During the Science and Nonduality conference of October 2018, I spoke on the way we experience reality from the object-side of the dynamics of consciousness. This was a follow-up to the stages of enlightenment talk I gave last year. This year I had a much smaller time slot, just enough to do an overview. (That’s Rick Archer talking under the titles, mentioning our second BATGAP interview.)
The talk focused on the koshas or sheathes but instead of starting with the physical body, I took a top down approach that began with consciousness and its origins. After summarizing the 7 koshas, I mentioned how the 7 chakras embody these 7 levels even though they function in only some of them. I also spoke of the 5 elements and the dominant stage of becoming in each layer.
Some people experience the process of consciousness curving back on itself repeatedly as a spiral of increased density.
A brief question period followed the talk. I mentioned Brahman as beyond the absolute. This is because the absolute is relative to the relative. With no distinction, there isn’t an “absolute.” This is the subtle duality of being. For there to be existence, there has to be non-existence. Brahman is beyond even such subtle dualities.
You may notice most of the questions were directed to the stages of enlightenment rather than the stages of becoming. 🙂
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Parabrahman and Pure Divinity
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Davidya
Last Updated on September 12, 2023 by Davidya
Thanks David!
You’re welcome, Joseph.
Thank you, David! Man, that is a LOT to cover in twenty minutes!
“I mentioned Brahman as beyond the absolute. This is because the absolute is relative to the relative. With no distinction, there isn’t an “absolute.” This is like the subtle duality of being. For there to be existence, there has to be non-existence. Brahman is beyond even such subtle dualities.”
Yes, a very, very good point. I like the way you have phrased this as it is completely accurate, and has me wondering, “What did I think the “absolute” was, before living Brahman?”
Funny, because if we busy ourselves with all the ripples on the surface of the ocean, the gross activity of life, there appears to be a vast unknown silence supporting us, we are fundamentally ignorant.
But once we are living Brahman, beyond even the ocean that gives rise to the ripples, neither relative nor absolute exist, except as two temporary states of consciousness.
The only subject/object relationship remaining in Brahman is that of Mother Divine, providing the endless well, nourishment, and creativity from which Brahman is created. A very intimate relationship.
Jai Guru Dev
Jim – right. And to think I wanted to cover 3 times that in 40 minutes. (laughs) The topic needed more time to give practical, relevant examples. But at least I got it out there.
(laughs) Some of that is funny. I remember looking for the gap, trying to figure out what was meant by that. There never really was a “gap” between absolute and relative here. One flowed directly out of the other. And then they merged.
Right. Some terms are very relative to a specific range of development and the resulting perspective. Some terms may never have relevance. Emptiness for example, here. Certainly big, vast, open spaces. But they never felt empty.
“There never really was a “gap” between absolute and relative here.”
Thanks for saying this!
“One flowed directly out of the other. And then they merged.”
This reminds me of the eve coming out of Adam. 🙂
Hi Amri
You’re welcome. Some do very much experience a sense of gap between them. It depends on ones process.
hmmm – Eve coming out of Adam is a perspective thing too. In the Eastern model, they have Shiva and Shakti. From one perspective, Shakti arises from the silent presence of Shiva, the relative/ nature arises from the absolute/ pure consciousness. God the Father.
But from another perspective, the son comes out of the womb. Without Shakti, Shiva is asleep.
And from another perspective, Shiva is the student and devotee of the Divine Mother. Pure Divinity is prior to consciousness, prior to Shiva.
In the talk I mention alertness and liveliness. These can be said to be the essence of Shiva and Shakti, the masculine and feminine principles, Adam and Eve. They are not really 2 things but 2 aspects of one thing that together expresses the world.
🙂 Yeah, good to be able to illuminate it briefly vs. not at all. Looking forward to your longer interview! A far meatier dish I am sure.
Yeah, “the gap”. I took their word for it but never experienced it. There can be the experience of no thoughts for awhile, though perception continues. Alertness is there.
Ha-ha! Good point about the ’emptiness’. Even the most vast expanse of space I can find is always pregnant with endless possibilities. Like your illustration of the straight line of perception that inevitably curves.
My clearest indication of where Brahman dwells is between Consciousness and Mother Divine. I suppose the equation would be:
Consciousness < Brahman < Divinity
Brahman is always able to view and act within the totality of consciousness, while being completely surrendered to Divinity.
"Do nothing, and accomplish everything" – Maharishi Mahesh Yogi
Well put Jim.
Rick has scheduled the BATGAP interview to go up on Dec 8.
Now moved up to the 15th…
Yes, an early Christmas present! 🙂
I’ve added a transcript of the talk.
https://davidya.ca/media/transcript-the-faces-of-reality-talk-by-david-buckland-at-sand18/