“All the dreams are superimposed over a common world. To some extent they shape and influence each other. The basic unity operates in spite of all.” – Nisargadatta, I Am That
While Nisargadatta is a non-dualist, statements like this leave me really wondering. Most often I understand him as saying that everything that is manifest exists in duality and only the un-manifest is non-dual. He also says that everything, the world and everything in it, is “I Am” and that without manifestations from his “I Am-ness”, the world and everything that is manifest dissolves. But, here, I read that there is a common world that is apart from all that we manifest. Hmm, or that what we manifest overlaps – and when the last person leaves the room and turns out the lights, the manifest world goes dark. But, doesn’t that mean the world manifest in I Am affects the world manifest in You Is? That makes me think of dualism. Or, more likely, the more I try to understand Nisargadatta, the more confused I become. Sometimes, the gurus talk in koans: the understanding is in realizing one cannot understand and the only nonsense is in trying. Other times, I think they just start talking in metaphysical babble and lose contact with their audience. At least, they loose me.
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.
