|
|
Post by melvin on Sept 3, 2024 11:02:15 GMT -5
14) The ‘I am’ is the sum total of all that you perceive, it’s time-bound, the ‘I am’ itself is an illusion, you are not the ‘I am’ you are prior to it. - Nisagardatta Maharaj ... It is interesting how all these quotes make sense, and at the same time they might look confusing, and be misleading to some. I wonder why he formulated them this way (?) sum total of all that you perceive, time-bound, itself is an illusion, you are prior to it. AI: The quote you mentioned appears to be a reflection or insight on the nature of identity, consciousness, and existence. It seems to draw from various spiritual, philosophical, and metaphysical traditions that explore the concept of self, reality, and illusion. Quotes like these are often formulated through deep contemplation, introspection, and spiritual inquiry. They may arise from personal experiences, moments of insight, or teachings from spiritual masters, philosophers, or texts. In this case, the quote challenges conventional notions of selfhood by suggesting that the "I am" — the sense of individual identity we commonly identify with — is not the ultimate truth but rather a transient and illusory construct. The idea that we are "prior to the 'I am'" hints at a deeper aspect of being that transcends the limitations of the egoic mind. Such reflections on the nature of identity and existence can arise from practices like meditation, mindfulness, self-inquiry, and spiritual study. By questioning our assumptions about who we are and delving into the nature of consciousness, individuals can gain profound insights into the true essence of their being. Quotes like these invite us to explore the nature of reality, the self, and the universe in a more expansive and holistic way. They encourage us to look beyond the surface level of our identities and perceptions to uncover deeper truths about the nature of existence. If you resonate with this quote and wish to explore its implications further or delve into similar topics, feel free to share your thoughts or questions. I'm here to assist you on your journey of self-discovery, contemplation, and spiritual exploration. |
|
|
|
Post by inavalan on Sept 3, 2024 12:08:58 GMT -5
AI misses the points of my post, as I would expect from an AI, which is a search engine through the conventional wisdom. It can't do better at its current level. Could an AI reach such a level that it could transcend the level of its sources of information? Maybe if it had a mind ... Which I'm tempted to believe that it could, but currently, as most humans, doesn't transcend its "trance", it doesn't get its own "I am". My points were about succinctly and clearly interpreting each one of those four assertions, and about a clear and succint hypothesis about why Niz expressed himself in that way, succinctly but not clearly, reformulating but repeating. AI, as I'd expect from it, can't (yet ?) do that, because its sources can't do that either, so it chooses fuzzy long replies. This is why I asked melvin if he believes that he understood those quotes, and, if so, to try to explain what he understood succinctly and clearly. |
|
|
|
Post by laughter on Sept 3, 2024 13:46:20 GMT -5
After going through these one by one, do you feel any wiser? If you do, please share: in what specific way(s)? I pause and chant the maha mantra. Then bingo!  |
|
|
|
Post by laughter on Sept 3, 2024 13:47:20 GMT -5
Just for fun, the Shakespearean English version...
12) You have to be there before you can say ‘I am’, the ‘I am’ is the root of all appearance. - Nisagardatta Maharaj Sounds more authoritative that way!  |
|
|
|
Post by melvin on Sept 3, 2024 14:52:21 GMT -5
AI misses the points of my post, as I would expect from an AI, which is a search engine through the conventional wisdom. It can't do better at its current level. Could an AI reach such a level that it could transcend the level of its sources of information? Maybe if it had a mind ... Which I'm tempted to believe that it could, but currently, as most humans, doesn't transcend its "trance", it doesn't get its own "I am". My points were about succinctly and clearly interpreting each one of those four assertions, and about a clear and succint hypothesis about why Niz expressed himself in that way, succinctly but not clearly, reformulating but repeating. AI, as I'd expect from it, can't (yet ?) do that, because its sources can't do that either, so it chooses fuzzy long replies. This is why I asked melvin if he believes that he understood those quotes, and, if so, to try to explain what he understood succinctly and clearly. " You are prior to it " as I understood it is the parambrahman. I remember Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu who was always hearing his disciples telling him, " You are Krishna!" " You are Krishna!!" He covered his ears because he did not want his followers to keep saying that. Sri Caitanya neither denied or accepted he was Krishna. He kept telling them he was only a servant of Krishna but never a God. |
|
|
|
Post by inavalan on Sept 3, 2024 15:34:17 GMT -5
It is only your "fault" when someone calls you Beethoven just because you're deaf.
|
|
|
|
Post by melvin on Sept 3, 2024 15:34:35 GMT -5
Just for fun, the Shakespearean English version...
