One of the most perplexing things is to try to understand non-duality or advaita, from the viewpoint of duality. Let us explore this a bit more in detail.
All communication via language, writing etc. happens in the sphere of duality. There is a subject -i.e. me, who understands the object explained in a language that I understand. This is true for all aspects of knowledge including the arts, literature, sciences and common every day communication. It is based on developing certain concepts of language communication. When someone says the word "water" in the English language, the person hearing it or reading it understands that the word refers to a colorless, clear liquid. The mind translates the word into a conceptual understanding of the meaning of the word heard or read.
The very nature of communication implies the existence of a subject, "I" - which implies identification with a body and a name- trying to explain an object using concepts and ideas. The problem arises when the teacher of non-duality tries to explain an abstract idea of non-duality to another body-name identity using the same principles of communication as explained above. Non-duality encompasses all of duality and non-duality. So, how does one go about trying to wrap the so called head around it?
The main problem is the seeker who tries to understand Non-duality while still maintaining his or her identity as an individual. The seeker tries to maintain his identity as a separate individual and tries to attain or obtain non-duality. Do you realize the paradox of the situation? There can be no duality in non-duality. No question of a subject and an object. No question of a "me" attaining. No question of a "me" understanding the ONE essence that is everything. Just this ONE without a second.
As long as the seeker refuses to let go of his continued misidentification with the body-mind entity, he or she will never get around to understanding the simplicity being explained in advaita or non-duality. The seeker wants to take credit for having finally "Understood". Presumably also wanting credit for the many hours and years of meditation and spiritual process involved to reach the understanding. Do you see the paradox here?
It helps to get back to the very basics of advaita teaching. First comes the sense of presence, or consciousness or sense of beingness. Prior to everything else. Every thing, including the concept of individuality and the subsequent dualism, and all other concepts come only because of the sense of presence. No presence - no things, no concepts, no you. Think about it for a moment. Are you currently present or not? There is no way you can deny your presence at this very moment. All thoughts including the thought "I am" can only arise if you are present. Now, if somehow your thoughts would cease (if only for a moment), would you stop being present or stop existing? Try it. You will know the answer. Did you disappear?
However, if you were asked to explain your experience in that moment of thoughtlessness, you would come up with a blank. That is because you are trying to explain that sense of presence or consciousness or beingness, with concepts and words. Concepts and words are an expression in duality. When presented with this nonconceptual awareness or sense of presence, the mind draws a blank. Hence, the seeker who identifying with the mind, tries to comprehend this sense of presence, fails miserably.
As a result, the seeker falsely believes that there is a process or doing involved in trying to get to this 'sense of presence'. The frustrated seeker says " I know I am present but surely there must be something wrong I am doing as I cannot conceptualize this presence or beingness". The mind can go around and around in circles or get lost in a maze of concepts trying to grasp non-duality. The seeker remains in a state of seeking as a result of trying to conceptualize the nonconceptual.
So, what is the way out? - asks the seeker. It is quite simple. Don't try to conceptualize the nonconceptual. Realize that only consciousness understands consciousness and in doing so transcends consciousness. There is no individual here to take credit.
Realize that there is no alternative presence apart from this presence - which is evident right here and right now. Don't fall prey to the endless games and tricks that the mind plays. There is no future time that you will be present than this very moment. Watch the mind and realize that you are not the mind but the silent, unchanging witness of the mind.
JUST STOP. In doing so, you ARE. Got it?
Thursday, January 31, 2019
Tuesday, January 15, 2019
Why Seeking Can Be A Trap
We all start off as seekers. Some realize their true nature, thanks to the teachings of their Guru, and stop seeking. Some seekers having heard the words of their Guru seem to have the understanding of the teachings. Yet, they continue to remain seekers despite the understanding. Yes, it is imperative for one to be a seeker (mumukshu) at the start of the journey. That is what sparks the one-pointed desire to know the Truth. Yet, is it not the goal of every seeker to eventually end the process of seeking?
Each and every one of us is different, as different as the fingerprints. Hence, the process of realizing the Truth is different for each and every one of us. There can be several reasons as to why the process of seeking continues for many a seeker.
