Nisargadatta and Tony Parsons discussion (gpt)

[PurpleTree]

A hypothetical discussion between Nisargadatta Maharaj and Tony Parsons would be both fascinating and confrontational in subtle ways. While both speak from the standpoint of non-duality and the radical absence of a separate self, their styles, language, and contextual frameworks are very different. Here’s how their exchange might unfold:

 

 

 

Setting: A modest Mumbai apartment, with incense faint in the air. Nisargadatta Maharaj sits cross-legged, smoking a bidi. Tony Parsons enters, offering a quiet nod.

 

 

 

 

Nisargadatta Maharaj (NM)

:

 

 

You come here with questions. But who is asking? Find that one. Everything else is illusion.

 

 

Tony Parsons (TP)

:

 

 

There is no one here asking. There is only what is happening. The appearance of questioning arises in nothing.

 

 

NM

 

(nodding slowly)

:

 

 

Yes… The ‘I’ is merely a thought. But until one has investigated this fully, the illusion of the ‘person’ remains. That illusion must be broken through inquiry and earnestness.

 

 

TP

:

 

 

That presumes there is someone who can inquire. There is no path, no seeker, and no attainment. Liberation is the already-this. The idea of a journey or effort is part of the illusion.

 

 

NM

 

(slightly firm)

:

 

 

The fire of self-inquiry burns the false. Without earnest effort, the mind continues its mischief. One must abide in the ‘I am’—not as a mantra, but as the doorway. Then the rest drops away.

 

 

TP

:

 

 

But ‘abiding in the I am’ is still a practice. It suggests time and becoming. That’s the dream. There is no ‘I am’ to abide in. There is only what already is—nothing appearing as everything. There never was a separate self.

 

 

NM

 

(pointing his finger)

:

 

 

To say “there is no self” is easy. But for whom is that clear? It must be one’s direct realization. Otherwise, it is mere words—another idea in the mind. First know yourself as the pure beingness. Then go beyond even that.

 

 

TP

:

 

 

And yet the suggestion that someone must ‘know’ or ‘realize’ still rests on the illusory premise that there is someone to do so. In liberation, there is no one left to awaken. That was always part of the illusion.

 

 

 

 

Key Contrasts

:

 

Aspect

Nisargadatta Maharaj

Tony Parsons

View on seeking

Seeker is real until realized to be false

Seeker is illusion from the outset

Method

Self-inquiry: “Abide in I Am”

No method, no path, no practice

Language

Dualistic as a teaching device (to transcend)

Radical non-dual; no concessions

Tone

Fierce, devotional, sometimes confrontational

Gentle, detached, uncompromisingly non-personal

 

 

 

 

Conclusion

:

 

 

While Nisargadatta uses provisional concepts to guide the seeker to realization, Tony Parsons asserts that even the idea of seeking is illusory. Nisargadatta points to a process, albeit one that ends in the recognition of timeless being. Parsons denies any process, stating the whole setup is part of the illusion.

 

Their conversation would likely circle around the tension between “apparent effort” vs. “nothing to do.” Nisargadatta might view Tony’s stance as potentially premature or misunderstood by many, while Tony might see Nisargadatta’s method as reinforcing the very illusion it seeks to dissolve.

 

Yet ultimately, both are speaking about the same reality—just from different levels of the dream.

 

 

 

[Inliytened1]

Tony parsons is not enlightened. Nisargadatta was. Tony is a false prophet.   It's easy to say there is no self but to realize it there must have been one to realize.  These neo-advaitans are the worst kind.  Almost worse than hard Christians.

Edited Wednesday at 10:54 PM by Inliytened1

[PurpleTree]

Just now, Inliytened1 said:

Tony parsons is not enlightened. Nisargadatta was. Tony is a false prophet.   It's easy to say there is no self but to realize it there must have been one to realize. 

Got it boss. Thanks for your wisdom.

[Inliytened1]

2 minutes ago, PurpleTree said:

Got it boss. Thanks for your wisdom.

Imo neo-advaitans are worse than Christians.   It's such a distortion and twisting of Truth that it's of the deepest kind.

 

Edited Wednesday at 10:57 PM by Inliytened1

[PurpleTree]

1 minute ago, Inliytened1 said:

Imo neo-advaitans are worse than Christians.   It's such a distortion and twisting of Truth of the deepest kind.

 

Exactly mr boss. Dunk on them. Sick people. Gnarly.

