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If the mind could lead us to this understanding, then self-knowledge would simply be a matter of taking a few philosophy courses, engaging in regular debates, learning Sanskrit, or subscribing to some mystical series of steps or practices. In short, if the mind could show you your actual Self, you certainly would have seen it by now.
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You have to see the absurdity of your seeking.
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Who needs to do what? The whatness is already there. Awareness is not only fully present, but it is what you are. You never move from being precisely That. All this understanding is is simply seeing this for yourself. And that recognition takes less than a second!
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There are various states of consciousness, but just a single awareness to those states. Consciousness arises, changes, and dissipates within the latter. So don't over-emphasize the role or nature of consciousness. For you are beyond even that!
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I am always pointing to who and what you ultimately are. Through reading, listening, consultations, and reflecting, you can become increasingly clear about the immediacy of your own unconditioned nature. (Though this isn't to suggest that there is a progressive path or practice to it.) It's there for the seeing. At no time is it distant, hidden, or unavailable.
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Awareness is so immediate that you are merely overlooking it. So what is it that you aren't seeing? The question beautifully and automatically pauses you. And that pause is pointing to the answer. Again, what is it that you had not been seeing? What is it that you hadn't noticed that is fully and unequivocally present?
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This understanding isn't gradual. Yes, certain issues may be clarified over one's lifetime. But there is not maturation on the part of presence. What does appear to occur, however, is a deep recognition that experiences are transitory. Thus, you are likely to find yourself savoring a moment while--at the same time--completely letting it go. Or rather, there is the understanding that it is fleeting. There is no one there to let it go!
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News & Info
Note: There won't be a blog entry next week. I'm having a wisdom tooth removed. I also will be working some extra hours to help cover the procedure. Thanks for understanding. :)
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Fully Present is now available at the excellent Powell's Bookstore, in Portland, Oregon.
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Fiona Robertson interviews Rodney on Nic Higham's NONDUALITY NETWORK!
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And click HERE to purchase Fully Present at Barnes & Noble.
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And go HERE for the press release for Fully Present.
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For Tami Brady's review of Fully Present in TCM Reviews, go HERE.
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"Fully Present is an elegant addition to the growing literature on nonduality as it is being uncovered, lived and understood in the modern West."
--Philip Goldberg, author of the best-selling American Veda: From Emerson and the Beatles to Yoga and Meditation--How Indian Spirituality Changed the West. Philip's Web site can be found at www.philipgoldberg.com.
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"Rodney Stevens opens his daily life and thoughts to us in these immensely natural and pleasant ramblings of one who is fully engaged in life, love, nonduality, and cinnamon muffins."
--Catherine Ann Jones, award-winning screenwriter, spiritual workshop leader, and author of The Way of the Story: The Craft and Soul of Writing. Her Web site is www.wayofstory.com
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Rodney is also the author of A Vastness All Around: Awakening to Your Natural State, a powerful and elegant collection of essays, discussions, interviews, and powerful pointers. It can be ordered directly from the publisher at Lulu Press.
Feel free to read 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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"I like your approach in A Vastness All Around. The stories, thoughts and vignettes of your life seem wonderful ways to make people stop and pay attention to where they actually are right now, rather than in some imagined past or future. They show that you don't have to be some specially qualified person, preferably with a title and a name in Sanskrit, to pursue the spiritual quest. Your message comes across particularly well in such pieces as 'Sheerness of Being.'"
--Valerie J. Roebuck, Ph.D., Honorary Research Fellow, University of Manchester (England)
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I am now doing phone consultations via Skype! Each conversation will take about an hour, and a $25 donation will be greatly appreciated.
I am also scheduling teaching events at this time. If you would like to arrange something in your area, you may email me at: writerguy (at) fastmail (dot) fm
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This blog is generally updated every Sunday afternoon, Eastern Standard Time.
