spasm
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Post by spasm on Jan 2, 2010 23:54:51 GMT -5
What Is Non-Dualism A short definition
The philosophy of Non-Dualism is the point of view that there is one Absolute Reality without a second and that each of us is one with that Reality, just as a wave is one with the ocean. It asserts that experiencing Ultimate Reality is the goal of life. Advaita, another name for Non-Dualism, sees other religions, practices and philosophies as tools that ultimately lead to the direct experience of Absolute Reality. To discriminate between what is real and what is not real, it is necessary to define what is meant by real and not real. In this philosophy only that which neither changes nor ceases to exist is real. No object or knowledge can be absolutely real if its existence is only temporary. The unreal includes every “thing,” all names and forms, our minds and thoughts, everything. The universe looks real but is not permanent. It is an illusion. We can’t say it exists nor can we say it doesn’t exist. It is neither real nor non-existent. It is magical. It’s a mystery. Reality is not a thing at all. It is no-thing, nothing. An innocent term for it would be pure spirit, or pure consciousness. It has no parts. If we look for it, we are an eye looking for itself. It is experienced but cannot be described. It is ineffable. This Pure Consciousness is permanent existence, knowledge and bliss and is one with man’s inner self. When we wake up from a dream the dream world disappears. Non-Dualism teaches that when we wake up to reality this world disappears. The world of thought and matter is a misreading of pure spirit and nothing more. It has a phenomenal or relative existence superimposed upon Absolute Reality by ignorance and remains superimposed until ignorance is destroyed by knowledge of reality, commonly called Spiritual Enlightenment.
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spasm
New Member
Posts: 5
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Post by spasm on Jan 7, 2010 23:25:41 GMT -5
In his book, Back to the Truth, Dennis Waite describes the different methods of teaching Advaita. Two of them, Direct Path Advaita and Neo-Advaita are well represented on this site. There are a few references to Pseudo-Advaita (I’m enlightened, give me your money and I will enlighten you.) mixed in. Traditional Advaita Vedanta is mostly absent. Traditional teaching comes from men with clear minds and has been tested by brilliant men over thousands of years. Traditional teaching ends much flailing speculation and resolves many questions. This is helpful for purification of the mind. People on this site are generally well read but I would like to recommend two books from the somewhat neglected Traditional teaching method. My personal favorite is Shankara’s Viveka Chudamani, the Crest Jewel of Discrimination, translated by Parbhavananda and Isherwood. I especially like the 27-page definition of non-dual philosophy in the beginning of the book. Viveka Press recently published the second book here in Seattle, written by Swami Bhaskarananda. He is the head of the Seattle branch of the Vedanta Society. The book is Journey from Many to One. Advaita as described by Shankara and in the Upanishads is unsurpassed. There is very little added by modern writers in my opinion.
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Post by zendancer on Jan 8, 2010 0:43:56 GMT -5
Spasm: In your first post on this thread you wrote, "To discriminate between what is real and what is not real, it is necessary to define what is real and what is not real." This is simply not true. To discriminate between the two, only direct non-verbal experience and realization is necessary. Definitions may be useful for the purpose of communication, but they are not necessary. People wake up without teachers, without books, and without definitions. Ramana Maharshi is a good example, and there are many others. One can read a thousand books about Advaita and still be no closer to the truth. Our primary interest on this website is to share and discuss our direct experiences. I would be interested, for example, in hearing about your own life and experiences. The Buddha and Shankara are dead, but you're still alive. I would rather hear about your personal spiritual journey during this lifetime than read a 27 page definition of non-dual philosophy (yuck!). How about it? Are you in this ballgame or are you just an observer?
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