I read Nisargadatta and try to understand his image of non-duality, but I don’t. The notion seems to be that if we are all of the unmanifest, then in that context we are all one and everything is of the unmanifest non-dual real. Thus, “I Am” implies the beyond, the unmanifest. I guess each of us, in our I Am-ness, is the same beyond, therefore we are all one in the context of the beyond. In fact, we are not We Are, but the undefinable unmanifest.
However, to me, in our state of being manifest, we are in a temporary state of duality. I can accept that when the wave crests and many drops of water are cast up into the air as individual drops, they are all still of the ocean, a great oneness, and that when they fall back into the ocean they loose their individuality but not their separateness, their duality, even though they do not loose their absolute essence because they are and always were the ocean. Still, in that temporal state, they are, in my mind, separate.
That still leaves the notion of a non-dual, non-state that is absolute reality and is beyond, far beyond, completely beyond consciousness. OK, I will accept that as a stipulation. But, it still leaves me that nagging question. If the unmanifest is beyond consciousness and there is no concept of self or awareness of self, how does it differ from the fundamental notion behind nihilism? If I am not aware that I am in bliss, what is the difference and why do I want to go there?
About bodhimitta
Professionally, I have had several primary careers in life, starting with a dozen years in the U.S. Army in the Military Intelligence field, then some years as an electronics technician in both the civilian and defense industries, and finally computer software, where I have been engaged for about 25 years.
My first serious attempt to adopt a spiritual path was in 1987 as a result of life gone awry and an attempt to get myself back on track. This took me to forms of Christianity, with which I did not connect well, and after a few years I left this path.
By 2001 I was bitter, demoralized, at odds with the world and everybody in it, including myself. Reaching a breaking point, I again threw myself into an effort to change my life. Being willing to try anything, I investigated several religions, studying their scripture and practicing their ways to one extent or another. Eventually this led to Hinduism and meditation, and seeking meditation training led me to Buddhism where I finally found my spiritual home. My path is born out of suffering and the Buddha speaks to me.
I have been committed to a Buddhist path for 10 years, studied the Pali canon for several years under the guidance of a Buddhist teacher, and sat a number of formal Vipassana and concentration meditation retreats and private retreats, the longest being 5 weeks in private retreat. I've made pilgrimage and spent months experiencing the history and culture of Buddhism in several Asian countries. I believe strongly in practice as a part of life and meet several times a week with people who have an ongoing, engaged practice. My experience is that teachers are found in centers, sangha is found in living rooms, and the dhamma is found in life.
