forestofclarity

This forum (and others online) sometimes makes me incredibly sad. This is a forum of dedicated spiritual practitioners and yet we cannot get along or act like adults in the most simplistic sense: i.e., refrain from insults, refrain from trolling others, try not to hurt people, or follow a few simple rules. Creating a post takes time and can be edited or removed. Everything here is entirely intentional. So if this is the best we can do, well, no wonder the world is in the shape it's in.

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All right, let me take a crack at this question: So this is explained in the Pancadasi, Chapter 8. Swami Paramarthananda points out that both are present at the same time. Pure consciousness is always present, but chidabhasa arises when certain parts of the mind are active. Pancadasi likens it to a mirror shining a bright spot of the sun on the wall. The sunlight is already present, and the reflected light makes an additional spot. Without the mirror (the functioning mind) there is only the sunlight. If you have multiple mirrors, you have multiple patches of bright, reflected sunlight, but between them you still have sunlight. So pure consciousness is the base, and chidabhasa is an appearance that arises due to the functioning of the mind. In other words, unchanging pure consciousness is always present and the transitory, relative awareness comes and goes. As set out by Swami Sarvapriyananda: Nirguna Brahman + maya = Saguna Brahman or Ishvara (tvam) Pure consciousness + avidya = jiva or You (tat) Tat Tvam Asi: Per Vakya Vritti, the direct meaning that you, the Jiva is Ishvara is rejected. Rather, the implied meaning refers to the essential nature of both being the same. I think neo-Advaitins focus on the transitory, relative awareness.

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Welcome!

Sri Sadhu Om, the Path of Sri Ramana

Welcome!

Mitch Horowitz also has some interesting books in this area. Thomas Cleary is underrated, IME.

I think the system is good, but I was not able to put up with the BKF persona. Basic dissolving is not that different from certain body based meditations like U Bha Khin's vipassana. I think it is really how one practices with non-intentional awareness, a relaxed sinking body, and body alignments. So for instance, I get a similar benefit from 8 Brocades and Yang Style Tai Chi, but without the drawbacks.

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Every few years I find myself, inevitably, drawn to reading or receiving teachings on a few books over and over. They seem to expand every time I read them or receive teachings on them. Some of them are mysterious, like the Dao De Jing. Others are more straight forward, like the Path of Sri Ramana by Sadhu Om. Others are both, like Self Liberation Through Seeing With Naked Awareness. Each time I almost feel like I'm reading something quite different, which is of course a reflection of my own mind. I'd be curious to hear about specific books or teachings others return to over and again.