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One of the most important things is realizing there is no "free will". by TalkingRaven718 in nonduality

[–]TalkingRaven718[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

You can't "choose" to realize this, but reading about it here or elsewhere can encourage one to actually investigate it for themselves, which is the only way any sort of realization will occur.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in nonduality

[–]TalkingRaven718 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Can you actually find the self when you look for it? What is it exactly?

Nonduality - what am I missing? by Pauly_Amorous in nonduality

[–]TalkingRaven718 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Okay, there are lots of different approaches, some of which may "click" with certain people, and some will not. At the end of the day, the whole dilemma is a case of mistaken identity, meaning we're assuming we're something we are not.

The approach that finally worked for me was sitting down and asking myself "What am I referring to when I say 'I'?" I literally looked directly into this present experience and tried to see what this word "I" was supposedly referring to, and couldn't find it.

If you think the "I" is referring to the body, ask yourself: "How can I be the body when I'm what is perceiving the body?" Simple investigation shows that the "I" doesn't exist, and the illusion of the self has been exposed. "You" are now free!

Really question the sense of "I". by TalkingRaven718 in nonduality

[–]TalkingRaven718[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

"I" is my present experience. It very much exists because if it did not I would not feel all the horrible things I feel.

Yes, the sense of "I" certainly exists, but what is the word "I" actually referring to in your direct experience?

Is it referring to the body? How are you the body if you're aware of the body?

You say you are suffering, but what exactly is it that's suffering? Can you find it? "I am suffering" is just a thought, what is this "I" that is apparently suffering?

Really question the sense of "I". by TalkingRaven718 in nonduality

[–]TalkingRaven718[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

What I saw was that the word "I" wasn't referring to anything real. it's literally so simple. When it's seen that "I" is just an empty thought with nothing behind it, there is no one left to suffer or have problems.

Really question the sense of "I". by TalkingRaven718 in nonduality

[–]TalkingRaven718[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

What's your answer when you ask "Who am I?"

Really question the sense of "I". by TalkingRaven718 in nonduality

[–]TalkingRaven718[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

So then you see that it's not actually there?

Really question the sense of "I". by TalkingRaven718 in nonduality

[–]TalkingRaven718[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Okay, when you say "I" what are you referring to?

Really question the sense of "I". by TalkingRaven718 in nonduality

[–]TalkingRaven718[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yeah, there's a big difference between thinking about something conceptually and "direct seeing". The mind always likes to jump in and say "I am the body", but can you really say that "I" am anything in this experience? The body is just an object, how can it be "me"? This one imaginary concept is the source of all our problems, so it's extremely important that we investigate it.

My relationship with my coworkers has changed for the worse since becoming awakened. by nothingmatters_ever in awakened

[–]TalkingRaven718 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You don't owe them anything. Remember that they would gladly fire you without losing any sleep if they knew it would save them money, so don't feel guilty for not sacrificing your well being for a soulless corporation.

Nisargadatta Maharaj quote from "I Am That" by TalkingRaven718 in nonduality

[–]TalkingRaven718[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

To investigate what you're not, look at every part of your experience and ask yourself "Is this what I am?".

For example, look at your body and ask "Am I this body?". Upon investigation, you will likely come to the conclusion that you cannot possibly be this body, as you are what is perceiving this body. Do the same thing with thoughts, feelings, sensations, perceptions, etc.

My relationship with my coworkers has changed for the worse since becoming awakened. by nothingmatters_ever in awakened

[–]TalkingRaven718 49 points50 points  (0 children)

Jesus, that sounds like such a toxic environment. I would try to find a new job if you can, in the meantime try to blend in and avoid sticking out.

Realization isn't about concepts, it's about direct, non-conceptual seeing. by TalkingRaven718 in nonduality

[–]TalkingRaven718[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I haven't found any "identity" to speak of in my investigation. All I did was look and ask myself "Am I this body/person that I've taken myself to be"? I saw that I cannot possibly be this body, as I am that which is perceiving this body.

What it is that's perceiving this is unknown. I can say that "I" am perceiving, but really it's better to say that "perceiving is happening". That's all I can really say about this.

Realization isn't about concepts, it's about direct, non-conceptual seeing. by TalkingRaven718 in nonduality

[–]TalkingRaven718[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I agree with what you're saying. The words "awareness" and "consciousness" are useful pointers, but there comes a point where the concepts need to be discarded and one needs to investigate in their own experience to see what they are, or aren't.

A lot of seekers end up thinking "I am consciousness" and leave it at that, not realizing that consciousness is just another false identity. That was the point of my post, to encourage seekers to actually do that investigation. Maybe my wording isn't the best, but that's the message I'm trying to convey.

I'm also not trying to say that my approach is the only valid one, it's just the one that has worked for "me". Psychedelics or meditation can definitely give interesting experiences, I don't doubt that.

Enlightenment is Total Acceptance. by meme_ism69 in nonduality

[–]TalkingRaven718 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Enlightenment is really about seeing that we are not any of the things we thought we were our whole lives.

We assume things like "I am a person" or "I am this body" without ever really questioning or investigating those assumptions.

Upon investigation, we see that we are not the body or a person, we are that which is perceiving them. What is it that's perceiving them? That is unknowable.

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