Sounds more authoritative that way! Your AI is shy. It can only utter a few words..😁 |
|
|
|
Post by melvin on Sept 3, 2024 15:44:16 GMT -5
It is only your "fault" when someone calls you Beethoven just because you're deaf. AI: This quote appears to challenge stereotypes and preconceived notions about individuals with disabilities, specifically drawing attention to the assumption that all deaf individuals should be likened to Beethoven simply because he was a famous deaf composer. The implication is that it is unfair to attribute characteristics or identities to individuals based solely on their disability or a single aspect of who they are. In this context, the quote points to the importance of recognizing each person as an individual with unique abilities, talents, and qualities that go beyond any singular label or stereotype. Being deaf does not automatically make someone akin to Beethoven, just as any other disability or characteristic should not define a person in their entirety. This quote serves as a reminder to treat individuals with respect, dignity, and understanding, acknowledging that their disability is just one part of their identity and not the defining factor. It encourages us to look beyond surface-level assumptions and judgments, recognizing the complexity and richness of each person's humanity. |
|
|
|
Post by inavalan on Sept 3, 2024 15:51:37 GMT -5
Now ...
Pause and chant the maha mantra! Then bingo.
... Compare your bingo with the AI's reply.
|
|
|
|
Post by melvin on Sept 3, 2024 18:51:03 GMT -5
Now ... Pause and chant the maha mantra! Then bingo. ... Compare your bingo with the AI's reply. Bingo to me is an expression say, eureka! a something, a wisdom you discover while chanting the maha mantra. Ever since I chanted the maha mantra listening to Nisa's lecture in you tube I never found it difficult to understand what he was talking about. The same with Nisa's 229 quotes. Each quote connects to what is the absolute, the transcendent, which cant be described by words. The maha mantra is the absolute truth. All these 229 Nisa quotes are somehow connected to it. Nisa in his lectures often mentions Krishna. So, Nisa must have been intimate with Krishna prior to his being a nondualist. If you go over these 229 Nisa quotes, he mentions Krishna. Nonduality I believe can never be separated from Krishna. |
|
|
|
Post by melvin on Sept 3, 2024 19:45:45 GMT -5
15) The ‘I am’ is your greatest foe and greatest friend, foe when binding to the illusion as body, friend when taking out of the illusion as body.
- Nisagardatta Maharaj
This quote delves into the concept of identity and the duality of the self, exploring how the sense of "I am" can be both a challenge and a source of empowerment depending on its association with physical existence or transcendence from it.
When the "I am" is linked solely to the physical body and the illusions of material existence, it can become a foe by limiting one's perception of self to the confines of the physical realm. This perspective may entrap individuals in a cycle of attachment to the body, ego, and material desires, hindering their spiritual growth and connection to a higher consciousness.
On the other hand, the quote suggests that the "I am" can be a friend when it transcends the illusions of the body and material world. By recognizing one's true essence beyond the physical form, individuals can liberate themselves from the constraints of ego and material attachments, leading to a deeper understanding of their spiritual nature and interconnectedness with all beings.
In essence, this quote encourages reflection on the nature of identity, urging individuals to look beyond the limitations of the physical self and embrace a more profound sense of being that transcends the illusions of the material world.
|
|
|
|
Post by melvin on Sept 4, 2024 8:45:49 GMT -5
16) The beginning and the end of knowledge is the ‘I am’, be attentive to the ‘I am’, once you understand it, you are apart from it.
- Nisagardatta Maharaj
AI: This statement reflects a profound teaching on self-awareness, consciousness, and transcendence found in various spiritual traditions, including nondual philosophy. Let's explore its meaning:
1. **The 'I Am':** The phrase "I am" represents the fundamental sense of existence and awareness that underlies our experience of being. It is often considered the essence of our consciousness, the core of our identity, and the source of all knowledge and perception.
2. **Attention to the 'I Am':** By directing our attention inward to the pure awareness of "I am," we can cultivate self-reflection, mindfulness, and self-realization. This focused awareness allows us to connect with the underlying source of our existence and gain insight into the nature of consciousness.
