My beginner level questions on non-duality

[Miss Hepburn]

Originally Posted by Greenslade

A few years ago there was a BBC documentary about Life in a monastery where some monks
had achieved a truly non-ego state.
They had to have their nappies changed and were spoon-fed by the acolytes....

Funny we never hear about things like this with any of the Yogis in India.

Originally Posted by Miss Hepburn

Funny we never hear about things like this with any of the Yogis in India.

Perhaps there's a reason for it, I only watched the documentary. It can also happen with very severe emotional trauma when the ego 'collapses' into the self, as it did with mine and a few others I've spoken to.

[HITESH SHAH]

Originally Posted by Greenslade

A few years ago there was a BBC documentary about Life in a monastery where some monks had achieved a truly non-ego state.
"

We have not heard /seen such yogis . Further non-duality is not a case of non-ego . Ego does exist for sure . None of the true non-duality practitioners I ever knew have ever recommended such an impossible non-ego state.

Nevertheless if believing this makes u happy so be it .

[ayar415]

QUOTE Post 18 EXCERPT:

Originally Posted by HITESH SHAH

I thought u were alluding to explanations of nonduality as "some cameras deleting info from others"

I don't know what you mean by non-duality. I was using the security camera system analogy to show that there is neither you nor me as unique individuals. I don't know why God gives a different face to every body. Imagine, you are me but when you wake up in the morning, you look like HITESH SHAH. Omigod!

Are you happy being HITESH SHAH instead of me? You like eating a dosai breakfast with your hands?

[Still_Waters]

QUOTE 1 EXCERPT:

Originally Posted by kralaro

Isn't non-duality sad & lonely that there's no one, not even God, except you/me?

I'm Not finding non-duality "bliss"full.

Is there any logical proof of non-duality?

Let me respond to your question with a story.

A few years ago, I met a young college-age Austrian fellow whom I introduced to meditation. He is intense and we have stayed in touch after his return to Vienna. As my spiritual mentor did with me, he PRACTICES meditation and we discuss his meditative experiences. His background is Christian with no prior knowledge whatsoever of non-duality.

He is completing a master's degree in social work and psychology so, when he had a revelation of non-duality WITH NO PRIOR READING EXPOSURE TO IT, he thought that he might be going "crazy". Only then did I refer him to writings about non-duality and only then did he realize that he wasn't going "crazy".

The question of "aloneness" inevitably did arise but, having had the experience, that concern was easily addressed.

However, for those with merely reading/intellectual knowledge of non-duality, it is difficult to allay concerns about "aloneness". Once one has the experience through various practices, the concern can be easily addressed as it is no longer an issue.

This is how I learned as my teacher focused strictly on PRACTICE and her resounding advice was : "PRACTICE! Only then may you ask questions".

As for whether or not non-duality can be "proven", one can cite examples that suggest non-duality to the intellect ... but that is not really a proof. The proof lies in the direct experience that arises through PRACTICE.

You raise excellent points in your post.

[Still_Waters]

Originally Posted by JustASimpleGuy

This is an interesting conundrum.

We can find fear in being tiny and isolated mortals destined to perish and also the concept of being the ultimate eternal reality without a second.

[HITESH SHAH]

Originally Posted by ayar415

QUOTE Post 18 EXCERPT:
I was using the security camera system analogy to show that there is neither you nor me as unique individuals. I don't know why God gives a different face to every body.

I did understand the analogy of security camera . And that's a great explanation of individual differing perception. I was referring to something different .

God gives a different face to have myriad different experiences from myriad POVs and variety is the spice of life .

Originally Posted by Still_Waters

I'm not even dismissing the OPs concern(s). From an anthropomorphic perspective it can be a very disturbing concept.

My advice is take it slow and start at the beginning. There's tons of high quality introductory material available, both text and video.

[ayar415]

QUOTE Post 27 EXCERPT:

Originally Posted by HITESH SHAH

God gives a different face to have myriad different experiences from myriad POVs and variety is the spice of life .

It's ok to give a different face. But why give a body with no legs or parents who are homeless beggars?

[Unseeking Seeker]

Encased within form
Yet not restrained
In the continuum graced
To so expand consciousness
Or let us say, awareness
Enveloping all that is manifest
As also the unmanifest
We alone are
There being no ‘other’
As God essence
Which is all there is
We, as spirit Absolute
Feel all entities ensouled
Empowered
Breathed
Energised
Vitalised
By God Himself
With our true essence
As He
Indivisible, inseparable
From God

Thus, God alone is
We alone are
As He

However
By our own hand
As of choiceless choice
To feel limitation
Contrast of duality
We are here
To so experience
This reflected reality

When the entity disappears
When identity is vaporised
This truth is known
Clearly
Without mirrors