One Experience

We literally share this one experience; this very one just now. There are no two experiences; the division is man made. We all partake in one event. If you dare to entertain this view you will realize when anyone goes astray; as they will deal with life as if it's divided. This is all well and done as long they know and recognize the immediacy of union; of our undivided nature. As long as we know the oneness we share in reality all the time, we can work as individuals, speak as individuals and see clearly what distinguishes us from the other. But that would never disallow our one shared experience. Because this unity is what will enable clarity of discrimination. Without this living experience of non-duality (Advaita) there would be separation based on a divided world view; we would only see separation without the notion of oneness.

Even Advaita can be distorted by egoic minds; claiming oneness from a divided stance. This often happens when people have had insight into the non-dual absolute Nature we all share alike. The egoic mind grasps at the concept and elevates itself to a liberated self; I am free.

But the proof is in the pudding; when we face another do we see the oneness? Do we speak and act from that pure realization? Or are we just ignorant, or arrogant?

Our One Experience helps to settle our quires. It shows unequivocally that all is revealed in relationship. Every word, gesture and act gives us away, every time. If there is no division, there is room for not knowing, doubt and even confusion. There is in fact room for anything, but humility will serve as the thread that keeps the communion intact.

Now, this should not lend itself to controversy. If it does, we have totally missed the point. Rather, we should go wow! -then this would mean this… and this… and this…

We can actually practice this before having a genuine spiritual insight of the truth of it. Look around you, tell yourself that there is no division out there, your experience is another's. We all share alike, whether it is an impersonal perspective or a personal view, the same field of vision. See how this eradicates any notion of separation, and also you will be able to tell very quickly how soon others are parting from this truth, and you'll also be aware of when you yourself want to go back to a divided world view. But even when you, or another, takes a separate stance it doesn't negate the fundamental unity. That's when it really will blow your mind; that even when you feel separate, that is itself part of the One Experience we share.

Re: One Experience

I just found this thread.  I have always seen the oneness, not just in sensing the spiritual connection, but in realizing that logically, living with recognition of this is the highest idea of survival in a reasonable manner, for the most people.  Hording is the oppisite of this.  The thing is this, if you look in the eyes of another and show them a recongition of them in as you, and speak to them from this perspective, they tend to think you are not quite normal and label you as wierd.  There is no division, but the experience of fear creates it.  Folks build walls around themelves.  They don't want to be “seen” even if the other doing the seeing is doing so with non-judgmental eyes. 

It has worked wonders in getting would be assailants, thieves and muggers, to move away from me.  But, not so much in getting someone to give you a job.

Re: One Experience

Yes that is true, but you must have had extraordinary meetings with others that share your outlook. And regardless, we don't have an option, we have to go on holding this unifying not-two attitude.

And actually, I find it very helpful getting a job that way. I have no impressive CV but I meet them right there and then with who they are. Doesn't always work but it has given me the jobs that I wanted.

Re: One Experience

And actually, I find it very helpful getting a job that way. I have no impressive CV but I meet them right there and then with who they are. Doesn't always work but it has given me the jobs that I wanted.

And now I've just found the thread as well, and goodness… what a wonderful set of reflections. I'd just like to chime in to say that my experience has been similar to Bjorn's. The universe seems to make itself available so readily to undefended sorts.

Re: One Experience

Well, I am willing to move where you guys live because here, folks think it is wierd, or you are someone that can be taken advantage of.  Maybe I am missing something in what I communicate.   Are you guys in the good old capitalist USA?  It also could be the line of business that I work in, I do legal work and often end up catching folks up to no good.   I would say that in most of my jobs, within less than four months of beginning, I find at least one instance (some places more) of someone trying to get away with something.  If your job is to call the up on this, you don't make friends easily, especially if it is someone you thought you had some type of rapport with.  Folks expect you to turn your head or, worse, cooperate.  It is almost part of our culture.  One aspect I was not taught.

Re: One Experience

I live in London and work as a gardener. My main contest is with the squirrels. So no big issues here. In the evenings I teach Aikido and foster a communal relationship with my students. I have had to ask some to leave because their unwillingness to play as a team player and them insisting on being stubbornly rude and arrogant in regards to others. They were friends but when they couldn't owe up to their own mistakes the situation became untenable in the dojo.

Re: One Experience

I am sorry if I came across really negative in my posts.  I have been unemployed for quite some time.  A couple of weeks ago I had an interview for a job that I really thought would provide me with a solid future doing interesting work.  On the way out of the interview, a comment was made to me that amounted to sexual harassment, the comment and a movement the guy made.  So, I am feeling pretty down on human beings and life right now.  I withdrew myself from consideration for the position after complaining. 

The thing is, I feel down about feeling down.  Because before the interview, given the history of ending up working with a bunch of dishonest people repeatedly, I prayed that if there was anything about the job or the environment that God would show me.  I also asked that it be made pretty clear because I am so desparate, I might just ignore suttle warning signs.  Well, when a guy tells you that the company planted a chip in your rear and makes a movement as if he is swiping your rear, and you are there in your nice pin striped suit thinking you are perceived as a professional, it is a pretty clear signal that the job isn't the right one.  Instead of gratitude, I am feeling great loss and pain.

Re: One Experience

No need to be sorry, you're among friends.
Sure, you should feel loss and pain when encountering that kind of behavior. Be glad that you walked away. Yes hard times now. Prayer, though, will help. Because you petition help from the Almighty. If the Absolute is insentient than our prayers are in vain, but I know for a fact that Life itself is a living, intelligent Being. Our hearts call out to itself and its pleads resonates in our being. Next best thing, seek out a common heart among your line of business. Don't seek the job, seek the people that wants what you want. But what do I know, a gardener?

Bless

Re: One Experience

What do you mean questioning what you know because you are a gardener?  I will have you know that I have been using gardening to heal from this incident.  I call my plants my “recruits” because they are in the service of bringing beauty to a yard that is now somewhat plain and beauty to my life and the lives of my neighbors. A job where your hands are in the soil bringing beauty and life from the Earth–that is fantastic.  No wonder you are so cool. 

Also, if I could go back and learn another trade, I would consider landscape architecture or design.  It is pretty big over here.  Thank you for your thoughts and understanding.  I am getting my energy back.

Re: One Experience

Upward and onwards… :-) Thank you

Re: One Experience

Do you ever use rabbit manure and coffee grounds as a fertilizer?  I have been using them and am not sure how to measure what is the just right amount so as to not give them too much nitrogen and discourage flowering.  The coffee grounds also keep cats and some bugs from eating the leaves.  I had some plants where it was obvious bugs were getting to them at night.  So, I put more coffee grounds down.  The bugs left the plants alone.  But, I am worried that keeping the bugs off will also bring too much nitrogen into the soil.  I also used some egg shells. 

Re: One Experience

No I haven't. I use chicken manure, a handful around my roses.
I usually just test and see what works. Dish washing liquid diluted with water sprayed on leaves works well for bugs.
 I'm rubbish advising on gardening, but ask me anything about spiritual awakening and I'll give it a go :-)