It has been the aim in posting these messages to keep the message as simple as possible, without getting mired in spiritual jargon. Forgive the writer if the above goal is not always adhered to. We will set out to answer some questions raised by a sincere seeker recently. Teaching is an art and this writer does not claim to be a master teacher. Mostly, these messages are written out of a desire to share the thoughts on the only subject worth talking about!
A seeker asks: " if after realizing there is no thing that I can see, touch, point to, or anything else that serves as a "me", there is still confusion as to who is asking the questions. Who is it that all this is happening to? There is no realization that I am all and that all is happening within me. What other realization must happen past seeing that there is a nobody there who asks? It seems like there should be an "ah ha" moment with crystal clear understanding."
That pretty much covers the entire topic of Advaita, doesn't it?!! Well, let us try to answer as best as possible. Why us and not just me? Because you are what I am. Mind you, it is consciousness speaking to consciousness. All questions arise in the mind. But don't stop there. The mind is but an instrument of expression of consciousness. Can there be a mind in the absence of consciousness? Obviously not. In that case all that is happening, is happening in consciousness. However, understand that since all is happening in consciousness, there is no question of a separate subject called "me" asking a question to another subject called "you". The "me" and the "you" are in reality only objects in consciousness assuming a false subjectivity. Therefore the knower, the knowing and the known are all one arising in consciousness. Once the falseness of the assumed subject called "me" ( John Doe or Jane Doe or Nobody) is clearly and deeply understood, then what is your identity? Without a name and form, try to describe yourself. Just try and see, even if it seems amusing. Once the false subject is uncovered, and the conviction of the knowledge is firm, no questions regarding one's true nature ever arise. The mind subsides in itself when it is exposed as having no independent existence apart from consciousness. All that remains is the feeling "I am". If all there IS, is consciousness, then is it not clear that all that is happening is happening within you and you are all there IS. If there is confusion because of the use of the word "consciousness", then call it Awareness or whatever else you want to call IT. Names and words cannot describe the infinite. How can the words which by themselves are an expression of only the finite describe the infinite? They can just be pointers to THAT.
To answer the remaining part of the questions now. When the window to a dark room is opened the sunlight fills the entire room all at once. The darkness is dispelled instantly. In the same manner, when the light of Knowledge strikes the darkness (ignorance) vanishes immediately. All becomes clear. Many a seeker in deep meditation will come to a point where he/she experiences a "void" or "emptiness" or a "blank". But it becomes immediately clear that there is Awareness of the "void"/"emptiness" and therefore you cannot be the void or emptiness. The void or emptiness are but still objects to that Awareness. Pure Awareness, beyond concepts is your true nature and although it cannot be grasped by the intellect, it can certainly be known to be as such. It becomes clear that one cannot know IT, one can only BE IT. There is no other realization other than knowing that there is no subject other than the only Subject - call it Pure Awareness if you like. The mind tries to classify and objectify everything. But all objects are in the realm of space and time. Space and time itself are concepts in the mind. So, how is it possible for the mind to objectify that which is beyond space and time ( spaceless and timeless, so to say)? When one sticks to words and imagines the words as Reality itself then there is a problem in understanding. Remember, the words are only pointers to that Reality which is beyond any description.
Just consider this. Even without ever having read this message or any other message on Advaita, you still exist. Without any thoughts, you still exist. When thoughts are, you are. When thoughts are not, you still ARE. Is it not clear that irrespective of what you think or feel, your true nature still remains untouched and ever present. Until the seeker finds himself/herself to be just a concept like any other concept, the search continues. Nothing wrong with that. Even after Realization, the journey continues.
