PureExp

I have seen almost all his videos I agree, a real gem. And also of his guru Francis Lucille. (And also contacted him directly via his online meetings). Highly recommended. Edit: I'm preparing a list of teachers I found very useful, here it is : Teachers.

What does it mean to ascend? How to do it (if its in our control)?

Paradox is fundamental. Existence is basically paradoxical. Lets see some examples. Existence is all that is out there, but it is also identical to the Self (consciousness) that's "in" here. The Self is everything, it is infinite, but it is also a tiny point of nothingness. The Self is pure emptiness, yet it is everything at the same time, there is no space in it. There is unity, yet there is diversity. The Self is changeless background which experiences change, yet it is change itself. The world is illusory, yet there is nothing as solid as that. Mind conceals our true nature, but its the mind that takes us back there. Knowledge is ignorance, yet knowledge itself brings us out of ignorance. Realization is effortless and most natural, easier than breathing, but it also take a lot of effort and is immensely difficult. A seeker seeks that which he already is. All there is, is perfection, yet we see all sorts of imperfections around us. I'm sure there must be many more such paradoxes. The mind blowing thing is that we can see through them. IMO, these arise out of the limitations of mind, which tries to desperately make sense out of something which is beyond its capability, and lands into the pit of paradox instead. Those who think that they will find a definite answer to the hard questions will be disappointed. The answers are paradoxical, and sometimes there are no answers. Paradox appears as a rule rather than as exception. It is perfectly ok, but our mind is uncomfortable with it. The realization that (almost) everything is paradoxical, self contradictory, must be an indication of something. What is that something?

@Leo Gura Thanks a lot for sharing. For those who are interested, here are some exercises for directly experiencing the fundamental truths. I call them introspection, but its same as self-enquiry. So far there are 7-8 of them. They are fairly detailed, so posting a link, but I've started posting short versions in this forum. My terminology is from non-dualism, but nothing fancy, just plain English. Start here : The Art of Introspection. (Everything is in public domain, learnt from masters, took many years. Feel free to copy/share/do whatever you like, I don't take credits).

I'm trying to get to the bottom of this. Is it possible to end this dream? Or at least ensure that it never repeats again? I know its all so beautiful, the Self having tons of colorful delicious experiences. Its the Mind that is not happy with it. Why? because duality. Everything has a bad side in this dream. Traditionally, its believed that its possible to liberate the mind from repeated births and deaths (thats Samsara essentially)? To be frank (and I don't mean to offend anyone's beliefs and faiths), only a fraction of people believe this and as far as I know none of them had a direct experience of being freed in such a way. Repeated births and deaths remains a fiction for me. How to test its truth? Any ideas, anyone? As I said, the Self has no trouble with life experiences etc, it is already free. There is nothing to bind it because there is nothing else there except it. We alone are. Ironically, this is a paradox, and makes life a bit more difficult for the mind. If the Self were bound (say by ignorance or something else), one could have freed it and be done with it. Problem is that we are free and still not free at the same time. So the question - how to achieve liberation (Mukti or Mokshya) remains. I'd be very interested in your (or anyone's) answer about this mess.

@Tanuj It depends on the kind of meditation you are doing. As you know, there are 100s of varieties suited for different purposes. So let us know the details. I'd stick to the advice of the teacher (guru or master who initiated you into that practice). If you are doing it on your own, hopefully you know what you are doing Anyway, in general morning time is highly recommended (traditionally). Especially the time around 3:30 AM. I don't know what's special at this time, but its worth trying. If you are into energy work, that time is recommended (by some, I don't have much experience). Anything that agitates the mind or alters breathing should be avoided just before sleeping.

@brovakhiin Great. Most welcome anytime.

@jse Assuming that your arrows stand for direction of causality, my experience (and I guess of many of the readers here), is neither. The "external" world and consciousness of it arise at the same time. I do not experience one "causing" the other. If it is all one, what can cause what? One thing coming out of other means more than two. Its not-two, if you directly see it. Btw, causation and reality are both mental concepts, that is - made up stuff. They are useful for day-to-day talk, not so for deep contemplation. The physical universe is consciousness, so in the end consciousness causes consciousness (which is meaningless sentence if you see it). The problem of causality appears only when you insist that these two are separate. This is where the scientist and philosopher get stuck. Its a belief. Now, doesn't simulation mean causation? Depends on how you define the word simulation. For me it means - making a model that resembles and behaves as something else. So consciousness (Self) becomes physical world(s) that look separate from itself. But if you see it deeply, nothing really happens, except an experience, an "illusion" of sorts. The essence of a clay pot is just clay. Clay and pot and not separate.

