I recently spoke with a few people on the topic of Oneness and Awareness (as they called it). The general movement of the talk was on questioning the very phrases we use to describe this kind of living; that we become complacent with phrases like Oneness, Awareness, Enlightenment, and so on. One of the listeners asked why I question those phrases so rigorously. It is simple really.
Investigation
We hold these popular phrases at arms length for investigation. Those phrases – All One, All is One, I am That – and so on, are highly suspicious as they’ve now become a popular lingo that people use when they think they KNOW.
For example, the seeker might have read so-and-so guru and may be able to grasp an intellectual understanding of the thing, then they go out into the world repeating and repeating, what is essentially, second-hand information. Or perhaps we might call it, eloquent hearsay. But knowledge, or a kind of comfortable knowing, cannot bring us to this creative explosion of life.
Those phrases, at some point in time, might have held transformative properties, but now people are well read on the subject and know ‘how it works’. But what do they really know?
It is easy, you see. We learn to overcome difficulties in the physical world through knowledge and experience. And this function of the human being is brilliant. It still fascinates Takuin how this brain, mind, or whatever it is, can look at a problem, see a possible solution, then work it out to a satisfactory conclusion. It is the most amazing mechanism. But the true seeing of what we really are has nothing to do with knowledge, or this beautiful mechanism of the physical world.
When we hold these phrases close to us, hoping to get this or that out of them, or hoping we can convince someone else of our enlightenment, it is more than just fooling ourselves and others; it is damning to the fundamental decency of humanity.
But What About…
Someone asked me, “Is it possible an actual enlightened person might use those phrases?” Well, that is really none of your concern. What does that have to do with anything? Maybe you hope to find the right guru so finally you might have the peace you seek. Or if you can be sure of the true status of the teacher you can keep yourself from being let down once again. But it is all irrelevant. It is that very reliance – the permission you seek – that will keep you stuck in the hole.
Perhaps we still hold on to these things out of our fear? Or it could be we cannot believe each one of us already holds the highest wisdom of any guru? But there is still that separation; the wisdom of the guru versus the lack of wisdom of the seeker. It is a wastage of energy.
Maybe if we put the energy into our own investigation that we waste worrying about the right thing to do, we’d be much better off.
The Words We Use
Whenever you use those phrases, question it. Find out if you really live it – right down to the cells in your body – or if it is just a copy and paste way of living. You may not like what you find, but that truth may indeed set you free.
It may take great strength for you to look into yourself in this way. But no one else can do this for you.
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Hi Takuin
There is a further layer to this. Sometimes, one does have such an experience when words like this may suit. Afterward, the mind is engaged and tries to find such words and concepts to understand. There is a desire for confirmation and verification. This is normal.
But what happens is similar to any other memory. Mind wants to hold it. We try to keep the experience alive in our memory. But we gradually replace the memory with a story. The memory fades and the story remains.
Thus, we no longer have a “spiritual experience”, we have a story we tell about an experience. It just becomes another part of the construct. In fact, that story can be a barrier to becoming as we hold the story up rather than letting it go. I’ve seen people who are “ripe” to awaken but too deeply holding their stories about “reality” from a past experience.
If they question the story as you suggest, they will find it hollow and leave a space for being to enter.
Davidya,
That is it. One might have an awakened moment, and enlightened moment, or perhaps they say there are times when they are awake, but instead of seeing how this is happening within them, they’ll keep pushing through to have their next ‘experience’ of enlightenment.
We have all heard this before. One says, “I was awake for a short time, but it went away.” But you are once again talking in your sleep, so how can you be sure? One might need to completely devote themselves to this in order to see the subtlety.
You cannot extend this awakening, you can’t make it last or somehow force its continuity. It is something natural, like scratching your leg when it itches. But I should not say that, otherwise there might be a few people out there looking for itches to scratch in order to be natural.
(laughs) Yes, it becomes increasingly apparent just how little the “me” has to do with any of this. Even the idea there is any “say”. It simply unfolds as it will when it will, through whatever seeming obstacles or openings we may have created.
Many people do not realize how powerful they truly are. There they look for all the answers outside of themselves, thinking that all the answers are external when the answers are internal. Any good guru or teacher helps a student look inward so that the student recognizes their own power.
Also, spiritual has become such a popular term now that society has lost track of what it really means. Many times people use that term to describe themselves but the definition for the word ceases to exist due to the fact that it has been watered down. So it has become like enlightenment…what does it mean and I truly think that those who are enlightened just are…they do not define. Defining something, on some level, limits it. It is like love..how can we define love? I don’t think we can.
Nadia,
Humanity in general does not trust its own inner teaching. And this teaching is the same for all of us. The content may vary from person to person, but that is merely a superficial difference.
The only thing a guru might do is point out how we are functioning from moment to moment. But even that is meaningless if we do not take a breath and see it for ourselves. After all, the guru could be wrong, so we must find out what is really there.
It is the conclusions attached to those definitions that causes problems.
If we use the word simply as a pointer to help further our investigation, and if all speakers and listeners understand this, then the definition might serve us well.
But there is that dark side when the listener or speaker takes the word, builds it into a conclusion, a structure to adhere to, to worship, to carry like Aegis, and integrates it so fully into their image of themselves that it cannot be questioned or seen through without causing great pain.
I suppose there is not much wrong with definitions, but they are deadly when we attach them to the hilt of a sword, hide behind our shields, and stab out at the rest of humanity.
Good article.
It’s talking about the “finger pointing to the moon.” There is a lot of talk about oneness, bliss, various levels of consciousness, spirituality and so on. These words are becoming as meaningless as God and religion have been.
I suppose these intellectual c0nstructs can give meaning to experience after a shift. In my experience, all of this mental ping-pong is an obstacle.
