What is it, right now, that would also be with you in deep sleep?
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There are no awakenings on the level of "Body," "Mind," and "Soul." That's just poppy-cock. Self-knowing occurs when a body/mind entity recognizes not only that it is present, but that it is present as awareness!
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Certain recordings of "Om" are amazingly moving and even pause-inducing. Rather than simply chanting along with such performances, see or notice that "Om" is being uttered without cessation within you at that very moment. Allow the chanting to point you to that flawless and glorious fact.
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Just because something is spiritual or spiritual-sounding doesn't necessarily mean that it is an accurate pointer to your natural state. Does the phrase, comment, or teaching directly point to what you are? If it doesn't pause you in any significant way, chances are it does not.
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Nonduality is a timeless teaching that points to the fact that the totality of existence is nothing but awareness.
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One of the first things that anyone who has come to this understanding will tell you is that awareness was there all the time. Not a single, truly awakened person will say to you that self-realization requires virtues, practices, time, or meditation. The only people saying that are those who are not self-realized themselves and want you to hang onto them and their teachings.
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Awakening requires neither a "facing" your fears nor a "relinquishing" of your will or ego. There is a "doer" in both those undertakings, and that "doer" will automatically negate any substantive seeing or understanding from occurring. For your attention is still on this frequently appearing practicality (I, me, you), rather than the presence within which the I/me/you arises.
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The fundamental question in philosophy is "What is truth?" And nonduality is the answer to that question. For it is truth itself.
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Awakening is not progressive. As long as you are under that assumption, it will indeed be progressive. Why? Because you're giving credence to time being a factor is self-knowing, and it is not. Further, your progressive approach will never yield a final understanding because you are inferring that, through your practices, you aren't awareness already. And nothing could be further from the truth.
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News & Info
Tami Brady reviewed A Vastness All Around on her TCM Reviews page.
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"A Vastness All Around is, hands down, one of the best books out there on nonduality. Thank you for all of your writing." --Alex Taylor
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Here's a review of the Kindle Edition of Vastness on Amazon.
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Nonduality Magazine has published a discussion with Rodney about his work and book. The extensive and wide-ranging interview was done by John LeKay, the magazine's editor.
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"Loved the book, Rodney. Enjoyed it as much as John Wheeler's first book, Awakening to the Natural State. My favourite quote of yours was "you are no more your personal history than you are your toothbrush." I like the fact that you included little tidbits of your life and surrounds. It felt more like reading a book on travel or history than some of the other textbook style books on nonduality. I think for anyone serious about a direct approach, your book and John Wheeler's are the two to have." -- Ian
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A Vastness All Around: Awakening to Your Natural State is Rodney's first collection of essays, discussions, interviews, and powerful pointers. It can be ordered directly from the publisher at Lulu Press.
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If you would like to meet Rodney, have him to discuss nonduality, sign books, or read, you can email him at: writerguy@fastmail.fm Such events are self-organized, so funding is key, with groups and universities that can cover travel expenses getting priority. And much appreciation!
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John Wheeler's site is no longer up. But earnest and serious seekers can reach him at: johnwheeler111@yahoo.com
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This blog is generally updated every Sunday afternoon, Eastern Standard Time.
4 comments:
Hi Rodney,
I really enjoy your blog and I think you have a great writing style.
I have one question regarding your 8/27/11 entry. You stated that "awakening is not progressive". However, Nisaragadatta and Ramana spoke about being progressively "ripe" for spiritual awakening and suggested specific practices like staying with the "I Am/Self". Richard Rose also wrote and talked about seekers being on different rungs on the spiritual ladder to realizing the "Truth" - and that seekers on the higher rungs should help seekers on the lower rungs. Can you clarify your apparent differences with these teachers? (I have a feeling you probably don't have any differences and I'm misinterpreting what your saying.)
Thanks and please keep up the great writing.
Kevin
Hi Kevin,
Great to hear from you. And thank you for your warm words.
It's understandable to feel some confusion when I state that awakening isn't progressive, and Nisargadatta and Ramana speak about seekers being "ripe" and Richard Rose makes reference to the "spiritual ladder." (I haven't read much of Rose, so I'll take your word on that.) The bottom line is that awareness can be recognized by practically anyone who can give some heed or contemplation to the pointers, writings, and suggestions from a self-realized teacher or writer. A pause in thought--and a seeing that there is an immeasurable presence of awareness within that pause--is all that is needed. Truly, it is that simple...and that extraordinary.
I hope that helps to clarify things. And thanks again for writing. :)
Warmly,
Rodney
Hi Rodney,
Thanks for your prompt response.
I think I know what you're saying. I have (easily) recognized the presence of awareness - its peacefulness and its awesome vastness. However, I have not "realized" this "awareness" as the essence of who I am. I am still bonded to my personal self/"I thought" - unlike you and the aforementioned teachers.) I "think" these teachers were trying to help others realize that who they really are is this "presence of awareness" and lose their bondage to the "I thought" which creates unnecessary suffering. I think they were also stating that some are ahead of others or closer in "realizing" who they really are.
Let me know what you think.
Regards,
Kevin
Hello Kevin,
Who knows what Nisargadatta and Ramana were attempting to say. They simply might have been wrongly translated or misunderstood. But no one is really "ahead" of anyone else when it comes to this understanding.
And yet, there is something to be said for the seeker who is earnest, gracious, and alert to any cessations in thought while--say--reading a pause-worthy book, strolling across a tranquil park, or having a delicious cup of tea or coffee.
Or it can happen while going to the bathroom or washing a pile of greasy dishes. There is really no predicting it. And that being the case, no one can truly be "ahead" of anybody else. You are what you are at this very moment. It's merely a matter of seeing or understanding that--not "attaining" it or working "towards" it.
Best,
Rodney
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