@brovakhiin Yes, I have studied Physics at Uni and I have engineering background. I still keep reading, still a student

I immediately recognized it coming from Sadhguru, I saw one of his videos about this a long time ago. Before that I also had an impression of a blue dude meditating with serpents around his neck. Needless to say, that old image I had is not a complete and accurate description of Shiva. If you research more on this, you will find that this description comes from Shaivism, a highly advanced philosophy. Its still alive in the form of Kashmir Shaivism. So Shiva, according to that, is everything, the primordial consciousness that creates, maintains and destroys "creations". He does it through his energy - the Shakti (sometimes referred to as his wife). When Shakti leaves and descends, we enter ignorance and experience duality (or diversity as a separate self), when it returns back to Shiva, we experience union (yoga), or enlightenment, whatever they call it. (IMO, the leaving and returning can be simply start and stop of energetic activities of consciousness. As usual its all metaphorical.) Shiva as one of the trinity is found in Vedic literature, where his name is Rudra. I don't know how it got all mixed up and same name was used for many things later on, including for that master who first imparted the knowledge about the Self to seven seers thousands of years ago. We don't know if its history or a myth, but is it very interesting indeed.

@BeginnerActualizer All good questions. Age old and I guess all seekers ask them. Anyhow asking them is a sign of progress , thats all I know. I do not know the answers from my own direct experience, but I will parrot below what masters say. All that is because of one thing - Ignorance. Obvious question arises - Why in the world the wisest of wise, our own eternal omniscient Self fell into ignorance? Well, no one knows , it is not something that can be easily known. So we have theories. One of which was nicely stated by @Arman above, its a play (Lila). Another one is - Ignorance is as old as consciousness itself. That is, it has no beginning, and so has no end (I guess). The cycles of enlightenment and ignorance keep repeating forever (the Yuga concept). Another theory is - whatever drama we are witnessing now, never really happened. Its not there, so there is essentially no ignorance. Nothing can happen. This is somewhat less known Advaita concept. I heard it from Nisargdatta and his disciple Nirgun John. It is clearly far out there, but interesting. Now, since one cannot know "why" of it, is it impossible to get rid of such suffering? Good news ! Its not impossible. And the old wisdom says - if an arrow hits you, it is stupidity to analyze the cause of it, to wonder about its metal, age, make, skill of the craftsmen who made it etc. etc. It is better to simply remove it and throw it away. Who cares as long as you are free from pain? It may sound weird, but I sometimes suspect that people are enjoying the delusions and suffering very much, they do not want to come out of it. Try bringing an ignorant person out of it and see the resistance he offers. You will be fortunate if he leaves you unharmed

Interesting thoughts. You are surely thinking outside the box, a really good quality. Answers to those questions lie squarely in the realm of unknownable. But then, we never know what can possibly become known someday

Banks are worried, BoA even conducted a study which concluded that there is a 20-50% chance that this world is nothing but a simulation. All their money and gold is just pixels Link: https://finance.yahoo.com/news/bank-america-theres-20-50-152845381.html

Is it not? Your question is a proof of your laziness lol. All I can do is, make you work on it. Think...its not impossible to think So here is some food for thought.... How'd it look like if it weren't not an illusion? Sharper and brighter sights or more colors or a different body? More powers? What? In what way can you (or anyone) experience the "real" version of stuff that's before you right now? Any special glasses? Do I need to die first to see it? Who can tell you what this world looks like when its not seen as an illusion? How can we believe him, if anyone can say it at all? If you cannot experience the "real life", does it make any sense to call this one as illusory? How are you going to compare the two without first seeing the two side by side and then conclude one is an illusion? Even if I claim to know the "truth" and tell you the answer right now, how will you know its true, and will it be useful for you? Ok, I guess that's too much thinking for today. Confusion is the result when you do not research the meanings and context of words in such statements. Someone said - life is a dream, an illusion, and you never bothered to think what it means. What is life? What is an illusion? Dream how? Who is sleeping and watching the dream then? Maybe the word dream means something else? Btw, that comes from - Brahma satya jagat mithya, jivo brahmaiva naparah (Shankara). Meaning, Brahman is the truth, the world is false (a lie), and Brahman and individual self are one and identical. It is the essence of non-duality, and it is not possible to have a mere intellectual answer for it. No ready meals to eat here. It has to be experienced directly.