“Whenever you use those phrases, question it. Find out if you really live it – right down to the cells in your body…”
Yes, perfect.
Thank you, Kaushik.
It could be that everything we’ve been taught about this is the ultimate hindrance.
Yes, Kaushik, there is a lot of talk with those words – on my blog too. (laughs)
I would agree – look and see if it’s a concept or if you live it and to what degree.
There is the balance point. It’s quite true that concepts can be the ultimate hindrance. Indeed, the concepts of awakening can be the final barrier to awakening. But I’ve also found great value in a sense of the way of the road, an overview of the journey and an exploration of what arises. One is much less likely to fight the process if we’re conscious of what’s going on. And we don’t think we’re going off our nut. (laughs)
There will be those who find deep value in an exploration of what is going on. And there are others who will make a story about it.
This is the process in a nutshell. At first, we are simply looking for “better” answers, new concepts. But eventually, we’re ready for more and we begin following Takuin’s advice and questioning everything. At some point, the concepts are dissolved enough that the light can shine through. And then we hear the voices of the past in a whole new light. The teaching shifts from being a bunch of concepts to mirroring our journey. A much greater depth emerges.
We could say “the common phrase” goes from meaning to meaningless and back to meaning again…
Are all stories/experiences: illusions/walls/hindrances/blocks to everyone evolving/enlightment/spirituality/aha’s here?
A small boy is out riding his bike he falls and a stranger stops and helps him up and his bike has tweaked frame. The stranger puts the bike right and after he is recovered enough to ride again he gets back on his bike. The stranger is thanked by the boy and the man smiles and so too does the boy and they part ways.
Hi Diane,
I’m afraid I don’t understand the meaning of your example…could you please go into it a bit further?
Thanks a lot…
This relates to the latest post:
http://www.takuin.com/are-you-more-than-experience/
If I may, I would say experiences are not a hindrances to awakening. As was observed on the other post by Tom and myself, experiencing continues. The ‘hindrance’ is in our relationship to the experience. Is it held or rejected? Or is simply experienced, as in your example?
It is the holding and pushing away that supports the construct or illusion. And even the Aha’s and “spiritual experiences” can be co-opted by that story. When we let go or allow it to be as it is, then the relationship changes. The story ends.
Familiarity can include more “hooks”. For example, stepping out of the family dynamics can be one of the most potent. Does the awakening last even when you visit the parents? (laughs)
That’s it right there, Davidya.
I guess I am asking if being familiar/experiencing with something hinders the natural organic process of enlightment? Maybe I am not understanding comments to this posts as well. And the fact that when enlightment/spirituality becomes popular like the story I used does it become anything less than what it is at the moment? Because its still there or maybe triggered at certain moments which is quite common for most living human beings in social interactions. Or is that a construct as well? All the blocks/experiences/etc. stories as well? Just like so many guru stories of the one who did some monatenous thing ends up being the choice for his leadership once he is gone? I do understand some people can live in the past and repeat patterns that seem out of all space and time as far a present time but many do not do this as well. If that is the only point? I should be embracing in this? Is all story telling/remembering something that hurts and harms spirtual seekers? Jeese now you have a ton of questions…more than your post…lol
Thanks Diane,
When we are speaking of experience here, it is not the same as familiarity or memory. It is something different from that, as Davidya pointed out on the reply above.
It is true, it can only be what it is, but the only thing you can be aware of is how you are functioning from moment to moment. Do not delegate your ‘awareness’ or ‘perception’ to what you’ve been taught by another, because it is not true seeing in the way we are talking about.
Someone comes along and says, “Enlightenment is like this or that.” Now they may turn out to be correct, but you’ll never know if you take their word for it. Most people will hear a pleasing phrase, accept it to be true, then try to fold and contort their lives to fit in with the phrase. But they have nothing but a new attachment, a new plaything.
If there is something harmful there, you will most likely find it in the seeking, and not in the remembering.
So maybe awakening can end when you not in family as well…why not the other way around…it is what it is with the family?
Why is awakening something that fluctuates so then or does it?
If you are awakened? Why then is “awekening” so easily lost? Like all experiences it is what it is…can not really be changed…moments can change that is all??? The one who experienced it still has the body of experience right?
Gosh hope Takuin can give his insights…on both comments…still!
Thanks, Davina!
What is not a divine experience?
Hi Diane
That was supposed to be joke (laughs). When people approach awakening, they can tend to waver a bit. It comes and goes. Periods of silence, happiness and/or expansion, followed by periods of not. This is because it remains an experience. They are experiencing something, so it comes and goes as all experiences do. (however we may try to hold them)
Actual awakening is a permanent shift, an apparent change in who we are. Rather than being a person experiencing silence, we are silence experiencing a person.
People will describe this in different ways as you can only describe the experience, not the being.
Now, even after the switch, the experience (again) can vary. Part is still an experience. Often, additional clearing is required. And there can be much deepening and expansion as we settle deeper into the foundations.
On the question – what is not a divine experience? Nothing, if that is your experience. But if it’s a story or concept that all experiences are divine, is that an illusion or divinity? That’s something only you can answer.
Diane,
From Davidya:
You might also want to consider, if this does indeed happen to ‘Diane,’ there will be absolutely nothing you can do about it. It will become apparent that nothing you did do might have made a difference. There will simply be no real way of knowing.
You might be able to theorize, or even remember what might have happened to you in sequential order, but it will not hold any weight anymore. Perhaps that is due to the disappearance of the person trying to find enlightenment, which is also the disappearance of that person’s desires as well.
Upon hearing that, you might think, “That sounds great!” But the person thinking that will not survive, either.
But don’t take my word for it…..
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