Hey, you *attained enlightenment* when reading a specific quote by rupert spira . Yet instead of talking about non duality in contemplative way you teach mindfulness. I see this pattern alot with other teachers as well. Getting enlightenment reading a non fiality book yet they teach something else which perhaps might not get one towards enlightenment. I was curious your thought on it

@mikekewley3186

11 ай бұрын

Hi, thanks for your comment and observation. Non-duality leaves nothing out, it is the direct recognition that everything is empty awareness expressing as the tree, the bird, the thought and emotion. This means that there is nothing extra to “do” to gain what you are. But it doesn’t mean that we then discount or deny the practices, methods or techniques designed to help people recognise their enlightened state. I can tell you that you are God, you are silent still awareness and that therefore there is nothing else to seek. You understand it as an idea, you like the idea, it makes sense. But are you now enlightened? This is why the teachers of reality often use methods and investigations to help others deconstruct their own identity and attachments to thoughts, feelings and emotions. For example both the Buddha and Ramana Maharshi has a silent realisation which seemed impossible to communicate with others, and yet they both developed ways of guiding people back into their original freedom. It is said that the Buddha taught thousands of methods. Why? Because words rarely hit the target. But ultimately upon recognition we see that because there is only ultimate reality, our practices and methods are none other than that too. This is non-duality. Not two. Nothing left out but also nothing to gain. All we gain is an understanding. This is why Zen Master Dogen said that the practice of meditation is the expression of enlightenment, not the seeking for it. I teach Mindfulness which includes guiding people back into their own original freedom through many methods. Everyone is different. Sometimes I point back people back into their own silent awareness, sometimes we focus on breath until the mind dissolves, sometimes we sit with the body until the body becomes space. These are all useful, weening us off the constant identity with the mind and the apparent self. Whatever we imagine enlightenment to be, it certainly involves a radically freeing relationship to our thoughts, emotions and circumstances, and a direct experience of who and what we are as a fact, not as an idea. Non-duality will rob you of all ideas. You will see that there is nothing more to say, there is no argument or comparison to make. Everything is as it is. Those are my thoughts, I hope you find them helpful, Mike.