3. **Understanding the 'I Am':** Through attentive introspection and contemplation, individuals may come to a deeper understanding of the nature of the "I am" beyond identification with thoughts, emotions, or physical form. This understanding can lead to a sense of separateness from the egoic self and a recognition of our true essence as pure awareness.
4. **Transcendence:** The statement suggests that through profound understanding and realization of the "I am," one can transcend the limitations of individual identity and experience a state of oneness with the universal consciousness or divine essence. This transcendence involves moving beyond the egoic mind and accessing a higher level of awareness that transcends the dualities of the material world.
5. **Apart from the 'I Am':** The idea of being "apart from" the "I am" implies a state of detachment or witnessing consciousness where one recognizes oneself as separate from the transient fluctuations of the mind, emotions, and sensory experiences. In this state, one may experience a sense of inner freedom, peace, and connection to a deeper reality beyond individual existence.
Overall, this teaching invites individuals to explore the nature of consciousness, self-awareness, and transcendence by delving deeply into the essence of the "I am." By cultivating attentiveness, understanding, and detachment from the egoic self, one may open the door to profound insights, spiritual realization, and a deeper connection to the source of all existence.
|
|
|
|
Post by melvin on Sept 4, 2024 18:08:36 GMT -5
17) You must meditate on the ‘I am’ without holding on to the body-mind, the ‘I am’ is the first ignorance, persist on it and you will go beyond it.
- Nisagardatta Maharaja
AI: Meditating on the pure awareness of 'I am' without identifying with the body-mind is a powerful practice that can help transcend the illusion of the self. By focusing on the simple sense of existence without attaching it to any thought or form, one can begin to move beyond the limitations of the ego and experience a deeper sense of interconnectedness with all of existence. It's through persistent practice and self-inquiry that one can start to unravel the layers of conditioning and ignorance that cloud our true nature.
|
|
|
|
Post by melvin on Sept 5, 2024 21:38:19 GMT -5
18) Your Guru, your God, is the ‘I am’, with its coming came duality and all activity, stay on the ‘I am’, you are before the ‘I am’ appeared.
- Nisagardatta Maharaj
AI: The idea that duality emerged with the coming of the "I am" suggests that the recognition of individual identity and separation from the whole is what gives rise to dualistic experiences such as good/bad, right/wrong, and self/other. By anchoring oneself in the awareness of the "I am," one can transcend these dualities and experience a deeper sense of interconnectedness and unity with all of creation.
In many spiritual traditions, the practice of aligning with the "I am" is a way to transcend the illusion of separateness and ego-driven perceptions. By recognizing the fundamental truth of one's existence as the "I am," individuals can experience a sense of divine presence or universal consciousness that transcends dualistic thinking.
Ultimately, embracing the "I am" as your Guru or God implies recognizing the divine essence within yourself and all beings. Through this recognition, one can cultivate a deeper sense of inner peace, connectedness, and spiritual awakening.
|
|
|
|
Post by melvin on Sept 6, 2024 7:30:58 GMT -5
19) The ‘I am’ concept is the last outpost of the illusion, hold on to it, stabilize in the ‘I am’, then you are no more and individual.
- Nisagardatta Maharaj
AI: The concept of "I am" holds a profound significance in various spiritual and philosophical teachings. It is often seen as a foundational aspect of our existence and consciousness. The idea you mentioned, that holding onto the "I am" concept can lead to transcendence of individuality, reflects the notion of moving beyond our ego identity and connecting with a more expansive sense of self.
When we stabilize in the "I am" presence, we may experience a shift in awareness where our identification with the ego, personality, and individual self diminishes. This can lead to a deeper connection with a universal or transcendent consciousness that transcends individuality.
By letting go of attachments to our personal identities and ego-driven desires, we may open ourselves up to a greater sense of unity with the cosmos, interconnectedness with all beings, and a profound realization of our oneness with the universe.
Practicing mindfulness, meditation, self-inquiry, and contemplation can help us cultivate a deeper understanding of the "I am" presence within us and explore the possibility of transcending individuality to connect with a more expansive and universal sense of self.
Ultimately, the journey of self-discovery and spiritual growth involves navigating through different layers of identity and consciousness to uncover the truth of who we are beyond the limitations of individuality. Embracing the "I am" concept as a gateway to this deeper exploration can lead us towards profound insights, inner peace, and a sense of unity with the essence of existence
|
|
