Ananta

Are you trying to say there is no transmigration in Mithya (illusion)?

@Joseph Maynor In Vedanta, Mithya (illusion) is also Brahman. The world is illusion Brahman alone is real The world is Brahman.

Words are only pointers, agree 100%! But, not everything can be an analogy or a metaphor, so a discussion it may seem "concrete" to some, but it's always only pointing.

Just because it's Mithya (illusion) doesn't mean it doesn't exist phenomenally.

Lets keep it really simple. I'm certain of two things, I'm aware and I exist. I know I exist, because I experience, but I also know that experience is ultimately an illusion. When I negate all phenomenal objects, including thoughts, feelings, emotions. "I AM" no-thing, I just AM.

To me, Atman is the portion of Brahman that at any given time is permeating the body/mind, but ultimately is Brahman alone. Any type of soul reference relates to the subtle body, not Atman.

Ok fine (I don't really know), but some word, to me, needs to be used. Otherwise, how can we discuss Brahman? I usually say, awareness, but on this forum I expand that to what the poster seems to understand. As I try to be somewhat flexible.

It explains the teaching with concepts and a cosmology to explain duality (meeting someone where they are), gives practices like karma yoga to the apparent person. Then, through the teaching methodology and Jnana yoga brings that same apparent person/jiva out of duality and into Self-realization, then Moksha. This is a condensed explaination, you didn't understand my original, so I expanded a tad.

It meets you in duality (ie. Karma yoga, ect), to bring you out of it.

My advice, for what it's worth, if your going to make a statement that could be misinterpreted by newbies. You should probably clarify what you actually mean. Unless, you're "trying" to cause them confusion? ..I would hope not. (Ie. "I stabbed myself to death"..and.." I honest to god couldn't tell the difference between a shelf and myself")

It's creating an idea of freedom/liberation (enlightenment) being "mystical". That creates false notions in others and keeps them chasing a non-existent carrot. Realization is mind blowing, in the sense that you realize something you never noticed before (that's always here) and when this hits home in a deep way it becomes very humorous. Just my 2 cents.

Because when you apprehend your true nature, it's not something that everyone else doesn't already have. It's who/what you are. So, why is it special? It's not. Some just haven't realized it yet. It's not something to be idolized, as if it's not "you" already. Ego likes to co-opt this realization, so one needs to be on the look out for that.

@Natasha I cover that by saying, "If you mean the are both made of/created from awareness, then I get that." People are idolizing him on this thread. I don't know if he doesn't see that or see's that and likes it. If it's the latter, it's all ego.

@Vladimir Don't worry about them... there are some who are taken care of...of course they see it the way they do. If you have real duties in the world you do them, knowing they won't get done otherwise. I have to go to work each day, that my duty and I do it.

I'm not trying to "attack" you, I swear. But, I call bullshit on this comment of yours. You're trying to tell everyone you don't recognize a difference between you and a shelf? Or is this again another metaphor? If you mean the are both made of/created from awareness, then I get that. If you mean literally you don't see a difference, then how do you know when your eating if you're feeding your mouth or the shelf?? Some of your comments need explanations, do you see that?

Lol, I know who "I am", but thanks. I also know If you literally stabbed yourself to "death", as you seemed to say, you wouldn't be typing here, hence me saying you'd be delusional.

Gee, I was hoping..lol. if not, I was going to say you were delusional.

What??

Success is in the eye of the beholder. One cant look at anothers life and call it a success, as you do not have their subjective perspective. Striving for betterment of one's life is part of Maslow's hierarchy of needs. Once you obtain one level, their is another, until actualization. On a personal note, I was 34 when I went to nursing school to become an RN. I'm now an administrative nurse. I was completely driven back then, I know longer have that kind of drive, but it did allow me to have a career now where I don't have to worry about money, but I'm not an excessive spender either. Having to earn money is part of life, unless you have someone taking care of you. Might as well earn a good living, why not?

Sounds like you need a bit more balance. Whenever one becomes unbalanced it seems as if problems can potentially arise. If your good with it, then it's not problem.

Maybe try meditating throughout the day, when your out and about. Where stuff really kicks up (emotions, thoughts, feelings). Other then tons of Self-inquiry, that's basically what I've done. I was not really one for formal meditation practice. Imo, 3-4 hours a day is too much.

Sorry, let's broaden the perspective for a moment. You "are" awareness, every-thing IS you, awareness. You awareness have a power within you called Maya (as you are limitless) and it has caused the "appearance" of this universal intellegence called Isvara (god/creator) to be superimposed upon/within itself. Isvara has created the phenomenal manifestation out of awareness. It is but a "reflection" of pure awareness (like a hologram). Your body/mind is part of that manifestation, but the real you (awareness/consciousness) is completely free of this phenomenal manifestation. You are whole, complete, limitless and attributeless. You "witness" this creation. So, whether the the apparent person reincarnates or not, doesn't effect you, awareness. The problem at this moment is you think you "are" the body/mind, because you (awareness) are associated with it, but "you" are the "witness" OF the body/mind (jiva). Use discrimination, I'm not this, not that..until there is only "you" left... The answer is in "negating" all objects, including thoughts. What's left?? I hope I didn't lose you...if so, I'll clarify.

Don't worry your memory would be wiped clean, just like you don't remember your last life, you won't remember this life, when the next comes.

@john5170 I think it's more conditioning and/or personality that tends to make people too serious. I can be this way too. I had the type of childhood where I had to be the adult many times. It made me have to grow up too quick, take things seriously at a young age. Don't get me wrong I've got a good sense of humor, but takes a minute (or some wine) to get there sometimes. It's just how I'm programmed.

Lol, could you imagine if I did that..8-9 years of "today I didn't dream". Lots of wasted paper..hahaha