One of many reasons, is the desire of the seeker to experience an event similar to that of their Guru, prior to realizing the Self. Despite the Guru repeatedly pointing out that they should disregard all experiences as appearances in consciousness, and of no relevance, they still continue to hope and yearn for an experience or event. In some cases, such a problem is perpetuated by some teachers, who may keep the seeker in a perpetual cycle of feeling inadequate and incomplete. The teacher may imply that he/she has somehow attained enlightenment or realization through a process and after experiencing an "aha moment". Hearing this and knowing that they have not had a similar experience, the seeker feels inferior to the teacher or somehow inadequate or incomplete. Hence the feeling among the seekers that they too have to go through a similar process and experience an event sometime in the future. They also have the false idea that such an experience is permanent and results in eternal and everlasting bliss. The seeker cannot be entirely blamed for having such an impression. After all, many a teacher creates an impression of being always in bliss and unperturbed by the events of the world.
Yet others may simply like the idea of continuing to be seekers in perpetuity. Although this seems ludicrous, many seekers either knowingly or unknowingly, like the sense of community and shared goals with other seekers. They internally acknowledge that realizing the Truth may result in the end of their being part of a community of seekers. They are afraid of being abandoned and shunned by the very community that they so lovingly embraced. After all envy is expected if one seeker declares that he/she has realized while others are still in the throes of struggle and suffering.
In some others, the little self (or ego) fools the seeker into thinking that he/she may never attain realization as it is reserved only for the fortunate few who have completed certain rigorous rituals or difficult processes of purification of the body and mind over the course of many decades. And yet others may be under the false impression that enlightenment or self- realization if at all possible, is something to be achieved or attained sometime in the future.
Some seekers are just too obsessed or happy with the image of themselves (as whatever) and do not want to actually give up their concept of being an individual. This is particularly true in societies where individuality is given top priority.
It is evident that there are two main culprits among many, for perpetuating the seeking. The first culprit is the false "I-thought" or the ego, which fearful of losing its validity, will play all kinds of games and scenarios in the mind of the seeker, to prevent the seeker from SEEING the Truth. The ego knows that realizing the Truth would spell the end of the ego. Such is the hold of the ego that even after apparent understanding of the reality, it continues to produce doubts and feelings of uncertainty, thereby ensuring its survival.
The other culprit is the concept of time. Time is a concept in the mind and has no reality. The concept of time gives the seeker the false impression that what he/she is seeking is not available right here and right now. The concept of time creates the impression that what is being sought can only be attained in the future through a prescribed process of doing. This sets up the seeker into refusing to believe his Guru, even when the Guru clearly explains that "what you are seeking,you already ARE".
While it is easy for some teachers to say "Just stop seeking, right here and right now", it may not ring a bell for the seeker. Even if they agree with the teacher and nod their heads, they may return home to realize that their suffering and seeking has actually not stopped. In fact, the ego has made a comeback with a vengeance. The more the seeker claims that the seeking has ended, the more the ego swells and ensures that the seeking has actually not ended. Many a times, even the seeker is unaware of the falseness of his or her claims.
There is no denying the fact that only when one starts seeking does one find. Hence, being a seeker is essential for all and as such is not avoidable. After all, seeking can in itself be frustrating if there is no goal or end in sight. But how to end the seeking?
It is important to realize that the end of seeking is different for each and every seeker. There is no "one size fits all" in realizing the Truth. Clarity comes from within to see the false as false. Realize once and for all, that there is nothing to attain or achieve. Have resolute and unwavering FAITH and DEVOTION in the Guru and constantly keep the Guru in your mind. While these may seem like yet another prescription for doing or a process, remember that the destination is the journey. As the Zen Buddhist saying goes, "before enlightenment, chop wood, carry water; after enlightenment, chop wood, carry water".
Even the seeker claiming enlightenment or clarity is none other than a false appearance claiming to have figured out that the false is false. The ever present Awareness always IS and remains unchanged and you ARE that ordinary Awareness. Only the apparent appearances in this Awareness play this game of seeking and finding. Go figure!
Each and every one of us is different, as different as the fingerprints. Hence, the process of realizing the Truth is different for each and every one of us. There can be several reasons as to why the process of seeking continues for many a seeker.
