Pointers

What is the one thing about yourself that never changes?


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You are that which is aware of your body, feelings, and thinking.


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Questions related to self-knowledge are raised by the so-called mind in consciousness. But such questions cannot be answered by the mind. For the answer is not a word or an action. Nor is it an experience. Rather, it is your own ever-existing presence of equanimity and spaciousness.


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Awareness...In its obviousness, we miss it.


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"You are sitting. You are aware that you are sitting. You are awareness." That's the only "guided meditation" (which it isn't) that you need ever use. As for all the other GM rubbish about chakras, planes, mudras, anchoring, observing the breath, and the particularly hallowed and ubiquitous "just let it go," I say, just let them go.


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You can only recognized presence in the waking state because consciousness is needed to perceive awareness. So what is it, right now, that would also be with you in deep sleep, even if you weren't aware that it was present?


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If you are having numerous "awakenings" and "realizations," you haven't awakened. You are simply having experiences, which--despite the spiritual myth--are not stepping stones to self-knowing. I say this not be critical, but to point out a truth. You are That which is beyond all experiences. So why do yourself such a disservice by seeking and reveling in them?


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Self-inquiry isn't something that you have to work at. It comes up naturally and on its own when the "Who" question arises throughout the day ("Who wants to witness their thoughts?" "Who wants to better control their emotions?" etc). The question, if unprompted and spontaneous, truly pauses you. And in that halting, felt-awareness can be readily perceived. In short, you will see that the pause is the answer.


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Your identification with your body and thinking is distracting you from discovering your glorious and fundamental nature. That identification can't be stopped conceptually, ritualistically, philosophically, or ceremonially. Indeed, the whole issue of your understanding who and what you are is not an overwhelmingly spiritual one. We couch it in those terms because, historically, we have associated the numinous and the indescribable with the theological. Only those clear-seeing sages of nondual lore--from Gaudapada and Shankara to Nirsargadatta and Sailor Bob Adamson--have pointed directly to our natural and pristine state rather than Heavenward. And that state is there for seeing. Just bring your calm attention to that subtle peace and Freedom that is fully within you, right here and now.

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News & Info

"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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"I found A Vastness All Around to be a nice presentation of the essence of awakening from within a modern nondual perspective. I found it particularly accessible due both to your refreshingly relaxed perspective, and the format of the great variety of types of presentations; short essays, dialogues, poems, interviews, even book reviews. A very nice multi-pronged approach, easy to dip into without having to necessarily wade through a more involved and convoluted presentation. I wish you good fortune in its popularization. It ought to be of benefit to many people."

--Peter Brown
http://www.theopendoorway.org

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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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Vastness is now available for the Amazon Kindle! Order Here.

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And for the book's Press Release, click Here.

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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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This blog is generally updated every Monday afternoon, Eastern Standard Time.

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