Consciousness Speaks

1. All There Is, Is Consciousness: The Foundation of Non-Duality

"All there is, is Consciousness. If that is understood completely, deeply, intuitively then you need read no further. Put the book down and go on joyously with the rest of your life."

Consciousness is all-encompassing. It is the fundamental reality underlying all existence. This understanding forms the bedrock of non-dualism, asserting that there is no separation between the observer and the observed, the subject and the object. Everything in the manifest world, including our thoughts, emotions, and physical bodies, are merely appearances within this all-encompassing Consciousness.

Manifestation is an illusion. The world as we perceive it is likened to a dream or a mirage. Just as characters in a dream have no independent existence apart from the dreamer's mind, all phenomena in the world have no separate reality apart from Consciousness. This doesn't mean the world doesn't exist, but rather that its existence is dependent on and inseparable from Consciousness itself.

Realizing this truth is enlightenment. The deep, intuitive understanding of this fundamental reality is what constitutes enlightenment or awakening. It's not about acquiring new knowledge or achieving a particular state, but rather recognizing what has always been true. This recognition dissolves the illusion of separateness and reveals the underlying unity of all existence.

2. The Illusion of Personal Doership and Free Will

"There is no 'me' to be blamed. There is no 'me' to blame for this conditioning."

The "me" is a concept. What we consider to be our individual self, with its sense of personal doership and free will, is actually a mental construct. It's a collection of thoughts, memories, and conditioning that creates the illusion of a separate entity capable of independent action.

Actions happen through us, not by us. All actions are part of the impersonal functioning of Totality or Consciousness. What we perceive as our choices and decisions are actually thoughts arising spontaneously in consciousness, based on our inherent characteristics and conditioning.

• We don't create our thoughts
• We don't choose our conditioning
• We don't determine our inherent characteristics

Recognizing this brings freedom. Understanding that there is no individual doer responsible for actions can bring a profound sense of freedom. It releases us from the burden of guilt, shame, and the constant striving to improve ourselves. This doesn't mean we become irresponsible, but rather that we act spontaneously from our true nature without the interference of a false sense of self.

3. Witnessing: The Key to Liberation from the Mind

"Witnessing is vertical, in a totally different dimension. Therefore there can be no 'me' witnessing."

Witnessing is not observing. True witnessing is not a mental activity where a "me" observes thoughts or experiences. It's a state of pure awareness where experiences are simply happening without a sense of personal involvement or identification.

It cuts off involvement. When witnessing occurs, it vertically cuts off the horizontal involvement of the thinking mind. This means that thoughts, emotions, and experiences are seen clearly without getting caught up in them or creating stories around them.

Characteristics of true witnessing:

• No personal identification with experiences
• No judgment or comparison
• No attempt to change or control what's happening
• A sense of spaciousness and freedom

It happens spontaneously. True witnessing cannot be practiced or achieved through effort. It's a natural state that occurs when the understanding of non-duality deepens and the illusion of personal doership weakens.

4. Understanding vs. Practice: The Path to Enlightenment

"Understanding is all."

Intellectual understanding is the starting point. The journey begins with a conceptual grasp of non-duality and the nature of consciousness. This intellectual understanding serves as a foundation for deeper realization.

Practices can be traps. While spiritual practices like meditation can be helpful in the beginning, they can also become obstacles if we become attached to them or see them as means to achieve a particular state. The danger is that the "me" uses these practices to reinforce itself rather than dissolve.

True understanding transforms naturally. As the intellectual understanding deepens, it begins to permeate our being at a more intuitive level. This happens spontaneously, without effort from the "me."

• Understanding leads to witnessing
• Witnessing leads to less identification with thoughts and experiences
• Less identification allows for more spontaneous, natural living

Grace is the final step. The ultimate shift into full realization or enlightenment is often described as an act of grace. It's not something that can be achieved through personal effort, but rather something that happens when the time is right.

5. Acceptance and Surrender: Embracing What Is

"Acceptance brings about a tremendous sense of freedom."

Acceptance is not resignation. True acceptance is not about passively tolerating undesirable situations. It's a deep recognition that what is happening in each moment is part of the impersonal functioning of Totality and couldn't be any other way.

Surrender of the personal will. Surrender in this context means letting go of the idea that we, as separate individuals, can control the course of events in our lives. It's recognizing that our personal will is actually part of a larger will of Totality.

Benefits of acceptance and surrender:

• Reduced suffering and mental conflict
• Increased peace and contentment
• More spontaneous and natural living
• Greater ability to respond effectively to life situations

It's a continuous process. Acceptance and surrender are not one-time events but ongoing attitudes towards life. As our understanding deepens, the capacity for acceptance naturally grows.

6. The Impersonal Functioning of Totality

"Hitler did not create the war. The war created Hitler."

Everything is part of the cosmic play. All events, both "good" and "bad," are part of the impersonal functioning of Totality. This includes natural disasters, wars, acts of kindness, and everything in between.

No individual responsibility. From this perspective, no individual can be held ultimately responsible for their actions, as they are merely instruments through which Totality functions. This doesn't mean we shouldn't have laws or social norms, but it offers a profound shift in how we view human behavior.

Implications of this view:

• Reduced judgment and blame towards others
• Increased compassion and understanding
• A different perspective on historical events and figures
• Challenges to our conventional notions of morality and ethics

Balance with conventional understanding. While holding this view, we still need to function in the world as if individuals have choice and responsibility. This paradox is part of living with non-dual understanding in a seemingly dual world.

7. Living in the World: Balancing Understanding and Action

"You must act in life as if you are the doer, knowing that you are not the doer."

Continue living normally. The understanding of non-duality doesn't mean we should stop engaging in normal life activities. We continue to work, have relationships, and pursue interests, but with a different perspective.

Act without attachment. While we continue to act in the world, we do so without attachment to the results of our actions. We recognize that the outcomes are not in our control and are part of the impersonal functioning of Totality.

Balancing perspectives:

• Absolute truth: There is only Consciousness, no individual doers
• Relative truth: We appear to be individuals making choices in the world
• Living with both: Holding the absolute truth while functioning in the relative world

Natural changes occur. As our understanding deepens, certain changes may naturally occur in how we live and interact with the world. These changes happen spontaneously, not through effort of the "me."

Compassion arises naturally. With the understanding of non-duality comes a natural sense of compassion for all beings, as we recognize that their actions, like ours, are part of the impersonal functioning of Totality.

Last updated: September 21, 2024