Hi Leah, I’m going to give you an in-depth reply to your intro.
I used to be into non-duality for a while, diving deeply into it. No me, no body, no doer etc. I studied it for years and was able to expand my consciousness.
The way I see it now, I was taking one step of three steps that I later discovered. I will put it in a picture for you.
This is what I call the Basic Rhythm of Verbal Dancing
There are three steps in the circle
- Expanding This is where our consciousness expands through alignment with our true nature.
- Breathing Body and breath awareness, connecting with emotions and the inner child etc.
- Landing A new creative idea
When I was into non-duality, I was essentially using the non-dual language for all three of the steps, when it actually only works for the first step, Expanding.
The languaging of no one here, no body etc. is quite useless and even counterproductive when you get in touch with your feelings to follow your heart. And it is even more destructive when you create a new idea, start a new project that comes from your heart. Holding on to non-dual ideas can get you stuck on auto-pilot, put your life on hold.
In non-duality the ‘student’ is not encouraged to question these things, to think for themself. I feel it’s time that these questions are asked, inwardly and outwardly. That way you find your own philosophy because you find yourself, independent of others.
According to some of those gurus the path to enlightenment is narrow, and you need to follow their instructions to the letter to progress. How about instead life is an adventure and you could be a dolphin in the ocean, following your own flow?
Thank you for your reply, I get a lot from what you are saying.
However I am not trying to expand my consciousness.
A Guru that is worth they're weight does not show you limitations but shows you that You are Limitless.
It is said that there are many paths to enlightenment maybe as many paths as there are seekers. Which seems to me that there must be individuality within the seeker or within this dynamic form.
Non duality or Advaita in my experience does not discourage the student to question things it is even encouraged to question the Guru have a mind of our own but more we are pointed to watch the mind and discover for ourselves and to look within. Many great masters and prophets point like this; Rumi, Ramana Maharashi, Papaji and Mooji to mention some.
This life is a beautiful dance and a great flow.
I realise saying I am not the body carries some arrogance and foolishness but I did not say this. I questioned and offered others to question if they felt.
Is the body not just flesh and blood? (please see post)
Do we not say My Mind, My body, My belief, My thoughts? Who's?
I know nothing and am just looking but thank you for your comment maybe this is a looking that should be kept within.
All the best, all are free to see life as adventure a dance or to look within and find a guide.
Thank you