dwai

https://www.medhajournal.com/dcar-vs-sbnr/ This is an article written by yours truly, in response to an oft-repeated admonishment about how we should never conflate the Absolute *Nondual* truth with the relative, transactional and dualistic reality. Feel free to post your reactions/comments/thoughts

That is the function of Māyā. It results in avidyā (ignorance of our true nature), which results in ever-changing names and forms appearing and disappearing. As soon as the jñāna (knowledge of our true nature) is revealed, it is no longer known to be "real".

Since y'all *are* discussing astral visions and beyond, let me share an experience I had doing some meditation with another member of this board. This has to do with the Kriya Yoga lineage and Babaji (Lahiri Mahasaya's Guru). FWIW, I have not an iota of doubt that what Yogananda wrote in his autobiography is not only absolutely true, but that the book is actually a "trigger" that sets off a spiritual process in the readers who are ready. What "ready" means is that the individual should have sufficient past life actions coming to fruition (meditation and spiritual work in previous lifetimes), or has been a member of this particular lineage in previous lifetimes. There is room for mystical experiences and mystical practices in the spiritual realm. Mystical experiences are wonderful vistas and pointers, encouraging signposts in the spiritual journey. Here's my "story" of Babaji. BTW, my Master, who is perhaps one of the most powerful mystics I have encountered, also had a very amazing encounter with Babaji.

There is a pedagogy that is needed, because the senses and mind are so beholden with the “world”. The “unreal” is only the names and forms (Nāma, rūpa). These are called the “jagadrūpam”. The world has three other aspects - “asti, bhātī, priyam (existent, shining/illumined and loved). These correspond to sat (Pure Being/Existence), chit (Pure Awareness which illuminates), ānanda (Pure Bliss/Joy/Love) and constitute “brahmarūpam”. So to go from “unreal”(aka changing) to “real” (unchanging), is possible in every moment. There really is no contradiction.

This video is excellent as it gives a very pragmatic approach to taking Advaita Vedanta knowledge into our daily lives. Interestingly, it clarifies a lot of misconceptions about AV (often demonstrated on daobums as well ). If you want to *really* hear about AV from a genuine master’s mouth, please watch this (and other videos too) video lecture by Swami Sarvapriyananda.

The reason I brought it up is because it really does vary. For instance, there is a group of people who aim for alchemical enlightenment - aka immortality (rainbow body, etc). That is a different ideal from enlightenment that is the goal of wisdom traditions such as Advaita Vedanta or Buddhism.

First we have to define what "enlightenment" means.

This is a good sign. You are able to recognize the “void” in your life. It is due to a primordial programming that is in us all. Most people go through life trying to fill this void with things, people and relationships. But it cannot be filled that way. More you reach out into the phenomenal world for fulfillment, the more you end up yearning. The only way to fill this void is to seek its source. Where from is this void originating? Towards that end, qigong will definitely help. But not in the way most people understand it. Developing your Qi, powers, etc won’t solve this problem. The answer is in a side-effect of qigong or other such mind-body repetitive practices. It results in focusing of the mind and eventually stilling of the mind. At that point, with a still (empty) mind, when you seek the source of the void, you will find the solution to that which is at the root of all suffering in the world. And with it, all suffering will simply disappear...

The purpose of Qigong is cultivating Qi.

If you have questions about Advaita Vedanta or even generic non dual practice, I'd recommend watching it. The questions and associated answers don't involve just technical/academic concepts of vedanta. They are practical and have simple and lucid advice towards practice and meditation. With sessions such as these, often we find our most pressing questions answered. I've experienced this time and again with Swamis in person (e.g., in a live satsang) and especially with Swami Sarvapriyananda's sessions.

This video is highly recommended. Ashtāvakra Gita is one of the highest level texts of Advaita Vedanta. But watch it at your own peril

Dao Yin is a moving practice and has many useful functions, primarily around health maintenance and improvement.

The term "cultivation" evokes the sense that the mind-body complex is a field in which certain "crops" are being cultivated. What are they? Some may call them "virtues". What these virtues are going to vary based on our progression on the path. Initially it may start as martial power, ethics, morals, etc etc. But with time they will be revealed to be aspects of our "true nature" - stillness, emptiness. Eventually, one will get to a point where it becomes apparent, that the cultivation was more a de-cluttering, and eventually, nothing at all. The crops were always there and there never existed a separate field, the crops or the process of cultivation.

In terms of thoughts, my understanding is very clear. Anything that has a name and/or form in the mind is a thought. If there is not a name and/or form involved, it is no longer a thought. There is an entire realm of consciousness that operates beyond thought. I keep coming back to 'antahkarana' (of Indic traditions) vs the western idea of the 'mind' over and over again. This page does a decent job of pointing out the difference -- http://tripurashakti.com/antahkarana/