Okay I think we are Stuck on terminology again Perhaps we need to start with a group definition of that which we believe to be self (collectively)
The "I am" sense? Or the beyond "I am" which recognises "I am" and feels it into existence? My clear understanding is that self is an illusion and yes I need all those things to create an illusion and they need me to be there as the illusion but this doesn't mean they are the same thing - if they are of the same nature - illusion - then why can't there just be illusion? I get that non-duality points to a third position (all, both) and that it is not in opposition to Yin Yang - it IS Yin Yang - you are saying the experience of this as it occurs here prior to making a decision called "me" is what is supposed to be seen? That was seen some time ago. Perhaps there is a game called "did I get it right?" which brings the "I am" sense back to having profound relevance that needs to have the truth discovered about it? Interesting, given the advice I just gave my son about his writing ;) Sent from an iPhone On 14 Mar 2011, at 15:57, Marcus <[email protected]> wrote: > . > > “I have a clear logical understanding of the nature of self, yet self > always > needs to be there” > > > > Too many words. Look to the space between the words. What is it > that joins these words and make meaning from them. There is no clear > understanding of the nature of self. There is here-now. The chest > of draws, the anger, that feeling of movement in you hand they support > you. They give you self. Without them there is no you. Step away > from the separation and see their unity. You are them and they are > you. You need them to believe you exist. Ying and Yan is whole. > Non-dual Advaita. Self is. Now is. The cest of draws is. > > > . > > On Mar 14, 3:14 pm, Mark Ty-Wharton <[email protected]> wrote: >> I am writing a book about consciousness. >> >> While I thought I knew everything I needed to know about this subject to >> complete the book I find I am caught in the throws of a show stopper so huge >> I cannot see a resolution to it. >> >> My manuscript contained some 30,000 words of complex arguments for and >> against various concepts which have been put forward over the years. >> >> I have no doubt to someone it will be a good read. >> >> What I notice is there is a block. >> >> And again in my experience a block usually means a "not being truthful about >> something". >> >> I have writers block and I am not being truthful about it. >> >> Obviously I am writing this, though in writing this my hope is I am writing >> a key to unlock a door. >> >> The door I need to unlock is a door which is hidden behind an intense set of >> feelings I am not always honest about. >> >> I am deeply frustrated and perplexed by the nature of my own consciousness. >> >> While I believe I have had direct experiences of what constitutes my true >> nature, the seeking of it seems to create a wall which in itself becomes >> impossible to break down. >> >> I have a clear logical understanding of the nature of self, yet self always >> needs to be there. >> >> It would seem that self is the context in which I hold awareness and >> experience itself. >> >> And even this over complicates it. >> >> I am annoyed that I can't get AT it. I am annoyed that I can contemplate in >> the bath for hours and conceptualise over IT. >> >> It is and always was the case and the seeking of it makes me blind and angry >> to it. >> >> Here is what I notice. >> >> I pretend I am not angry about the amount of time I have taken to get to >> grips with IT. >> >> The pretence gives me no access to the anger. >> >> Without access to the anger I have no experience of the one experiencing the >> anger. >> >> It's just like a frustrating never ending quest for something that I almost >> never get. >> >> And when I find 'the zone' I dare not go to sleep for fear that it will be >> gone when I wake up (and often it appears to have). >> >> I cannot write a book from my experience unless my experience constitutes >> and expert opinion. >> >> I would not expect to read a book about riding bicycles by someone who has >> no idea how to stay on one and occasionally does by sheer luck. >> >> Yes, practice may be the key. >> >> But the key rarely fits the door directly. >> >> Where I got to today. >> >> When I stand in front of a mirror, there are two of me in my visual field. >> >> I only identify with the one that appears on the three dimensional side of >> the mirror. >> >> The flat one in the glass is not "me" but it is "my" reflection. >> >> The three dimensional one typing this message is not "me" but it is "my" >> body typing. >> >> Clear as anything logically. >> >> When I move my hand I feel movement in my hand. >> >> There is no feeling at the "me" end of the nervous system. >> >> When I look at the chest of drawers in the bedroom there is no feeling there >> either. >> >> The chest of drawers and the "me" doing feeling of hands feels the same. >> >> The illusion might be I am the chest of drawers. >> >> Is advaita and zen a concept? >> >> An illusion. >> >> It appears I am one because I am not. >> >> Answers on a postcard please. >> >> Frustration spoken about from my place of truth. >> >> What's missing? >> >> Thanks >> >> Mark
