the hypnotic dream of separation

[Guest guest]

excerpt:

 

It seems that there is an idea that the apparent separate individual

can choose to make an effort to approach something called non-dualism

through the application of practice, process, purification, the

cultivation of understanding or whatever else can be taught or learnt.

 

The concept of reaching a level of understanding wherein the so-called

sage can accept the dualism of life and live in peace with himself and

others, seems to be the perceived aim. And yet this kind of perception

could not be less relevant to the liberation which brings with it the

realisation that there is nothing and no-one that becomes liberated.

 

The kind of teaching that is based on personal endeavour is a teaching

of imprisonment simply because it reinforces the idea of the sage, the

seeker and the sought. The very idea of there being " various

approaches " to Advaita comes out of a basic ignorance of its essence.

 

So what is the fundamental difference between the personal and the

impersonal perception?

 

The word Advaita means not two and expresses as nearly as possible in

words the perception that all and everything is already only oneness,

and that there is nothing else but that.

 

When this is clearly seen by no-one, it completely exposes the idea of

subject and object merely as an illusory concept held within the

hypnotic dream of separation. Consequently, the idea that an apparent

separate individual (subject) can choose to attain enlightenment

(object) becomes completely irrelevant. It also becomes clear that all

practices or effort to follow a path leading to a future goal

continuously reinforces the sense of personal seeking and is a direct

denial of abiding unicity.

 

The idea that presumes the possibility that dualistic practices can

lead the apparent seeker to the non-dualistic perception, is similar

to the idea that with sufficient effort and determination you can

teach a blind man to see. To quote:

 

" Doctrines, processes and progressive paths which seek enlightenment

only exacerbate the problem they address by reinforcing the idea that

the apparent self can find something it presumes it has lost. It is

that very effort, that investment in self-identity, that continuously

recreates the illusion of separation from oneness. This is the veil

which we believe exists. It is the dream of individuality. " (The Open

Secret)

 

Out of all the many awakenings that have been described to me, it is

continuously confirmed that one of the first realisations that arises

is the seeing that no-one awakens. And yet we see that the majority of

teachings, both traditional and contemporary, are constantly speaking

to an apparent separate seeker (subject) and recommending that in

order to attain enlightenment (object) they should choose to meditate,

self-enquire, purify, cultivate understanding, still the mind and the

ego, surrender, be honest, seek earnestly, give up seeking, do

therapy, do nothing, be here now, and so on . . . the ideas are as

endless and as complicated as the mind from where they are generated.

 

These recommendations arise from the belief that the " enlightenment "

of the " teacher " has been attained or earned through the application

of choice, effort, acceptance or surrender, and that other seekers can

be taught to do the same.

 

Of course there can be nothing right or wrong with earnest seeking,

meditation, self-enquiry, understanding and so on. They are simply

what they appear to be. But who is it that is going to choose to make

the effort? Where is the effort going to take the apparent chooser to?

– where is there to go if there is only oneness? If there is no

separate individual there is no volition, and so how can an illusion

dispel itself?

 

The concept of personal enlightenment arises within the mind which

sets up a false structure consisting of a " spiritual ego " or so-called

" higher self " which has adopted or been attracted to a set of taught

ideals about the need for self-purification, for instance, which it

believes will eventually bring about the prize of enlightenment. It

then attempts to discipline the so-called " lower self " to carry out

tasks which appear to the " lower self " to be contrary to its nature.

Here is the source of the struggle, confusion and sense of inadequacy

and disillusionment that abounds in the search. It is also the main

reason that, until recently, apparent liberation has seemed to be a

rare occurrence. But when liberation apparently arises it is seen that

there is no difference between being asleep and being awake.

 

http://www.advaita.org.uk/discourses/teachers/hypnotic_parsons.htm