This is by Michael Mamas. http://www.mountsoma.org/meditation/learn-surya-ram-meditation/

@rush You asked it 2 months ago, but since it has somehow resurfaced, I will add my 2c too. Basically I agree with guys above who advise to not to suppress them or use any kind of force or distraction. It backfires and buries the latent programs that are producing those thoughts even deeper in the mind. Kidneys produce urine, heart pumps blood, stomach digests food and brain produces thoughts. That's all ! Its a part of our own self, a small part, not the whole of it. There must be something that is triggering those thoughts, try to find what is it. Is it some insecurity? Someone insulted you? Someone betrayed? Some relation issues? Some anger or fear? Find the cause and dwell on it for a while. Forgive, let go and decide not to give it too much importance. The thoughts will burn out on their own. There is no end to it. Your mind will pick up some other matter to fill the silence with compulsive thinking. Rinse and repeat. But the permanent solution is age-old method, time tested and guaranteed one, which is - Oh I forgot I charge $1000 for it. Just kidding . The solution is to become aware. Be intensely aware of mental landscape 24x7. Like a scientist intensely and curiously watching data coming out of his experiment with full attention and interest. And trying to analyze it, whats causing it? What does it mean? Just observe, let is all come and go. When its all over, back to washing the bowl.

@brovakhiinIt holds some value as a model of the physical universe based on string theory, but leaves majority of questions unanswered (at least for me, I have not studied it deeply). It brings up more questions, like - is there is 2D matter of which this space is made of? From where such matter came? where is that 2D "space"? If it is consciousness, then it must be directly observable. If we are consciousness essentially then we should be able to experience the Self as a 2D plane. But we experience ourselves as 0D, non-local, non-spatial and timeless nothingness or emptiness when we reach our core. Anyhow, if the computations can be reduced to a 2D math, there is a potential to simulate those too. If it is just math, it doesn't matter how it is described, it must be computed, or in other words, must be manifested only via a simulation. That's my uneducated guess anyway

This is the beauty and elegance of simulation theory. It answers the mother of all questions in physics, which is - why is the physical world at its core just maths? Not only physical world, mental world (our mind) is also mathematical. Brain is a sophisticated computer, and a control system. Mind has inherent abilities for math and logic. With progress in AI we are witnessing that the so called "mental only" processes, language etc. are a result of computations. DNA is just code, which means the body is a result of computation, assembled out of virtual bits as per the instructions of DNA. The whole game of evolution is just repeated application of evolutionary algorithms (aka genetic algorithms in CS). Well, in short, simulation explains everything (even the so called paranormal). But how? Math is a result of algorithms. Algorithms are a result of automated processes that repeat in a pattern. For example that of cellular automata. Automated processes arise as soon as there is a large number of random processes, most of which die and only those survive which form virtual structures and recreate themselves (Tom calls this the Fundamental Process). So creation happens, and it is algorithmic by necessity. Where are these processes operating and what are they operating on? Simulation theory leaves consciousness untouched, it cannot be a result of computation as it is not a "thing". So obviously, it is the ground on which these processes happen. Consciousness, as a unified field, creates everything ! Processes do not operate on "things", there are no things, there is just consciousness alone, and it operates on itself. We see it as "energy of consciousness" which is just continuous change in itself. We need only one kind of change - binary fluctuations. It can be a zero dimensional point which alternates between "something" and "nothing", producing a string of infinite binary pattern. No wonder, we can directly experience everything - mind, bodies, people and world as happening on the "screen" of consciousness. This is essentially enlightenment. (I think Leo would agree ). Well, everything falls into place... beautifully. @brovakhiin Here is the link to my blog. I tried to write all this down in more detail there. (Of course, it is all learnt from masters, I'm only a student).

No, I'm saying it makes no sense to add the word "real" to anything. However, we can use this word for everyday ordinary things, , but it cannot be used in any strict sense. For example, "movies are not real" this is true provided you define real as not a work based on fiction. If you define real as something that exists or can be seen, then the statement "movies are real" is true, because obviously they exist and can be seen. So is a movie real or unreal? Both, your concept of real defines it. When applied in metaphysical or philosophical sense, this word loses most of its meaning, because each person starts defining it in their own way. I like the advice of Tom Campbell in this regard, which is - do not worry about the reality of an experience, whether ordinary or extraordinary/paranormal, reality cannot be a good criteria here, instead judge the experience by how useful it is. If it is useful, of some value, gets rid of your beliefs, ignorance and imparts useful knowledge, then it is acceptable whatever it is.