[Inliytened1]

Just now, PurpleTree said:

Exactly mr boss. Dunk on them. Sick people. Gnarly.

Stop with the sarcasm.

[PurpleTree]

Just now, Inliytened1 said:

Stop with the sarcasm.

Ok sorry boss.

[James123]

4 minutes ago, Inliytened1 said:

Imo neo-advaitans are worse than Christians.   It's such a distortion and twisting of Truth that it's of the deepest kind.

 

But our essence is identical.

[Inliytened1]

Just now, PurpleTree said:

Ok sorry boss.

That's my take. If you don't like it just stay listening to Tony Parsons.

[PurpleTree]

Just now, Inliytened1 said:

That's my take. If you don't like it just stay listening to Tony Parsons.

Alright.

[PurpleTree]

I will only say this  @Inliytened1

Just because you don’t get it or it isn’t for you or there’s no resonance doesn’t mean it’s not true or good or whatever. Maybe it’s too advanced for you.

[Inliytened1]

2 minutes ago, James123 said:

But our essence is identical.

True but do you want delusion or Truth? Ultimately it is Truth. 

[Inliytened1]

20 minutes ago, PurpleTree said:

I will only say this  @Inliytened1

Just because you don’t get it or it isn’t for you or there’s no resonance doesn’t mean it’s not true or good or whatever. Maybe it’s too advanced for you.

Anyone can sit around and say there is no self.  And none to realize it.  But the fact remains that there is the illusion of the self and that does exist.  It is real.  We just discussed that over in the Solpsism thread.  It is the shattering of the illusion which is what awakening is all about.  If you don't bother to inquire then you will continue to be stuck in concepts rather than direct experience. 

Edited Wednesday at 11:26 PM by Inliytened1

[James123]

1 minute ago, Inliytened1 said:

True but do you want delusion or Truth? Ultimately it is Truth. 

When one sees the essence instead of seeing beliefs, ethnic groups, identification etc... being all one is inevitable, which is the end of separation. 

Seeing others through ideas, beliefs, or labels is the root of division and conflict.

[Inliytened1]

2 minutes ago, James123 said:

When one sees the essence instead of seeing beliefs, ethnic groups, identification etc... being all one is inevitable, which is the end of separation. 

Seeing others through ideas, beliefs, or labels is the root of division and conflict.

That is not going to guide you to Absolute Truth.   You were born as an illusion and awakening is the shattering of that illusion.   There is nothing else but awakening from the illusion.   You know this better than anyone. 

[PurpleTree]

@Inliytened1 why did you change your posts? 

[James123]

Just now, Inliytened1 said:

That is not going to guide you to Absolute Truth.   You were born as an illusion and awakening is the shattering of that illusion.   There is nothing else but awakening from the illusion.   You know this better than anyone. 

In Truth, there is no "me", no collection of ideas, beliefs, or experiences that form a separate self.

We are the Truth.

Truth does not see through the mind, which divides and labels such as this is Christian, this is Hindu, or this is Muslim.

Truth sees no separation. It sees all as identical, one Being, one Essence.

[Inliytened1]

5 minutes ago, James123 said:

In Truth, there is no "me", no collection of ideas, beliefs, or experiences that form a separate self.

We are the Truth.

Truth does not see through the mind, which divides and labels such as this is Christian, this is Hindu, or this is Muslim.

Truth sees no separation. It sees all as identical, one Being, one Essence.

My point is if you don't use direct experience such as self inquiry and meditation you will forever remain stuck in concepts.  What Nisargadatta is pointing to here is direct experience or actuality.  Parsons is stuck in concept.  There's no self and that's it.  That's still all conceptual.

 

Edited Wednesday at 11:28 PM by Inliytened1

[James123]

Just now, Inliytened1 said:

My point is if you don't use direct experience such as self inquiry and meditation you will forever remain stuck in concepts.  What Nisargadatta is pointing to here is direct experience or actuality.  Parsons is stuck in concept.  There's no self and that's it.

Thank you very much for the explanation my brother.

Much love and respect to you.

Best Regards,

[Inliytened1]

2 minutes ago, James123 said:

Thank you very much for the explanation my brother.

Much love and respect to you.

Best Regards,

Has anyone asked Tony how he came to such a conclusion? Was it just a sudden insight? Was it for you?  Most are not that fortunate if it truly was awakening.   You know this.  You have done meditation because I've seen you speak about it. So there was one who meditated.  Or one who embraced actuality.