On Teachers

I am finding teachers of nonduality are saying very conflicting things. Some are saying they are more awake than other nonduality teachers. How can I know which is right, or which is accurate and which is misleading?

Nonduality means ‘not two’, as in there are not “two separate selves” which can be compared. The notion that there is, is an experience of thought attachment.

Then why do some nonduality teachers say that they are more awake than others?

It’s believed via thought attachment being overlooked.

But some nonduality teachers are very convincing about how much more awake they are.

Thought attachment can be very convincing.

Why do some nonduality teachers say there are not separate selves?

Because that is what nonduality means; not two.

How can the truth of this matter be verified directly?

By inspecting the claim which is being asserted of “more and less awake selves” in direct experience, to see if it is anything more than the activity of thought, or, beliefs.

How would one go about that?

Direct experience, most simply, is that of awareness aware of; thought, perception, and sensation.

First, inspect sensation. Is there the presence of sensation, such as in the bottoms of the feet?

Notice, an ‘inward check’ occurs, and it is directly found that indeed there is, the presence of sensation, in the bottoms of the feet. Notice thought has nothing to do with this ‘inward check’ - notice the presence of sensation is, wether thought to be or thought not to be.

Is there the presence of sensation throughout the entire body, from the bottoms of the feet to the very crown of the head?

Notice, the same ‘inward check’ occurs, and it is found there is the presence of sensation throughout the entire body. Notice once more, thought has nothing to do with this. Thought arises afterwards, in hindsight, about this (sensation).

Now, in the exact same ‘inward checking’ manor… see if any separation is found directly in the presence of sensation. Feel for and try to find any actual separation, edge, or border, in the presence of sensation.

If it seems that any separation, edge, or border is found in the presence of sensation, notice, that is a thought which arose, and return attention directly ‘inward’, to the presence of sensation.

As it is noticed that there is no separation, edge, or border found in the presence of sensation… is it simultaneously noticed that any ‘edge’, ‘border’, or ‘separation’ is only found, in direct experience, as an arising thought… about there being… a separation, edge, or border.

So then Self & other is only thoughts believed?

Yes.

So when a nondual teacher is saying there is actual separation, such as a “me” and an “other”, which is “more or less” conscious or aware… they’re essentially BELIEVING the thoughts, about there being separate selves, and the thoughts about the comparison being made therein?

Yes.

So, why then would a nonduality teacher be so misleading?

This is the nature of thought attachment, or, believing thoughts.

But nonetheless it seems like something should be done about this. Don’t you agree?

Nothing is already being done about this.

What?

Nothing, or, no thing, not a thing, nothingness… that which is ‘the presence of sensation’… and is ineffably without any separation, edges, borders, properties or conditions… is unconditional love.

So how is nothing, no thing, unconditional love, “already doing something about this”?

The discord of the beliefs and of the misrepresentation & misleadership, is already felt, by unconditional love. There is very literally nothing which needs to be done, and nothing is already being done.

But, shouldn’t I say something, in regard to how DIVISIVE, deceptive & misleading this information is?

Draw not upon argument or righteousness, but upon empathy & compassion. One lets go of beliefs precisely as One is ready to. When misleading information is heard, and the discord therein is felt, ‘return’ again to the unconditional presence of sensation, feeling ‘it’ is only more pronounced. Allow these thoughts to come & go, feeling directly, that which is truly ineffable and never comes & never goes.

But honestly, it makes me angry. What can I do about the anger, how can I let it go?

When you are feeling anger, humbly acknowledge the truth of direct experience; that this is the experience of discord, of suffering. Recognize the wisdom in ‘hurt people, hurt people’, ‘the blind leading the blind;, and mindfully be the change you wish to see in your world.

Wish this discord, this suffering, this dis-ease upon another, in the same measure you would wish it upon yourself.

Lend compassion, the very best of you, in the same measure you would have it imbued upon yourself - and indeed it shall be.

As Rumi so perfectly said, ‘what you seek is seeking you’.
Love is allowed & received now or not now.

It’s not so much about the interpretations or concepts, the activity of thought or beliefs, what you’ve heard or seen, where you’ve been and what you’ve accomplished, nor identity therein, ‘ego death’, new spiritual egos, nor teachers or students. The Truth is simple. When we allow it to be so - love is the common sense.

“Know yourself as nothing; feel yourself as everything.”
“Love is the absence of people.”

Rupert Spira