Its my observation (and I guess of many of you) that what I call "myself, me or I" is not constant, it keeps shifting from one thing to other. This made me think In the early days, there was no I, there was just this magical experience of seeing through these two holes in the head. Later people told me I was me, something different from them. As I grew, I grew. It was very fuzzy initially, but later took a form, which could be seen in the mirror. Others had similar forms, and they referred to themselves as I, so I started calling this body as I too. So I sat, I ran, I stood or danced. Actually body did all that, something simply tagged it as belonging to I. Later a name was added and I was this name now, just a sound. More additions happened, and I was now also a son of particular humans that lived with me and fed me etc. Many things started piling up under the umbrella of I - looks, education, degree, profession, age, relations, attitude, nature, likes, dislikes, things I did, things I did not do and hundreds of things were I. I was thoughts, I was emotions and feelings, I was a personality, an individual, which kept changing everyday and every second. Not very long ago, the I was a seeker, full of ego and "knowledge", I the knower, I the seeker, I the ignorant who is getting wiser. I was lost in me. It slowly became apparent that I is only a thought, an idea, a concept which is a tag for certain experiences, namely that came via this body and mind. Everything else was not-I ..... objects, others, anything that was not so immediate and could not be controlled. So the mind divided the continuum of experiences into two - I and not-I. When seen neutrally, there were just events, experiences, some bearing tags of I, some not. Another interesting thing to note was, the mind was not consistent. Sometimes I was sitting, sometimes "my" body was sitting. Other times it disintegrated into "my leg", "my hands", "my eyes" etc. Sometimes I was thinking, sometimes the thoughts were "mine". Sometimes I was a writer, sometimes I was just doing the job of a writer. So the identification and ownership kept alternating. It was just a play of language, a convenient way of describing some things. There was no concrete I there. The I also becomes Self, the witnessing consciousness. This is the new game in the town. So I am that. But then when seen closely, its just another tag for an experience that simply is there. Now this experience also got added into the giant container of I. I keeps changing colors. I is virtual, not a real thing, so it can do that. It is highly dependent on what is most important to the mind - body, people, objects, skills. It all is held together in a structure called memory. No memory, no I. The personality thus constructed out of millions of life experiences is just a few bits of memory, which is assigned to a variable - I. Once I realized this, the I almost disappeared, it became unimportant. There was just "this-ness" - the experience of now and here. Now it is very clear that the thing called I was just an illusion, an artificial construct in the mind. Its back to the magical experience of seeing through these two holes in the head

The concept of "reality" is man-made, i.e. artificial. Its totally dependent on how you choose to define this word. Stuff which conforms to your definition is real, which does not is unreal. It is simple and arbitrary. So what is real? Nothing is, and everything is.... Confused? From a human perspective, we have 7.5 billion realities at the moment.

If it is done in the form of an action, it is BS All actions are BS by default. The only pure thing is no-action, just witnessing, all else is Maya. Do not meditate, witness the actions...

Absolutely right And everyone has different experiences. So you and neighbor have different experiences, whether its an experience of seeing objects or of "enlightenment" (I guess by that word you mean the knowing that there is only a consciousness, all else is illusory). Now the question is - why are all these experiences different if the ground below them is the same consciousness? The answer is simple - its because these experiences come via different channels. The channels are different body-minds. The body-mind complex is what is commonly called a person (a human in our narrow meaning here). The point to be noted is - the consciousness is one, but the minds and bodies are different. It does not matter if they are only a product of consciousness, they provide different experiences and perspectives. (Of what? of itself, the consciousness experiences itself, there is nothing else there apart from it). A good analogy is one where different cameras provide different views of the same scene to the same viewer (who is watching all screens, say a security guard). If cameras were intelligent and has speech ability, they all would say that their experience is different. The guard won't say so. Now about the question - why stuff is subjective? Ask yourself - have you ever experienced anything that is not subjective? A body-mind has access to only its own "dataset" (or whatever it has gathered and stored locally). So everything it gets is nothing but subjective. That answers the questions like - if we are all one substrate why can't I know what the other is thinking? Firstly, such questions arise out of ignorance, which is - confusing mind and consciousness, and secondly, how do you know that you are not already aware of thoughts of everyone?

