| Copyright © 2004/2008 SHEILAN / Infinite Living |
| What is Advaita? |
I contribute the transcendent, Indian teachings of Advaita, (both ancient and new), to be the catalyst for my final understanding
of conceptual Reality. Advaita simply means 'not two' and is derived from the Upanishads, which are thought to be the final
commentaries and interpretations of the ancient, Vedic texts. Vedas means ‘Knowledge’. Many believe the ancient Vedic
scriptures have existed since the beginning of creation. These ancient scriptures were written down by sages over a period
time, between 1500 BCE and 500 BCE. Prior to this time the teachings of Knowledge were only given orally from one person
to another.
The word Upanishad means “sitting down near”, implying sitting at the feet of the one with Knowledge and is the basis for the
relationship between teacher and student and 'the spoken word'. 'The spoken word' is a way of transmitting and pointing to,
that which cannot be spoken. The lesson of Advaita Knowledge is beyond the realm of conceptual thought and form. Yet, this
non-thing or void is what Reality is; it is the only thing which is Real.
Advaita, "not two" simply means only One exists... Only One thing is Real, all else seeming to be separately real is the Dream!
There are no individuals and no separate parts from this One real thing. When this understanding becomes one's complete
reality, one hundred per cent of the time, on every level, self-realization or what some call enlightenment has happened. This
is not something that an individual can control or make happen faster or even happen at all, because there are no individuals
with individual power. Believing oneself to be separate, with individual power is the Dream.
I consider the non-duality teachings of Advaita to be the most essential pointers to understanding Reality beyond all words
and concepts. India may be credited to having the oldest and most doctrines, as well as teachers teaching Advaita concepts,
Ramana Maharshi being the most famous, but the essence of this understanding is universal and can be found at the root of
all myths and religions of the world. Through out time there have been teachers emerging with various degrees of this
understanding. Joseph Campbell, in his 1988 'Power of Myth' series, was able to explain this transcendent understanding to
a western audience, on national TV. It seems that this was the beginning for our western culture, to collectively, go deeper
into the knowledge of this Ultimate Understanding, allowing for more acceptance and diversity among us.
I hope the message I share provides missing pieces to the Reality puzzle, for those of you who desire to Know.
~ Sheilan
of conceptual Reality. Advaita simply means 'not two' and is derived from the Upanishads, which are thought to be the final
commentaries and interpretations of the ancient, Vedic texts. Vedas means ‘Knowledge’. Many believe the ancient Vedic
scriptures have existed since the beginning of creation. These ancient scriptures were written down by sages over a period
time, between 1500 BCE and 500 BCE. Prior to this time the teachings of Knowledge were only given orally from one person
to another.
The word Upanishad means “sitting down near”, implying sitting at the feet of the one with Knowledge and is the basis for the
relationship between teacher and student and 'the spoken word'. 'The spoken word' is a way of transmitting and pointing to,
that which cannot be spoken. The lesson of Advaita Knowledge is beyond the realm of conceptual thought and form. Yet, this
non-thing or void is what Reality is; it is the only thing which is Real.
Advaita, "not two" simply means only One exists... Only One thing is Real, all else seeming to be separately real is the Dream!
There are no individuals and no separate parts from this One real thing. When this understanding becomes one's complete
reality, one hundred per cent of the time, on every level, self-realization or what some call enlightenment has happened. This
is not something that an individual can control or make happen faster or even happen at all, because there are no individuals
with individual power. Believing oneself to be separate, with individual power is the Dream.
I consider the non-duality teachings of Advaita to be the most essential pointers to understanding Reality beyond all words
and concepts. India may be credited to having the oldest and most doctrines, as well as teachers teaching Advaita concepts,
Ramana Maharshi being the most famous, but the essence of this understanding is universal and can be found at the root of
all myths and religions of the world. Through out time there have been teachers emerging with various degrees of this
understanding. Joseph Campbell, in his 1988 'Power of Myth' series, was able to explain this transcendent understanding to
a western audience, on national TV. It seems that this was the beginning for our western culture, to collectively, go deeper
into the knowledge of this Ultimate Understanding, allowing for more acceptance and diversity among us.
I hope the message I share provides missing pieces to the Reality puzzle, for those of you who desire to Know.
~ Sheilan
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