11-28-2007, 09:06 AM
Greetings.
I'd like to thank you for presenting this forum. It's much appreciated.
For me, non-duality doesn't prescribe that we put forth any effort to give up our likes or dislikes. Through vigilance, one may come to see that our likes and dislikes are not "ours"... they are not "chosen" by a "me". If you think about it, or look directly at it, we can't choose to dislike what we like or like what we dislike. These things are seen to be part of our programming, conditioning, genetics and environment. They happen on a physical level and not a mental one.
When we see directly that the "me" does not exist save as a collection of thoughts given cohesion and a sense of continuity via memory, then these likes and dislikes fall away as the "me-nature" is "seen through" (as illusory). These likes and dislikes are also thoughts that arise and don't particularly belong to anyone. You stop being a "one" to whom they could belong. So there is no effort or choice to get rid of likes and dislikes. Any effort is seen as futile because it automatically arouses the mind and thinking... it's sets up duality and thus impossibility.
Let me explain why it's impossible to resolve through duality/mind. Take the example "I choose to surrender my likes and dislikes." This very thought, the very process of thinking and choosing and desiring something (other) intends the duality, the seperation between "I" and "likes and dislikes". Seperation, lack, desire, change... all arise with the illusory "I" thought. Without the belief in "I", none of these can exist. That is they exist, along with the "I", in their primordial state as undifferentiated substance... thoughts arising and passing away, out of and into the void/source; thoughts without distinction.
I guess I've already said much of this. It won't matter how much I say it. One has to pause and look at it directly... look for this "I"; who is this "I"?; what is the source of this "I"? When it is seen, no explanations are needed. And nothing needs to be done about it. The "I" is a thought arising in the void. You are not only this "I" thought. You are the entirety, the void, empty and yet containing all thought potentials arising. What would the void do about this one thought arising, this "I" thought? Why would that thought arising be any different from the zillions of thoughts arising that it would need something to be done about it? (Again, it is without distinction in this context.)
The path with heart is also not a choice. You are aware that it feels "right" to walk it. There is no thought given to this. The word "heart" in eastern paths often signifies "the core". Your core being, without thoughts and accumulated inventory, will naturally respond to what is in a harmonious, wholistic, perfect way. No thought or choice necessary.
From our limited seperated perspective, there seems much to do to become a warrior, sorcerer or seer. But everything is happening regardless of our striving. And when we have finally realised our link with intent, we see that we still have no choice... we are slaves to spirit/intent... we cannot act against it or outside of it. Even while we believe we are seperate, we are acting according to the will of intent. And when we become realised, we still act according to the will of intent!
That's why it's all folly. You can act as if what you do matters, but a warrior-seer knows (directly perceives - not with the mind, but with his/her totality) that it doesn't make a damn difference.
I'd like to thank you for presenting this forum. It's much appreciated.
For me, non-duality doesn't prescribe that we put forth any effort to give up our likes or dislikes. Through vigilance, one may come to see that our likes and dislikes are not "ours"... they are not "chosen" by a "me". If you think about it, or look directly at it, we can't choose to dislike what we like or like what we dislike. These things are seen to be part of our programming, conditioning, genetics and environment. They happen on a physical level and not a mental one.
When we see directly that the "me" does not exist save as a collection of thoughts given cohesion and a sense of continuity via memory, then these likes and dislikes fall away as the "me-nature" is "seen through" (as illusory). These likes and dislikes are also thoughts that arise and don't particularly belong to anyone. You stop being a "one" to whom they could belong. So there is no effort or choice to get rid of likes and dislikes. Any effort is seen as futile because it automatically arouses the mind and thinking... it's sets up duality and thus impossibility.
Let me explain why it's impossible to resolve through duality/mind. Take the example "I choose to surrender my likes and dislikes." This very thought, the very process of thinking and choosing and desiring something (other) intends the duality, the seperation between "I" and "likes and dislikes". Seperation, lack, desire, change... all arise with the illusory "I" thought. Without the belief in "I", none of these can exist. That is they exist, along with the "I", in their primordial state as undifferentiated substance... thoughts arising and passing away, out of and into the void/source; thoughts without distinction.
I guess I've already said much of this. It won't matter how much I say it. One has to pause and look at it directly... look for this "I"; who is this "I"?; what is the source of this "I"? When it is seen, no explanations are needed. And nothing needs to be done about it. The "I" is a thought arising in the void. You are not only this "I" thought. You are the entirety, the void, empty and yet containing all thought potentials arising. What would the void do about this one thought arising, this "I" thought? Why would that thought arising be any different from the zillions of thoughts arising that it would need something to be done about it? (Again, it is without distinction in this context.)
The path with heart is also not a choice. You are aware that it feels "right" to walk it. There is no thought given to this. The word "heart" in eastern paths often signifies "the core". Your core being, without thoughts and accumulated inventory, will naturally respond to what is in a harmonious, wholistic, perfect way. No thought or choice necessary.
From our limited seperated perspective, there seems much to do to become a warrior, sorcerer or seer. But everything is happening regardless of our striving. And when we have finally realised our link with intent, we see that we still have no choice... we are slaves to spirit/intent... we cannot act against it or outside of it. Even while we believe we are seperate, we are acting according to the will of intent. And when we become realised, we still act according to the will of intent!
That's why it's all folly. You can act as if what you do matters, but a warrior-seer knows (directly perceives - not with the mind, but with his/her totality) that it doesn't make a damn difference.