49:58.657-04:002009-08-25T14:49:58.657-04:00Thank you for your full and frank answer.
I can se...Thank you for your full and frank answer.<br />I can see my layer af assumption. But to one new to these observations it all seems like a puzzle. When you say "So whatever THIS is, whatever THIS feels like, is it"<br /><br />Well this feels ordinary, and not good <br />????Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2102779776758563952.post-32905024254054271952009-08-25T07:55:39.890-04:002009-08-25T07:55:39.890-04:00Anonymous,
"What does Oneness feel like?&quo...Anonymous,<br /><br />"What does Oneness feel like?" Oneness isn't an object with a particular feeling or appearance. Oneness is the totality which can only be THIS, right here and now. So whatever THIS is, whatever THIS feels like, is it. Otherwise there is the pursuit, again, of some special state or feeling.<br /><br />"Why is being the self better than not being the self" - you already ARE The Self. You cannot be otherwise. Spirituality isn't about BECOMING the Self. It's about noticing or realizing what you are - that what you are isn't a limited and separate individual after all. You are the totality, the wholeness. And this wholeness is obscured simply because of these concepts like "becoming the self".<br /><br />"Why are you helping people to realize that if it is not that good?" - Notice the many layers of assumption in this one sentence. It assumes someone separate who is helping others to realize something, and that something isn't "good". <br /><br />There is only the totality - one, without a second. Reality is not made up of separate parts and pieces, separate individuals, some who "have it" and some who don't. There is only one totality - no one exists as a separate individual to help anyone else - helping appears to happen but it's a play of the totality and not the doing of some "special" or "enlightened" individual. That paradigm is itself the illusion.<br /><br />"I am seriously considering taking this up". Yes - the spiritual search comes uninvited - it appears that you are deciding, based on the end benefit, whether or not to pursue some sort of spiritual understanding. Simply consider that the search has found you, not the other way around. What will be, will be. It's not another attainment. <br /><br />Nirvana, when translated, means extinction - this means that the realization of what you are is an extinction of the individual self - not many want to be extinct! Nisargadatta said something like "this is a very dangerous undertaking - the entire life you take to be your own is destroyed". <br /><br />"Why is being the self better than duality?" Being the Self is the same thing as duality. Duality is an expression or play of the Self. <br /><br />Advaita Vedanta or any of the nonduality traditions are not about becoming, about finding something "good" or better, not about a new set of beliefs. They are about questioning every single belief, including the belief that you are a "person", a separate individual. Yet this foundation of the individual is the platform from which seeking seems to happen. Don't question based on the foundation, question the platform itself.<br /><br /><br />love<br />randallRandall Friendhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18004296258866577268noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2102779776758563952.post-6741428232847167012009-08-25T05:01:20.033-04:002009-08-25T05:01:20.033-04:00" Why is being the self better than duality.&..." Why is being the self better than duality."<br /><br />Perhaps you may have answered your own question with this also.<br /><br />"So I have no illusions".<br />Dave.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2102779776758563952.post-58787245825385708232009-08-25T03:58:00.387-04:002009-08-25T03:58:00.387-04:00Thank your for your answer. Yes i get that. I ge...Thank your for your answer. Yes i get that. I get the fact that there is no 'hero' who attains enlightnement and when reality is realzed it is the dissolusion of indivdual perspective.<br />But i guess what I am trying to understand is what oneness feels like. And I know that really cant be communicated through words but i think you can at least get some intuition of what it may be like.<br />I understand that the self is not an experience and that experience occurs in the real self. But why is being the self better than not being the self? apart from some reason like its so -so you may as well be it. wakefulness or what you call it sounds (to me) not really worth understanding. i mean why are you helping people to realize that if it is not that good. I am just trying to understand because i am seriulsy considering taking this up. But before i do that i want to know what it is I am committing to. So I have no illusions. Why is being the self better than duality?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2102779776758563952.post-13822684918889514272009-08-24T21:59:04.097-04:002009-08-24T21:59:04.097-04:00Behind awareness: ISNESS/BEINGness/SPACElessness. ...Behind awareness: ISNESS/BEINGness/SPACElessness. Knowing intelligence manifests objective duality, an aspect of BEINGness/ISNESS/SPACElessness: everything and nothingness.RBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16486672910150603560noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2102779776758563952.post-81795656984645144292009-08-24T18:39:21.451-04:002009-08-24T18:39:21.451-04:00Hey Jason,
Good to hear from you. How are the SL...Hey Jason,<br /><br />Good to hear from you. How are the SL meetings going?<br /><br /><br />love<br />randallAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10479245382534629841noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2102779776758563952.post-67391458035897576272009-08-24T18:35:58.830-04:002009-08-24T18:35:58.830-04:00Dave,
Yes - all "rating" is mind. Yet ...Dave,<br /><br />Yes - all "rating" is mind. Yet when we see that the Self is all there ever is, then any content is perfect as it is - Life goes on with ease because there is no one separate to do it, to live it, to be affected by it or suffer because of it. There are apparent happenings yet there is no one doing it. The doer is just another thought (content).<br /><br />love<br />randallAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10479245382534629841noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2102779776758563952.post-65573400828151094182009-08-24T18:33:45.106-04:002009-08-24T18:33:45.106-04:00Hello Ste,
Yes - any description IS rubbish, simp...Hello Ste,<br /><br />Yes - any description IS rubbish, simply because the Self or what-you-are is indescribable. Yet it's never in need of a description anyway, because it's what you are.<br /><br />If we're seeking some special state, some preferable experience, then we'll just remain frustrated. If we're looking for something FOR the individual, we'll always miss it. If it's seen as something to gain, then it's clear that all clear pointers have been disregarded in preference for some concept or make-believe idea of enlightenment.<br /><br />You are not the individual. The individual is itself the illusion which obscures. Hanging onto that illusion and then trying to forcibly fit ideas about enlightenment will continue to lead to confusion, as you're obviously seeing.<br /><br />There is no world made up of separate things. There is only one essence, without a second. That very essence is what you are. You are the limitless totality - yet that totality is presently knowing itself through the perspective of duality - through the idea of ME-Seeing, through relativity. But taking that relative view as absolute reality is the common template and leads to suffering.<br /><br />Suffering is simply a reference to a false individual self. You are the Self of all - the Self is all there is, and you are THAT.<br /><br />And this appearance of seeking is simply something the totality is doing.<br /><br /><br />love<br />randallAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10479245382534629841noreply@blogger.com