Dear Seekers of God Namaskar The reason that this internet forum is popular is that people come here to discuss the things of the world. They identify themselves with the world. Even religious people identify themselves either with the religion which is in the world, or with God who is made up of ideas that have their origin in the world (E.g. God is good - You only know the meaning of 'good' because it is a term we use in the world). Now, let's go to sleep. What happens first? You lose consciousness of your body. Suddenly money, fame, goals, religion, family and God have all disappeared. Then you have some dreams - i.e. memories and thoughts disconnected from the worldly source. But then you go into deep sleep (dreamless sleep). You lose consciousness of your mind. Suddenly.... (silence). It cannot be described. You are not dead though; you have consciousness. You have consciousness of consciousness. You still exist but without manifestation. Who is the 'you' that still exists? Actually there is no 'you'. It cannot be described. Some call it bliss, but perhaps it can only be said to not be anything which isn't bliss - i.e. negating the negative. Who am I? I appear to be this body for about 16 hours a day. I appear to be this mind for about 16 hours + dream time. I am existence-consciousness-bliss for 24 hours a day. The latter is not obvious though, because the mind is preoccupied with what the body is going through now or the memories of what it has gone through in the past. Test: Whatever is the current thought in your mind, ask yourself: from where comes this thought? The answer will be, "From me". Ask yourself: who am I? There is no answer. The true 'I' has no verbal or mental description. Peace - peace - peace
Namaskar Dear Seekers of God The basis for the relationship between a Godly man and his God is the power of the 'I' thought. It shows itself in 4 different stages. Duality: I see myself as an individual and am seperate from God who created me. The things around me are neither myself nor are they God. This state will never change. Comments: This is the most ignorant form that the 'I' can take and is the start of the spiritual journey. This state can be compared with primary school education. Progressive non-duality: Although seperated at this moment in time, in the future God and I will be one. Then the world will seem as a dream from the past. Comments: This second state is one higher than duality and shows spiritual progress has been made. This state can be compared with high school education. Non-duality: Even now, though they seem to be separated, God, 'I' and world are in truth mere appearances and are none other than the one Reality. Comments: This third state is only reached by those who have made much spiritual progress. This state can be compared with university education. Absolute non-duality: The concepts of God, 'I' and world are lost. The Self is ever the Self. There are neither name, form, time or space. Comments: This is the highest of all doctrines and it is only suitable to fully-ripened aspirants. This state cannot be compared to anything. Since the Truth of the Source is One, why do all religions and sometimes even Saints start their teachings by at first conceding that these three (God, 'I' and world) are real? Because the mind, which is tossed about by objective knowledge, would not agree to believe in the One unless the Saints condescended to teach It as three. Who am I? Peace - peace - peace