Here is a short introspection that helped me a lot to see that I'm not bound in any way. (Somehow my whole account and posts disappeared for a while, but now everything is back again. Hopefully this post will survive ) Who is bound? Who is not free? Those who are identified with the body will immediately find themselves answering how they are not free to do this or to do that, to remain young and healthy forever and to evade death or to have all the riches and pleasures of the world. That is deep ignorance, but it is ok, nothing is permanent including ignorance . Am I the body? Obviously, I’m not only a body. The body is a tiny part of my whole being. There is Mind, there is a person, an occupation, skills, there are memories and experiences that form a major part. For most people these experiences are directly attached to a body and hence it is easy to fall into an error that their entire essence is a physical structure, the body. The body is bound, it is not free. It is subject to physical laws, decay and death. It is an object and cannot do everything, (it can already do some awesome things though), it is foolish to expect that it would be free to do anything. It will not stay forever, it is impermanent, just like other objects. After this realization you will have no other choice but to accept that you as a body, or the part of you called a body cannot be free. But the good news is that you are not a body. Body is a thing we own for a while. So am I free then? Why don’t I feel like that? Those who are identified with a Mind or Ego (the lower mind), will immediately find themselves bound. There is no freedom to think everything, or even to stop thinking, or to be hyper-intelligent and extremely creative. There is no freedom to always keep the Ego happy, secure and pleased. Its not possible to end all desires and wants nor are you free to satisfy them all. The Mind is also an object and is impermanent, even if it is non-physical, it has limitations. The good news is that you are not the Mind or Ego. They are also a small part of you. Why am I not the Mind? Counter the question by asking – what is aware of a mind? How do you know there is a mind and an ego? Who really knows this? And in response to this question, the Self will step forward, it is the pure knowing, the consciousness behind all the drama of minds and bodies. It is more fundamental and is your essence, as it cannot be reduced to anything else, there is nothing more beyond it. Self is the ground of everything. If you have a doubt about it, just ask – who knows the Self? Who is aware of the Self? And every time you will find that it is the Self that knows itself, experiences itself, there is nothing else there. I’m obviously the Self, but still why am I not free? Counter the question by asking – what is it that binds Self? What is taking away its freedom? You will find that the matter and physical universe bind the body, and the limited mental capabilities bind the Mind, and past programming and conditioning binds the Ego. But there is nothing there to bind the Self. There is just Self, what can bind it? You will soon find that as soon as you identify with a mind or a body, the limitations and bondage appears. As long as you identify with the Self itself, you cannot find any reason and anything that can bind it. It is free, and has always been eternally free. Bondage was only a belief, it was your ignorance that you are not free. This simple introspection shows that bondage is just a belief, a result of ignorance, a consequence of identification with bound and impermanent features that appear and disappear in this vastness of Presence. The Self is free, simply because there is nothing there to bind it. You can see that it does not take a lifetime to be liberated, no exotic stuff or tricks are needed, it takes only a few minutes, just realize that we all are already liberated.

Objects do not exist on their own, including atoms. So in short, nothing exists independently of a conscious observer. Says who? Of course, scientists themselves ! The observation paradox of quantum mechanics proves it nicely, and it is unchallenged since 100 years now. All we have is more and more confirmation that matter is illusory. One can however infer that there is a "field" of potentiality which is actually identical to the consciousness we experience every second intimately. So if you wish to call it matter, doesn't matter, go ahead, its just us . The latest trend in Physics is to model the physical universe as simulation. So the world becomes a virtual reality, just like a game in the computer. There is ample indication that it is so. But where is the computer? You might ask, and the answer is simple - consciousness is the computer and player and everything. As Tom Campbell puts it in a pithy way - Reality = Information. R=I. Ok, now about science and scientists, my personal opinions (if worth anything) is that scientists are also people, some are very bright and are leaders, some are dull and orthodox. The top row scientists, if you read their books or quotes etc, sound like mystical sages. So I can assure you that like in any field of human activity, science is also ruled by human nature, you don't need to conspiracy theory to explain it. Science does look a bit alien to people who never studied math and science, but it is only a hole in their knowledge, should not take much time to get an elementary knowledge of science and scientific method. (In the same way for those who never studied law, a legal document is incomprehensible, but we don't say that they want to keep it hidden from people). In the end, we need to judge it by how useful it is. As far as technology is concerned, which is a result of great scientific insights, it is very useful indeed, who can argue about that?. It has made our lives worth living, liberated us from the shackles of superstition and manipulation by those who took unfair advantage of our ignorance. But as a belief system, science is useless, just like any other belief system. If you think it is "truth" and nothing but truth, you will stop progressing, the belief will retard your growth. So the bottom line is - we need to make use of our own intelligence, discrimination, vivek to know what is best for us.