Ask a nondual "person"

[lewisnotmiller]

Knowledge of what I am results in my being unaffected by actions of others or what happens in transactional reality.

To what level is that the ideal (or the destination, perhaps) abs to what level is it actualised?
Are there benefits or costs to this worldview (or realisation, if you prefer)?
What connection is there between this worldview or realisation and your religious practices?

 

[SalixIncendium]

To what level is that the ideal (or the destination, perhaps) abs to what level is it actualised?

I'm unclear as to what you're asking me her. Can you please rephrase the question?

Are there benefits or costs to this worldview (or realisation, if you prefer)?

I've not experienced any costs. That's to say, I've given up most of my belongings and only surround myself with the basics. Some may consider that a cost. But I'm no longer burdened with the want to possess "stuff." I realize I own nothing. Nothing is mine. Not even this body/mind complex. I see that more as a benefit.

Other benefits include transcending suffering and living in a state of bliss.

What connection is there between this worldview or realisation and your religious practices?

I really don't have any 'religious practices,' per se. Either my whole life is a religious practice or none of it is. I don't really draw a dichotomy between 'religious practices' and 'secular practices.'

 

[an anarchist]

Ask me anything nondual

So does nondual mean that "God" resides within me?
What is the significance of the union between god and man? What does it imply?

 

[RestlessSoul]

So if everything is one, and if all apparently diverse phenomena are manifestations of an abiding unity, how come our human experience hides this from us? Isn't plurality, or at least the illusion of plurality, a necessary condition of our experience of the world?

 

[SalixIncendium]

So does nondual mean that "God" resides within me?

It depends on what you are calling God. If you are referring to a deity, I have no deities living inside me.

What is the significance of the union between god and man? What does it imply?

Again, difficult to answer without knowing how you are defining god.

 

[an anarchist]

It depends on what you are calling God. If you are referring to a deity, I have no deities living inside me.


Again, difficult to answer without knowing how you are defining god.

How do you understand "god"? I think a spiritual entity, not so much a deity, but a force more so, is more what Brahman is, right?

 

[SalixIncendium]

So if everything is one, and if all apparently diverse phenomena are manifestations of an abiding unity, how come our human experience hides this from us?

It is Maya (time/space/causation) that keeps this hidden...attachments and desires to what appears in transactional reality.

Isn't plurality, or at least the illusion of plurality, a necessary condition of our experience of the world?

Inasmuch as plurality is a condition for you to experience a dream.

 

[SalixIncendium]

How do you understand "god"? I think a spiritual entity, not so much a deity, but a force more so, is more what Brahman is, right?

When I hear the term "god," I take it as saguna Brahman (Brahman with qualities): deity. Deities appear only in transitional reality. Nirguna Brahman (Brahman devoid of qualities) is Para Brahman, which is the highest principle...ultimate reality.

 

[an anarchist]

It depends on what you are calling God. If you are referring to a deity, I have no deities living inside me.


Again, difficult to answer without knowing how you are defining god.

Simply a put, a force greater than man living inside.

 

[SalixIncendium]

Simply a put, a force greater than man living inside.

If this force is something different from the man, then that is duality.

 

[an anarchist]

If this force is something different from the man, then that is duality.

So, man is the great force of the universe? Is that a possible implication?

 

[Orbit]

Inspired by @VoidCat's Ask a nonbinary person thread. Ask me anything nondual (or about nonduality of you so wish). Keep in mind I'm only speaking from my own experience and no one else's and I don't speak on behalf of any religion or philosophy. Flood the thread with any argument you wish. I'm game. If you want to attack me or my view, I won't put you on ignore, but I will ignore you. However, I won't ignore you if you tell me I (mind and body) don't exist. I might even agree with you.

I am positively inclined with regards to Advaita Vedanta, so this is a serious question. What is the point of nonduality? What purpose does it serve in your life, what practical purposes?

 

[SalixIncendium]

So, man is the great force of the universe? Is that a possible implication?

With the existence of black holes, probably not.

 

[SalixIncendium]

I am positively inclined with regards to Advaita Vedanta, so this is a serious question. What is the point of nonduality? What purpose does it serve in your life, what practical purposes?

For me, my nondual experiences have lead me to Self-inquiry, which lead me to realizing my true nature.

This understanding leads one to freedom from attachment, desire, fear, suffering, anger, hatred, etc. There aren't words that can express the perspective of living free from these life-burdens. Bliss comes close, but even that falls short.

 

[an anarchist]

When I hear the term "god," I take it as saguna Brahman (Brahman with qualities): deity. Deities appear only in transitional reality. Nirguna Brahman (Brahman devoid of qualities) is Para Brahman, which is the highest principle...ultimate reality.

Ultimate reality is within an individual man, a non dual person believes? Man has access to this ultimate reality, right?

Through insight and meditation, one can access the Infinite Intelligence and use it for their own purposes. Do you see this?

 

[SalixIncendium]

Ultimate reality is within an individual man, a non dual person believes?

No. This nondual person knows that man is an appearance in ultimate reality.

Man has access to this ultimate reality, right?

Of course.

Through insight and meditation, one can access the Infinite Intelligence and use it for their own purposes. Do you see this?"

"Infinite Intelligence"?

 

[an anarchist]

"Infinite Intelligence"?

My understanding

The Infinite Intelligence is often what people call "God". It is not a deity, though. It is the power, the life source of any possible deity. It is where consciousness and thought originates from. The source of god(s). It is perhaps amoral. It is simply there. Within and without you.

I can access it.

The devil told me so.

 

[Twilight Hue]

I don't even know what nondual means.

Gotta be better than Sybil.

 

[Treasure Hunter]

I can't recall the last time I was angry.

As far as sadness, I don't find myself getting sad for myself, but I will occasionally find myself weeping as a result of another's suffering. It's a bit like getting caught up in the moment when you watch a tearjerker. You know you're watching a movie, and that the characters are merely actors portraying them, but you get caught in the scene and find yourself tearing up even though you know you're looking at nothing more than light reflected off a screen.

Your feelings are aligned with a different reality than your propositional beliefs are aligned with. You’ve decided that the latter reality is more real. I was there at one point as well, but I was deceived.

Oneness is the destination, but the story (which includes duality and non-duality) is more real.

 

[lewisnotmiller]

I'm unclear as to what you're asking me her. Can you please rephrase the question?

Yup. You said 'Knowledge of what I am results in my being unaffected by actions of others or what happens in transactional reality.'
I was wondering if that level of being unaffected is something you are working towards (a goal) or something you have achieved.

I've not experienced any costs. That's to say, I've given up most of my belongings and only surround myself with the basics. Some may consider that a cost. But I'm no longer burdened with the want to possess "stuff." I realize I own nothing. Nothing is mine. Not even this body/mind complex. I see that more as a benefit.

The belongings stuff is straight forwards enough. As you say, some would see that as a cost, but there is also clear benefit, and if you can reach a place where you are unburdened by material things beyond what you need, great.
I think I was more talking about relationships with other people, connections, love even...those sort of things.

Other benefits include transcending suffering and living in a state of bliss.

Definite advantages there. If possible, can you explain more what you mean by bliss? Is it peaceful and contentedness, or something more specific?

I really don't have any 'religious practices,' per se. Either my whole life is a religious practice or none of it is. I don't really draw a dichotomy between 'religious practices' and 'secular practices.'

Makes sense, based on my (limited) understanding of your beliefs.
Thanks for answering my curiousity!