One of many reasons, is the desire of the seeker to experience an event similar to that of their Guru, prior to realizing the Self. Despite the Guru repeatedly pointing out that they should disregard all experiences as appearances in consciousness, and of no relevance, they still continue to hope and yearn for an experience or event. In some cases, such a problem is perpetuated by some teachers, who may keep the seeker in a perpetual cycle of feeling inadequate and incomplete. The teacher may imply that he/she has somehow attained enlightenment or realization through a process and after experiencing an "aha moment". Hearing this and knowing that they have not had a similar experience, the seeker feels inferior to the teacher or somehow inadequate or incomplete. Hence the feeling among the seekers that they too have to go through a similar process and experience an event sometime in the future. They also have the false idea that such an experience is permanent and results in eternal and everlasting bliss. The seeker cannot be entirely blamed for having such an impression. After all, many a teacher creates an impression of being always in bliss and unperturbed by the events of the world.
Yet others may simply like the idea of continuing to be seekers in perpetuity. Although this seems ludicrous, many seekers either knowingly or unknowingly, like the sense of community and shared goals with other seekers. They internally acknowledge that realizing the Truth may result in the end of their being part of a community of seekers. They are afraid of being abandoned and shunned by the very community that they so lovingly embraced. After all envy is expected if one seeker declares that he/she has realized while others are still in the throes of struggle and suffering.
In some others, the little self (or ego) fools the seeker into thinking that he/she may never attain realization as it is reserved only for the fortunate few who have completed certain rigorous rituals or difficult processes of purification of the body and mind over the course of many decades. And yet others may be under the false impression that enlightenment or self- realization if at all possible, is something to be achieved or attained sometime in the future.
Some seekers are just too obsessed or happy with the image of themselves (as whatever) and do not want to actually give up their concept of being an individual. This is particularly true in societies where individuality is given top priority.
It is evident that there are two main culprits among many, for perpetuating the seeking. The first culprit is the false "I-thought" or the ego, which fearful of losing its validity, will play all kinds of games and scenarios in the mind of the seeker, to prevent the seeker from SEEING the Truth. The ego knows that realizing the Truth would spell the end of the ego. Such is the hold of the ego that even after apparent understanding of the reality, it continues to produce doubts and feelings of uncertainty, thereby ensuring its survival.
The other culprit is the concept of time. Time is a concept in the mind and has no reality. The concept of time gives the seeker the false impression that what he/she is seeking is not available right here and right now. The concept of time creates the impression that what is being sought can only be attained in the future through a prescribed process of doing. This sets up the seeker into refusing to believe his Guru, even when the Guru clearly explains that "what you are seeking,you already ARE".
While it is easy for some teachers to say "Just stop seeking, right here and right now", it may not ring a bell for the seeker. Even if they agree with the teacher and nod their heads, they may return home to realize that their suffering and seeking has actually not stopped. In fact, the ego has made a comeback with a vengeance. The more the seeker claims that the seeking has ended, the more the ego swells and ensures that the seeking has actually not ended. Many a times, even the seeker is unaware of the falseness of his or her claims.
There is no denying the fact that only when one starts seeking does one find. Hence, being a seeker is essential for all and as such is not avoidable. After all, seeking can in itself be frustrating if there is no goal or end in sight. But how to end the seeking?
It is important to realize that the end of seeking is different for each and every seeker. There is no "one size fits all" in realizing the Truth. Clarity comes from within to see the false as false. Realize once and for all, that there is nothing to attain or achieve. Have resolute and unwavering FAITH and DEVOTION in the Guru and constantly keep the Guru in your mind. While these may seem like yet another prescription for doing or a process, remember that the destination is the journey. As the Zen Buddhist saying goes, "before enlightenment, chop wood, carry water; after enlightenment, chop wood, carry water".
Even the seeker claiming enlightenment or clarity is none other than a false appearance claiming to have figured out that the false is false. The ever present Awareness always IS and remains unchanged and you ARE that ordinary Awareness. Only the apparent appearances in this Awareness play this game of seeking and finding. Go figure!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)