Hey James,
Yes, that satsang was wonderful for me. I am looking forward to watching the video and keeping it as a reference and practice tool.
One funny thing about studying Vedanta for me is that I keep hearing it like it’s the first time, over and over again. I don’t know if that’s because the hearing of it generates such a profound reorientation, or if it’s because my old mind has a poor grip on new knowledge these days. But as I speak with you, read your books, and listen your videos I recognize the same familiar concepts I have been studying for so long and at the same time I have big “aha!” experiences like it is the first time hearing it.
About your apology for interrupting me, that makes me smile because I take it as an example of your courtesy, kindness and generosity of spirit rather than as a genuine apology. We both know I really need those interruptions. First off, I talk like my last 87 lifetimes have been spent as an auctioneer, right? God help us, somebody needs to interrupt me when I get going. Secondly that’s about half of the teaching method isn’t it? Show the student the right way and interrupt the stuff that is misunderstanding or just automatic. Anyway thanks for all of the conversation, especially the interruptions.
James: Ignorance is smart. Duality works to keep us alive…the bottom line for all sentient beings…and so the ego clings to it. It’s not smart enough to make us happy, but there you are. Fortunately it contains the seeds of its own destruction. We suffer and look for ways out. You flail around in the Neo world until you have enough merit to get Isvara’s attention. Enter Vedanta and a new neural pathway—cutting a freeway through a mountainous terrain takes a lot of work.
The ego’s #1 trick is talking. It takes advantage of everything it hears to talk about its wondrous self. When you’re talking you’re not listening. It’s like a drunk you shared a deep secret with at the bar; the next day he’s forgotten everything.
People like me never forget where we left off because we know where you are (duality) and where you are going (non-duality). It’s what we do. We have a proven method that has nothing to do with us personally, in so far as personhood is real. We know what needs to be reinforced and the next topic. The solution is cut and dried. Occasionally a person who is attracted to the idea of non-duality but isn’t ready to commit will drop out of Vedanta for years and when they return the topic of the last conversation pops up and I’m good to go.
Listening is very difficult. If you can learn how to let go of your desire to control the conversation, you can go very fast. You need to articulate an issue and hand the rest over to the teacher. That’s all.
Here’s the link to the video. I can cut your pic out but leave your voice if you like. It’s good because it shows how the teaching works. It might encourage others to satsang with me on the cloud.
Love,
James
